Cooper’s Lake Campground a hub of medieval activity
WORTH TWP — Adam Wilson, of West Virginia, remembers the first time he drove over the hill on Currie Road to see a sea of tents housing thousands of people dressed in medieval garb.
He could finally participate in simulated swordplay and battle reenactments that he had enjoyed since childhood alongside other people with similar passions. Pennsic War has been a must-attend for him ever since that day four years ago.
“The first time I drove up the hill and it crested was almost magical,” said Wilson, also known as Salvadore De La Torres by the Society for Creative Anachronism. “I always loved swords, sword fighting and to find a place that is an outlet is incredible. I get to do what I always loved watching.”
The 49th Pennsic War began at Cooper’s Lake Campground on July 29, and this year brought in more than 8,000 medieval reenactors and enthusiasts. The event was canceled in 2020 and in 2021 because of COVID-19.
The two-week camping event is organized through the Society for Creative Anachronism, and invites people to stay on a campground that simulates experiences of Sixth- through 16th- century life.
Alex Hines, media liaison for Pennsic, said that aside from some of the less-sanitary conditions of medieval times, many other aspects of life then are simulated by campers.
“If someone did it back then, we are probably doing it now,” Hines said. “You can do a lot of things; fighting, arts and crafts, go to the university and some people just hang out.”
The campground appears to be a sea of tents, but they house classes, foods, shops and other activities that mimic medieval life. A roped-off field is designated as the battlefield, where reenactors can practice sword fighting until, periodically, battles take place that can involve more than 2,000 people at once.
For some, the battles are the highlight of the entire excursion. Hines said there are multiple battles during the event that have different parameters, including bridge battles, where the two sides fight for control of a space, and capture the flag, which Hines said is self-explanatory.
Wilson, who has participated in fencing competitions, said the fighting is just one of the draws of the event for him.
“What pulled me in was the fencing,” Wilson said. “What kept me here was the medieval life and reenactments.”
Many people also attend Pennsic for an appreciation of history. Hines said that while many people wear armor and clothing common in European countries, the re-creations encompass “any country that had contact with Europe” during the period.
Tom “Tommaso” Vialeriano, a staff member for Pennsic from Berks County, said many people draw their “stage names” by examining the naming traditions of the time. For example, if someone works as a carpenter in real life, their surname could be Carpenter.
“They all could have existed,” Vialeriano said of the reenactments. “We have shelves of books, and people go through registries to get their names. It’s all historically based.”
Glenn “Simon De Okewode” Herbert, of Binghamton, N.Y., sets up his pottery and jewelry shop at Pennsic each year. His crafts also are done in the name of historical reproduction, because he sees value in the education his creations can offer.
“The market for pottery reproduction is small,” Herbert said. “But it’s important to get out and teach people how things were made back then.”
Hines said the event is open only for people who registered ahead of time, and they can sign up to attend the entire two weeks or for the second week only. Only those who registered are permitted into the campground.
However, it is easy to get involved in Society for Creative Anachronism activities, according to Hines, because there are chapters everywhere. He encouraged people who are curious to look into membership, because reenacting can be invigorating.
“We’re doing this for ourselves,” Hines said. “You get out of it what you put in. So if you just want to put on a tunic and walk around, you can. If you want to dress up and learn the history and make your own costumes, you can do that too.”
To Wilson, the return to Pennsic War each year is like a family reunion that he looks forward to annually.
“The most special part of it to me is the camaraderie; I have met some of the best people I know at Pennsic,” Wilson said. “We’re pretty lucky.”
