MARIETTA MEDIEVAL FAIRE

October 8 to 9, 2005, at Marietta Mansion, Glenn Dale, MD (Directions)

This page updated 8/31/05

*Battles
*Set-up, Camping, and Merchants
*Directions
*Hotels

Greetings to all history enthusiasts!

The Medieval Faire would like to invite you and your group to our living history encampments and battle reenactments.  The dates are October 8th and 9th, 2005, and the event will be held at Marietta Mansion in Glenn Dale, Maryland, USA.  Public hours are from 11 AM to 5 PM.   The address is 5626 Bell Station Road, Glenn Dale, MD, 20769, and more information about the Faire and Marietta mansion can be found on these webpages:

http://www.pgparks.com/places/eleganthistoric/marietta_events.html 

http://www.pghistory.org/MariettaMansion.html

This event will be a timeline event with the re-enactment of the Battle of Hastings of 1066 as the main focus.  There will (tentatively) be a Hastings re-enactment battle on both Saturday and Sunday.  However, groups that re-enact other timeframes and events are encouraged to come and set up demonstration areas as well.  We are allowing steel re-enactment swords for the battle, but attendees should contact us regarding armor and clothing requirements.  All participants are welcome to camp over night.  Please contact us with any inquiries about bringing horses on the site.

Medieval Faire is open to the public from 11 AM to 5 PM both days.  There will be a battle reenactment and smaller demonstrations of various sorts throughout the day.  The individual historical camps will have their own living history displays as well.

       For the public battle reenactments, participants should use the Midgard Basic Clothing Standards.  There will be some extra clothing available onsite, or you may be able to purchase some (ahead of time or at the site) from one of the suppliers on the Links page.  Do not assume that whatever you wore last time is good enough this time!  Check with the Coordinator if you have any doubt.

       You will also need the usual helmet, shield, gloves, and weapon as specified in Midgard's Fighting Rules.  If you are not steel qualified, you may use only a wooden weapon (generally a club).  There should be no exposed modern plywood on your shield--the rim and the front must be covered with fabric and/or leather,  and preferably the back as well (at least paint it!).

       If you are steel qualified under Markland rules, please bring your steel qualification disc, or be prepared to find two steel qualifiers to vouch for your qualification, or fight with wood.  If you've done it long ago or never have at all, PLEASE come and fight!  It's Fun!

       --For fighting or other demonstrations put on by the groups other than Midgard or Markland, their own rules for combat and clothing apply, of course!  They represent different eras and have their own combat techniques.

The battlefield, merchants,  historical camps, and displays will all be in the upper field, as usual.  The lower field will be reserved for participant parking and modern camping, and possibly public parking as well (still some planning to be done).

You may set up on Friday afternoon or evening.  On Saturday morning, all cars will have to be out of the display area by 9:30, so get there early.  You are welcome to camp out on Saturday night as well.  Modern tents may be pitched in the lower field and left set up all weekend.

There will be straw, firewood, water, and portapotties available.  NO FIREPITS may be dug!  There is sand for surface fires if necessary, and try not to let the fire get too big.  Check with Susan Wolfe BEFORE building any sort of fire on the upper field!  There must be a bucket of water (or fire extinguisher) by every fire.

Participants may park on the lower field if they arrive before public hours.   Anyone supporting the event who is not in medieval garb will have to pay admission, and anyone trying to enter after 1 PM will have to pay whether they are in garb or not.  For an exception, contact Susan Wolfe, the site manager, at 301-464-5291, swolfe@pgparks.com.

Alchoholic beverages are not permitted on county property.  Be aware that the park police have been patrolling.  No illegal substances of any sort will be tolerated.

RULES AND PROCEDURES

1.  Please do not allow visitors to handle weapons.  This applies to axes and other tools, as well.  Be very cautious when handling weapons with spectators nearby.

2.  Javelins and spears should not be left stuck in the ground, but laid down, out of the way, when not in use.  Weapons should not be left unattended at ANY time.

3.  Weapons may only be thrown or shot on the demonstration field, away from the audience, after making certain that no one is downrange.

4.  Please do not bring swords or long weapons into the house.

5.  The use of alcohol on county property is forbidden by law.  No illegal substances will be tolerated at any time.

6.  There are groundhogs, deer, and a lovely fox on the grounds, but please don't hunt them.  Leave your pets at home unless you get permission ahead of time.

7.  All other relevant federal, state, and local laws and regulations must be adhered to.

 Marietta Mansion is at 5626 Bell Station Rd., Glenn Dale, MD 20769.  301-464-5291.  From I-95/495, the Capital Beltway, take Exit 20 onto Rt. 450 East, go 4 miles, turn left on Rt. 193, then left onto Bell Station Rd. and left again into Marietta. http://www.pghistory.org/MariettaMansion.html

LOCAL HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS, etc.

Red Roof Inn
9050 Lanham Severn Road (Rt. 564)
Lanham, MD  20706
Inn Phone: (301) 731-8830
Inn Fax: (301) 731-4610
For reservations call
1-800-RED-ROOF

Comfort Inn Conference Center
US 301, US 50 & SR 3
Bowie, MD
301-464-0089

Days Inn
9023 Annapolis Road (Rt. 450)
Lanham, MD, 20706
301-459-6600
Fax: 301-459-6002
Toll Free Reservations: 1-800-DAYS INN (1-800-329-7466)

Holiday Inn--Greenbelt NASA/Goddard
7200 Hanover Dr.
Greenbelt, MD 20770
800-280-4188