Medieval Costumes

If you are planning on attending a Medieval LARP (Live Action Role Play) event, there are a number of things that you’ll need.  You will need Medieval clothing, Medieval boots, accessories, and a weapon.  But you obviously can’t use a weapon like the one you see in this post’s picture.  The object during a LARP is to successfully strike the opposing player with a weapon.  Using actual steel or wooden weapons is very unsafe.

That is why most LARPs use what are known as boffer weapons.  Boffer weapons are typically constructed out of PVC pipe, closed-cell foam, open-cell foam, Goop adhesives, and duct tape of various colors.  When constructed properly these weapons form a safe alternative and allow for actual combat to ensue at LARP events.  The types of weapons you can actually create through this method are only limited by your imagination.

For detailed instructions on how  you correctly and safely construct a boffer weapon, please visit this boffer weapon construction guide, provided to us by our good friends at Wyvern Rising, a Fantasy Medieval LARP based out of North Eastern Pennsylvania.  If you chose to follow this guide to make your own weapon, please note that the weapon sizes/requirements are specific to their rules system.  If you are making your weapon for a different LARP, make sure to find the correct weapon lengths, then return to this guide.

Last week we brought you a post that demonstrated the various signs that you can use to identify an approaching thunderstorm.  We wanted you to be able to have a way to know when you should seek shelter to protect both your Medieval clothing, and your lives.

But what happens if you are far away from shelter and a storm arrives rapidly?  What are you going to do?  If you keep the following tips in mind, and put them into practice, you will be able to ride out the storm.

1. Don’t Panic:  Although a thunderstorm is bad, it is not the end of the world.  By remaining calm, and taking notice of your surroundings, finding a safe place for you and your fellow campers can be very easy.

2. Get Out of the Open:  Lightning is drawn high points.  If you’re in the middle of an open field, that makes you the highest point.  The best plan would be to get indoors, but if that is not possible, at least get out of the open.

3. Avoid Tall Structures/Trees:  While you’re seeking shelter from tip #2, make sure it isn’t something extremely tall, such as a large tree, radio tower, etc. Lighting will also be drawn to these tall objects, so avoiding them is a must.  If an indoor shelter is not possible, consider finding a ditch or ravine so that you become lower than your surroundings.

4. Split Up:  Lighting has the capability of striking multiple people who are grouped together. Make sure to put some space between all of the members of your group so that the lightning does not travel from person to person.  You can stay within sight of your group, just so long as you are not all huddled together.

5. Remove Metal:  Lighting is also attracted to and flows through metal.  Make sure to avoid metal structures and to remove any metal jewelry or accessories, like weapons or armor, that you may be wearing or have with you..

6. Get Out of Water:  Lighting flows through water.  Even if the lightning strikes a body of water hundreds of yards away, the current can still flow for a very long time.  If you are swimming or boating, get out of the water immediately.

If you are considering purchasing Medieval or Renaissance footwear, there is one very important thing you need to remember:  Water damage.

If you are going to be taking these Medieval boots to a Renaissance faire, SCA event, or LARP weekend, odds are that you will be wearing them for a long period of time.  During that time, you may experience a lot instances where water may present itself:  Crossing a stream, rain water, puddles, swamps, morning and evening dew, plus many others.

Water can easily damage and slowly start to cause leather boots to rot away.  That is why it is extremely important that you take the time to waterproof your footwear.  Waterproofing your boots will increase the lifespan of your boots, which will help you save money in the long run.

So before you take your Renaissance boots out into the world for the first time, make sure that they are waterproofed!

Now that you have yourself a great Renaissance or Medieval costume, what are you going to do?  Yes you can use it for educational purposes, theatre, or even for Halloween.  But don’t you want to be able to have some fun while you’re wearing your authentic outfit?

There are two great options for you to consider, where you would be among countless others who share your passion for the Renaissance era.

1. Renaissance Faires:  Renaissance faires are a wonderful opportunity for you to see what life was actually like in the Medieval era.  You can eat Medieval food, watch knights joust, and experience any number of activities that are sure to keep you entertained.  The best part?  They encourage people to dress up in Renaissance costumes to help increase the atmosphere.  You can find a directory of all the major Renaissance faires in the country here.

2. Live Action Role Playing:  Live Action Role Playing, or LARPing, is a unique activity that actually puts you into a Medieval adventure.  When you attend a LARP event, you actually develop a character, put on the costuming, and in some cases pick up weapons (usually made of foam or latex) to do combat with other characters or monsters.  Typically, there is a staff that helps to create and run the game world.  Therefore, your character is always, “in game” the entire time you are at the event.  A directory of LARPs can be found here.

So make sure you don’t let your Medieval costumes sit around and gather dust.  Make sure you get out and show off your awesome new outfit!

If you are reading this blog, that means that you have a vested interest in the Renaissance era, Medieval era, or the fantasy genre.  At PearsonsRenaissanceShoppe.com, we love to be your provider of high quality Renaissance costuming.  Our outfits are both historically accurate and comfortable.

But instead of just looking at our outfits, we invite you to actually get out and attend Renaissance faires or Medieval reenactments.  These types of events are your chance to experience actual, living history.  Most of us only get a chance to interact with history from textbooks or television specials.  Why sit inside when you can actually get out and see it for real?

Why read about a sword fight, when you can see two men in actual armor dueling it out with real weapons?  Why read about Medieval recipes when you can get to a Medieval reenactment and taste the food for real?  Why just look at Renaissance clothing, when you can put on your own costume and join others who have the same passion for this historical era as you do?

So get up, get out, and experience history first hand.  If you decide to take an opportunity to learn about history, let PearsonsRenaissanceShoppe.com help you get dressed in historically accurate garb.  Then you can really fit the part.

A Renaissance faire is not only fun, but also very educational.  One can learn about knights, royalty, minstrels, jesters, blacksmiths, and a whole host of other Medieval figures.  A Renaissance faire can really help someone get a good sense of Medieval food, clothing, music, entertainment, and other lifestyles.

Therefore, when you go to a Renaissance faire, why not take your children with you?  Within this educational environment, they are sure to learn just as much as you do.

If you take your children, make sure you let them dress up in a costume.  Children love to wear outfits and this is the perfect opportunity.  You can find a vast assortment of children’s clothing, for both boys and girl, at PearsonsRenaissanceShoppe.com.

These costumes are all handmade and are of high quality.  These outfits will make your young squire or maiden stand out from a crowd.  They can also double for this year’s Halloween costume.  So make sure to visit PearsonsRenaissanceShoppe.com to find the costume that will make your kiddo smile.