Previous Posts & Commentary
Previous Posts
What is this "AI" thou speak of? Dost thou utilize it? (May 15, 2026)
There are several “hot topics” in the Renfaire realm at the moment – we’re going to touch on one this week, and a few others (one per week or so) over the next several weeks. Because mine writing style is “be thorough and combat the naysayers from the start,” you’ll get the TL;DR up front, especially for folks on mobile devices.
AI: we don’t allow our vendors to use AI to create products they vend (no 3-D printing, either, but that’s a different topic) and that is written into the application they fill out. Oakenmist doesn’t use it to create imagery for marketing or online media purposes. We have experimented with it (and concluded it’s less than useful) in the past, and we use tools that can utilize AI for imagery – but we specify non-AI when we use them. We do use AI for documentation and organizational functions, because it’s less resource-intensive than hours of online searching with the same result.
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This week’s topic is “Generative AI” – so-called “artificial intelligence.” Defined loosely, AI is computing performed at a facility that consumes mass amounts of resources (space, power, water). Generally, the objection to it’s use is twofold: first, artisans should not use AI to create new image-based art. AI is incapable of creating original artwork – it has been charged with appropriating current photography and imagery, then editing such to create something “new.” That appropriation is typically artwork utilized without the original creator’s permission, and without compensation or credit. While there are avenues where that’s acceptable (say, parody), AI is not typically used in this fashion, and court rulings have thus made clear that AI artwork cannot be owned or copyrighted. In short – it appears that AI has a ways to go before it can honestly create artwork “from scratch.”
Oakenmist does not allow such use for our vendors, and that’s specified in the application – vendors agree to that as a condition of application. If they’ve used it and said they haven’t – we shall have a prompt medieval-style removal from the Faire. Even when AI matures to the point where it can create actual new material, we’ll probably prohibit it.
The second objection is when groups use AI as a method for creating advertising or marketing imagery, especially items that are publicized electronically. The backlash has been strong enough that not only is this shunned in the Renfaire community, but most major media creation providers present the option to specifically exclude the use of AI for all of their users (full disclosure: we utilize Canva, no AI.) In truth, we at Oakenmist experimented with it 2 years ago – but we weren’t thrilled with the outcome, and after discussion with several artists, we chose to explicitly go down a non-AI imagery path, especially given that the Renaissance community tends to support individual artisans and makers.
There are plenty of visuals that have existed for a decade or more that some in the RenFaire (and other) community have tried to call out as AI-generated; that’s clearly not the case as some visuals predate AI per se. So we as a Faire and the community as a whole need to be cautious in throwing that “AI” charge around – we have additional checks to ensure this inside of the Oakenmist team. Now, that being said, do we use AI in other roles? We have used it to create outlines for first generation marketing plans and initial documentation, for example – where we could generate the same thing via 50 online searches and a bunch of typing – but the “load” on data center systems would probably be greater than if we just asked AI to do it directly. Given the tradeoffs, we consider the use of AI in those types of situations reasonable. We’re talking about a technology that has the potential for significant good in the world – the Mayo Clinic released a study 2 weeks ago showing that AI can detect certain cancers up to 3 years earlier than a traditional diagnosis. Society shouldn’t discard the technology as a whole – there are differences in their use. Oakenmist believes that there is appropriate use of AI – but “creative imagery” isn’t one of those uses.
d'Artagnan is found! (April 9, 2026)
M’Lord, m’Lady – hast thou heard the news? D’Artagnan has been found! What? A work of fiction, you say? Well, we here in the hamlet of Oakenmist pride ourselves on our scholarship and enlightening of others – so may I enlighten thee?
Let us talk, briefly, about Alexandre Dumas’ character. Wait, what? Thou never read The Three Musketeers? Well, one should suggest it to thy favorite book club, because it is a masterpiece. Yes, yes, there are the various recorded performances – but, as it’s said, the book is better than the movie.
For those unfamiliar, a recap: Monsieur d’Artagnan (first name unmentioned) is the main protagonist of The Three Musketeers. He represents youth, innocence, ethical behavior, justice – and a bit of obliviousness about the world. The book is about his journey to becoming a member of the King’s Musketeers of the Guard. In this, and in Dumas’ subsequent novels, d’Artagnan is consistently portrayed as the near epitome of what is good in the human condition – while he has flaws, and makes rash or unwise decisions, he consistently returns to what is right and proper. There are significant deviations from historical reality in the texts.
M’lord, what many are unaware of is that much of d’Artagnan’s character was based upon a real individual. Charles de Batz de Castlemore, known as d’Artagnan (later as Count d’Artagnan) was, among many other things, Captain of Louis XIV’s Musketeers of the Guard.
The historical record shows that he entered the Cardinal’s Musketeers around 1632 (courtesy of Monsieur de Treville, because Castlemore was not a member of the aristocracy – thus, could not be part of the King’s units at the time) and became a Count in 1633; the unit participated in clashes as part of the Franco-Spanish and Thirty Years’ War from the mid-1630’s to around 1642. He befriended Cardinal Mazarin (advisor to the King), and when the Musketeers were dissolved in 1646, he maintained the relationship and became a trusted envoy for the Cardinal, becoming known for his tact and humanity. In 1652, he was promoted to Lieutenant in the Gardes Françaises; in 1655, to Captain. In 1658 he became a Second Lieutenant in the newly reconstituted King’s Musketeers (a promotion, due to the Musketeers prestige.) In 1661, Louis XIV trusted d’Artagnan to the degree that the he was assigned to arrest and guard Fouquet for nearly three years while he was tried for peculation and insult to the monarchy; he was considered to be immune to bribery, a typical form of escape at the time. In 1667, he was elevated to Captain-Lieutenant of the King’s Musketeers, effectively leading the Musketeers (the King is the titular captain of the Musketeers.)
For 8 months, the governor of Lille in 1668; he wasn’t popular, as the King had done significant damage to the city in taking it, but managed to gain the goodwill of the citizenry as French engineers began numerous public works projects. He soon returned to his traditional service, and was promoted to Field-Marshall in 1672.
D’Artagnan was killed in battle at the Siege of Maastricht (Netherlands) on June 25, 1673 – supposedly when a musket ball went through his throat. This being the middle of summer, and transportation of a body over distance would have been unwise, it was decided to bury him locally.
But where was he buried, m’lord? For centuries, it was suspected that he was interred somewhere near St. Peter and Paul church in district of the Maastricht. During war, d’Artagnan was said to have attended Catholic mass daily at the church when possible; but the location of an enemy combatant wasn’t the type of information citizens (or clergy) would have kept close track of.
But, lo! Late last month, a skeleton was found during some restoration work directly beneath the altar at the church – and beneath the altar is where important figures are lain. Near the remains: a French coin from 1660, given by the bishop who said mass for Louis XIV and fragments of a musket ball. Dental DNA was sent to labs to compare with descendant’s DNA, and an assessment of age and gender has begun – but the general expectation is that d’Artagnan has been found, m’lady!
It should be noted that individual actions of d’Artagnan in Dumas’ writings may also be based on the life events of others, including those of General Thomas-Alexandre Dumas, the author’s father. There is much poetic license involved in the writing of such masterpieces.
Why Westminster? (March 27, 2026)
If you’ve joined us in the past, you might remember that Oakenmist Renaissance Faire was previously held at the Howard County Fairgrounds.
This year we’re moving to a new home: the Carroll County Agricultural Center in Westminster, Maryland.
The change came down to scheduling. The Howard County Fair moved to a different date this summer, which meant our usual weekend was no longer available — so we set out to find a new venue that could host Oakenmist.
The Ag Center gives us something we didn’t have before: more room to expand!
Inside the building, you’ll still find the heart of the Faire: our marketplace, musicians, edutainers, and the expanded Avian Encounters aviary
Outside, we’re able to add even more demonstrations and activities, including:
a live, period blacksmith forge
sling instruction – hit that target!
boomerang instruction – throw…and catch!
whip instruction – you’ll whip it good!
more food trucks than we’ve been able to host before
The building itself is air-cooled with large ceiling fans rather than traditional air conditioning, and the additional outdoor space allows Oakenmist to spread out in ways we couldn’t before.
There’s also another change we think many patrons will enjoy (drumroll please!):
This year, you’re welcome to wander the marketplace with your mead in hand, available from our friends at Clear Skies Meadery!!
A new town, more room to explore, and the same Oakenmist spirit.
And, to boot – more bands you know.
plus our returning award winners
Huzzah! We’ll see you in Westminster!
They grow apples in England? (August 3, 2025)
We are less than 2 weeks until the start of the Faire! Huzzah!
Yes, milady, of course we grow apples here in England. In fact, there are varieties of apples that … well, they’ll be lost to time, and there are apples which aren’t botanically apples, either. Sorb apples, for example, were added to traditional apples during the fermentation of ciders – given the unusual tannins and sugars, it boosted the alcohol content and added unusual flavors, but it’s not really an apple. Crab apples were the only wild apples native to England; both the costard and pearmain varieties were “imported” by the Normans during the early 1200’s.
Why dost I bring this up? Well, at the Oakenmist Renaissance Faire, one of our partners is the Clear Skies Meadery – who shall also be bringing ciders, which are made from fermented apples. And, what happens when you use cider rather than water when mixed with honey and fermented? Very good, milord, you get cyser – which they’ll also be bringing!
Soft drinks invented during the Renaissance (July 21, 2025)
Milord, now it’s the rain – like the King’s levy upon us, it stops not! Methinks Noah himself would look to the skies and wonder, “Again?!?” Clearly, a refreshing drink is in order! I know, I know, you want me to stay sober; fine, a non-alcoholic beverage it shall be, so that we may all make merry at the Oakenmist Renaissance Faire! Toys for Tots! A pirate adventure! Knightly combat! Air conditioning, vendors galore, a mead garden, 2 indoor stages and more!
Once again, the King and Queen are occupied with affairs of state and cannot visit with us. At the risk of offense, I quote the Spaniards: lo que será, será.
Ah, but a beverage. Yea, that would be ideal.
As we discussed in a previous post, the Medici era saw that Italian powerhouse sponsor scholars and artists aplenty. De Dondi discovered mineral salts in Italian effervescent waters in 1340; hot springs of such waters were thought for years to have healing powers for scurvy, rheumatism, kidney issues and more. As a result, a quest to discover their health secret ensued (thank German Professor of Medicine Hoffman in 1685 for promoting this on a large scale; it was “word of mouth” before then.) In 1648, Flemish scientist van Helmont discovered carbon dioxide in such waters, and the quest continued. Also, we begin to drink them as well as bathe in them. Later, just drinking the healing waters was assumed to be enough to derive their benefit.
Alas, one still must travel to receive the healing powers of the waters.
The English scientist and minister Priestly experimented a few years later with artificially adding minerals and “fixed air” to regular waters operating on this healing waters belief, discovering oxygen as an element along the way.
As I’m certain you know, “fixed air” is made by applying sulfuric acid to chalk, both of which are plentiful here in the English lands. So carbon, oxygen and air, all under pressure made them “healing”…well, healing/carbonated water it is! Rejoice, healing for everyone, my lord! No more need to travel to the springs, as the healing waters are soon bottled so all may partake in their powers!
But, ugh, the taste … well, it is quite distasteful, milord. Are the idiot French still bathing in these waters? We must do something to address that strongly bitter taste. Perhaps an elixir of local elderberry, cherry or woodland strawberries? [While there is no solid evidence to definitively support the idea, it seems likely that at a local level (read that as, “what’s available nearby”), such flavorings were used.]
[As an aside: unfortunately, this is where our timely missive must end. Why? Because although Schweppe – a Swiss bottler living in England – began to bottle and distribute carbonated water on a sizable scale in 1783 (that’s a bit post-Renaissance), flavorings weren’t introduced on a mass scale until well after the Renaissance, when ginger was used to combat the perceived bitterness of highly carbonated water. Thus was born the first mass-produced ‘soft drink’ as we define it today: Schweppe’s “ginger ale.” For accuracy’s sake, Priestly is generally considered to be the “father” of modern soft drinks.]
Be not deceived by charlatans, milady – soft drinks were invented during the Renaissance.
Air conditioning and the Renaissance (July 10, 2025)
Milord, it’s hot. It’s humid. It is the Land of Mary in the season of summer. In the paraphrased words of the Bard himself, it is a “lump of foul deformity.” (Richard III, Act 1, Scene 2)
Which makes it…an ideal time for an indoor, conditioned-air, small hamlet’s Renaissance Faire! Like the Oakenmist Renaissance Faire, milady!
Let us chat for a moment, may we? We’ve noticed a bit of confusion around the timeframe we celebrate. Thou knowest that the Renaissance period was generally from the 15th century to the 17th century (1400-1600) and it bridged the time from the so-called Middle Ages – that’s when Rome fell, when the Black Plague burned out, and generally when the Crusades took place, around the late 1300’s – to the so-called Victorian Era.
Gutenberg created his magnificent machine around 1450 and his press helped knowledge spread with rapidity. International finance began to blossom on a large scale, promoting trade between nations – and, eventually, the spread of differing cultural values, ideas and knowledge.
Humanism, the idea that man should embrace achievements in education, classical arts, literature, mathematics and science became the norm amongst the merchant and higher classes. (Let us not discuss the peasants.) In general, this movement started in Florence, Italy, with the Medici family who ruled for more than 60 years – supporting budding artists and academics – and it became an intellectual revolution. Da Vinci, Erasmus, Copernicus, Chaucer, Dante, Machiavelli, and countless other names thou art familiar with flourished during this era.
This is the timeframe in which a Renaissance Faire is set.
And the Victorian Era? That would be Her Majesty Queen Victoria’s reign, would it not? That would be from 1837 until 1901. Not the same timeframe as the Renaissance, fair time adventuring compatriot. Go back a bit further in thy 88 mile-per-hour stainless-steel contraption.
But we were discussing air-conditioning, weren’t we, m’lord? Interestingly enough, the discoveries preceding contemporary air conditioning systems were…well, based on discoveries made in (surprise!) Renaissance Italy in 1558, when della Porta documented that ice could be chilled far below freezing by mixing it with nitrates, specifically saltpetre (saltpeter for you English types.) 60 years later, Drebbel chilled a part of the Westminster Abbey building using a variant of those documented techniques. Of course, Arab peoples of the time already knew that they could produce areas of space far cooler than ground level by creating underground rooms whose temperature fell during the night – but the temperature did not increase during the day, as hot air rose and the cool air in the underground rooms stayed that way. There is a famous story of Muslim Salah al-Din Yusuf ibn Ayyub (thou may pronounce it “Sala-deen,” the first Sultan of Egypt and Syria, and he was actually Kurdish) sending the English King Richard the Lionheart a box of ice from the snows of Mount Hermon near the end of the Third Crusade (that’s pre-Renaissance to you and I, fair historian) as a diplomatic gesture; that’s a journey of 200 miles. For ice. In the 13th century. For one’s enemy; after all, the Crusades were predominantly about Christians, Muslims and the Holy Land. Thou should be glad we focus on the European continent. #RenaissanceProblems
TL;DR for those in a hurry after the fact: Air conditioning was invented during the Renaissance.
You, milord, merely adjust the thermostat on the wall and let the magic of Edison do the rest.
How do you address others at a RenFaire? (August 9, 2024)
As we approach the date of the Oakenmist Renaissance Faire, one of the questions that comes up is how you address others at the Faire? While years ago, it was nearly always customary to refer to a member of the monarchy differently – King, Queen (Your Majesties), Princess and Prince (Your Highness) – than members of the landed classes, those in the mid-tier and…if you had to stoop to it, those mere peasants and villagers. Historically, as a larger and larger class of merchants grew, especially those from foreign lands, it became a bit more muddled in terms of how to refer to others that weren’t of one’s region, too.
In the modern era, at many Renaissance events and organizations, that was simplified a bit. One still has the Regent (your Majesty/ies), if present; most others are referred to simply as “My Lord” or “My Lady,” and those terms are still in significant use. Within the past several years, though, recognizing that some participants might be different-gendered, there has been the rise in several new approaches. Many persons now wear identifying pins or other paraphernalia (items that identify them as “He/His”, for example, meaning you address them in the masculine “My Lord” or “Good Sir”); sometimes, you might address them based on their garb (those with Franciscan, Benedictine or similar garb might be referred to as “Brother,” typically – religious-affiliated women were rarely allowed out on their own, and they’ll be dressed differently, so “Sister” is fine); pirates might be “Captain” or “sailor”, as might some of the soldier class – “Commander” is useful here. Viking society had numerous references to non-male genders that were far from secondary (one dances with the Valkyries at the risk of their own peril, and rune-bearers/readers were highly thought of) – but talk to the Viking participants on pronunciation. Many groups also have members whose “personas” are of a different gender, and sometimes, you’re just not sure what to say. Let us not be rude and ignore the greeting – that might be taken with offense, and dueling is a bad idea for most. What then?
Well – thou could ask what another prefers as an opening greeting. That’s uncomfortable for many people, so here are some options. Many persons at a medieval village faire might well be traveling through, or with the other wandering faire-goers, so “fellow traveler” or “wanderer” is not uncommon. If they are clearly a member of the Fae, then “fair folk” would probably be fine. The all-purpose “Friend” works wonders (and, as someone you didn’t know approached you, especially if they wore a weapon, showed your willingness to treat them kindly.) Those in the Slavic and western Asia genre have used “Comrade” for generations. Remember that those folks wearing the long pointy-nosed masks are “plague doctors” and can be referred to simply as “Doctor,” as can many persons with clearly identified titles. The use of the term “Noble-born” might be fine with many, as is “gentlefolk.”
Or just “Good day!” or “good morrow to you!”
Pick one – or several – that work for you in your conversations. Regardless, enjoy yourself!
Who are all of these non-Renaissance garbed people? Why are they here? (July 18, 2024)
Here at the Oakenmist Renaissance Faire we notice that Renaissance Faires seem to be all over the place in terms of vendors and performers sometimes…not to mention the citizens of the realm that show up. Fairy wings? Elf ears? Star Trek uniforms? What in the world is going on here?
Well, here’s what’s up. RenFairs are exceptionally welcoming to just about anybody. Starting maybe 20-25 years ago (the Rennies can debate the details), there started to be crossover between various groups. The Trekkers and Star Wars folks have had their community service groups (use your favorite search engine and seek out 501st Legion or sfi.org) for years; occasionally a group might show up as part of a time-traveling group thrown back to the Elizabethan era or across the universe to Earth – after all, it was a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, no?
The faerie groups (typically referred to as “fae”) have also been around for decades – indeed, one of the longest-running faerie events, the Spoutwood May Day Faerie Festival, recently relocated from the farm in Glen Rock, Pennsylvania to the Baltimore area – and their first event was in 1991. There is a metaphysical and Wicca aspect for some of these folks, and many of these myriad groups perform community service routinely as well. The open nature of the events tends to also attract and include various ethnic or rainbow groups.
There is significant crossover for many of the members of these groups; there is a sizable amount of participation in multiple groups, in addition to the SCA mentioned in previous posts.
We don’t shun any of them. Not one. (Bears? Well, yes. https://www.8newsnow.com/…/unexpected-bear-crashes-at…/) Folks leave their biases at home and come to enjoy themselves. Don’t like elf ears or tricorders? Well, we’ve got a little bad news for you.
That’s not to say there aren’t discussions suggesting RenFairs shouldn’t “return to the past” – limit products that vendors sell to strictly handmade, period-type products – or performers shouldn’t be amplified – or non-period costumed players [cosplayers] be limited – because that discussion is (and will probably remain) ongoing. We have the discussion internally ourselves all the time.
As an event, we have to try and balance the various groups. It’s a moving target – too much of one group, too little of another, ratio of performers goes askew, and *poof* we’re not what we think we are or planned to be. Do we need three [fill in the blank] vendors or is one enough? We aren’t even mentioning the other groups that are part of the conversation: Vikings, pirates, vandals, the supernatural. What about that guy in period garb, but …he’s a samurai? Its period, but half a world away! Is that legit? It’s a constant discussion.
We’ve wait listed probably 30 vendors, and worked hard to try and maintain our RenFaire balance of performers – but we are always willing to listen to folks that might suggest improvements to the equation. Think we should let any vendor in? Limit it to those who can demonstrate how they make their wares – and have to do it a period style? Who shouldn’t be in period clothing, or does that really matter? Let us know your thoughts! Every RenFaire is different.
And, of course, there are the edutainers. We continue to add folks that bring an appropriate period educational aspect to the event. Swimming schools? Um, no. Gutter guard folks? Nope. Different schools of thought on Viking encampments? Oh, yeah.
RenFaire performers then and now (July 5, 2024)
Let’s talk about performers in the medieval era, shall we?
Many of today’s Renaissance events embody the large variation of medieval entertainers. There are some who are rarely seen, due to the risks involved (sometimes those risks are to more than just the performers.) While we typically associate musical and singing performers, skit-based acting groups, the court buffoon, and occasionally acrobats, jugglers, and weapon throwers with Renaissance events, the genre also included puppeteers, mimes, tightrope walkers, magicians, dancers, contortionists, and those who worked with animals – including exotic animals brought back from Asia as well as serpent tamers or charmers.
During much of the middle ages, the theater as we think about it today – and as it was thought about during the Roman Era – was rare, at best. Most performances were not put on for the public at large, but for wealthy patrons or royalty (again, wealthy), who were able to compensate the performers. Remember that prior to this era, religious leaders frowned upon the frivolity of many of these performers; they distracted men from their occupations and prayer, and many of the “jesters” – an all-encompassing term from the period that includes the list of those above – were seen as examples of moral turpitude. As time went by these performances were more and more accepted by the masses, although there were few opportunities for the public to view them, and theologians such as St. Thomas Aquinas began to note that jesters were acceptable at an appropriate time and place.
Thus, we see these performers at current Renaissance events.
One of the things we do see today are “bawdy” performances, where the material subject or lyrics / words are PG-13, at best. These performances are the descendant of “bawdy houses” – which today we’d call a “brothel” or a “house of ill repute.” These locations survived many attempts to close them, both by religious and local authorities; while today we think of these in a specific fleshly sense, in the early ages they were also used as a center for commerce, platonic socialization, as well as general companionship and other types of entertainment – such as what is mentioned above.
How did this Renaissance Faire thing start, anyway? And who picked the date for this thing? (June 28, 2024)
We believe that Renaissance events should both educate and entertain – so do many Renaissance events we’ve run across. The folks that tend to go to Renaissance faires/festivals regularly already know much of what we’ll convey here – and some will debate our posts amongst themselves. That debate is beneficial, in that it keeps folks talking and learning. Everything we post is internet-searchable (use your favorite search engine), and if we spur you to research on your own (either to learn more or to refute us, and you’ll find that some topics are highly discussable) – then our goal is met. Remember that RenFaires in general rely on something called “suspension of disbelief” and where reality and entertainment intersect, it’s important to use the entertainment to promote the education. So we ignore some things that aren’t really critical for the sake of providing some knowledge to others.
One of the questions we’ve been asked is why we do this when we do, so we figured we’d give you an answer. Of course, the answer without context doesn’t help much, so we’ll provide the context as well. Here we go.
It’s early May of 1966. A couple of folks who were sci-fi fans got together and had a party in Berkeley, California, and the invitation to the party called for knights to defend their ladies in single combat. That event, called the “First Tournament,” was the spark that started an organization called the Society for Creative Anachronism (referred to as SCA, see http://www.sca.org/about). The organization is approaching it’s 60th year, and every year (sans COVID, et al) there is a large two-week gathering in western Pennsylvania in late July and early August; individual units of the Society, broken down geographically, prepare for this event for weeks, if not months, in advance. This event, titled the Pennsic War (usually just referred to as “Pennsic”), attracts an estimated 10,000 people each year from across the globe. SCA, as a global organization, hosts events of this type around the world – this is the one closest to us.
Oakenmist is, among other things, a recruitment event for a local SCA group, and they provide some of the educational components that take place at our Faire. They’re the ones clashing with swords; they are the ones telling you that “illumination” isn’t about light bulbs. We actually try and pair up the educational aspects with other participants – for example, in one area, SCA might teach or demonstrate period games, and right across the way will be vendors selling some of those gaming pieces.
Now, some visitors to Oakenmist won’t be local, and the actual SCA group they’d participate with might be a different group due to geographics. That’s perfectly fine, and SCA will help folks find the group local to them. They are an integral part of the faire.
We have two choices, then – try and get the SCA to participate before they start planning for Pennsic, or have them participate after Pennsic is over. It’s far less challenging for them to participate, educate and recruit members after Pennsic than before. So our event is the first weekend available after Pennsic is over.
It’s that simple. We do it that weekend because the folks we need to do a good job are available that weekend. If you’re so inclined, take a look at https://www.pennsicwar.org/ for some impressive photos and videos of the event itself.
So who will be there? Folks that you might not typically see, including an armorer and a horseriding archer. Unfortunately, there won’t be demonstrations of either of those groups this year, they’ll bring materials, perhaps videos (yes, yes, not period, we know) and background on their topics. In lieu of a meade garden, we’ll have a period meade maker – you can learn to make your own!
We keep adding vendors – and educators. Nowadays, called “edutainment,” it’s folks who provide education on specific topics in a period presentation style. We’ve added several new vendors in categories that weren’t full. That’s in addition to nearly a dozen performers and an appropriately-sized marketplace!
A hamlet? A town? A village? Who cares, and what's the difference? (June 17, 2024)
First off, let us clarify something. Maryland has the Village of Revel Grove; Pennsylvania has the Shire of Mount Hope; Pittsburgh, the Village of Morelandshire; New Jersey, the Village of Crossford; West Virginia, the Village of Essex. There are renaissance faires, festivals and places termed villages, towns, cities, and other English and Celtic vernacular.
What’s with all the terminology?
Let’s start with the obvious: sometimes, RenFaire events don’t exactly follow reality. Village, for example, is an Olde French word meaning “group of buildings,” typically in a rural area, and the Regent would almost never visit. The English co-opted the root word (villa, Latin for “country house”) later in the ball game. But we’re getting ahead of ourselves. Let’s go from largest to smallest, shall we?
In general, a “Shire” was an an area, typically the size of a County (another French word), in England. It would be governed by the “shire reeve,” also called a Sheriff and/or an Alderman. Often, the seat of government was a “Shire Town,” in which the Sheriff would reside and the various administrative functions would be housed – namely, the administration of justice, tax collection and the raising of men for the military. So “Yorkshire” is really “County of York,” and would typically have a town named York as it’s Shire seat. A “Town” would have fixed boundaries and a population greater than 7,500 people.
Next down in size is a “Hundred,” a term rarely seen in the RenFaire sphere. It refers to the amount of land needed to support 100 peasant families; it’s also called a “ward” in Northern England. The Hundred dates back to pre-1000 BCE, and most law was customary and decisions made by the populace at large. We’ll skip along now, but if you had a nominal family of 7 – that would be 700 people per Hundred.
Next down in size would be a “Village.” A village traditionally had at least a main building – traditionally, a church of some type (most probably, Church of England, after 1534 BCE), or an administrative facility / village hall – as well as a main square, where the population as a whole could gather. Typically, between about 200 and 2,500 people made up a village, but it could be as many as that magic 7,500 number…when it became a town. It would have at least a single tavern, probably more, as well as several general merchandisers in addition to a woodworker or woodsman, metalsmith, an undertaker, a butcher, numerous farmers, a fisherman, and a variety of other needed skills.
Then, a “Hamlet.” A hamlet is a small settlement, without a central place of worship and no central meeting point. Typically, it was groups of houses and, perhaps, a tavern and a handful of tradesfolk, seperated from other settlements by farmland or other geographic feature. The root word is Old French (again!) “Ham”, translating as “home”. These were close-knit communities, with the chat with your neighbor as the main human noise in the air. Sometimes, there might be a nearby priory, abbey or monastery – but they wouldn’t necessarily be associated with the Hamlet itself.
Okay, so…faire vs festival?
Historically, a faire was put on by a smaller entity such as a hamlet, and occasionally a village. They rarely had any type of royal presence, but might draw acts and vendors from mid-distant locales. Revenues from such an event would often benefit a local religious facility – the one that the populace attended, regardless of what specific sect that might be. That’s because oftentimes, said facility was the only group with the time and resources to dedicate to organizing such an event, as everybody else was busy working to stay alive.
A festival, though, well, that’s a different story, That’s a celebration of some type, and typically invited Royalty to attend. Indeed, in some cases, it used to be thought that if a member of the Royal retinue didn’t attend – a festival it wasn’t.
In very general summary, then: Royalty = Festival, otherwise, it’s a Faire. And the term used by a Renaissance event indicates the general size of the event: hamlet, small – village, bigger – town or shire, largest.
Now, take all of that with a grain of salt, because, as we noted, RenFaire events make their own reality, and use terms as they wish. But now you know better…
Our take on mass produced items from our vendors (July 18, 2023)
When you were a high school student, you learned that Henry Ford installed the first moving assembly line for mass production. This is the whole “you can have any color car you want, as long as it’s black” thing; Ford is credited with moving mass production into the mainstream. He even managed to utilize his waste products – what’s now Kingsford charcoal was originally a byproduct of making Ford automobiles. You may have understood that he invented mass production – but you’d not be correct.
Eh? So who did? Let’s go back in time a bit.
Unfortunately, many of mankind’s major advancements are the direct or indirect result of one of our favorite pastimes: warring with each other. So it is with mass production. One of the earliest examples comes from our friends in the Roman Empire; remember, they’d conquered a sizable part of the known world at one point, and so had army conscripts from all over the place. These conscripted (sometimes slave) warriors spoke different languages, had different customs, and – of course – used different weapons. Now, the Roman Army is a veritable juggernaut – they invented concepts such as the phalanx, were extremely well organized, and exceptionally efficient. A new legionnaire’s or auxiliary’s experience might be with an array of different weapons, lengths and styles: scimitars, daggers, swords of iron, bronze, straight, curved – all used with different styles of combat. A thrusting weapon didn’t work well if you were in a slashing situation; some were two-handed, some only one. Some worked while on a horse, some were better on foot. With all of this variety, how do you create a solid fighting force?
Easy.
Discard all of those weapons, and give every soldier the same set of weapons.
Thus, the Roman gladius. A gladius is a basic sword, easy to learn to use, with a standard set of fighting techniques. Every soldier has a nearly identical weapon, so they could be made to a standard width, weight, and length across the Empire. If it failed in battle, and the warrior survived, they simply headed to a local bladesmith who made them … a weapon identical to the one they just had. Every soldier was a professional, generally trained in the same fashion, with the same weapons, in the same techniques and tactics; it helped pave the way for a staggeringly effective army.
So why bring this up here?
Because at many RenFaires, products made with mass production techniques similar to Henry Ford’s are in play. They have to be; when 400,000 people walk through the doors, it would take a Roman-sized army to hand-make enough of some of the items that would exist in a medieval market. Typically, though, the average English subject would never meet even 40,000 people in their lifetimes, and some never 4,000. Things were on a different scale at that point in time, and while we may think mass production didn’t exist back then – it did, just not on the scale one associates with today’s approaches.
Thus it is with our Renaissance Faire. Although there will be some products made with mass production techniques, the majority of the items for sale will be hand crafted, and each set a little different. Certainly, you want soap or candles to smell about the same each time; but similar jewelry? Wooden items? Stone-ground weapons? Of course not!
That’s what you’ll find here – handmade, individual items – to the dismay of Henry Ford.
So what should you find at a Renaissance Faire? (June 28, 2023)
So what would an English medieval village have in terms of folks selling things? Well, there would be both practical vendors as well as artisans – which is what we’ve tried to do (within reason, of course.) There might also be traveling dealers of items that might not have enough of a market in a single location – which is why they travel.
* A miller (of wheat, most likely)
* A carpenter
* A smith of some type – maybe a goldsmith, silversmith or a jeweler, possibly an armorer
* A butcher
* A farmer or beekeeper
* A baker
* A bladesmith, who deals in knives, weapons, and scythes
* A clothier or seamstress, using local materials such as linen, wool, leather, bone or fur
* A tanneur, who tans animal skins to make leather, as well as making leather items such as pouches or packs
* A glass-maker, of bottles or perhaps windows
* A potter
* A haberdasher, selling articles for sewing such as buttons, ribbons, needles and decorative items
* A cobbler, a maker and seller of shoes and related items
* A publican or tavern keeper (often, also an innkeeper), who ran the pub, and was often also a brewer or vintner
* An herbalist or spice merchant – maybe one with a few spices from distant lands
* perhaps wandering minstrels, or a conjurer; maybe a fortune-teller
* and many other traveling merchants of various wares.
Do we have all of these? Of course not. Modern health codes and societal norms have changed, so some of these items are no longer found at local markets, they are mass-produced or found in specialized locations where modern amenities (like electricity) are available. We have many of these traders, though. We focus on small businesses that can’t usually produce enough items for the larger renaissance fairs. That’s because those festivals don’t often accept small businesses because many one-person or part-time merchants aren’t able to produce the volume or variety required at an event that might have 30,000 people passing through per day. Thus, the popularity of smaller Renaissance events has been increasing across the country.
We thank you for your consideration and cooperation and look forward to seeing you at the Faire!