Blacktown Medieval Fayre 2016

My Lords and Ladies, I'll take you to an international jousting competition, historical battles, archery, crafts stalls and lots more! A great fun, Blacktown Medieval Fayre, all free! The jousting excited audience most! A contestant and kind lady explained me the rules to get a score. Hit the target/shield on the opponent (= a heart) or hit upper the shield (= a head). Interesting, the lady also told me that the contestants armoured in the 14th Cetury style. It means that armour does not full cover a body. Yes, in my sketches, horsemen/women put on leather or colthes. In the 14th C, the total weight of armour was from 35 or up to 50 kg. In the 15th C, it became heavier, 50 kg in average. I tried the helmet later and felt it so heavy! Thank you for the historical information, the lady at "Full Tilt."   

Of course, all the people at Medieval stalls teased at my complaint of the heavy armour, saying, "You have to protect your life!" Ah, yeah, not the matter of fashion. In the knocking off, sometimes, broken lances flew up very high in the air, which made audience, "Oooohhh!" The jousting contestants and their horses looked colourful and noble. In watercolour painting, I only weighed on values and colours, because I could only see the subjects in detail from the distance. It worked out positive. The jousting participants and audience loved my sketches. Thank you!  Below, a brave "lady" was in a bull like helmet. 

Btw, do you realise that all jousting participants use right hands? I asked the kind lady, "What about a left handed person?" A horseman must use a right hand is the jousting rule. "So, a left handed person struggles to get used to a right hand in jousting," was the lady's answer. Wow, really fascinating! 

The most beauty of jousting is the sportsman ship. The contestants praised at each other after the fighting. Lovely. 

OK, does anyone want to see a battle field? All armoured men made a good fight on the ground. The big bashing sounds scared me enough. I could imagine how heavy the swards and other weapons were! But some guys played like clowns and made us laugh. Oh, thank goodness, it was the entertainment, not the real war.   

In the battle game, the archers hit the shields of the armoured soldiers. One lady in a green dress was very eye catchy. Here we go! Btw, I tried to pull a bow and a guy at a stall helped me. No, I could not!! Friends, it means you pull 30 pounds or so. (*I have no idea!) "Oh, I'll give up archery," said I. "No, no! You can't drive a Ferali from the beginning. Start from an easy bow and gradually, move onto a hard one." Ferali made me laugh loud though, his kind say gave me hope! I may join the group and try it?!  Thank you for kind help, "The Society of Creative Anachronism." 

The Medieval Fayer had craft stalls. Glutton Sadami wanted to try food though, the food in that time deprived my appetite. So, I enjoyed to look at weaving. This lady explained the very long process, how women made yarns and clothes. All day long, women worked on making fabrics for family, while men hunted for food and they cocked for busy women. To be honest with you, I could not stand it, if I were born in that era. Oh, I REALLY felt the meaning of "Industrial revolution" and thanked for the mass production. At the same time, I told myself, "Don't waste!"   

Thank you for the lady and her lovely daughter who taught me lot and demonstrated the weaving! 

Another demo stall I visited was Blacksmith. This 20th Century man fell in love with an artisan's demo when he was in a teenage and decided his direction to be a blacksmith. I love to look at craftsmen and admire their craftsmanship. 

Did you enjoy the Medieval Festival with me? Which image do you like best? These are my precious references for illustration. I'd say special thanks for Blacktown Council and all the organisations that carried out the event. The fair was wonderful and freebie. Many people so much enjoyed to look around it for two days. I sometimes wonder if I were in the 20 Century or not! The enthusiasm of Medieval lovers was great. All of the society members said, "I wish I could get in a time machine. I want to go back to that time and see their lives." Their passion and dedication amazed me most. The Blacktown Meieval Fayre was held on the huge reservation area and the beautiful park. This should be recognised that the free event offered plenty of free car parking spaces. In particular, there were lots of disability parking spots. It enabled people with disability, their carers, family and friends to access the event easily and enjoyed it fully and together, which included me! Thank you!! 

Friends, you, too, enjoy to sketch around events and people. It's a great fun! 

Have a creative week!   

  

Blacktown Medieval Fayre 2016