NZ MEDIEVAL FAIRE Taupo, 20-22 MAR 2015
The Taupo Medieval Faire held at the North Tongiriro Domain in the centre of Taupo attracted a good-sized crowd. Legio VI Ferrata camped with Legio III Inferus with the heavy Roman artillery of Murray Hill. We had our Living History camp on display to the public, with a variety of Roman and gladiator gear to try. Our professional stunt-fight trainer Alex Holloway spent a lot of time sparring and practicing impromptu scenarios with the group for the entertainment of the watching public.
The Saturday gladiator show saw the runaway slaves Idunna (Petra White) and Petronius (Peter Rogers) dragged into the arena for public execution. To the crowd's surprise they killed their executioner (Keith Mudgway) and then two other gladiators, Jorkellus (Chris Gloyn) and Lucius (Victor Rosendale). They deserved to be awarded life!
The Sunday gladiator show saw Queen Boudica (Petra) dragged in with her two bodyguards, Petronius and Gwynedd the Pict (Jessica Silich). This was Jessica's first public performance as a gladiatrix, and after one day's intensive training. The Romans bribed Gwynedd to fight Boudica, who after a short bout slit Gwynedd's throat. Jorkellus took on Boudica and after a fierce battle got her belly slit open and then a sword thrust through her chest.
Meanwhile Petronius fought Lucius and defeated him and then went for the Lanista, Batiatus (Jason Saunders), who was only saved from certain death when the Doctore, Oenomaus (Alexander Holloway), stepped in to kill Petronius. Jorkellus attacked the weaponless Oenomaus who showed why he is a famous gladiaitor trainer when he strangled Jorkellus to death with his bare hands. Batiatus was upset that Oenomaus had killed his best gladiators, even though it saved his life!
We had great feedback from the organisers for putting on such a different display to other re-enactors.
Watch the video of the fight below...
The Sunday gladiator show saw Queen Boudica (Petra) dragged in with her two bodyguards, Petronius and Gwynedd the Pict (Jessica Silich). This was Jessica's first public performance as a gladiatrix, and after one day's intensive training. The Romans bribed Gwynedd to fight Boudica, who after a short bout slit Gwynedd's throat. Jorkellus took on Boudica and after a fierce battle got her belly slit open and then a sword thrust through her chest.
Meanwhile Petronius fought Lucius and defeated him and then went for the Lanista, Batiatus (Jason Saunders), who was only saved from certain death when the Doctore, Oenomaus (Alexander Holloway), stepped in to kill Petronius. Jorkellus attacked the weaponless Oenomaus who showed why he is a famous gladiaitor trainer when he strangled Jorkellus to death with his bare hands. Batiatus was upset that Oenomaus had killed his best gladiators, even though it saved his life!
We had great feedback from the organisers for putting on such a different display to other re-enactors.
Watch the video of the fight below...
The Imperium-Romana camp was with the 22 AD Roman catapults and large medieval trebuchet run by Murray Hill and our group assisted in the operation of these long-range war machines...
General overview of the weekend...
