Heroic Dreams - All Things Medieval

 Ever want to really have a renaissance and medieval experience? You might want to check out RenCon 2010 (Renaissance Convention). It is called “The Gathering of Guilds” and I really love this stuff. I just might go. I have some other trips planned for early this year but I might squeeze in a trip to this rencon.

It is a weekend event and here is how they describe it:

The RenCon weekend will include two magical nights of music and masquerades,
as well as three days of fascinating and informative themed panels, presentations and demonstrations by our special guests, and shopping in the Guild Hall for fine apparel, jewelry, accessories, crafts and art. RenCon Guests will also have the opportunity to
learn new skills at our RenCon Guild workshops

The event runs from Friday April 9th through Sunday April 11th  and includes crafts and exhibits, a Medieval Masque Ball Ball on friday night and the Dark Carnevale on Saturday Night. Here is some information on the events that I have taken from their website:

The Medieval Masque: Tonight, we evoke a dramatic world lit only by fire, a realm of extreme polarities: darkness and light, life and death, honor and revenge, high thoughts
and bawdy humor. Come as lord or lady, knight or serf, wizard or commoner and raise a glass and dance to the music of the internationally acclaimed German medieval band, Estampie, in a very rare performance in the US.

The Dark Carnevale: Fog lifts from mythic canals, footsteps echo in ancient alleys, intoxicating music moves on the night air. Tonight, mystery and intrigue reign, elaborate masks obscure identities, monsters and magicians roam, fantastic costumes cloak forms and no one is whom they appear to be. Through the doorway rings the sensual music of
the German gothic band, Qntal, transporting you to ecstatic heights as you dance with
your mysterious partner into the midnight hour.

Where and more information

To learn more  you can visit their website at: Renconvention.com

Date: April 9th - 11th, 2010
Venue: Baltimore Marriott Hunt Valley Inn
Location: Hunt Valley, MD

Maybe I will see you there

I received this picture of a pair of medieval statues (Grave monuments) from a web visitor (Brad) who is a fan of all kinds of medieval things.  He needs help identifying the figures in the picture. I am not sure who these figures are and I could make a few guesses but I want to be sure. Maybe you recognize these statues. The architecture and stained glass in the background, not to mention the dress of the figures gives us some great clues as to the country and time period.

Anyway, If you recognize these figures just send me an email! And thanks for your help!

I bought my son an Xbox for Christmas. You may have seen the youtube videos about this.  How to make an Xbox for Christmas. Well, the first thing he did, was to go out and get the Game Assassins Creed II and I spent a few hours yesterday watching him play it. And frankly I was stunned. THis game is remarkable for a few different reasons.

First off, it takes place in 15th century Italy which was smack dab in the middle of the Renaissance. So, did the developers of the game take advantage of this fact? Darn right they did.  Italy of this time is wide open to you - from Venice to Florence, Tuscany and much more. This is great but there is so much more. I was stunned by how much research Ubi Soft did for the making of this game. The weapons, and armor are all accurate to the time and place. There were plenty of Glaives, pikes, warhammers, and battle axes. Everything is just so amazingly accurate in the game. And, the various weapons and armor are all affected by the opponents weapons and armor. Battling a well armored knight? Better put away the dagger and use a warhammer on him.

But the game goes well beyond just the weapons and armor. It also delves deeply into what Italy was like during this period of time. While playing we stumbled into a character named Leonardo and accompanied him to his workshop (DaVinci of course). And while riding on his horse drawn wagon I noticed a very familiar looking piece of equipment hidden in the back. Looked to me like it was the famous DaVinci flying machine and I have a hunch that it will come into play later in the game.

But also, there is an important plot point in Venice where we have to get into a  church called “Santa Maria dei Frari. And of course this church is a beautifully rendered exact  model of the actual church in Venice. You can learn about it in the game - it gives you the history of it and tells you a little bit about it. Which is just amazing. Supposedly there is a burial tomb inside that we need to get into.

I also learned about a new weapon. My son purchased a weapon called a Metal Cestus.  It is a metal glove similar to a brass knuckle. He asked me if this too was real to the period and I had to admit I didn’t know for sure but judging by the rest of the game I figured it probably was a real weapon of the time period. Looking it up I found out that it sure is. Cestus Battle Glove

All in all I was simply stunned by the beauty of the game, the realism of game play and the careful attentioin to detail that Ubi Soft put into it. It is really wonderful to learn a little bit while playing

As September and Labor Day approaches it once again becomes time for the Renaissance Faires around the country to gear up. I look forward to my trips to the nearest faire for me which is King Richards Faire. But I didn’t want to talk about the Faires themselves but about a magazine called Renaissance Magazine. It’s a pretty neat printed magazine - which is ironically, a bit anachronistic in this online world we live in. So, a magazine that caters to people interested in life of 300 years ago is published in a way that was popular ten years ago.  

They always have lots of interesting stuff in the Magazine and they are not just about Faires but about all kinds of medieval topics and subjects. Here is a sample of what is in their latest issue:

Werewolf Mythology
We delve into history to reveal how changing attitudes towards the wolf found their way into the growing legends of the werewolf. From its earliest roots, the werewold was a formidable beast, a potent combination of nature and witchcraft. By the early Middle Ages, the werewolf had emerged as a creature both feared and admired.

Information Arcanum: The Medieval Origins of Information Science
Not unlike the twenty-first century, the Middle Ages and the Renaissance were eras characterized by advances in society, governance, innovation, and technological progress, especially in the field of information science. From astronomy to the abacus and the astrolab, Renaissance Magazine examines overlooked advances in information technology.

Fairely Well Dressed: Pirates!
Get ready to hit the faires in style! We bring you four styles of pirate costumes: the Pirates’ Pirate, the Gentleman Pirate, the Scallywag, and the Pirate Queen. These outfits are variations based on authentic fashions of the time and can help any faire-goer create a memorable character.

Where the Canterbury Tales Come to Life
Second only to London, England’s best town for renaissance fans to experience history is Canterbury. We take you through the ancient Roman gates and along Canterbury’s cobblestone streets lined with taverns and shops like the Millers Arms, The Old Coach and Horse, The Three Nuns Hotel, The Moat Tea Rooms, and The Chaucer Bookshop.

Curses — Foiled Again!
From ancient times, people have sought ways to avoid (and inflict) misfortune. This short history of the evil eye, curse tablets, and protective charms will enable thee to curse thy neighbor and cover thine assets.

If you are interested in the Renaissance Faire News you can learn more about it on their website: Renaissance Magazine

I don’t often talk about the Art or Philosophy of the Middle Ages or the Renaisssance. But I thought you might want to see one of the most remarkable paintings I have ever seen. It actually covers both Art and Philosophy rather neatly.

It is a work by Rembrandt called :Philosopher in Meditation

Now, I could spend quite a bit of time on a soliloquy about all the amazing things about this painting and I could go on to talk about how painting can express things in a language all its own that doesn’t require words/ or where words are not adequate and well this painting also covers both those things. I just suggest you take a look at this beautiful work and let it sink in for a couple of minutes. This is a good example of the legacy of the Middle ages, the Renaissance, and the Englightenment has brought us. We owe a great debt to those centuries.