How 'bout Renaissance Faires?
Ever been to one? They're full of awesomeness. Loads of people dressed up in bizarre outfits, women in low cut bustiers showing impressive cleavage, all manner of hand crafted stuff for sale, tons of food and beer and wine available around every corner, jousting, jugglers, mimes on stilts, comedy acts, music, and general weirdness everywhere.

The one they hold in Crownsville MD is one of the biggest in this country, and every year the Mediaeval Baebes perform on the last weekend. I've made it there for the past four years and had a blast every time. There was only one time I really got a dirty look from everyone in the area...

There was a Live Chess match, in which costumed actors were arranged as chess pieces on a large grid. It was presided over by "Queen Elizabeth" and the Royal Entourage, and featured the players having rather energetic duels when two pieces came together with swords clanging and maces bouncing off of shields and other violence. At the end of the show the victor was declared and the Royal Entourage was leaving, so the shouty guy who made all of the announcements roared out "God save the queen!"

And from the back of the crowd came a lone voice roaring back "We really mean it, maaaaaan!"

My kids stayed well away from me for a while.
( The Resident Loon Not a demographic. Do not measure., Thu 4 Jun 2009, 14:48, 6 replies)

Er, no.
They seem to be a purely American pursuit.
(Vice Admiral Sir Charles Cockbrush KCB MBE DSO, who is finding it increasingly difficult to log into b3ta.com wants to duck your aunt and kick your puppy, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 14:53, closed)

Yes and no
I've been to a few "medieval day" type affairs as a child, held at castles and stately homes, don't ask me which, may have been in Essex.
( stopmeandslapme Cometh the hour, cometh your mum, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 15:24, closed)

Yeah...
Lots are.

We had a big Civil War battle re-enactment in the field next to my house years ago.
About... Ten years. Maybe twelve.

Bloody Essex.
( Cawl, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 15:57, closed)

Mm, I've been to
www.englandsmedievalfestival.com/ (Herstmonceux Castle, East Sussex) before.
( benryves Now I'm radioactive! That can't be good!, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 22:46, closed)

Pretty sure I went to that
Sussex, Essex, I get my sexes confused.

Also went to more local events, seem to recall seeing jousting in Stevenage or maybe it was at Knebworth House.
( stopmeandslapme Cometh the hour, cometh your mum, Fri 5 Jun 2009, 0:36, closed)

Why are they only in America?
It's not fair. I literally can't imagine anything more awesome, though the being dumped and losing all friends would be a bit lame but probably worth it.
Also isn't it just 'we mean it man', or did you just REALLY mean it.

I seriously want to go to one of these things. Propa
(Popiella Jones, Thu 4 Jun 2009, 15:06, closed)