KING CITY — Medieval costumes, dungeons, Mary Queen of Scots, a King, village people and more took over San Lorenzo Park on May 5 for the annual Chalone Peaks Middle School Medieval Faire.
The event was held at San Lorenzo Park for the first time in its 20-year history. Seventh-grade students dressed up as royal agents, tax collectors, peasants and more. The students and their teachers each represented a section of the times surrounding the 1500’s history.
“We put this faire together as a way to use living history to teach medieval history,” said seventh-grade history teacher Chris Andrew. “I think they will remember this more so than any other history fact that they were taught this year. If they learn to like history a little bit more (after this event), then I think we’ve accomplished what we set out to do.”
Over the years the history teachers have tried to modify and change the Medieval Faire to provide more variety of activities and crafts for students, and rather than being passive participants, the students are active participants.
“We normally have our Civil War re-enactment at this park, and this year we thought why don’t we do the Medieval Faire here,” history teacher John Miller said. “There’s shade, it’s in the grove, it’s a nice location.”
Joining the teachers, students and parents of Chalone Peaks was the Saint Andrew’s Guild, a nonprofit educational group that provides Scotland history and culture. The Medieval Faire follows the historical period around Mary Queen of Scots, circa 1562, allowing seventh-graders to take on the roles of royal guard and ladies in waiting in addition to interacting with the King and Queen.
“I act like a King,” said Herado Isiah Rios, who played the King. “I can send people into the dungeon and I have to act for a trial. It’s pretty fun because we get to go back in time and see how they used to work and what they used to wear.”
Accompanying Rios throughout the Medieval Faire was the King’s Royal Guard, Jason Alexander Gomez.
“I didn’t really expect this,” Gomez said. “It’s kind of tiring and this staff is kind of heavy.”
Gomez said there are also certain commands that he has to do, such as relaxing a certain way while holding the staff and saluting.
Along with the different guilds throughout San Lorenzo Park, there were various activities that included learning and practicing archery skills and an area for catapults, which tossed water balloons at walls and students who were protecting the wall to give a more realistic feel of what the period was like.
Scattered throughout the “Medieval village” were stations dedicated to different guilds, such as the Dragon’s Eye Guild, Weavers Guild, Henna Guild, a spot for Vikings and more.
“The best part of the day is the different activities that they have for the day,” said Riley Elzy, a member of the Weaver Guild. “I’m excited for the Henna because I really like Henna.”
