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.
Mr Hammerton-Fraser, 40, went out with his squire and ring bearer...but he was drunk at the time, plus it was like years ago.
Medieval Women ‘Had Girl Power’
[and they promised to be bonny and buxom in bed]
BBC | 9-11-2007
Posted on 09/11/2007 11:28:04 AM EDT by blam
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1894661/posts
There’s a Ren. Festival near Houston every October.
Hey! Watch who you’re calling a geek! ;)
Actually, I mundaned out long ago, but my wife and I met at our mutual first SCA event. About 27 years ago. Been married for 25.
Wish I was rich. I’d like armour like his...
It would cause my student’s eyes to bug right on out!
I’m sorry, but that just kicks ass.
This is so much easier to witness than the gay renfair wedding between 2 dudes I saw featured in an obscure renaissance wedding magazine. ugh.
Looks like beauty and the beast!
Very cool.
I would be careful, he looks like he knows how to use that sword.
Yes, but I have a “Kick Me” refrigerator magnet.
Some 30 years ago and more I was moderately active in the Society for Creative Anachronism in California, and it was great fun - though I think many people took it a bit too seriously, rather like this wedding, which is, after all, rather over the top... I was even a groomsman at two SCA Weddings in full regalia -- in both cases the couple was able to persuade the priest to do a Latin Mass in full kit.
We will?
And this is when???
:’) Sorry I called you a geek. So, your wife’s a geek too, eh? ;’) ;’) ;’)
Yep. Now we have a whole family of geeks! ;)
The PA Ren Faire is great!! I’ve been there a couple of times, and it was always fun. I went to the one in Charlotte, NC this year, and that was OK, but it didn’t have as many street performers.
Next one I won’t miss! Thanks for the info. ~Pandy~
YOur welcome, enjoy! I believe the PA RenFaire also has a Dickens event during Christmas. It is built on the grounds of a winery, and I think they decorate the mansion and have some kind of Christmas Dickens event. You can take a tour of the mansion and a wine tasting.
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