“Days of Knights – A Medieval Experience! is a historically accurate re-creation of several time periods from the era known as the Middle Ages. Visitors are able to walk through a time-line encampment featuring living history enthusiasts re-creating the Norman invaders of Britain in 1066, Crusaders from the 1200s, Archers and Knights from the Hundred Years War, and many others.” Read more about this event on the ClarksvilleNow website
Days of Knights is not a Renaissance Faire, but it is a free event in which students and teachers can learn accurate information about the Middle Ages. It’s a historically accurate re-creation of knights, soldiers, monks, priests, and ladies from the Medieval period.
What was it like to visit the Middle Ages two years ago? Well, at our first stop, we learned about various aspects of a Viking’s life and times…
We ventured to see the blacksmith, who was busy making a spoon when we dropped by… (I think this was Levi’s favorite part.)
Having recently presented on the Bayeux Tapestry, Stephen was interested in talking with the Norman knight, who spoke with zeal about the tapestry and the Battle of Hastings. (Click here for an animation of the Battle of Hastings via the the Bayeux Tapestry.)
We visited the Crusaders’ tents…
and met a lord, and an Agincourt archer, and other knights along the way.
Throughout our timeline-tour of knights in shining armor, David asked to try on as much armor as would be allowed (regardless of how uncomfortable it was)…
…which is not surprising. After all, he has the heart of a knight.
We ended our tour with an hour-long talk at the monks’ tent, where we learned about anatomy, medicine, and treatments during the Middle Ages…
…and geography, tools (e.g., the astrolabe), European exploration, and maps/globes that were used during the Middle Ages, along with their connections with astrology and astronomy (and the connection between astrology and medicine).
While David and I were still learning about treatments for dislocated shoulders, Stephen had ventured over to another table and involved the monk there in deep discussion about planetary orbit. All of a sudden, I heard the monk laugh with utter joy, “Ptolemaic system! Yes! Yes! Yes! That’s the Ptolemaic system!” Stephen earned a coin replica for his contribution to the discussion. But I think Stephen’s true reward was the discussion itself. It was such a delight to hear them talking with one another!
We also learned about how to make gunpowder, and the monk countered some arguments about which civilization was the first to make gunpowder as Stephen contributed what he knew about the history of gunpowder. This was truly an opportunity for him to engage in dialectic discussion with others who love (and know) the history that he so appreciates!
This event was well worth the four-hour round trip drive!
In fact, our children have asked to go again, so perhaps we’ll see you there!
Thank you, Days of Knights, for a wonderful learning experience!