K-6 Student Day

A gloriously bright and temperate day allowed for all present to attend in comfort. The Lord High Mayor welcomed all who crowded about the castle gate and did introduce Lord Angelis and the Duchess Annelise who thereafter demonstrated to the eager mass the correct reverence techniques for bowing and curtseying. Our beloved King and his Queen were in audience all the day, greeting many awe-stuck and admiring subjects, posing for pictures, and gently interviewing their smallest of loyalists. Two jousts were well attended, and injuries were (again) avoided, thanks be to God! Many hundreds of our honored visitors appended their signatures, brief notes and pictures to a 12-page card of greeting which was then presented to the King and Queen by a leading lady of Playford Lane, the good Johanna Mercer Draper. At the Spinner's cottage, dye making was demonstrated by Spinner herself, whose discourse was both educational and enjoyable to her rapt listeners. We saw the gold tones made by the simmering of marigold-flowers. The Wild Boar ride and other games of skill, especially those involving weaponry, were most popular. The day did end on a most dramatic note with Ben of Flame performing death-defying feats of fire-eating atop the castle gate for the amusement and amazement of those departing below (Photo, Above Right).

Third Weekend

Another weather-blessed pair of faire days! Guard Stephen was rejoined to our happy company, to much ado. We enjoyed the company of honored guests from the Arizona Renaissance Festival, including the gracious Alanta, whose beauty mightily enhanced our Royal Court and parades. In Playford Lane, the pillars of playfulness, "Mother" Toys, Molly Wogg and Polly Wogg (who is searching still for a new daddy), along with young Sir Nicholas did continually entertain our younger guests with puppetry, blocks, knick-knacks and other wonderful childish things. King James and his attendant flock did survive, with chills and rapid heartbeat, the Graveyard. The Green Man and Devine after much effort and hustle, and with much cooperation among our company, did present a highly rollicking event on Saturday night with a Talent Show, which name encompassed varying levels of talent, tho' vigorous effort and good nature was truly in abundance! With balladry, ribaldry, skits, songs, poems both sacred and profane, tale-telling and insults flying low, the evening was full of bonhomie. Kudos to the Green Man for tricking us willingly into self-parody and gross humor. We were ourselves fruit of our folly, and were giddy with our self-made ambrosia of entertainment. The King and the Queen (Photo, Above) were both sketched this weekend as examples of commerce at "Lady A's", most handsomely. Saturday's attendance reached record for a Saturday, with over 2,100 happy patrons through the gate!

"Big Kids" Student Day

Approximately 5,500 students populated Albright on a clear, cool but sunny day. Brisk business was done with camel rides, wild boar rides, ferry crossings, King of the Log challenges and the elevating of lads and lasses to the Nobility classes (oooh- a rhyme!) Pickles, pretzels and cookies were soon sold out, and most food was consumed with near magical haste. A two-hour power outage did dismay some merchants, but which failure was nearly invisible to our patrons. At the Spinner's hut, Spinner herself with the able assist of Johanna Mercer-Draper-Chandler and Gabby Chattemoore demonstrated the art of candle-making. Dorothy Devereaux Percy, Duchess of Northumberland exhibited her skill in grinding oat meal for oatcakes and other domestic duties of the period for our incredulous McBreakfast-oriented guests. The crew of Storm-Blown Capt Kate continued to exert crowd control and coordinated frenzy with the outstanding feat of combining "more seats over there, move down, sit down, away from the fence...", with "yell louder, chant "Matthew/William", and keeping jousters, horses, lances, swords, water, and more at the ready for the pleasure of all. Huzzah...uh. er…Argh!

Fourth Weekend

Yet again, praise God, weather was our ally! Patrons were almost 2,200 on Saturday; 1370-some on Sunday, numbers to make the Festival's hearts gladden. At Playford Lane, "Mother" Hermione Toys and her jolly crew added a "castle turret" barrel to the neighborhood, which provides a merry photo setting. Albright welcomed some entertainers to the faire this weekend, to wit: the Limey Birds -- a trio of saucy and sassy comedic songstresses; Zoltan the Adequate; the Tortuga Twins (Photo, Above) -- all three of them; and the Brobdingnagian Bards. Making special visits were our good friend Ryleh, the Wanderer -- he of the website which expounds on his visits to festivals around the country, and whose dissertation last year did inspire a warm/fuzzy feeling of mutual affection with our fair Faire; and the musician/balladeer extraordinaire Owain Phyfe of the New World Renaissance Band, whose CDs collect ancient songs from the 14th century on, and performs them in native tongue, be it Italian, Spanish, French, Hungarian or other.

A splendiferous spectacle was created by Cristophe the Insulter, in wide company upon the much-maligned Lord Angelis (Photo, Right: photo by George Laking AKA Ryleh the Wanderer). Pitiful Angelis was verbally eviscerated upon the altar of revenge! Many contributed to his most-public dressing down, notably a patron -- one who did not know previously the character of poor Angelis -- who did contribute $20 to keep the insults flowing! Healing was begun immediately, with...just after a pause...Gabby Chattemoore leading the company in a resounding round of "We love you, Angel…" Lord Angelis did quickly recover from the sting of words to accept the balm of friendship. Praise all around for the good Guards and Nobles who do quietly and below overt notice diligently serve their Majesties in accompanying, carrying, hydrating, fetching, mingling, and concerning themselves in every aspect of comfort and care of our Royals. Your services are constantly appreciated by all loyal subjects. "Above and beyond" doth accurately describe your dedication. Brian and Gina donated and roasted a pig on the Dripping Dog's spit. Huzzah...burp..excuse me!

Standard Disclaimer: This webpage is strictly an *Unofficial* look at the Louisiana Renaissance Festival held near Hammond, LA in the Parish of Tangipahoa. All opinions expressed herein are strictly this author's own. Unless noted otherwise, all photographs are copyright ©2003-2004 by Barbara Brown.