Dark Arrow on 18/8/2007 at 23:08

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One of the reasons that drew me to Thief was the medieval setting and I assume I'm not the only one, so this shouldn't be so off topic.
http://koti.mbnet.fi/darkar/Fair/castle.jpg

This years fair was rather interesting as you could see all the shows with the fair ticket price. In previous years you would have had to pay extra to see the tournament. The fair had also become bigger and it had expanded outside the castle walls. Ouside the Häme castle was the marketplace with people selling their goods and artisans showing their skills. Three smiths were forging small trinkets, tanners were working with leather, a dyer and a couple of carpenters were showing their craftmanship. For the small children there was a magician doing shows near the concert platform every now and then.

To keep the children entertained between shows there was an area designed specially for children with workshops were they could experience medieval time, practice their sword fighting skills and learn about medieval time.

For the rest of us the fair offered more shows that one could possible see in one day. An archery tournament was taking place on the Castle walls. On the castle's southyard was a place where one could test his or her axe throwing skills. On the same yard you could also see combat shows, as one group was showing fighting techniques with longswords and daggers and another group was testing their fighting skills in a tournament.

Inside the castle there were several music and dance shows. Something which I found fun to see.

On the north side of the Castle was the tournament area.

Seeing the tournament for the first time was extremely interesting. The place was packed with people watching the tournament, so getting good pictures was hard if you came too late. I admit I may have used the old elbow tactic to get to the vantage point where I took my pictures.
The show was interesting and humorous, although it was completely scripted. The jester, who was the narrator, spoke finnish and there was no one translating the story to any other languages, so the plot might not have opened to quests from foreign countries. A small minus point for that.
http://koti.mbnet.fi/darkar/Fair/tournament.jpg

(http://www.warussepat.fi/) The Guild of Armoursmiths of Turku was showing their fighting skills and fighting techniques on the southyard. It was both interesting and educating. The audience was given a chance to see some simple sword fighting moves and the group acted several duels and later on explained how those fights were divided between several attacks and counterattacks where either of the fighters could have won the battle if the other one hadn't been careful. While it was all interesting, I felt that the show could have been a bit longer. Now the audience was given a small bit of information about swordfighting, but it didn't really reveal the big picture behind the show, the audience only saw a fraction of what sworfighting is. A duel or duels between the group could have finished show and give the audience a feeling of the bigger picture.
Those who wanted, could interview the group and ask questions after the show. I may have to check out their workshops in Turku.´
http://koti.mbnet.fi/darkar/Fair/armguild.jpg

Another tournament was held in the southyard area. This time between knights wielding wooden sticks as weapons. Once you saw the battle, you realized that it was simply to avoid the death of the fighters. The battles were fierce and fast. Two hits and you were out. Great fights, althought they lacked the finesse of The Guild of Armoursmiths.

The Axe Throwing was free for anyone to try and there was an instructor helping you out on how to throw the axe. Outside the castle walls one could try shooting with a bow for 2€. You could also buy some modern looking bows and arrows at the same place.
For those looking for some older bows, there was a german guy selling composite longbows on the other side of the marketplace.

Inside the castle you could watch and hear old music being played. The band called Milargo gave the combat orientated day a good balancing touch. With all the "entertaining" shows, music from central medieval Europe was a good way to end the day of the fair.
http://koti.mbnet.fi/darkar/Fair/milargo.jpg

The fair was an interesting sight, well worth the 8 € ticket price. With all the workshops and shows, you didn't have much free time on your hands. I found myself running from one show to another, so I could squeeze the two day fair to one day. For those of you interested (who just happen to be in Finland), the fair will end tomorrow evening.

Sorry if it sounds like an advertisement. It was not meant to be one, just a report from someone interested in the medieval world. Also sorry for any typos, it is 2 AM and I am extremely tired.

BrokenArts on 19/8/2007 at 01:13

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Ohhh, I've turned into a Renn faire geek. Absolutely lovely setting there Dark Arrow. I go usually during the spring time, and next year, season tickets is a must have. I go every chance I could get. Bored a weekend? Go and just walk around, take in the scenery. I love it. Last Faire, had knives thrown at me. Ohhh, what a rush. I must be crazy, yeah, well, I am. ;)

Yandros on 19/8/2007 at 03:56

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We actually have a castle here in Kentucky, just a few miles from where I live:

http://dupontcastle.com/castles/martin.jpg


Sadly, the central keep mostly burned down a few years ago:

http://dupontcastle.com/castles/martin16.jpg


And happily, it's now almost completely rebuilt better than before, and I hear the owner may make it into a public attraction, either as a bed and breakfast or a site to rent out for weddings, ren fairs, etc.

(http://dupontcastle.com/castles/martin.htm) More info


Sorry to hijack, Jari...

CD Set on 21/8/2007 at 10:25

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You know, now that I think about it, we have a school (in my vicinity) which has a cathedral-esque look (it's actually called "the cathedral school" - but in swedish). From the front, it looks very similiar to the Haunted Cathedral of Thief: The Dark Project.

Maybe I can take a picture of it sometime.