Posted on 09/11/2007 8:58:14 PM PDT by Lorianne
There hasn't been a wedding like it for quite some time. About seven centuries, in fact.
The bride arrived riding side saddle on a white mare in a dress made from 270 feet of silk. And waiting for her was her knight in shining armour - £10,000 of hand-forged steel trimmed with brass and velvet.
The scene was the wedding of Sian Jenkins and Rupert Hammerton - Fraser, who are so fascinated by the Middle Ages that they recreated a medieval ceremony down to the minutest detail - the bride even promised to be bonny and buxom in bed, a vow from a 14th century service.
The £30,000 event at Lulworth Castle in Dorset ended with a banquet where guests many in home-made costumes were served medieval delicacies. The following day there was jousting, sword-fighting and even a full-scale battle re-enactment.
Mr Hammerton-Fraser, 40, went out with his squire and ring bearer and fought challengers with swords, a practice common in the 14th century.
His 26-year-old wife said: "Our families were a bit surprised when we told them what we wanted but they got involved and even made their own costumes for the day."
Her husband, a lecturer in traditional print making, said the wedding took two years to plan and research and was around 99 per cent historically accurate.
"My male friends and I drank beer and polished our armour before we went to the castle," he said. "I arrived with a guard of three armoured men and my best men, squire and chief usher.
"My bride then rode up on a white horse and was escorted by her oldest male friend, maid of honour, three armoured knights and three bridesmaids."
The couple, from High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, and their guests drank and danced the night away before waking up to another day of historical events.
Mr Hammerton-Fraser said: "We had a great time with jugglers and falconry and we finished the day with a joust."
The bride added: "I have been doing historical improvisation since I was 15 and have a passion for medieval history. Rupert shares my passion so a mediaeval wedding was the obvious choice.
The couple did make one concession to the 21st century - they were married officially at Bournemouth Register Office in contemporary clothing the day before.
I love this!
Renfest people are up there with FReepers in my regard. I’ve met some wonderful friends in both sets.
Cherry, I’m 90% sure that New York faire performers are (like Texas ones) non-professionals. We just rehearse like crazy - for my faire, we’re rehearsing right now - seven weekends before the eight performance weekends.
The actual vow the woman makes is to be “bonair and buxom in bed and at board” - in other words, to be gentle and submissive around the house.
Aye,my young lass! You wilst wear yonder chastity belt while I sally forth to labor at the insurance agency,for I will not have you being buxom in bed with any of the local knaves!
They didn’t really mean that did they? ;^)
Wicked cool suit of armor.
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Thanks Lorianne.a dress made from 270 feet of silk. And waiting for her was her knight in shining armour - £10,000 of hand-forged steel trimmed with brass and velvet.Rich SCA geeks! ;') The "bonny and buxom in bed" phrase should be heard more often in wedding vows though. |
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What, pray, tell, is under that armour?
...find the level of the audience...
;’)
You probably have “The Sleeping Scotsman” on CD, am I right? ;’)
No, actually. But I wouldn't mind finding one in my bed.... ;o])
Lulworth Castle... was begun in 1588, finished in the 17th century and destroyed by fire in 1929. During the last ten years English Heritage has performed a fantastic restoration it in a very fitting way. The small Catholic chapel in the grounds is also worth a look.
I’m sure this has been done in the last 50 years.
We’ve known of Civil War weddings, and I personally witnessed at my 1st reenactment event of a RevWar battle - 1st thing we walked into, a marriage of a Redcoat and his camp-follower lady.
Well, if that happens, I hope he has the presence of mind to say something like,
“So, you’re not averse to tossin’ the caber, eh, lassie?”
*Comment removed by Caber Monitor.*
*Mmpf*
Local Renn fest.
They have a permanent, walled in “village”.
-Real- jousting and sword fighting.
It was a trip to hear sword ringing against sword.
[and occasionally, armor....*ouch*]
Have you seen this?
:-)
And I see you have.
I am looking forward to seeing you at the Faire this year. I am going to bring Mom to it. We’ll have a blast.
well, judging by the picture, she DEFINATELY has the buxom part down. Thems some bodacious tatas.
Yea verrily, I would’st hit it.
:’D
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