On Monday, our homeschool history group took a field trip to the
Connecticut Renaissance Faire. We are studying the Renaissance and Middle Ages this year, so it was perfect for our group! It was “school day” on Monday with cut rate tickets and back to back shows. We were there from 9a.m. through 2p.m. and still didn’t get to see everything.

So, we are studying this era in an official way this year, but Kory and Cooper have been “in” to castles, knights, swords, dragons, catapults, and jousts for years. Cooper commented (very earnestly) at one point during the day, “It’s just so disappointing that all of these people here don’t know us and what awesome sword fighters we are!”

These men did a performance/teaching time called “The Duelists.” They were great – funny and extremely knowledgeable about both Middle Ages weapons and Renaissance weapons. It was during this presentation that we learned the term “swashbuckler” has nothing to do with pirates!
We also saw a real live joust. The female peasant won. And we saw a tournament in which different pairs fought using different weapons. If a woman was fighting, she won. Even King Arthur was challenged to a duel by a woman and was beaten. I began to wonder if this was truly accurate. Did women really joust, and really fight with swords, daggers, and rapiers? And if they did, did they usually beat their male opponents? Or were we at the Politically Correct Connecticut Renaissance Faire?

This was a marionette puppet show about Gibbly Gobbly Dragon and Dan making stinky soup for their friends. Even “Souper Fairy” made an appearance – with a pink “S” on her chest!

The kids with the bishop. He was a huge man! There were a few monks wandering around as well.

And the boys were in their element – every booth seemed to have swords of all sorts, bows and arrows, shields, animal skins, leather pouches – you name it. Kory bought a real metal sword with sheath – the perfect way to spend the rest of his birthday money! There was jealousy to be sure, but he had the money, what could I do? I think we’re up to 8 swords in the Krumrey collection now.

And Kayla’s purchase of the day was a purple hair net like all the other “ladies” were wearing. (I’m sure this thing has a real scientific name, but I don’t know it.)
It was a great day – no one can wait until next year!
Fare thee well…