Feasts, fights and fun
Rissington becomes medieval gathering for long weekend
From all across the kingdom of Aotearoa rode men, women and children to the village of Rissington to compete in medieval and ancient traditions, and feast.
The National Association of Ancient and Medieval Art held its annual gathering at the Rissington campground, Omatua, over the long weekend.
The venue is the home of Hawke’s Bay’s own Company of the Sacred Sword, founded in 1984 and the country’s longest continually-running medieval club.
Julie Joule, self-described “head-chef and bottle washer” from the Company of the Scared Sword, estimated about eight clubs and about 120 people from as far away as Blenheim and Whangārei took part in a variety of competitions and feasting.
She said the event was not just about fighting with medieval weapons and there were competitions for crafting leather shoes, tunics, cloaks and authentic embroidery, as well as making shields, swords and knives.
There were also archery and brewing competitions and lots of feasting, culminating in the main feast last night.
“Lots of people volunteer to be judges for the brewing competition and they’re always disappointed there are just three judges, ” Joule said.
“[The feast] includes homemade cheeses as well as venison, roast and stews, goat and chicken, brandy and cream and lots of things.”