It’s jousting poles at 50 paces as two mediaeval factions fight it out in a battle for crowds in South Australia – with both sides digging in.

The rival mediaeval groups each drew thousands of fans dressed in armour, cloaks and tunics to major events on the same weekend earlier in May, as organisers on both sides refused to concede their chosen dates.

Nor is it the first time the events have gone head-to-head as the groups compete to host South Australia’s leading re-enactors, armoured combatants, stallholders and entertainers.

It’s the fourth time the two days out have clashed – while another looms in the select world of medieval reenactments in June.

The SA Medieval Fair was held in Paracombe, in the Adelaide Hills, on May 2-3. It’s a popular day out with a history dating back to 1992.

But four years ago, another event – the Medieval and Rare Trades Festival – run by a splinter group emerged. This year was held in Gumeracha, just 16 kilometres away, on the same weekend.

SA Medieval Fair event management lead officer Brigitte Winton said Adelaide was “a really small place” and there was no need for such a clash.

“People shouldn’t cash in on each other. There are 12 months; there’s plenty of time to have events. Everybody should structure it so there’s something each quarter,” she said.

“If we planned another one, we would make sure it was totally away from everybody else, because then you hold your own event in good stead.”

Winton said the new festival’s dates were confirmed after those for her event.

“We have no intention of changing the dates,” she said.

Armour-wearing knights clash at the Paracombe festival. Photo: Ironclad Academy of the Sword

The Paracombe fair showcased the prestigious Ironclad Academy of the Sword, while the local branch of the global Society for Creative Anachronism demonstrated mediaeval fighting, and traditional crafts and clothing.

The opposition event in Gumeracha hosted competitive armoured combat team Warhounds (with skirmishes with swords and axes), as well as traditional Scottish sporting group Tartan Muscle tossing cabers.

Winton said her event had strong community support.

“The fair isn’t the group of volunteers that run it; the fair is the participants. The fair is the groups that people come to see, and the merchants and the food vendors and entertainers,” she said.

“We’ve still got the major number of groups. All our groups and all our living history groups are dedicated to the fair. As I said, we’ve formed a community.”

She said there’d be no change to the dates for her event.

Brooke Prichard, from Tartan Muscle, said mediaeval fairs were important to her group, but date clashes were an issue.

“They give us an opportunity to showcase Highland games and traditional strength events to people who otherwise may never come across them,” she said.

“The split between the SA Medieval Fair and the Medieval and Rare Trades Festival has definitely changed the landscape a little for groups within the community.

“Having multiple major events on similar weekends can naturally divide competitors, performers, vendors and attendees, and it can make things more challenging logistically when there are only so many volunteers, athletes and resources available.”

Medieval and Rare Trades Festival organisers did not respond to questions.

Meanwhile, further friction looms for SA’s small mediaeval community. The Armour and Alchemy Winter Medieval Fair will be held on the King’s birthday weekend in June – the same date as the new Victor Harbor Valhalla Festival.

Ironclad Academy of the Sword president Nic Bevan said interest in mediaeval events was rising, but date clashes made it difficult.

“It’s always hard when something you’ve planned clashes with something else you’d also love to do,” he said.

“Often, for us, when it comes to events we’ve had an invitation to join, it boils down to logistics: How far do our members have to travel? Does it clash with any of the events we have agreed to attend regularly?

“Can we set up our camp and engage all our membership, or will it be a small group of knights attending for a single day?”

Ironclad attends the SA Medieval Fair regularly and will be at the Armour and Alchemy event on June 6-7. That day is described as having a “mediaeval village fair” vibe and will be held at Wirrina Cove on the Fleurieu Peninsula.

AAWMF primary event organiser Ali Pilborough said the double-up with the Victor Harbor festival was unfortunate, but SA’s mediaeval scene was still healthy.

“Mediaeval and historical events are gaining traction everywhere because they combine an escape from the everyday world with something interesting and real,” Pilborough said.

“The sharing of dates is just an unfortunate situation this year that we all wish was different. However, we are working to ensure the events are different enough to get interest from more demographics, and that should smooth out the whole process. Hopefully, the public comes along to both.”

Republished from InDaily