Beyond the Turkey Leg - The Magic of Storytelling at Medieval Faires

If you’ve ever stepped through the gates of a Renaissance or Medieval Faire, you know the sensory overload: the smell of roasted nuts, the clashing of wooden swords, and the rhythmic jingle of bells on a jester’s cap. But amidst the chaos, a quieter, more ancient magic is happening—often under a canvas tent or beneath the shade of an oak tree (or, in some cases, the grand stage also known as the grass by the side of the thoroughfare). There you will find the Storyteller. The heartbeat of the Faire. The glue that turns a collection of vendors into a living, breathing village.

The "Living History" Performance

Unlike a theatre where the fourth wall is a solid barrier, storytelling at a Faire is interactive and immersive. As a performer, you aren't just "telling a story"; you are a character from the 14th century sharing news from the next village or a myth from the old country.

The challenge? You are competing with a jousting tournament three hundred yards away and a loud bawdy pub next door. To survive, a Faire storyteller must master three things:

• The Hook: Grabbing a wandering family within the first 30 seconds.

• The "Street" Voice: Projecting over bagpipes and screaming children without losing the nuance of the tale.

• The Crowd Work: Incorporating the "peasants" (the audience) into the narrative.

The Repertoire: Myths, Legends, and Lies

What do people want to hear when they’re wearing a tunic and carrying a flagon of ale? The repertoire usually falls into three distinct categories:

Category	Style	Purpose
The Epic	Beowulf, Arthurian Legend, Norse Sagas	To inspire awe and a sense of "High Fantasy."
The Fabliau	Short, often raunchy or humorous folk tales	To entertain the adult crowd at the pub.
The Moral Fable	Aesop or local folklore	To engage children while teaching a subtle lesson.

Creating the "Enchanted Circle"

The most successful Faire storytellers understand the concept of the Enchanted Circle. This is the invisible boundary you create when you begin to speak.

Inside the circle, the 21st century doesn't exist. There are no cell phones, no car alarms, and no plastic water bottles. For twenty minutes, the audience believes in dragons, fears the fae, and cheers for the underdog. As a performer, your job is to hold that circle tight, using nothing but the rhythm of your words and the conviction in your eyes.

"A storyteller at a Faire is a time traveller and a shapeshifter. You aren't just reciting history; you are inviting people to step into it with you."

The Hustle: Life on the Circuit

For the self-employed performer, "Faire Season" is a gruelling marathon. It involves:

• Living out of a van or a tent for weeks at a time.

• Costume Maintenance: Keeping wool and linen looking "period-appropriate" despite the mud and heat.

• The Tip Jar: In many Faires, performers rely heavily on the "hat"—the voluntary contributions of the audience. This turns every performance into a high-stakes masterclass in engagement.

Bringing the Magic Home

The beauty of Faire storytelling is that it reminds us of the power of the human voice. In an era of high-definition screens, we still crave the simple joy of someone saying, "Sit down, and let me tell you a tale."

So when you're next roaming and hear those immortal words "Once Upon A Time" do remember that Stories are for everyone.