Group relives medieval times

The University of Cincinnati medieval club showed students what the old days were like during Medieval Day. The event featured club members dressed in historical garb, a tournament and a free feast.

The medieval club specializes in learning and re-creating trades and skills that were present during the Middle Ages. They also make their own armor, which they wear in fighting practices and tournaments.

Andy Jetter, a member of the medieval club and third-year biomedical engineering student, organized the events. Medieval Day was held on Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on McMicken Commons.

"Medieval Day is a way for college students to see how things were during the medieval times," Jetter said. "It brings awareness to campus and gives hands-on experience. It's also a good way for us to show our arts and crafts that we've made throughout the year."

Four students competed in a double-round-robin fighting tournament, in which each participant fights against each other twice. To fight, students used sticks made of rattan, a heavy, thick wood. The top two winners fought each other. Jetter won the tournament.

Several booths displaying medieval interests were located outside on McMicken Commons. The booths displayed archery, sewing, tarot cards, garb, calligraphy and crafts made by group members throughout the year.

A chain mail class was given, where students were able to make small pieces of jewelry made of metal rings linked together.

Mary Clinton, president of the medieval club and second-year horticulture science student, said Medieval Day was a great way to attract students interested in medieval times.

"We're a small, new group hoping to attract people in the UC community who would be interested in joining our group that didn't know about it before," Clinton said. "Medieval times are definitely a unique interest."

The club has been together for two years, and this was their second event on campus. The club held a small, medieval fair last fall demonstrating medieval arts.

Scott Lane, a member of the Society for Creative Anachronisms, came to campus to help the medieval group in executing its event.

"Events such as Medieval Day help people learn something about history by being involved in it, instead of watching it in the movies or reading about it," Lane said.

Clinton said the medieval club hopes to make Medieval Day an annual event.

"The day went really well, we've had a steady crowd, and a lot of people showed interest," Clinton said.

The club holds its archery and fight practices off campus. At the meetings they hold arts and sciences classes, as well as guest speakers who specialize in certain trades such as leather working, wood carving and calligraphy. The club intends to hold a blacksmithing class later this spring.