Medeival Celebrations Party

[Aiden of Oreland]

Recently my brother and I wanted to bring back a family tradition of a medieval party. It will have period dishes, decorations(or at least attempted) time appropriate garbs, and feast ware. Here is the problem though, we don't have any of that stuff. We would need 15 trenchers, 15 tankards or mugs, 15 sets of eating utensils, and banners for a little flare. The time frame we are shooting for is from, more or less, the 10th century to before the Renaissance. Now, i understand that that is a HUGE time frame, but I'm trying to make it both fun and historical. Now, I have tried to research feast ware to get that is roughly time appropriate, but I am not having any luck. The budget limit must be less than a thousand, because we are working on a budget. Would anyone have any suggestions on where we can get these items for a reasonable price? Any recommendations on WHAT to get?

[Sir Edward]

Yeah, that can be tricky. Some of it will depend on what class of society you're aiming for too. Is it royalty, nobility, commoners, etc?

Ceramic/pottery is always a viable choice. For upper classes, silver goblets would be more fitting.

Utensils were basically spoons and eating knives, because forks were "devil's tools" (and something those unseemly French folks used).

Spoons could be made of wood or horn, and the upper classes might have silver or gold. In between, pewter and brass/bronze are also acceptable.

[Aiden of Oreland]

Great! Does this look about right for middle class? I mean I could use regular "silverware"(stainless steel) butter knives and spoons if that could pass as traditional. I may make bread trenchers too:

https://www.by-the-sword.com/ShoppingCart.aspx?add=true&ReturnUrl=%2fp-10291-medieval-eating-bowl-5in-29-ob0590.aspx

[Sir Edward]

That link goes to an empty shopping cart.

[Sir Nate]

That link goes to an empty shopping cart.

I hate when I give people links to things, and that things like that happen.

[Sir James A]

That link goes to an empty shopping cart.

http://www.by-the-sword.com/p-10291-medieval-eating-bowl-5in-29-ob0590.aspx

[Sir Edward]

Yes, wooden bowls like that would work quite nicely.

[Aiden of Oreland]

That link goes to an empty shopping cart.

http://www.by-the-sword.com/p-10291-medieval-eating-bowl-5in-29-ob0590.aspx

Oops!! I had that item in the cart. I also had...

http://www.by-the-sword.com/p-10602-brown-stoneware-drinking-mug-51-4687a.aspx

http://www.by-the-sword.com/p-14667-medieval-kitchen-knife-ah-4378.aspx

http://www.by-the-sword.com/p-10290-medieval-eating-spoon-29-ob0579.aspx


I have stainless steel spoons and butter knives, would that be able to act as "silverware"? Or would it be better to get the wooden spoon? Because I know period spoons had a circular dish in them and not an oval one.

[Lord Dane]

Of course you will be obligated to hunt down and bludgeon your own banquet. Spear some boar, roast some pig, gut some peasants (I mean pheasants) , fillet some fish, bake some loafs, pick some fruits, serve some hard drink. Gather together the finest wenches to serve your guests.

[Sir Nate]

Of course you will be obligated to hunt down and bludgeon your own banquet. Spear some boar, roast some pig, gut some peasants (I mean pheasants) , fillet some fish, bake some loafs, pick some fruits, serve some hard drink. Gather together the finest wenches to serve your guests.

Our fish are dry
Our loafs are flat
our Fruits are infested
our Drink is light
so none of it can help our...Delight

Did they have meatloaf in the middle ages?

[Aiden of Oreland]

I have also been contemplating on games to play. According to some, horse shoes have been played since the Roman occupation of England by the Romans. They used them because they couldn't afford Quoits. That's one game that all the guests know how to play for the most part, now to consider other possible games. Maybe that rat flinging one that's you must land in the cleavage

[Sir Edward]

Hah, Rat-Pucking? I don't think that's period.

Chess is a nice medieval game, as is Backgammon. For outdoor, Bocci/Bocce (choose your spelling) dates back as far as the Roman Empire, I just don't know how much the rules have changed since then.

Some quick googling turned up this:  http://www.castlesandmanorhouses.com/life_08_games.htm

[Aiden of Oreland]

Chess is always good, may set up a table of that. I wish we had a lute hero in our family lol. Maybe I'll convince a base player or guitarist in my family too. More or less likely, I'm just going to hide a magical music contraption somewhere

[Aiden of Oreland]

Seeing how my parents still have a hold on my spendings, I have to reduce the max limit too $500, which doesn't really give me much room to buy the necessary items for 18 guests. So, would a cow horn tumbler work for a middle class event? Or were they only used for wine?



http://www.kultofathena.com/product.asp?item=SNHB4431&name=Cow+Horn+Drinking+Tumbler

[Sir James A]

I heard someone is flinging mice at my boobs? Eh?

Depending who is coming, they might have their own gear. I could bring my own medieval mug and utensils. It'll save you a little money.