The Abbey Medieval Festival – Let the Pageantry begin…

 
(photo courtesy of Abbey Medieval Festival)
There is so much to do and see at the Abbey Medieval Festival and Tournament you won’t know where to begin! Whether you’re into hands on activities, spectator sport, music, dancing or medieval food and wine you will be able to make the most of your time at the Tournament.

Music
Medieval Music & Bands, haunting melodies from harpists, trumpeters, flute and lute players, including Gregorian chanting and some of Australia’s leading medieval bands.

(photo courtesy of Abbey Medieval Festival)
Medieval Encampments
Explore and wonder in over 30 re-enactor encampments, from Vikings to Knights in Armour, authentic representations of medieval life from 600-1600AD, do not miss the ever popular Shuvani Romani gypsy encampment, or the colourful 15th Century encampment of the Knights order of Lion Rampant.

Jousting
The breathtaking and highly charged Joust, when knights on their trusted war horses tilt for the honour of Champion of the Lists.  Abbey Medieval Festival will host the largest jousting tournament ever held in Australia in 2007with international participants from Belgium and New Zealand.

Street Theatre, Dancing & Games
Medieval theatre and games, including jugglers, puppetry, dancing, and costume parades for your entertainment.
Medieval Masque Ball brings your mask and dance to the fabulous melodies of Musica Prima in our spectacular Medieval Masque Ball on Saturday night the 12th of July.

Evening Markets
Australia’s most authentic medieval Markets, nearly a hundred stallholders covering a huge range of products, arts and crafts.  Whatever you’re looking for, it’ll be here! This year’s markets will open until 6:30pm on Saturday, 12th July 2008.

Fighting Displays
Combat from the Dark Ages to the Renaissance (450 – 1600 AD).  Different fighting styles and archery, tourneys, melees and individual combats including- Viking, Dark Age, High Middle Ages and Byzantine warriors, German landsknechts (mercenaries), Turkish janissaries and exquisite Renaissance swordsmen.

Human Chess Game
For the first time at the Abbey Medieval Festival, a game of human chess will be on show.
It follows a story dating back to 1454 when two young gentlemen played to settle which man should woo the lady they were in love with. An event will be repeated at the Abbey Medieval Festival on Saturday 12th July.
Sumptuous costumes, multi-colour banners, martial parades and exquisite elegance. This show will have over 50 characters and will go for about half-hour.

Workshops
Dancing, Crafts, Hobby Horses, Masque making, shield painting for kids, crown painting, princess hat making, Adult and Junior Medieval Cookery School, Knights School, Jester School and much more.

Lectures
Visitors have the opportunity to learn all manner of facts and figures when they visit the university pavilion on tournament days.

Medieval Stained Glass tours
Visit the Abbey Church
Be awed by its ancient stained glass- some from Winchester Cathedral and enjoy the medieval sound of Gregorian chant.

View the collections in the Abbey Museum of Art & Archaeology
The Abbey Museum is one of Australia’s premier fine arts and archaeological museums.  Its displays have won international acclaim and the Queensland government has acknowledged that it is one of the best small museums in the country.

Events and Entertainment Program 2008

Immerse yourself in medieval culture and delight in the entertainment, there is something for everyone at Australia’s largest and most unique Medieval Festival and Tournament.

Highlight Events:

Medieval Banquet 5th of July
Free Children’s Day 7th of July
Masque Ball 12th of July
Knighting Ceremony 11th of July
Abbey Medieval Tournament 12th and 13th of July

Fact Sheet
Location & transport

• Easy 45 minute drive from Brisbane
• Free Buses operate from Caboolture Railway Station to the Tournament every half an hour
• Take the Bribie Island exit from the Bruce Highway.

Festival Activities: Music: Dancing: Street Theatre: Shows: Lectures: Workshops: Spectator Sport-Jousting, combat, fencing, and archery: Markets: Stained Glass Tours:

Links:  www.abbeytournament.com