Texas Renaissance Festival Oct 2002

After the procession, Sir Brian suggested that we find some lunch since it was already noon. I found Sir Richard and Master James in the shade. The heat was beginning to take its toll on Sir Richard. My shirt was soaked in sweat so I can only imagine how he felt with the arming cap and helmet on. As we walked to the food area, Sir Brian found a game store and bought bone dice like the ones I had bought at Hawkwood a few years ago. I bought a couple of spherical red dice. Lady Fae Cynthia was looking for fried turkey which she never found. Master James and Sir Richard are in rut and always want steak on a stick while I wanted to find a new dish to try. I found a Polish dish which was sort of a meat pocket. I also tried cajun steak on a stick. Both of which were not bad at all.
Man at Arms Trublood found Sir Richard and Master James eating near the shoppe that sold their steak on a stick. The Man at Arms's calling device lost its signal as he approached the fairegrounds so he left the accursed device in his coach. He was smart and had removed the sleeves to his doublet. I saw that the Man at Arms had a new weapon at his disposal...a boot dagger. He had purchased the all steel dagger from Museum Replicas. It was bit long for a boot dagger about 16 inches all in all, but it worked. He also managed to replace the leather gauntlets that he lost. With seven of us in costume, we were stopped quite often for photos. Lady Mary encountered a co-worker of hers. Both she and her daughter were in traveller clothes. The daughter wondered if we were in some group since we were in festival clothes. Lady Mary smiled and said that we do it for fun. An oriental maiden in traveller clothes stepped up to me and asked if she could he touch my sword. I obliged and was surprised when she attempted to draw it from it sheath. But I had peacetied it so it could not be drawn. I informed her that it was against the faire's policy to have any weapons drawn. In fact, the beefeater at the gate had reminded me of that. Her and her girlfriend had their pictures taken with us anyways. She held onto the hilt while the photo was taken. Lady Fae Cynthia nearly died laughing. She said that it sounded like a proposal to the oriental maiden. I have to admit that I was tempted to flirt with the young maiden. The way she held the hilt it looked like she was holding my...well, you get the picture.

The New Jousting Arena

Out with the old...

and in with the new...

After lunch, Sir Richard and I attended the joust. No one else wished to brave the heat and sun. The tournament grounds were not as I expected. The Duke of Newmarket said that it would be like we saw on "Knight's Tale". A gathering area for the knights would eventually be created where one might ask questions. Well, it looked more like the grounds of the first joust in Knight's Tale but with stadium seating. I had expected something more of a stadium. Sir Richard and I took seats near the back but towards the center. As the hawker announced Her Majesty the Queen, I was reviewing the photos on my Flemish Painter when I felt a tap on my left shoulder as someone walked by. Slightly annoyed, I looked up. Twas none other than the Queen and her procession. Where were my manners? I should have stood and bowed.

The tournament was a show of skill for the princess' hand, but pageantry was so much that it became boring. While mounted upon their steeds, the knights speared rings held by their squires. I was impressed when one knight actually speared a ring that was thrown into the air. Another actually did a handstand on the back of his horse. But I really wanted to see a joust and that was to be at the hour of three. Oh well...

The New Roman Basilica

The Battle Mound is replaced by the Roman Basilica which also serves both as an open air theater (but with no cover, it would be hot indeed) as well as a chapel for hand fastings.

I located the Authentic Wardrobe shoppe. Sir Brian was already inside asking them about the dandy shirt that I wanted to buy. Unfortunately, they had none in stock. I was hoping that I could buy it there. The shopkeeper was giving me grief about buying a "knockoff" doublet instead of one of theirs. I must admit that their clothing is nicer (they actually embroider), but did he not realize that I was already trying to buy something?

We stopped by the King's Nuts and bought bags of almonds and cashews which is always a sign that we were heading home. Lady Fae Cynthia was concerned about Sir Richard, and we decided to call it a day. I did not mind. I was developing a blister just above my left heel, and it was beginning to annoy me. It was much too hot anyways.

On the way out, I bought a couple of collectable pins which they started selling last year. I used to collect the steins but they take up so much room. The t-shirts looked nice this year, but I have plenty of t-shirts. I wish the pins looked more like the t-shirt logos though.

As Sir Richard was turning into his street, Luis finally called and was wondering where we were. Twas about half past the hour of four, and he could not believe that we were already home.

Sir Brian, Sir Richard and I talked of attending the Louisiana Renaissance Festival in early December. The Man at Arms is undecided. The high will be around 66...hopefully.

Fare thee well!