This is the Seventy-Sixth article in a semipermanent column for Stroud Arts that appears in the Stroud American. The mission of these articles is to inform, educate and inspire you, the reader, to Make Art Happen in your life and the life of our community.
Over the next few weeks, this column will focus on preparing local volunteers for the 2nd Annual Stroud Arts Medieval Faire. The first step a volunteer must take to create a character that fits into the setting of 1000 A.D. is; learning about the physical environment, customs, politics, economy and folklore being reenacted.
The remainder of this column will concentrate on the History of our local Setting – The March of Istria as it might be viewed by a member of the small educated class.
‘This land was settled in ancient days by the Histri Tribes and then conquered by the Roman Empire in 178 B.C. It was then incorporated into the northeastern ‘Venetia et Histria’ region of the Italia province under Emperor Augustus.’
‘Upon the decline of the Western Roman Empire, the land was invaded then settled by the Germanic tribe, the Lombards under their King Alboin.
The land was then part of the Duchy of Friuli, a part of their Kingdom of Italy.’
Then, the peninsula became a battleground as many Nations and Kingdoms struggled to gain control of this land. Contenders of the wars included; the Eastern Roman Empire, often called Byzantine; the Kingdom of Italy; Invading Croats: Invading Serbs; and the Kingdom of the Franks from beyond the Alps.’
‘Peace was only reached upon the conquest of Italy by Emperor Charlemagne and the March of Istria incorporated into the Carolingian Empire.’
‘Now, our land is ruled by an appointed Margrave, though the title may become hereditary but this will be determined by merit more than by bloodline.’
‘For our current Margrave, there is much to contend with. The adjacent lands of the Serbs and the Croats produce warriors who occasionally raid into our territories and must be guarded against.
There are also slave raiders who rarely venture into our waters from the coast of Tunisia or their bases on the Islands of Corsica and Sardinia.’
‘These are troubles to be sure, but the greatest threat comes from the Byzantines who dearly desire to retake our land as it would provide a base to launch attacks against the Italian Kingdoms.’
‘Indeed, our Margrave has much to contend with.’
Our first Medieval Faire Orientation Meeting will be held on Saturday, July 10 from 1pm-3pm at the Stroud Arts Building located at 214 West Main Street in Stroud OK.
At this community meeting we will orient attendees as to the goals and objectives of the SA Medieval Faire. Cast requirements, Costuming, Character Creation and Performance Outlines will also be covered.
If you would like to be involved then mark your iPhone calendars and make time to come over to Stroud for the afternoon where we prepare to…
Make Art Happen!