With the sound of pounding hooves, the knights came dashing onto the jousting field, brandishing their swords above their heads. (Except for the last one who appeared to harbor thoughts about jabbing the butt of the horse in front of him. All’s fair in love and jousting, right. He didn’t, of course, but the horse is keeping a wary eye on him.)
Peggy and I made our way to the Renaissance Festival in Annapolis, Maryland last week. It’s a big deal, hosting some 15,000 people per day and covering 27 acres. Started in 1977 and now in it’s 49th year, it is one of the oldest and biggest of the some 300 Renaissance Faire type events across the nation and in Europe.
This map from Renfel provides an idea of the events popularity in the US and Europe. The colors and signs represent the different themes for the various faires, ranging from the traditional Renaissance Faire to Scottish Highland Games, Celtic celebrations, pirates, the Goblin King, Sleepy Hollow, etc.. Heathen Days and Pagan Nights in particular caught my attention.
The Maryland Renaissance Festival focuses on King Henry VIII and his six wives with a story that progresses each year following his life and love life. This time, the year was 1539 and Henry was at the festival to meet with Hans Holbein the Younger, the renown painter, who had done portraits of potential wives of the right ‘pedigree’ across Europe. And yes, Hans Holbein actually did that, serving as a matchmaker for the King. As to why a woman would want to marry the King given the fate of his wives— including Anne Boleyn who had her head chopped off— one can only wonder?
Our noble knights weren’t engaged in trying to knock each other off their horses, however, they were trying to retrieve rings tossed by squires out of the air with their lances.He who caught the most won. I think there were six rounds with each one adding a ring.The winner caught them all. He looked like he could serve as a model for the cover of a romance novel.A royal toast to the winner.When we arrived at the Festival, we were greeted by this woman blowing bubbles. Over 200 performers filled the stages, taverns, and streets, providing continuing entertainment that came free with the entrance fee. Peggy and I wandered the 27 acre site stopping off at the various venues that offered everything from magic to juggling to music and more. This tall fellow was one of the street performers.He was decked out with a shark tooth necklace, a feather in his hat, and an impressive tattoo. And maybe a drink of mead or ale. I don’t know if performers are allowed to drink on the job, but even the King hoisted a mug.Next we stopped to watch a magician who featured a magician’s chest that he disappeared into with the help of his assistants. At first, he invited an audience member on to the stage to check out the box and look for trapdoors. SOP— standard operating procedure for magicians. None were found, of course.Then he climbed into the box and a bag that his assistants tied up.The final step was to lock the chest.Which the assistants did with glee. Note: More tattoos. A foxy lady, perhaps? A poof of smoke and the magician reappeared, free from the tied bag and locked box. Hooray! Another magician at a different stage worked his magic with a disappearing egg trick using a member of the audience. Now you see it…Now you don’t. The magician had a unique look. The festival is set in an attractive hilly woodland. While 27 acres seems like a lot, dropping 15,000 people into it created a substantial crowd. Many were dressed up for the Festival.Including one dressed with leaves. While the majority wore Renaissance costumes, there was a great deal of leeway. If you wanted to be a tree, be a tree.Or a blue, black and white wolf. This woman was wearing a fursuit, an animal costume common among cosplayers known as “furries.” A furry who wears a fursuit is called a fursuiter. Or so I have been told. Now you know.One of our favorite costumes was this walking gondola, one of the festival’s entertainers.Peggy, ever curious, asked if it was okay to look in the window. “Of course,” gondola man told her. An eye stared back at her. Her own. A mirror was positioned inside.Another two costumes we found fascinating were this pair of look alike crows or ravens being worn by look alike women. Twins? My guess was they were also part of the entertainment but they might have been attendees with really neat costumes.All of our walking made us hungry! Over 42 food and drink vendors provided a wide variety of food at the festival. But there was only one food item I was hungry for…A turkey leg. They are almost mandatory at a Renaissance Faire/Festival and have been since time immemorial. At least in the American version. In Renaissance times, turkeys hadn’t made it to Europe yet. They were an American bird. In fact Benjamin Franklin wanted to make them the national bird. The eagle fans won out. More majestic they said of this bird that soars beautifully but likes nothing better than to chow down on a ripe, dead salmon. Yum.Eating a turkey leg also calls for a glass of ale and the Knights’ pub was located right next door. The horses seem to be racing…And the winner by a nose is…!
The smoked turkey leg tasted good, but it was tough. Possibly the toughest meat I have ever eaten. People were pulling the meat off with their fingers instead of chewing it off. I saw some, who were lucky enough to have a pocket knife, carving it off. But duty is duty. I had eaten a turkey leg at all three Renaissance Faires I had been to before, and I was going to eat one at the fourth! Peggy and I shared, washing each hard earned bite down with a sip of ale.
My first Renaissance Faire was in 1969 at the Northern California Renaissance Faire held at China Camp State Park on the northern edge of San Pablo Bay, an extension of the San Francisco Bay. At the time, it was one of two such events in the country, not 300. The country’s first Renaissance Pleasure Faire had been staged in Los Angeles 6 years earlier in 1963 by Phyllis Patterson. At the time, she was working at a youth center where she used a theater program she ran in her back yard to motivate her children using great themes from the past. One of the themes was the Renaissance. Finding an illustration of a medieval pageant wagon, she asked two of the dads to build a Commedia dell’arte wagon to use with the kids.(Commedia dell’arte was a form of professional theater that originated in Italy and was popular in the 16th and 17th centuries.) The kids performed a play using the wagon as a prop and loved it. Inspired, Phyllis decided to hold a repeat performance, but in a larger setting, a recreation of an Elizabethan County Fair. It was an immediate hit. The first Renaissance Faire was born. She added the Northern California pageant in 1967. Two years later, I was sitting there eating my turkey leg as the king and his retinue came striding by.
Like, Maryland, the Faire was in a beautiful wooded section. I thought it was magical.
There were several sites where people could try their luck at various activities such as throwing axes or shooting arrows. This guy was trying to ring a bell with a sledge hammer. He didn’t make it…The tall, skinny guy who ran the booth, showed him how to do it. One handed.There were also some 140 crafts people selling their wares at the Festival. This one made wooden signs. How many of you know what book and movie made this popular? Think,”The Princess Bride.”Several of the craftspeople demonstrated their art. This fellow created small glass objects, ranging from flying pigs to…A variety of other imaginary creatures, including flying unicorns and dragons.How could one have a Renaissance festival without a dragon or two?Or an angel? Peggy demonstrated.Several musicians performed at the Festival.As we were leaving, an a cappella group was performing.They were quite talented…And seemed to be having a great time. As almost everyone was. It was a fitting goodbye for us. In 2007, the columnist Neil Steinberg, from the Chicago Sun Times summarized why people enjoy Renaissance festivals so much: “If theme parks, with their pasteboard main streets, reek of a bland, safe, homogenized, white-bread America, the Renaissance fair is at the other end of the social spectrum, a whiff of the occult, a flash of danger and a hint of the erotic. Here, they let you throw axes.” Burning Man, which Peggy and I have attended several times, has a similar appeal.
And now back to our next post: The Southwest and El Mapais National Monument.The Spanish called it El Mapais, the bad place. This monument would have served as a landmark on their early travels through here in the 1500s. Before that it would have served the same purpose for the Zuni and Acoma Native Americans. Today, backpackers making their way along the 3100 mile (4989 kilometer) Continental Divide Trail, pass right by it.
Wow, thats an amazing views. Hearty Congratulations, MerryLand, USA. How i wish i was around. However, in the next phase, I must be there. Wow, it’s Amazing!!!. From, Ugochi A,Chinakwe
An advantage of having phases. Grin. Thanks.
Far bigger than the few we have attended. Interesting feet on the stilt walker. I once hit the bullseye on the first throw of the axe; I quit throwing.
Do they have some permanent structures? Several looked like they might be.
I thought the same thing about the feet and my first thought was hooves of some kind attached to a jester’s shoes. Good observation. I almost wrote something. Laughing, I would have quit as well!
Such fun! I have been a follower of the Tudor dynasty for 30 years! I remember seeing King Henry and His Six Wives on PBS in the early 1970’s with Keith Mitchell playing Henry. I have watched it several times and for me, is the very best about the family. Surprisingly, there is also new information coming out even today about that time. Happy journey back into the rock! And, Peggy, you look marvelous! Love to you both! Wendy
I was just reviewing the Annapolis Ren Faire because I’ll be there in a few days!! I wish I had my ducks in a row earlier, and I would have been happy to fly out earlier and meet up with you guys. As it is, I’ve chosen a trail with a waterfall to hike during my off time at Annapolis.
Wendy, I just watched Wolf Hall on PBS, told from the perspective of King Henry VIII’s advisor Cromwell. It was very well done and may be interesting to you.
Whoops! That first paragraph is for Curt, and only the PBS part is for Wendy, ha ha. Trying to do too much and not paying attention… 🙂
No prob…
I have watched Wolf Hall…twice and read the trilogy and absolutely loved it! Dark and mysterious…I also love reading Nordic crime authors. Love to you both!
It would have been a kick had we managed to hook up for the Faire!
Your acquaintance with the Tudors is much better than mine, Wendy!
It’s not my cup of tea (or mead, if you will), but it doesn’t surprise me one bit that a devoted Burner would turn up at a RenFaire! I’m glad you enjoyed it. The best thing about the one I attended north of Houston was the introduction it provided to The Flying Fish Sailors, an uncategorizable group that turns out such memorable tunes as “Give Me Coffee,” “Mow, Johnny, Mow,” and “The Flu Pandemic,” which happens to be one of my favorites. In a way, they remind me of Tom Lehrer, and his classics like “The Vatican Rag.”
Thanks. I think I read that the guy who was responsible for setting up the Texas festival went on from there to set up Maryland’s. We watched the kids at the Maryland Festival. They certainly looked like they were having a blast. I know I would have. I’ve loved fairs my whole life.
The first part of my response went to Wendy by accident. I’m so silly.
Great photos, Curt. I must say that the angel photo of Peggy must be one of my favourite that I’ve ever seen of her. Knowing her personality makes it even more fitting. I’m so glad you two had fun and I think it’s really cool that you went to one of the first RenFaire’s in the country. My very first Renaissance Faire was a great big one like this, in Larkspur, Colorado (between Denver and Colorado Springs). But after that, all the Renaissance Faires I went to were in California, and I had no idea what a California tradition they are. Here in Oregon they have Fairieworlds, so I was distracted by fae for a long time and didn’t get back until this summer. I especially appreciated all the dragon images you have here. The jousting is always a blast.
Thanks, Crystal. Peggy says thank you as well. She was quite pleased with how the angel picture turned out. That first Renaissance was very special to me and fit where my mind was in those days. Right about the same time, I went to Earth Day I. No surprise about your appreciation of the dragons. Grin.
How fun! My husband and I love Ren fairs and have hit a few in the PNW. Maryland sounds almost overwhelming. They are such a hoot – full of plain old good fun. We usually go on villains-and-scoundrels days, since we’re pirates at heart (and in costume). I can commiserate about the “tough” turkey legs. We tend to gravitate toward the meat pies for that reason. Love Peggy’s angel wings. ❤
I laughed at the villains and scandals. I noted in my post that Heathen Days and Pagan Nights sounded about right for me. My previous turkey legs at Faires had been much more eatable! Peggy says thanks.
What fun, Curt! It’s been years since we’ve gone, and yours looks like the best time! I love the photo of Peggy in angel wings. Enjoy your time next month. Hope to see some fall photos here! 🙂
Peggy immediately wanted her photo take with the wings, Lauren. Admittedly, my little devil is quite the angel! Grin. Fall photos are pretty much guaranteed.
This was the Renaissance fair of all fairs, Curt! I loved all of your photos which brought me back to my own memories with that turkey leg in hand and bangers and a beer. What could be better. So much fun and I LOVE Peggy’s outfit complete as the angel she is. Now, where’s your picture, my friend. Surely, you were a pirate of such!
A banger certainly would have been easier to chew. As for my preferred get up, I did mention I was fascinated with the Renaissance Faire site that had the annual theme of Heathen Days and Pagan Nights. 😳
I didn’t know that. And I like it. In those troubled times, it seems important to me to know where we come from. And the ideals of the Renaissance are still very important…
Wandering through Time and Place 
Wow, hats so interesting Sir. Congratulations. pls.
Thanks, appreciated. Some fun.
Wow, thats an amazing views. Hearty Congratulations, MerryLand, USA. How i wish i was around. However, in the next phase, I must be there. Wow, it’s Amazing!!!. From, Ugochi A,Chinakwe
An advantage of having phases. Grin. Thanks.
Far bigger than the few we have attended. Interesting feet on the stilt walker. I once hit the bullseye on the first throw of the axe; I quit throwing.
Do they have some permanent structures? Several looked like they might be.
I thought the same thing about the feet and my first thought was hooves of some kind attached to a jester’s shoes. Good observation. I almost wrote something. Laughing, I would have quit as well!
And yes, they are permanent structures.
Such fun! I have been a follower of the Tudor dynasty for 30 years! I remember seeing King Henry and His Six Wives on PBS in the early 1970’s with Keith Mitchell playing Henry. I have watched it several times and for me, is the very best about the family. Surprisingly, there is also new information coming out even today about that time. Happy journey back into the rock! And, Peggy, you look marvelous! Love to you both! Wendy
I was just reviewing the Annapolis Ren Faire because I’ll be there in a few days!! I wish I had my ducks in a row earlier, and I would have been happy to fly out earlier and meet up with you guys. As it is, I’ve chosen a trail with a waterfall to hike during my off time at Annapolis.
Wendy, I just watched Wolf Hall on PBS, told from the perspective of King Henry VIII’s advisor Cromwell. It was very well done and may be interesting to you.
Whoops! That first paragraph is for Curt, and only the PBS part is for Wendy, ha ha. Trying to do too much and not paying attention… 🙂
No prob…
I have watched Wolf Hall…twice and read the trilogy and absolutely loved it! Dark and mysterious…I also love reading Nordic crime authors. Love to you both!
It would have been a kick had we managed to hook up for the Faire!
Your acquaintance with the Tudors is much better than mine, Wendy!
It’s not my cup of tea (or mead, if you will), but it doesn’t surprise me one bit that a devoted Burner would turn up at a RenFaire! I’m glad you enjoyed it. The best thing about the one I attended north of Houston was the introduction it provided to The Flying Fish Sailors, an uncategorizable group that turns out such memorable tunes as “Give Me Coffee,” “Mow, Johnny, Mow,” and “The Flu Pandemic,” which happens to be one of my favorites. In a way, they remind me of Tom Lehrer, and his classics like “The Vatican Rag.”
Likewise, Linda, it doesn’t’t surprise me that what you liked best were the folk music groups. Grin.
Excellent pictures and Story!
We went to the Texas Renaissance Festival many decades ago. It was a lot of fun too and our young children loved it!
Thanks. I think I read that the guy who was responsible for setting up the Texas festival went on from there to set up Maryland’s. We watched the kids at the Maryland Festival. They certainly looked like they were having a blast. I know I would have. I’ve loved fairs my whole life.
The first part of my response went to Wendy by accident. I’m so silly.
Great photos, Curt. I must say that the angel photo of Peggy must be one of my favourite that I’ve ever seen of her. Knowing her personality makes it even more fitting. I’m so glad you two had fun and I think it’s really cool that you went to one of the first RenFaire’s in the country. My very first Renaissance Faire was a great big one like this, in Larkspur, Colorado (between Denver and Colorado Springs). But after that, all the Renaissance Faires I went to were in California, and I had no idea what a California tradition they are. Here in Oregon they have Fairieworlds, so I was distracted by fae for a long time and didn’t get back until this summer. I especially appreciated all the dragon images you have here. The jousting is always a blast.
Thanks, Crystal. Peggy says thank you as well. She was quite pleased with how the angel picture turned out. That first Renaissance was very special to me and fit where my mind was in those days. Right about the same time, I went to Earth Day I. No surprise about your appreciation of the dragons. Grin.
How fun! My husband and I love Ren fairs and have hit a few in the PNW. Maryland sounds almost overwhelming. They are such a hoot – full of plain old good fun. We usually go on villains-and-scoundrels days, since we’re pirates at heart (and in costume). I can commiserate about the “tough” turkey legs. We tend to gravitate toward the meat pies for that reason. Love Peggy’s angel wings. ❤
I laughed at the villains and scandals. I noted in my post that Heathen Days and Pagan Nights sounded about right for me. My previous turkey legs at Faires had been much more eatable! Peggy says thanks.
🙂
What fun, Curt! It’s been years since we’ve gone, and yours looks like the best time! I love the photo of Peggy in angel wings. Enjoy your time next month. Hope to see some fall photos here! 🙂
Peggy immediately wanted her photo take with the wings, Lauren. Admittedly, my little devil is quite the angel! Grin. Fall photos are pretty much guaranteed.
This was the Renaissance fair of all fairs, Curt! I loved all of your photos which brought me back to my own memories with that turkey leg in hand and bangers and a beer. What could be better. So much fun and I LOVE Peggy’s outfit complete as the angel she is. Now, where’s your picture, my friend. Surely, you were a pirate of such!
Happy Sat-Yayyyy!
💗
A banger certainly would have been easier to chew. As for my preferred get up, I did mention I was fascinated with the Renaissance Faire site that had the annual theme of Heathen Days and Pagan Nights. 😳
Amazing. I didn’t know there were Renaissance festivals in the US… 👍🏻
Lots and lots of them!
I didn’t know that. And I like it. In those troubled times, it seems important to me to know where we come from. And the ideals of the Renaissance are still very important…