Bristol Renaissance fair!

The Bristol Renaissance Faire was founded in 1972 by Richard Shapiro and his wife Bonnie as “King Richard’s Faire”. The event was a four-weekend fair and drew approximately 10,000 people.^[1]

In 1988,^[2] the Shapiros sold the fair to Renaissance Entertainment Corporation, having created a second incarnation of the King Richard’s Faire in Carver, Massachusetts. The original King Richard’s Faire was re-opened that year as the “Bristol Renaissance Faire”. The reigning monarch became Queen Elizabeth I rather than the fictional “King Richard“, and the year was set at 1574. At that time, the fair played seven weekends and drew over 200,000 visitors annually,^[1] thus placing it among the highest attended in the world.^[3] Renaissance faire staples such as jousting tournaments, historical reenactments, and stage shows continue.

It was my first time at the Renaissance Faire and I was skeptical initially. My friend wanted to go so I went along with her but was not super stoked about it. Well, I had to admit I was wrong because I had a great time. The shows were good and very entertaining. The food was good and the drinks were cold. Overall, it was a great experience and worth the trip. I’d recommend it to anyone!

An AMAZING Ren Faire! Some form of entertainment literally around every corner! All the employees are happy and friendly and you can tell they love their jobs! This was the most fun! Can’t wait to go back!

The jousting was awesome to watch!

Jousting, a sport involving mounted knights charging at each other with lances, originated in the 11th century as a form of staged combat and training for warfare. It became a popular feature of medieval tournaments and eventually evolved into a sport of skill and horsemanship, particularly with the development of “ring tournaments”. While dangerous, jousting provided a spectacle for entertainment and a display of chivalry.

Early Development:

Jousting emerged in the 11th century in northwestern France as a way for knights to practice and display their combat skills.
It was initially part of larger tournaments that also included mêlées, or mock battles between groups of knights.
Jousting provided a way for knights to showcase their horsemanship, skill with weapons, and bravery

Medieval Tournaments:

Jousting became a central part of medieval tournaments, which were large-scale events featuring various competitions, pageantry, and entertainment.
These tournaments were often sponsored by royalty or nobility and drew large crowds.
Jousting was a dangerous activity, even with specialized armor designed for the sport.
Injuries and even deaths were not uncommon, leading to some disapproval from the Church and some rulers.

Evolution into a Sport:

Over time, jousting shifted from a primarily military training exercise to a more formalized sport.
The development of the “ring tournament” format, where knights aimed to spear rings suspended from poles, further refined the sport’s focus on skill and precision.
The tilt barrier, a wooden fence separating the combatants, was introduced to reduce the risk of collisions and improve the angle for lance impact.

Decline and Revival:

By the end of the Middle Ages, traditional jousting tournaments declined in popularity, partly due to changing warfare tactics and the rise of firearms.
However, jousting continued in various forms, including the ring-tilt, which remained popular in some areas, especially in the United States.
In Maryland, jousting with rings became the state sport, highlighting the enduring appeal of this aspect of jousting.

You get to enjoy various people in costume as well as some interesting art!! So many different things to see and do!

Don’t forget the shopping!! An easy place to spend your hard earned coins!! (Ok, dollars!) From artwork, to beautiful dresses, hats, bags and jewelry!!