Knights to remember
Edmond performers share their passion for a bygone era.
Edmond’s Aaron Homjak may have been born about 600 years too late. Yet Homjak, and a merry group of followers, keep the Middle Ages alive through their club known as the Knights of Canterbury.
Odds are most people in Edmond have seen them as the group recently participated once again in the LibertyFest parade. There the group won second place in the specialty units division. Homjak, the owner and director of the Knights, said it was the group’s third win in the past three years, which coincides with the time the group was first formed. Some of the popularity of the parade act features “Galahad the Gallant,” a horse and sometime unicorn, which Homjak describes as a “huge favorite of the kids.”
Today there are 30 members of his Medieval band of friends and performers. They’re hoping to swell their ranks and even get a fan club started.
Yet why the attraction to the bygone era? Homjak has an answer. “I think it’s the romanticism of the
age, with nobility, bravery and chivalry,” he said.
During most years, the group stays busy with several appearances at festivals, many having a Medieval theme.
The highlight for the Knights of Canterbury is a display of the ancient sport of jousting, where two riders approach each other from opposite directions wielding long lances.
During the Knights’ demonstrations, safety is paramount as the lances are made of softer material and nobody is targeted for serious injury.
“It’s a theatrical protection,” Homjak said.
Although he did say there are other parts of the nation where other Medieval-theme clubs do make it a competition — with safety precautions.
The exhibit still captures the glory of the era. Even marching in parades, has members standing a bit taller while waving banners and paying homage to a time of King Arthur and others.
“It’s a blast to see the crowd and their reactions,” the director said.
Some of those appearances include St. Augustine Episcopal Church’s Canterbury Arts Fair in the metro area, the Ada Medieval Fair, the Kiefer Medieval Fair, the Route 66 Renaissance Fair in Kellyville, the Arts Trek Festival at Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art in Shawnee, the Renaissance Fair of the Ozarks in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, and the Prague Kolache Festival Parade. They also had a promotional and educational booth at Norman’s premier spring event, the Medieval Fair, which draws thousands.
Also sharing in the love of the lore is Kristin Toffoli, also known as Lady Morgan on the jousting circuit. Homjak said she is the first female knight for his group. Her love for the Middle Ages dates back many years to her high school years.
“I began to read every Arthurian legend or book on the Medieval Ages,” she recalled. That was coupled with a love for horses. “I never dreamed that I would actually get the opportunity to joust myself until four years ago,” she said. That’s when Homjak contacted her and asked if she would be interested in the joust re-enactments.
“Our troupe has performed at fairs in both Oklahoma and Arkansas. My husband and I are both active in the troupe, and the horses we use in the joust are all rescues.”
As mentioned, this special Edmond roundtable wants to add new battle buddies and possibly sponsors. If riding and jousting isn’t someone’s specialty, that’s OK, Homjak said. “We are also working towards creating a fan club open to anyone interested in lectures and practical demonstrations on historical reenactment,” he said.
For those, possibly braver, they can teach sword, riding and jousting skills. To know more about the group, Homjak urges people to visit their Knights of Canterbury Facebook page — perhaps the most modern aspect of the club’s existence.
“It’s all a lot of fun,” he said.