The middle ages is alive in Kamo

The clink of metal on metal echoes through a wet Kamo night, down through the ages to another place, another time. The middle ages.
It's a long way from medieval Europe to Kamo, but not for Shannon Willemen and Ralph Bettesworth members of the Whangarei Medieval Club. The club's official name is Medius Auvum Comitatus, Whangarei. That's Latin for group of knights.
The couple first met through work. Ralph had been in the medieval club for eight years, so Shannon being interested in Ralph thought she might be interested in this. She was.
"I'm most interested in the living history side. I now run an embroidery and craft class," Shannon says.
Ralph says he's been interested in things medieval since he was a child.
"I think it goes back to being a kid and dressing up as Robin Hood," he says.
Club members choose a particular period of medieval history that interests them and make a costume that fits in with that time. Shannon says they make all their own costumes.
"My dress is from a later period than most people in the club. It's late 15th, early 16th century. I like the style. It's quite high in the waist and has pretty sleeves. The earlier period wasn't pretty and feminine," Shannon says.
Ralph's outfit is from the late 14th century.
"That was an interesting period of history. The 100 Year War with France. It was a really transitional time. Also, the earlier stuff has the advantage of not being so complicated to make," Ralph says.
The chain mail Ralph is wearing costs $700 to buy, so club members make their own. But, Shannon says, it is so intricate it can take seven to eight months to complete.
At the club's weekly meetings Ralph teaches medieval fighting, which he refers to as Western Martial Arts.
"The fighting is all based on historical records, so we're teaching traditional methods - unarmed combat, dagger fighting, sword fighting. We also do archery," he says.
Shannon teaches medieval craft, including embroidery and tapestry. The club try and have a medieval feast every three months, where they have long tables and drink from ceramic goblets.
Most people would think medieval feasts would include lots of meat, but only the rich could afford to eat like that.
A common peasant food was called a trench. Bread was hollowed and filled with a stew type food. The bread that had been scooped out was then used to dip into the stew.
"It's like eating a boat," laughs Shannon.
The club's biggest event of the year is The Great Lake Tournament in Taupo, held during Waitangi weekend. There, medieval clubs meet up from all over the country for competitions and fun.
"It's quite a neat weekend. We camp and wear the clothes and cook the food of that time," Shannon says.
Back in Kamo, the medieval club meet up every Wednesday and new members are welcome, but the suggested age is 13 and above. "We do lots of sword fighting and they need to be sensible to do it properly," Shannon says. For any worried parents it will be reassuring to learn that new members start with wooden swords. The club meet at the Kamo Scout Hall, next to the Kamo Bowling Club, every Wednesday at 7pm.
Contact Shannon Willemen 4383917.