Suggestions for a medieval party!

[Sascha Fitzpatrick]

My boyfriend is turning 30 in February and is a BIG HUGE medieval fan.

So far, I'm organising a booking at our church for a surprise party for him - basically a bbq with all food/drink supplied for people.

I've arranged a medieval troupe to come and perform for about 50 minutes on the day - a mini 'melee' if you know what that is - basically sword fighting in front of people dressed up as nobility.

Has anyone got any other ideas I could use? I don't want to make people dress in the gear for it, cos most of our friends don't have that kind of gear themselves.

Also, what kind of present could I give him - I was thinking of a good quality sword, but have no idea where to start looking for one...

Any ideas from fellow medieval freaks highly appreciated...

Sasch

 

[Banana Phone]

I'm not a medieval freak so much as I had one for a professor once...but with her it was medevil...

Music from that time is interesting, I'd think everyone would enjoy hearing it. I'm sure you could find a cd title on the internet. Maybe get him an impressive looking instrument of some sort, it'd be a good conversation piece. The greatest thing would be some kind of helmet. As for where to find an instrument or even a sword, that's a tough ne. For the helmet, perhaps try a costume store. Have fun!

 

[bliz]

Years ago I did a Twelth Night party and did a ton of research for it...

A cake was served, and there was a bean baked into the cake. Whoever got the bean was "King (or Queen) of the bean and could order other people about.

Often the banquet hall would have "armaments" at both ends and at some point war would break out. They used blown out egg shells, filled with perfumed water and sealed with wax and would hurl them at each other.

Remember "Old King Cole was a merry old soul..." Well. at 12th night they really would bake birds into a pie crusts and set the out on the table and wait for some poor hapless soul to cut into the crust, and birds would come flying out. What fun.

Make of these what you will... Most of the other activities we incorporated were seasonal in nature, but from roughly the same time period.

 

[tyberium]

Swords, lots of swords. Big sharp and shiny. Hand them out to everyone so they can have fun.

On a more serious note, one time on a scout camping trip we BBQed a whole pig, that was pretty fun and I guess it could be kinda medieval. All we used for seasoning was Italian Dressing that was sold in gallon bottles. OH! We also made this cool contraption to hold the pig. It consisted of 4 aluminum fence posts and some light wire fence. We wired the poles into a rectangle, but with handles on the ends, and then strung the fence on the outside, then put the pig in and wrapped the fence around the pig, made roataing that monster easy. It was a big pig and there was enought for the whole troop, a cup scout pack, and everyone parents. Although it did take a long time to cook, everyone enjoyed it and it was a good memory.

 

[charligirl]

I went to a wedding with this theme and it was facny dress, most people made their own really cheaply, it was great fun! Men wore tights, big shirts and belts and women adapted dresses with sheets and pointy hats with veils on!

They got a band who played music and we all did dances, where they called out the moves to us like a ceilidh.

 

[Ginsu]

I would suggest alot of those big bulky looking candles all over the place, if you flip on a light switch it will damper the authenticity your trying to go for. Paper lanterns are a good idea, but I don't think they had em back in the day, but they are give off that cool glow effect anyways.

And finally, you should hire me. I'll build a 20 foot trebuche, blow a horn, and launch a 30 lb frozen turkey (or a severed pigs head, the choice is yours) into your yard. Then shortly after, you'll hear a pounding on your gates and I'll burst through using my trusty battering ram.

Walking through the gates in a 15th century black cardboard armour,
"AH HA HA who dareth challange ye black knight?!"
Then you could get your boyfriend to say,
"Ye talketh smack, black night, but can thoust handle it?"
Then I'll say in a menacing tone,
"LOL! Thout art n00b, ye boyfriend!"

Then after that, we beat each other with foam maces for fifteen consecutive minutes, only stopping briefly for refreshments.

Sounds like a party to me.

 

[Sascha Fitzpatrick]

I love it - all of it

Maybe I could have a monty python troupe???? We are the knights that say NI!

Tis but a flesh wound!

I can see it now...

Sasch

 

[horuhe00]

you got to abolish forks. And have wenches serving every man's desire And thou must all use ye mother tongue of olde english.

 

[Sascha Fitzpatrick]

EVERY man's desire???

But what if he just wants me in front of the kitchen sink, barefoot and with just enough space to allow for my pregnant belly???



Sasch

 

[horuhe00]

Then wench, thou shalst obey thy master!

 

[Sascha Fitzpatrick]

Yes my good lord *curtsy*

Mission for day: find man to get me pregnant and avoid mum and church for rest of life

Sasch

 

[Ginsu]

Did horuhe just call you a 'wench', Sascha?!

I think it's time for you to put a special disgusting ingedient of your choice in his ale or brandywine.

 

[Sascha Fitzpatrick]

How about a warm cow missile

My SO calls me a wench sometimes - when he wants to start a wrestling match

'Oh, I'm sorry, did your hand fall off from gangrene?
'Oh, it didn't?'
'Want it to?'



Sasch

 

[horuhe00]

*sips ale*

Hmm.. me thinks the wench has brewed a new recipy... I like!

*minutes pass* :o

*falls flat on his face*

 

[Mr.Cheese]

You could have a big pillow fight...but with morning stars?

 

[Sascha Fitzpatrick]

Haaa Haaa...

A great friend at church (whose kinda into medieval stuff) has offered to help me with recipes, music, decorating, which is really cool...

I would still love some suggestions, so if there is anyone out there who knows of a good website about feasts/banquets, has recipes, decorating ideas...

Would love to still hear it...

Sasch

 

[KristianJ]

Haaa Haaa...

A great friend at church (whose kinda into medieval stuff) has offered to help me with recipes, music, decorating, which is really cool...

I would still love some suggestions, so if there is anyone out there who knows of a good website about feasts/banquets, has recipes, decorating ideas...

Would love to still hear it...

Sasch

My 21st was a Roman themed party, so it's a bit out of the era for me to pass on any ideas or tips to you. But it's a shame that they can't all dress up...

Music wise, you could try burning a CD with the background sound from a strategy game like Age of Empires II, which is based around that time. And for swords...online may be the best bet.

 

[Sketcher]

Archery contest! Jousting! Ye big ol' turkey drumstick! And keep the ale flowing!

 

[Sascha Fitzpatrick]

better be non-alcoholic ale - I'm having it at our church - the salvos!

And still looking for "THE" sword, if you know what I mean I will find it!

Sasch

 

[Mr.Cheese]

You should be able to find replica swords somewhere for not too bad of a price.

heh. "wench."