Abbey Museum Medieval Fair

Last weekend we attended the Abbey Museum Medieval Fair held in Caboolture, Qld. It was a much larger event than I had anticipated, and as a lover of history, medieval times in particular and artisanship and textile handcrafts specifically, I was in heaven.

The Fair even hosts a respected jousting competition, where men and women joust on horseback wearing traditional armour. Unfortunately there was one injury requiring St John's ambulance assistance, but that was in the jousting session later in the afternoon. The session we attended (with much cheering "Huzzah") was well run and the Emcee was amazing. The kids were enthralled and I have to say, with great glee, that the ladies on horseback kicked BUTT! Hee hee.

There were swordfight reenactments, siege engines and large cannons that were regularly exploding in front of the large two story castle. There were Vikings, gypsies, Ottoman Turks and Knights Templar regularly parading the large grounds. There were encampments where amazingly devoted re-enactors live for the weekend in authentic, 12th, 13th, 14th and 15th century style. 

There were demonstrations of candle-making, writing with quill and ink, dying, spinning, milling flour, a blacksmith and forge, cooking with clay pots, just to name a few! 

Gypsies wandered around offering fortunes for sale, peddlars with hand drawn wagons offered a variety of goods for a number of "gold coins", and the food and drinks were close to authentic. No fries or coke here. Lamb shanks (for the meat eaters) and vegetable broth with rye bread, strawberries and cream, toffee apples, elderflower cordials and then there was the mulled wine and honey mead. Mmmmm.

All in all, we had a truly magnificent day! The children were fascinated with the taxidermist's wares of skins and furs (ugh, gross) and the beautiful leatherwork and silver jewellery ... William bought a tail of some poor dead thing as he loved the feel of the fur and Lily used her own pocket money she had saved and bought a leatherbound, jewel encrusted journal for her to record precious moments of our trip.  Geo and I thoroughly enjoyed the immersion of the day, but finally relented and bought a memento to take with us on the trip; a flag for the van with a striking dragon flying on a field of yellow and blue.

All in all, an experience I highly recommend (if the weather is fine) and I take my hat off in recognition of the efforts and passion of all those who have contributed to making the fair so educational, inspiring and enjoyable!