A Festival of Fallacy

There is a time each year when my true self is revealed. I break out the drinking horn and the elf ears and travel back to a time long before our own. That time is vaguely medieval and the place is the Kansas City Renaissance Festival. Yes, it is true that renaissance is in the name, but the festival is truly an amalgamation of medieval, renaissance, and modern day elements.

At the entrance to the festival. See 'medieval' structures in background. The photographer is my mom. (Thanks, mom!) 

A trip to the renaissance festival is an interesting study from a the perspective of a medieval historian because it incorporates elements of both fact and fantasy. Truly, the facts are dubious, but amusing to examine none-the-less.  

The festival includes shopping, eating, atmosphere, and live performances. Each year there is a bird show that includes trained hawks! The hawks don't do any hunting at the festival, but if that isn't an appropriate tribute to the middle ages then I don't know what is.  

My favorite show and the only way to end a day at the festival, in my opinion, is with a joust to the death. In a traditional battle of good versus evil two knights square off. One knight fights for the honor of the king the other fights because he is...evil? But in this seemingly simple character development one can draw connections to Song of Roland. As in the song one character is good and others are bad without much motivation. Perhaps the writers of the joust are more medieval than they know. Ultimately, good triumphs over evil but not before lances are shattered and swords clash and a blood pack explodes. Comparing the joust with the description in the Newman text the similarities are few. As Newman says the joust is a duel between two opponents. However, there seemed to be no clear scoring or points system. Several lances were shattered as spectacle, but the ultimate goal was death. The knights in this joust were not playing for sport unlike the tournaments which Newman describes. 

The festival also incorporates the fantasy elements that are often associated with the medieval world. This includes faeries, mermaids, magic, and a unicorn.

Me and an extremely real unicorn. Photo courtesy of mom. 

The festival even includes pop culture references to the middle ages. This includes Robin Hood characters, characters from Vikings, and a replica of the Iron Throne from Game of Thrones.

Savoring a moment on the Iron Throne.  

The renaissance festival is not historically accurate and it draws on overused tropes, but it does not frame the medieval period as the dark ages. It is a celebration of feasting, fighting, and fantasy that, despite inaccuracies, greatly appeals to the modern public (myself especially). This year it was interesting studying the festival with medievalist eyes. 

And there are still a few weekends left for those interested in doing some 'studying' of their own!! 

 http://www.kcrenfest.com/ 

Works cited. 

Newman, Paul B. Daily Life in the Middle Ages. Jefferson, NC: McFarland, 2001. Print.