Return of the Medieval Strolling Feast

Students enjoying the feast – Photo by Elisabeth Forsyth

By Joel Grimsley, Arts Editor

The return of Aquinas’ Medieval Strolling Feast marked the end of Saint Thomas Aquinas Week on campus, as students enjoyed a themed banquet in Wege Ballroom on Saturday Feb. 1.

The event included stereotypical medieval food and drink such as turkey legs, mead mocktails. Also included was entertainment such as a hired juggler, a panel where students could win prizes by answering questions about the history of Aquinas, and a jousting arena for students to challenge their friends.

A medieval feast to end Saint Thomas Aquinas Week used to be a tradition at Aquinas but throughout the years the medieval banquet fell out of practice. Director of Career Engaged Learning Brigid Avery planned the event alongside Campus Ministry, bringing back the occasion from when she attended Aquinas 20 years ago.

Ryan Wendt and the buffet of turkey legs – Photo by Elisabeth Forsyth

Like any event on campus, attendance is always of concern, but advertisement and word of mouth encouraged more than 75 students and faculty to attend the event. “We catered for the perfect amount of people,” said Avery, reflecting on the event.

”I wasn’t sure if the turkey legs would be popular,” said Avery, but for many it was the highlight of the meal. “Even though I had already ate dinner at Wege earlier, the turkey legs were spectacular,” said freshman Jack Phillips. “The vibes at the event were amazing and I will most definitely come back next year.”

Student’s jousting with foam staffs – Photo by Elisabeth Forsyth

Students could participate in jousting, where they would try to push one another off their platform with foam staffs.

“The food was really good and we took photos, I even did jousting,” said freshman Anna O’Neil. Whilst too late to grab one of the free goblets offered for students to take and decorate with gems, O’Neill particularly enjoyed the refreshments. “The mead mocktail was really delicious.”

Students dressed up in time period costumes holding their decorated goblets – Photo by Joel Grimsley

Many students fully embraced the event by dressing up in costumes, such as Sophomore Ava Koester and her friends. “My roommate’s grandparents do re-enactments with their whole extended family every year, so we took advantage of their time period wardrobe to dress up for the medieval feast,” said Koester.

Campus Safety made a welcome and committed appearance at the event in costume. Ryan Wendt even hosted Aquinas trivia in knights armour giving out prizes to students who knew the most about their campus

Students continued the medieval themed night with the History Club’s annual Monty Python and the Holy Grail showing.

More than 20 students made their way to Upper Donnelly Center to not only watch, but reenact scenes from the classic comedy film. For 26 years the History Club has continued this annual performance, the tradition being introduced by Professor and Chair of the History Department, Chad Gunnoe, it involves students both viewing the film and acting out skits with props and scripts.

Monty Python and the Holy Grail is a 1975 British comedic film based on the Arthurian Legend, performed by the Monty python comedy troupe, who are renowned for their slapstick, witty and crude humour. The film consists of a series of short stories and skits that lent itself to be reenacted.

President of the History Club, junior Carson Lafferty was happy with the turnout for the event. “This is my third year doing this, and I think this is the best one, glad we had lots of people who wanted to participate.”

Students participation in the event encourages a more engaging environment, making the tradition more memorable in practice than just watching the film, as students and Gunnoe put on absurd costumes, voices and accents.

For both events, it reminds students of the importance of Aquinas’ traditional and annual events such as the banquet and the Holy Grail reenactment. The student engagement with both events highlights their importance for keeping a lively campus life.