We all have fantasies, kept within the deepest desires of our heart. Luckily, there is Renaissance Faire where you can be who you dream to be – a Queen, Princess, King, Prince, Knight, a fairy, a hero.

Today, I am the Lady of the Chess and hubby is a Saxon. Don’t get me wrong. I love myself and I embrace whole of me. I am flawed but proud of my being. However, the Michigan Renaissance Faire is best attended and enjoyed when you show up in full costume. Afterall, we are in the old english village. As they say, when in the old english village, do what the English do.

Some showed up in costumes not appropriate for Renaissance period, including me. It is but fair to say that this is my first Renaissance Faire and I should be forgiven.Who cares anyway, everyone was there for fun! But hubby noticed I could not take my eyes off the corsets so he bought me one. It is a beautiful classic black Victorian corset, handmade with German steels (yes, steels!), satin line, and a wonderful selection of brocades, satin and even leather. It costed us a whooping $300 just for the corset! My entire outfit – the dress, vest, corset, headlace – costs a total estimation of $600 but it all paid off. I wore it with so much pride.

Hubby deserves the best recognition for showing up as a Saxon in the appropriate attire. He put up a lot of effort to get his costumes right. It took him months and months of research and emails and phone calls to suppliers. He wore an embroidered linen Saxon tunic, linen pants, wininglas wrapped around his legs, leather turn tan shoes and accessorized himself with a burgundy woolen cap, a leather pouch and a drinking horn (always ready for ale and beer!) What is the ultimate measure of how prepared hubby is? He got himself a Saxon name! AETHELSTAN.

Hubby properly dressed as Saxon Aethelstan at Michigan Renaissance Faire 2012 in Holly, Michigan.
Hubby properly dressed as Saxon Aethelstan at Michigan Renaissance Faire 2012 in Holly, Michigan.
Group of friends enjoying Michigan Renaissance Faire 2012 in Holly, Michigan.
Group of friends enjoying Michigan Renaissance Faire 2012 in Holly, Michigan.
Gandalf at Michigan Renaissance Faire 2012 in Holly, Michigan.
Gandalf at Michigan Renaissance Faire 2012 in Holly, Michigan.
A barbarian at Michigan Renaissance Faire in Holly, Michigan.
A barbarian at Michigan Renaissance Faire in Holly, Michigan.
Jack Sparrow at Michigan Renaissance Faire 2012 in Holly, Michigan.
Jack Sparrow at Michigan Renaissance Faire 2012 in Holly, Michigan.
A barbarian at Michigan Renaissance Faire in Holly, Michigan.
A barbarian at Michigan Renaissance Faire in Holly, Michigan.
Some fancy garb at Michigan Renaissance Faire in Holly, Michigan.
Some fancy garb at Michigan Renaissance Faire in Holly, Michigan.
Ladies in corsets and hats at Michigan Renaissance Faire in Holly, Michigan.
Ladies in corsets and hats at Michigan Renaissance Faire in Holly, Michigan.
A troll at Michigan Renaissance Faire in Holly, Michigan.
A troll at Michigan Renaissance Faire in Holly, Michigan.
Some fancy garb at Michigan Renaissance Faire in Holly, Michigan.
Some fancy garb at Michigan Renaissance Faire in Holly, Michigan.
Ssome guys at Michigan Renaissance Faire in Holly, Michigan.
Ssome guys at Michigan Renaissance Faire in Holly, Michigan.
A monk at Michigan Renaissance Faire in Holly, Michigan.
A monk at Michigan Renaissance Faire in Holly, Michigan.
A lady giving coins to an ent at Michigan Renaissance Faire in Holly, Michigan.
A lady giving coins to an ent at Michigan Renaissance Faire in Holly, Michigan.
The Royal Court at Michigan Renaissance Faire in Holly, Michigan.
The Royal Court at Michigan Renaissance Faire in Holly, Michigan.
Robinhood at Michigan Renaissance Faire in Holly, Michigan.
Robinhood at Michigan Renaissance Faire in Holly, Michigan.
Some participants at Michigan Renaissance Faire in Holly, Michigan.
Some participants at Michigan Renaissance Faire in Holly, Michigan.
With Sir Shrek at Michigan Renaissance Faire in Holly, Michigan.
With Sir Shrek at Michigan Renaissance Faire in Holly, Michigan.
Gypsies at Michigan Renaissance Faire in Holly, Michigan.
Gypsies at Michigan Renaissance Faire in Holly, Michigan.
Lady of the Chess and Saxon Aethelstan at Michigan Renaissance Faire in Holly, Michigan.
Lady of the Chess and Saxon Aethelstan at Michigan Renaissance Faire in Holly, Michigan.

 

I am the Lady of the Chess and I am married to Saxon Aethelstan

So, who are you?