Description

Medieval chivalry and armored tournaments are not dead, but alive and thriving. Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum will host the second annual Medieval Faire at the historic Jacobean-Revival mansion in Lenox. Organized by the Western Massachusetts chapter of the Society for Creative Anachronism, the series of events will include exciting displays of armored combat every hour on the hour; equestrian demonstrations; medieval arts, crafts and clothing; and strolling troubadours and musicians. Men in armor and women in period costumes will take part in the action. Heading the program is Jeffrey Mann, since 1983 a member of the Society for Creative Anachronism, one of the world's largest medieval living history organizations. Mann's specialty is the study of the evolution of armor through the Middle Ages including how it is made and tournament combat. As part of the program at Ventfort Hall, he has agreed to have his jousting costume on view in advance of his group's appearance. Mann has attained the rank of a knight and master armorer within the reenactment organization. For over 20 years, Mann, his squire and retainers have taken their interest and knowledge of medieval life to schools, nursing homes and scouting organizations, bringing the Middle Ages alive. Mann states, "Our lively presentation helps sort fact from fiction and explain how many of our modern customs evolved from then till now".