Medieval Festival

I went to the Colchester Oyster Fayre, also known as the Medieval Festival today. I was there on a baking hot afternoon on a muddy field watching grown men hit each other with sticks, oil themselves up and wrestle, and dress up as pike-men. I also witnessed a falconry display - disappointingly that did not feature the star attraction, due to the risk the Peregrine might fly off.

I sampled some medieval fair, a roast hog roast with apple sauce and stuffing - in a bun. Well no-one was claiming 100% authenticity. The medieval music was interesting, but not especially good. There’s little chance the CD compilation on sale will be challenging Coldplay in the charts. I also had a banana ice-cream cone. I can just imagine them tucking into them during the dark ages.

What I can also imagine is a life in muddy fields, living in squalid accommodation with only fires for heating, no ready access to clean water, and having to wear clothes that skimmed the ground. I can imagine that I would hate it. Flavouring the experience for a few hours is one thing, living it would be quite another.