'Twas a pair of great days separated by a couple of weeks. With my walking staff in hand, we crossed under the arch and entered the realm as visitors and participants. The shop owners, street people and showman are all in the dress of the time. They speak the King's English and it is truly a grand time. They greet you at the gate and drag you into their world. It is a lot of fun. Artisans of every type sell their wares. You can get walking staffs, wooden mugs, hoop skirts, leather tunics, drinking horns, candles, and even swords! They have games of chance and skill for both young and old. None of them are electronic, which is a nice change of pace. Even the rides are man powered or gravity driven.

The shows are a mix of talent and humor. They have sword swallowing, dueling, and juggling. They poke fun at each other and the members of the audience they drag up on stage. The full contact joust is a show not to be missed. A word to the electronic junkie. Cameras are okay in moderation. Video cameras will often bring you attention from the stage. Cell phones and pagers will always bring the attention of the street people. It is best to leave the electronic leashes at home if you re able. Do you really need to be in touch that much when you step back in time?? I tend to think not.

On the second venture, we were engaged to be participants in a couple of shows. Audience participation is key to a good day in the realm. One might be embarrassed slightly, but it was all in good fun. Some if it is bawdy in nature, but never crude. I was on stage for the "Ample and Trite" show. Two ladies telling a story or two and involving the audience. One was named Trite and the other was indeed Ample. :-) They were a bawdy laugh riot that was still within the scope of good taste.

Later that day, My eldest son and my daughter were chosen from the crowd to replace the King of Vulgaria and the King of England respectfully in a game of Human Chess. They met on the Field of Honor and the pieces were men and woman. They would move as the Kings decreed, but when one "piece" was to take the other, the board was cleared and they did combat to claim the right of the piece. If you could not win, you didn't take the piece. Heather was on the side that faced the late afternoon sun, but in true King fashion, she wore the crown and accepted the bows of homage. Her subjects took it upon themselves to shield her eyes from the bright sun with their hands and she allowed them to. Heather had worn the costume from last Halloween and was striking in her white shirt, black leather like vest and long red hair. The rest of the day, she was recognized and revered as "your Majesty", given flowers and homage was paid to her. She accepted this attention too easily. I hope she does not wish her family to treat her like King upon return to our home.

The atmosphere is a very comfortable one. People mix and mingle. Many of the visitors are dressed in costume and play the character to the hilt. The food is good, although not all of it is authentic. You eat soup from a bread bowl, huge turkey drumsticks, and can wash it down with beer or wine. I find myself relaxed in this era and sometimes wonder if I had lived this lifestyle once before. We will take advantage of this while we are here.

A great day in the realm.

Taking a turn.




Sure, I will give to the poor.




Ready to do battle!




Bring 'em on!





Heather, Justin, & Nathan
All set to pillage the night!

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