Oh, come on! Bringing one single Brit as an "expert" on the Renaissance period in England is a lot like bringing one average American to see a British re-creation of the American Revolutionary War. It's possible that the Brits would have a different take, be somewhat historically inaccurate and get several things "wrong" by our standards; but there is also the possibility that the American you choose would have no real knowledge of the era either!

We're not just here to promote an interest in history (which we do rather successfully), we're here to have FUN as well.

If you want to look at it in a different light, where else can you go shopping for that impossible-to-buy-for person on your Christmas list, be entertained, eat fairly well and carry around a flagon of decent beer or wine while doing so?

If you REALLY want to talk about bad, expensive, greasy, processed foods at RennFests, "knights" that say things like "That doth sucketh!" and overwhelming cleavage popping out of corsets, I can direct you to a certain New England Faire in JohnKerryLand.

Lighten up, Robyn. You sound like a "reporter-on-a-stake" if you get my drift.

My goodness. You certainly had your Snark Hat on for this piece. And nobody wins anything but eye rolling from you, do they? Either they're "knights" who say "That doth sucketh" or they're regional nerds stuck in the Middle Ages with their historically correct costumes.

One clarification: it appears to have passed your esteemed historian's notice that the vast majority of the "pirates and sadomasochists" at the event are actually patrons. They're not on the payroll, and can dress however they like. (within legal limits of course)

Judging a Renaissance Faire on its supposed accuracy is hardly a new angle for reviewing a festival such as this, though I appreciate the fact that this is done (somewhat) tongue in cheek. Most of the people on cast (and many of the Renaissance nerds mentioned) know plenty about the history, and could work to make the place far more accurate, at the cost of alienating nearly all the patrons. The food would be bland, the music inaccessible and the only thing available for drink would be weak beer made with no hops. Moreover, the vast majority of customers couldn't care less about the accuracy. I've been to faires which are considerably more focused on "edutainment", and I've watched the audience grow increasingly more bored the less accessible and more "accurate" the entertainment became.

If you'd like an accurate measure of how historically faithful this production can be, go to Hengrave Hall past Valley Meade behind the Potomac Leather booth. Ask any of the servants dressed in yellow and black what they are doing, who they work for, and what is going on in the village. Ask William Kendale, Master of Arms, about his military exploits, or how he manages not to sweat to death wearing plate mail in the summer. For that matter, ask any of the nobles a serious question about the royal politics of the day (there are some fictional politics about the village mayor which have been constructed solely for entertainment). There are plenty of people at faire who know more about the Renaissance and Tudor England than you'd ever care to know. They also have the good graces not to turn a customer's day out into a forced history lesson.

You came to our fine faire and were so busy grading a term paper that you completely missed the point. The Maryland Renaissance Faire, and all faires for the most point, are all about two words: F U N & F R I E N D S H I P !!! Yes, we may not wear completely accurate clothing, but we go through alot to develop our own personal style and make it so we are identifiable to our friends from 100 yards. Yes we blend Tudor and Elizabethan eras with a mix of Pyrate and whatever else, but it's all in the name of fun. You also seemed to be fixated on corsets and breasts...I guess women were flat chested in the Middle Ages? Our women are voluptuous and like to show off what momma gave em...all harmless fun (there's that word again).

You came with a chip on your shoulder and a 'historian' in your pocket and tried to work us like an algebra problem and completely missed the big picture. Fes-ti-val (noun) An occasion for feasting or celebration, often associated with revelry (boisterous merrymaking).

Why don't you try it again. Actually stop and talk to the people there; get to know the nerds and how people that are separated by hundreds of miles all congregate to one place where we get a chance to see each other again for a very brief amount of time and try to pack as much friendship as we can into 9 hour day as possible for we are not sure when we may see each other again.

I do find it ironic that you would paint it as being completely historically inaccurate, and in the same page put two pictures of some of the most historically accurate parts of the festival (the king reaming out Margaret Douglas for her relationship with Charles Howard, and one of the historically accurate madrigal groups on site).

However, a rennaisance festival isn't really there for pure historical accuracy. It's there as a form of entertainment, if they can teach the public while they're at it, then all the better.

You have also seemed to have lost track of the difference between patrons (or playtrons) and performers. Patrons can dress as they like, whether as pirates or sadomasochists, or fairies, or anything else. Those who are cast members, you will find in relatively appropriate clothing to the period. And as stated above, if you went to Hengrave Hall, you would discover that they had created their garb themselves, sewed by hand.

Then again, you denigrate both those who are accurate and those who are not in the same sentence, so I should not be all that surprised.

But primarily, a renaissance festival is supposed to be *fun*. It is a *festival*, it is meant as a form of entertainment for the visitors. If it wasn't fun, it wouldn't have so many repeat visitors. Is there much difference between someone who enjoys playing dress-up in the woods and someone who enjoys getting painted up in his team colors and freezing his arse off at a winter football game? I think not.

Faire is interactive theatre with a renaissance flavor and not so much a college history lesson. Perhaps you missed that aspect in your visit. The festival is a place for people to play at being a Lord or a Lady while being entertained for a few hours.

There is a lot of history mixed in if you pay attention but keep in mind that most people are paying to be entertained and not educated when they stand in line outside the gates. The festival tries to keep the entertainment and history balanced.

As for being a nerd (Wow! I'm back in High School!), I've been called much worse by better people. This article does, however, seem to be written by someone who takes themselves far more seriously than any of the people that I know who attend. Perhaps, instead, by someone who has forgot the magic and enjoyment involved with playing at being a child in a world of Kings and Queens.

"While we know Elizabethans didn't actually munch on pork pockets while listening to a sword swallower spew knock-knock jokes.."

True. "We" also learned in school that "Elizabethan" doesn't belong five lines above a picture of Henry VIII.

If your looking for period accuracy, then go to a SCA event, if your looking for fun then attend a ren fest, but don't compare apples with oranges.
Next time it comes around, go to pennsic wars-I dare you!!!
Oh and bring your armor and weapon, i know a ship full of people that want to introduce you to ACCURATE first hand

we know Elizabethans didn't actually munch on pork pockets

Oh?? Do we now?

Pork Doucetty

Take pork, and hack it small, and eyroun y-mellyd together, and a little milk, and melle him together with honey and pepper, and bake him in a coffin, and serve forth.

Source: Two Fifteenth Century Cookery Books (1430-1450), Thomas Austin Ed., Early English Text Society, Oxford University Press, 1964.

It has always amazed me that rennies are called nerds, geeks and freaks yet someone who is a sports fanatic is an enthusiastic fan. I have friends who have mountains of trading cards, spent hundreds on replica jersies, paint themselves up on gameday, spend hours tailgating, and pay thousands for season tickets. It just boggles my mind but at least you made yourself feel better by casting dispersions at something you obviously didn't get. I guess that's what we get for not being mainstream.

Hmm, mainstream? Camden Yards has averaged 30,000 tickets this past season and Revel Grove does about 20,000. Not to bad.

My name is Fred Nelson, and I play said King every year.

I can easily join everyone else criticizing your tone, but I respect your opinion along with all others.

However, there are a few FACTUAL errors that I take extremely strong exception to. It was irresponsible of you to write them, and I will officially be asking for a retraction from your paper's editor and ombudsman.

Specifically - the sentence "The king and queen, who march around aimlessly all day greeting — but not touching — common folk ..."

Wrong. On two counts.

1) "march around aimlessly all day" - As your own photos above show ... in addition to greeting people, we perform in various stage shows detailing the court life of Henry VIII, written by professional writers with a deep knowledge of the subject. Also, we preside over jousts, perform children's knighting ceremonies, lead village dances, make appearances at parties and ceremonies and weddings throughout the site, from 10 in the morning until 7 at night. We are constantly rushing off to a completely different event every half-hour.

It is a scheduling nightmare, but we stay on top of it. And for you to boil all of that down to "marching aimlessly all day" truly demeans a group of people who must meticulously maintain and support that schedule every day (not just the two of us). It also highlights your - apparently strong - need to have your editorial opinion overwhelm the facts.

2) "greeting - but not touching - the common people":

The only possible response to that statement is - prove it, please.

Where exactly did you get your facts to support this? If you are a true journalist, produce your notes and/or witnesses. I'll be glad to wait.

Actually, don't bother to make a show of looking. This statement is blatantly false.

As performers, we undergo several weeks of training prior to opening every year, not just in our lines, language, and history - but also with dealing of patrons of all sorts. Touching is by no means forbidden, but is handled on a case-by-case basis. I shake literally hundreds of hands every weekend, and we have even been known to TEACH patrons how handshakes were performed in that era. This involves us actually leaning forward and slightly EMBRACING the patron. In addition, we also regularly greet patrons in wheelchairs or special needs, often knneling down in front of them to bring ourselves to eye level. To them, a touch can often be very reassuring.

For you to claim that we would never touch "commoners" is thoroughly irresponsible on your part. It makes us sound as if we are cold, impassioned, distant figures - when, in fact, quite the opposite is true.

I dare say that's one of the many reasons that the Maryland Renaissance Festival holds a greater than 99% approval rating among departing customers - a fact somehow missed in your desire to be "edgy".

Oh, and --- "Elizabethan"? Refers to the era of Queen Elizabeth.

The daughter of Henry VIII.

Many many years later.

You made much of the fact that you had a historian on hand. Did we forget to fact-check that as well?

It is my sincerest hope that your editor and ombudsman, once contacted, will be able to realize that what you have written is NOT a legitimate feature piece. It should go into the Opinions column instead - after an actual journalist checks your facts for accuracy first.

"Just about every regional nerd stuck in the Middle Ages will dust off his or her carefully constructed costume and barely passable British accent to stroll the festival grounds and partake in the antiquated action."

Obviously the increasing attendance each year means that plenty of people come back for the (if I may sum up the above) "fun". Other than yourself of course who didn't enjoy a single thing. In the future, why bother? Unless you were forced to go by your editor, go write an article on something you want to attend so you don't have to subject yourself to what was obviously an overwhelmingly awful day for you. Sorry you couldn't bring yourself to lighten up and enjoy yourself like everyone else did, but take heart. I'm sure you'll find something else to be rude and jaded about for next week. I know I can hardly wait to read the next sarcastic piece of "unbiased" journalistic integrity.

It sounds to me like you spent a lot of time focusing on the breasts and the food and missed what being at faire actually means to many of those who attend.

Stop by the living history pavilion, take in a court show or three, and visit the militia tent next time for your dose of history.

Remember that for many of us, we may be nerds (or geeks, et cetera), but we're also that person you go to work with every single day. We're parents and children, federal employees, Starbucks baristas, rocket scientists, retirees, students, and that guy you bumped into on the Metro. For many of us rennies, that also means we're family.

For me, faire is a place I get to let loose a bit, to dress a little outlandishly, to play in a romanticised (note my use of the term) version of history, to consort with royalty and rogues and yes, get my fill of food on a stick (did you try the mac and cheese on a stick? It's fabulous.)

Come back to the festival, rent some garb, play a long a little and I wouldn't be surprised if you find your viewpoint changing just a bit. We might be weird, but is dressing up in faire garb that much weirder than what some football fans (who tend to be lauded for it too) do at their games?

Think about it.

PS. I don't know what joust you went to but every one I've been to at MDRF they encouraged the audience to only cheer, boo/hisses were frowned upon.

Holy crap people, relax!!!

They have history and good costumes at the Ren Fest? Things must have changed :D

Wow lighten up people! Some of you really can't take a joke can you? Which is surprising considering you work at RennFaire and play dress-up for a living.

I'm sorry, I didn't notice where this was an editorial.

When a news article portrays something I care about in a fundamentally untrue light (as pointed out by Fred and others), that's not a joke. It's bad journalism.

The funniest thing about this has to be the responses!! Brilliant. Having been to the RennFest many times and very much enjoyed myself everytime, I would say that the writer has captured it very well. The ridiculous attacks on the piece say far more about the performers in my opinion.

I've been to the RennFest and it's a total gas, but it is also completely insane! The author of this piece was clearly still writing in that tone. I do love a good community stoning, though, so let's really burn her at the stake on this community message board mine brothers.

#

Holy crap people, relax!!!
By andrew , Posted August 27, 2008 4:25 PM
lol , is that what you do when your unjustly attacked? cmon andy I can't believe your outlook is so shallow, this person took a public forum and blasphemed something that many(numbers in the 100's of thousands) love, not only for the numerous shows and entertainment but moreover the commeraderie we share, I'm sorry he/she wasn't astute enough to find out the real story and worked on his/her opinion but that's what happened and the writer is spot on off the mark, sorry not gonna "relax" when the story that was written is so far off the mark on so many aspects that the writer ought to think about a new career, I hear Burger King is hiring!!!

Earlier this month the Redskins pre-season opened, meaning royally screwed up plays, greasy hot dogs and brassiere needing cleavage awaits thee just about a half- hour away from DC.

The second worst football team on the east coast (No. 1 being in Miami, of course) is no small stage for Pig Noses and their mates. Just about every regional jock stuck in their own illusion will dust off his or her carefully constructed game day costume and barely passable drunken epithets to stroll thru the stadium gates and partake in the antiquated action.

ATTIRE * Redskins players take their dress seriously, which was evident by the meticulously planned, safety minded, eight-piece padded uniforms they pranced around in. Dressed-up fans considered the fair a competition for the most silicone one can inject before dollar bills are thrown at them. In fact, it's impressive that these women are able to walk around and see past the mounds of breasts blocking their views.

In FedEx, the wealth of a person was judged by how much NFL branded attire they had in their clothing. That tradition is carried through on the field. The offensive and defensive coordinators, who march up and down the sideline aimlessly all day yelling — but not effectively—at over-rated players, who are adorned with the finest polyester and rayon jerseys, while the pouting, middle-aged trash talkers wear measly eBay purchased interpretations.

So, yes, it's all good and merry at the FedEx Field — Jack Kent Cook to its fans — but one must wonder if there is any athletic facet to this pigskin affair?

Does this Washingtonized interpretation of the game of football stay true to the smash mouth game dating from the early 50's to the early 21st century, or did we capitalize the crap out of the celebrated past and turn it into a horrific version of Rugby (with fried Oreos)?

"Having been to the RennFest many times and very much enjoyed myself every time, I would say that the writer has captured it very well. The ridiculous attacks on the piece say far more about the performers in my opinion."

Well, there's at least one point where you differ from the writer. You enjoyed yourself, whereas the writer found getting drunk to be the only redeeming value of the faire. I'm presuming you went to have a good time, while the author is trying to determine "if there is any informative facet to this medieval affair?" and to "test(ed) out RennFest for at least a grain of truth amidst glorified medieval madness. " The piece goes on at length in a rather smug, self-satisfied manner about how virtually none of the entertainment, food or costumes belong in the Renaissance. None of the "ridiculous attacks on the piece" claim otherwise (except to point out that there is a substantial amount of history being portrayed, if you know where to look). Nobody who knows enough about the faire to make the critiques made here would deny that there are loads of Jack Sparrow wannabes running around the shire, or that the standard pirate garb comes from the early 1700s, or that the songs sung in the pub are rarely older than the 19th century. Kesrick hit the nail on the head when he pointed out that grading the festival like a term paper completely misses the point. It's not that there's not a plethora or corseted cleavage or deep fried oreos at faire - it's that being historically accurate is not the primary objective of the faire. The heat and the venom of some of the replies can be understood when you realize that the people who really love the faire - the rennies, the Renaissance nerds prancing around in their meticulously planned, historically correct, eight-piece getups, even the sadomasochists - do so because of the feelings of acceptance and lack of judging they experience there. This article was the antithesis of that feeling.

I'm not sure I understand the point of this article... I mean...were you honestly expecting much historical accuracy? It's just that this particular angle is SOOOO banal. It's entertainment. Were you entertained? Also...I have to agree with those who have pointed out that it should be made clear that this is an opinion piece.

As a patron who has been attending Renaissance Festivals on the east coast for years, I can truly say that MDRF is very historicaly correct in their history potion of the festival.

You my dear journalist are not. You say you brought a Brit with you who also knows his history. Then please tell everyone why neither he nor you can tell the difference between the medieval era and and the renaissance era. Even I who learned history in school know they are two different eras.

King Henry the VIII was not alive when Queen Elizabeth was the reining monarch. So to be at a festival with King Henry the VIII and talk about his daughter's reign is as asinine as your whole article.

This is supposed to be a journalistic article not an editorial. Journalists are supposed to be impartial and you were nothing of the sort. How your editor did not see this shows how well he does his job as well, but at least he did not put his name to this article and call it an editorial.

You madam not only owe the performers of MDRF an apolgy you also owe it to the staff,patrons and playtrons of the faire, as well as your readers. Oh and to your teachers if you went to school for journalism.

I grew up in Maryland not too far from faire. I used to have a similar opinion about faire and the people that went to it. One day 8 years ago my wife insisted that we go and check it out. She also insisted that I have an open mind and try to enjoy myself. Well here we are 8 years later and I have hardly missed a day since my first visit.
Obviously the journalist did not hang out with the right crowd. The "Friends of Faire" (MDRFFoF)should invite this journalist to Faire to experiance it the way alot us do. To bad he/she had only one person (first timer) to confer with. Oh well thier loss.

As many people above me have stated before, the renaissance festival is not meant to be historically accurate. It is a place for us "nerds" as you call us to be in a place where we do not get judged and to have fun. That is what a festival is, a place to have fun and be merry. You came to our festival with a definite chip on your shoulder and a blinded sense of what the festival is about, which is why you are being attacked. You unjustly took aim at us "rennies" and only focused on what YOU wanted to focus on. Many of us have worked on our garb for months before hand, many of us look forward to the fair because we get to see friends that we have not seen all year. Perhaps you need to surround yourself with friends like us "rennies", because we are not judgemental and we know how to have fun. Your article-not editorial-has touched a sore spot in the hearts of thousands of people.

I would have to say that some are taking quite an exception to this article.
Those that don't understand, often make fun of such things. I guess we all are a little guilty of it since we don't understand your opinion and how you missed so much positive and just focused on the negative.
It's typical. Those that do understand the "spirit" of faire also understand that this is a business that is there to entertain. Making something historically accurate would not sell. I'm not sure that the faire could ever really market "King Henry's Head Chop Ride." This is supposed to be a fantasy for all of us.
I think you missed the children whose face lit up when the King or Queen addressed them. You missed the little girl that got to be a princess for a day. You missed the little boy who got to talk to "real" knight. For all of things you got, you missed 1000 more.
I hate to quote movies, especially those from the 80's, but "I'm a nerd, and I'm proud to be one."
At least us "nerds" remember what it is like to have an imagination. We also have a place to escape our mundane lives.
On behalf of the rest of the nerds, I invite you back to experience it again, but this time looking for all of the things that are good about the faire along with all the things you disliked about it.
If you would not like to come back then on behalf of the rest of us nerds, i say that you are nothing but a full on N00B!!!!

Wow, It seems this guy doesnt get out much.

And no Pirates durning the Renaissance ? I guess they didnt have oceans back then, Oh and no boats durning the Renaissance either, because they werent invented to have apirate steal one durning that time. Boats must have been invented after that era.

Since when is childish playground name-calling acceptable in a professional news article? I don't see any disclaimers that this is an editorial and since this piece is creditted as "Posted by Express", the paper itself, one can draw the obvious conclusion that there is a subset of the local population the Washington Post does not deem worthy of occupying their space.

Unfortunately for the author and her friend, not only did they miss a wonderful opportunity to spend a day outside while enjoying incredible shows, a variety of music, and scrumptious food, they also learned the hard way that Rennies may not all be Sadists but we do bite when provoked.

Yawn.

So you went to a renaissance festival and called the people there weirdos and nerds and claimed that it wasn't historically accurate. How very original. Nobody's ever said that before!

robyn mincher for queen of 17th century make-believe land!

Certainly the first time at a renaissance faire can be confusing, and it may take a while to figure out what is actually going on. During that time, it is easy to get some misconceptions. Expressing them snarkily in a public article I personally find more that a little out of line, and it can make you look more than a little foolish. I reckon you are finding that out now. One part of your commentary I find particularly objectionable is your denigration of the "informative facet (your words)". I'm Norman Cary--Master William Kendale, to cite my character name at faire--and I work at Hengrave Hall, near the Globe Theater, as the master at arms. The big shiny guy in the helmet and armor. Suggest you come on over and see some of us "nerds". I say it who perhaps shouldn't, but I think, if you paid attention, you would be surprised at the amount of accurate historical knowledge you could pick up about a variety of matters relating to the 16th century--law, military history, medicine, food, personal care, family life, woodworking--the list goes on. We are glad to talk about it to anyone, answer questions, and we actually have regularly scheduled programs on some of these subjects. Certainly the major portion of a renaissance faire is entertainment, and I won't deny that much of it at most faires is not what you would find in the day. However, part of almost every one of the renaissance faires I have ever been to includes the opportunity to learn something about the history and daily life of the period. I suggest you might wish to avail yourself of the opportunity and seek understanding, rather than belittling what you evidently don't get.

Norm

Did you at least have a little bit of fun? I mean, the whole experience couldn't have been sullied because of the lack of authenticity of the patrons (not the staff, I would like to note). If not, why not? And if so, why didn't you present that in the article?

My name is Tiffany Jarman and I am playing this year's Queen, Katherine Howard. Katherine lived during the Renaissance, not the Middle Ages. The Middle Ages are also referred to as the Dark Ages. The Renaissance was a period of enlightenment. It is from the French language, meaning rebirth. As was stated before, Queen Elizabeth was Henry's daughter. His other was Mary and he also had a son named Edward. When Henry died, he passed believing that his son would reign as King until Edward's son would take the thrown. The thought of a woman ruling his country was appalling to him - evident by his infamous deeds in order to get a male heir. The term "Elizabethan" refers to the reign of Queen Elizabeth (as in Henry's daughter). she became Queen only after Edward and Mary sat on the throne before her. In short, Henry had been long dead by the time of the Elizabethan era. But, of course, what do I know about history according to your article.

The cast members are not allowed to use paper cups or napkins or the little paper boats that much of the food comes in. We're dressed in costumes and jewelry that is, many times taken from actual Renaissance portraits -- many times those of the people we are portraying. As for the boobs you seemingly could not mention enough times, during the Renaissance it was quite chic to have breasts that sat like "clams upon the beach" in your bodice. I learned that from one of the people of Hengrave Hall where they demonstrate a large array of historically accuracy.

As for not touching patrons, yesterday I received a rose from a young man of 8 whom I knighted earlier that day - one I had met and stopped to speak to several times yesterday. I have held children for photographs and I make it a point to remember the name of every child I knight so I can call them by name should I see them throughout the day. I even have several pictures of me holding children during the festival day. I spend much of my day squatting to look children in the eye. I put my arm around every patron I pose for a picture with.

And can just say that I would give much to be able to wander around aimlessly during the day! Because at the end f the festival day, I am exhausted!! After opening gate, the cast does a morning dance followed by a court photo op. I have my first show at 11 am (gates open at 10). My first show ends at 11:30 when I go back out onto the street to take pictures, interact with patrons and fellow actors, do mini acts we refer to as "bits", direct patrons through the shire ad then meet the King at noon so we can do more of what I just mentioned. At one, I have my knighting ceremony that lasts a half hour and it takes me until 2pm just to get to the jousting arena for the 2:00 joust! One of the lines in the joust, by the way, encourages the crowd to cheer and not boo as catcalls and booing are not befitting of the knights and their station. We also have trained cheerleaders who keep the negativity down and ask those who cannot "play nicely" to leave. Then the King and I go straight to the 3:00 chess game. After that, I go straight to the front gate where I *gasp* play a delightful game called Rat Pucking WITH the patrons! My final duty is the court show at 5pm. My day ends at 6:00 in the evening. And I get off easy!

There are also some journalism issues I have with this piece. This, indeed, is an editorial. You have expressed an opinion and presented some points you felt backed your opinion up. And everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and I certainly respect yours. If you did not have a good time at Festival, I apologize profusely. However, you expressed a great deal of non-truths as fact with nothing to back you up other than the fact that you went with a history buff who happened to be British. He has no other credentials based on your article. If he has a degree in Renaissance History, then I will most happily eat my words. But for all I know, he is a French Revolution history buff. And being British does not automatically make one intimate with all aspects of British history. We do writers and directors who carefully study the reign of Henry VIII and make it entertaining to the masses as well as providing a little extra something for every one. Your job as a journalist was to research the topic, research the venue, research it's purpose, interview patrons and present your findings in a non-biased, non-judgmental, educational piece. Not to bash something you clearly don't understand based on flimsy "facts" and "evidence". My feelings for the Festival aside, this is just a poor piece of writing.

Lastly, I will touch on the aspect so many people have before me. It is about family. And by family I mean friends as well as blood relations. It is a place where people can escape, have fun, and be the people they cannot be anywhere else. Watch a Pub Sing. There is so much love and comraderie there it could make you sick! I feel so good when I go to Faire and interact with the people there. I have worked there for 5 years now and have loved every moment of it as well as everyone I have encountered through my journey. I am getting married in November to a wonderful man that I would never have met had it not been for a friend I made at Festival. And on my wedding day, I will be attended by two wonderful friends that made my first Season at Festival. And it breaks my heart that this year much be my last. When you attack MDRF, you attack a large number of people and something that means so much to them.

Ever wondered why renaissance festivals and 'rennies' are always the butt of everyone's joke? Yeah...I gotta say: Marissa, Will, Simon, Communications, Niteshade, Faireweather, Blair, Nobody's and ALL the rest of you who have responded to this article with all your self absorbed self righteousness about how the author doesn't 'get it' is just freakin hi-larious!! You people are like the pirate dressed as Captain Jack Sparrow getting all indignant about Darth Vader showing up in costume and screaming at the top of your lungs, "That's not period!!" I'm astonished that you have absolutely no clue! Do you really have no sense of humor at all? Keep it up though; you're all playing right into the joke. Social misfits unite!!

"Ever wondered why renaissance festivals and 'rennies' are always the butt of everyone's joke? Yeah...I gotta say: Marissa, Will, Simon, Communications, Niteshade, Faireweather, Blair, Nobody's and ALL the rest of you who have responded to this article with all your self absorbed self righteousness about how the author doesn't 'get it' is just freakin hi-larious!! You people are like the pirate dressed as Captain Jack Sparrow getting all indignant about Darth Vader showing up in costume and screaming at the top of your lungs, "That's not period!!" I'm astonished that you have absolutely no clue! Do you really have no sense of humor at all? Keep it up though; you're all playing right into the joke. Social misfits unite!!"

If you get near a point, make it. As cogent arguments go, yours ranks slightly below "YOUR ALLA BUNCHA LOOSERS !!!!!1!"

The one thing I can honestly say I don't have a clue about is what you're trying to say. Your comments show a fundamental lack of reading comprehension, and your analogy is a far better description of the article than the comments.

Since you've managed to either completely misunderstand everything written on this page, let me give you a CliffsNotes version (in the hope that you can understand CliffsNotes): the author went to the Maryland Renaissance Festival to "test out RennFest for at least a grain of truth amidst glorified medieval madness." She came to the conclusion that everything she saw wasn't actually around in the Renaissance. As conclusions go, this is about as insightful as pointing out that Hogan's Heroes wasn't a documentary. With a few asides (there actually are historically accurate portions of faire tucked away in the corners, how dare you be so mean about something I love, why is this opinion piece masquerading as a news article), the overwhelming response has been that yes, faire isn't historically accurate, and no, that's not the point. The author is the one doing all the pointing and screaming about "That's not period!!" Actually, a closer analogy would be Jane Doe going to the Robin Hood: Men In Tights theme park and finding it amusing that there are deep fried Oreos to eat and that the archery contest "seems like it's out of a dumb film".

I'm not particularly upset about being the butt of somebody's joke or being accused of being a social misfit. Jokes need butts and folly needs a fool. But as jokes go, this is like a joke stereotyping blonds as cheap or lawyers as stupid.

I found the article to be incredibly humorous and a well-written satirical view of the any Renn Faire experience.

Some of you are taking the tongue-in-cheek words far too personally. It's comments like these that make people look at you funny and think you're weird.

Me, I dress up and have fun, I go and have a drink, I laugh and groan, and I will admit I'm tired of seeing yet another Captain Sparrow clone or 44DDD breasts stuffed into a medium corset.

God forbid someone point out the truth of almost any renaissance festival, it's a place were a bunch of people with a passion and a hobby can go and be the people they want to be without being afraid of what other people think.

all i have to say is...you dont like our festival...GET OUT! stop trying to judge something people love going to! its not suppose to be a boring history lesson...its suppose to be a fun way for people to become interested in the Renaissance ear. and just to let you know... the Elizabethean era came AFTER the time of King Henry the 8th....retard.