Anyone know of a live-in medieval/renaissance community?

[MossandMyst]

Hello,
  My fiance and I have been going to ren faires for almost 10 years now and love it. We were wondering if there are such things as live-in communities that live their lives like they would have in medieval/renaissance times (kind of like the Amish communities). That would be awesome if there was, if not.....anyone want to start one?

Myst

[Delireus]

Have you looked into your local SCA? Here's their website - http://www.sca.org/

I know they try to do things very accurate. Your local SCA group may do camp outs with period tents, food, and activities. It's not permanent, but it may be the closest thing, as I've never heard of what you're looking for. Once, I remember reading about a viking village in Norway I beleive, where tourists come to see how life was like for the vikings, and the reenacters had to do everything like vikings did during the time period. I can't rememeber what it was called though, I think it had a lot of odd letters I can't even pronounce 

[Lady Renee Buchanan]

It's not exactly the same thing, albeit a different time period, but some of the houses in Colonial Williamsburg in VA are provided to workers.  The people living in them have to agree that they can't have modern things inside or outside, because CW is a living history museum.

We had friends that worked for CW & were offered a house to live in but turned it down.  it sounds great when you first hear it, but when you get into the nitty gritty, it wasn't so good.  No cars allowed, so they had to park in a special lot outside the colonial area & walk to their houses (think groceries, bad weather, etc.).   Then, if they had kids, no bicycles, tricycles, hot wheel cars, no playground sets, no toys of any kind outside.  No clotheslines, and you could only do your laundry at night (there were washers & driers in the basement). 

They had so many different rules and regulations, only a very few people found it enjoyable to live there.  I think initially in the type of community you mentioned, it would be fun, but I think it would get old very quickly.  Just my 2 cents!   

[MossandMyst]

I understand what you mean. I think if you had some modern conveniences it wouldn't be so bad. I know technically it wouldn't be the same, but I guess that's a reason why I haven't been to interested in the SCA...too many rules can make things not so fun quick.

[Dinobabe]

There are lots of living history museums out there where people "live" the life during the day.  But at night I'm sure they get into their air conditioned cars and drive home!  Some of them can be pretty realistic, including Colonial Williamsburg and the UT farm in NW TN just to name a few.

[DonaCatalina]

There was a community started in GB based on the bronze age. The families included in the group were compensated and had to live exactly as people lived then. It was supposed to be a two to five year commitment, but one family had to pull out because their daughter became seriously ill. She had no immune system resistance to unpasteurized milk and various germs from organically processed foods.
Something similar happened with a living pioneer group.
I think after that most of the universities dropped their live-in programs. But I'm not certain so you may find some if you look.

[ravic]

Also, you mentioned the Amish. Even as old school as they are, they are still several centuries more modern than Ren times.

[Muffin]

Hmmm, not so sure how great that would be...

Sure faire is fun, but it is no where near being what the "actual" renaissance/medieval times were like..

I know I for one would not want to live that way... Running water, and well running water *flushies* is just far too important to me!! 

[Dinobabe]

I'm sure someone will correct me, but didn't QE "outlaw" flushies because the suitor that invented it for her kinda pissed her off?

[Nighthawk]

MossandMyst - I know what you're talking about! My 5 year goal is to move into an earthship community, which can be along the lines of what you want. Myself and a couple friends have a community in mind that will be very much like an Amish community, aside from the religious and technological restrictions. Your place of living can be as modern or primitive as you like. The community that we have in mind would require that you have some sort of trade skill in order to move in, however. Myself, for example- I'm a skilled leather worker. I can make and repair clothing, and make "touristy" souvenier  type items to help with revenue. I'm also studying to become a physical therapist, and I'm working towards getting certified as a self-defense and hand to hand combat instructor. I have these skills to contribute. We have a hunter on board who knows how to clean and prepare game, and my son is learning the blacksmith trade. We also have a lady who is rather good at growing food. So while it's not exactly going to be a Medieval/Renaissance community, most of us are historical reenactors and are involved in living history, so you can bet your rear it's gonna have a real ancient feel to it! If that's something of interest to you, and you're willing to (possibly) relocate, since I don't know where you live, send me a private message, and let's chat!

[Archer]

http://www.ozarkmedievalfortress.com/

[Delireus]

DonaCatalina, I think I saw a show about that. It was a series, but only a few episodes. There were like 20 people who had to live in the Bronze Age, they had to find their own food, grow it, and make their own houses. At the last episode, they had to actually learn how to work with metal and make their own forge. Then, a Bronze Age group, similar to the SCA here, came and traded with them. It looked interesting, but a lot of work :/

[dbaldock]

There are Medieval Walled Cities in Europe, and some of them may even still ban motor vehicles within the walls.
We visited several in Germany and/or France while on a family vacation to Switzerland in the late 1970's.
They did have electricity and running water, at least in the restaurants we ate at.     


Take Care,
David Baldock

[DonaCatalina]

There are a lot of those in Italy in the Val D'Aosta region. Mostly becaused they are perched on the tops of very steep hills and still have streets barely wide enough for 2 people to walk abreast. Lots of castles in that region too.

[Merlin the Elder]

I think I could do it in a cooler climate. I definitely couldn't handle it here in Arkansas... (or Texas, DC)