Lets face it, 2020 sucks. All of the events and shows we had planned for this year have been canceled and we miss all of you sword folks. Even though plagues have interfered with the legitimate enjoyment of swords and sword-related activities since at least 1346 AD, 2020 is fast on its way to becoming a timeless reference for ill-luck, alongside the wisdom of land wars in Asia and our personal favorite "hold my beer while I play with this super-sharp sword".
Good looking crowd at the Ren Faire,
To strike a blow for positive and healthy interaction in these difficult times we are hosting the Minnesota Digital Renaissance Market Square on our site. This is a collection of vendors and entertainers, who have asked to be included, collected in one digital space for you to peruse. So don your garb, pour yourself a flagon of mead, and loosen the strings on that purse full of coin. You can support your favorite vendors and build up your kit for future festivals, or for wearing in the virtual tavern.
Bit of dusting in the byway
A knight and his dragon
So check out our fellow vendors and entertainers, who miss you as much as you miss them. If you are able, spend a little coin to help ensure that your favorite artisans and performers are able to weather the storm and gather again when the coast is clear.
Well met and good fortune to all!
Images courtesy of Lawrence Edwards Photography
Nathan Clough, Ph.D. is Vice President of Arms and Armor and a member of the governing board of The Oakeshott Institute. He is a historical martial artist and a former university professor of cultural geography. He has given presentations on historical arms at events including Longpoint and Combatcon, and presented scholarly papers at, among others, The International Congress on Medieval Studies.
Craig Johnson is the Production Manager of Arms and Armor and Secretary of The Oakeshott Institute. He has taught and published on the history of arms, armor and western martial arts for over 30 years. He has lectured at several schools and Universities, WMAW, HEMAC, 4W, and ICMS at Kalamazoo. His experiences include iron smelting, jousting, theatrical combat instruction and choreography, historical research, European martial arts and crafting weapons and armor since 1985.