Take a step back in time

It’s the year 1536, and King Henry VIII rules in the village of Pleasance in England.

But it’s really 20 acres of land northwest of Spokane. And it’s really 2004.

For five weekends each summer, lords and ladies gather in a forested area near Suncrest for the annual Northwest Renaissance Festival, where one might encounter the occasional sword fight or wench toss (which is merely a dance, and “wench” is not a derogatory term for a woman).

The medieval festival, in its 10th year, is part historical re-enactment, part crafts fair and part performance art.

“Some festivals are very commercial, like you are walking through a strip mall of vendors,” said Brian Thornton, Northwest Renaissance Festival director who also has played King Henry at the festival since 1994. “What we try to do is give you the whole village experience. We want people to have eight hours of being a part of it.”

With 70-plus volunteer performers on the grounds, greeting each patron with a curtsy or a bow and a “good morrow, good lady” or “good day, kind sir,” it’s easy to feel like you have stepped back 500 years.

This year behind the castlelike walls built around the village of Pleasance, the plot is this: The king is trying to get away to the country to spend some time with his mistress, Lady Jane Seymour. Her Majesty Queen Anne Boleyn, the second of Henry’s six wives, shows up and causes a stir.

“Each year we try to do something a little different,” Thornton said. The plot is played out each day through various re-enactments, such as the Gypsy show, which is mostly a comedy, and a mud fight.

Ayana and Azalyn Croft, 11 and 14, spent two years as patrons of the festival before trying out for parts as the fowl sisters, who raise chickens and geese in the village. They walk around bickering, while their mother, Maggie – also known as Rhonda Croft – is the town nag.

Rhonda Croft’s youngest daughter, Elizabeth, 5, is a fairy in the village. Dad, Bill Croft, just comes to watch.

“It’s a family-friendly event,” Rhonda Croft said. “It’s a really good experience for all of us.”

The actors must attend six of 10 workshops held on Sundays beginning in March, where they learn about medieval dress, etiquette, salutations and customs.

“There’s a good deal of history to it,” Croft said. “And I like that it’s G-rated for my family.”

The only violence may be the occasional duel because there will be no jousting this year. One of the principal jousters was deployed with the U.S. Army, Thornton said.

But people hoping to see some action can watch the nightly game, which marks the end of each day. This year, the actors are dressing up as crusaders and re-enacting the storming of Alumut. The performers hurl stones and pour boiling oil over the attackers.

Not that they needed anything hot. The costumes – made mostly by the actors – are stifling in the summer sun. Women must wear full-length skirts, and King Henry wears fur and several layers.

“Sometimes we joke about sneaking ice packs into our costumes,” said King Henry – er, Thornton. “We do enjoy a bit o’ fooling about.”