GREENFIELD — The Hoosier Poet, James Whitcomb Riley, wrote the poem, “The King,” published in the Indianapolis Journal on November 2, 1884 when Riley was the poet in residence for that newspaper. The poem, which has a decidedly “medieval” flavor — talks of knights, ladies, and the “King” — who is the King of the Year riding past — “And Autumn is here again.” Riley was equating the vivid colors of autumn — with a medieval procession of knights and ladies — with banners flying.
In keeping with this theme, the James Whitcomb Riley Boyhood Home, located at 250 West Main Street, Greenfield, hosted some very special guests at an Open House on Sept. 29 from 2- 4 p.m. Medieval re-enactors from the Barony of Sternfeld, including the Baron Ulfr Imason (Greg Capello), Baroness Odile de Brienne (Elizabeth Capello), Herald Abbot Johann von Metten (Marcus Loidolt), Men at Arms Leonardus of Sternfeld (Reuben McFarland), Men at Arms Togashi no Ryukata (Kevin Goad), and Artisan Abbess Waldetrudis von Metten (Kimetha Loidolt) were present for a special introduction. The Baron and Baroness and their contingency were greeted by the Riley Festival Queen, Danielle Dudley and her court.
This opening presentation was the first appearance for the Riley Festival Queen and her court, and the Baron and Baroness of Sternfeld were very excited about sharing a “taste” of what they will be bringing to the Riley Festival this week, when their full contingency arrives. The Barony of Sternfeld is the central Indiana chapter of the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA), a non-profit educational organization. Normally, the Barony of Sternfeld attends the Fisher’s Renaissance Festival, which is held during the same weekend as the Riley Festival, but for this year, they have chosen to spend their weekend in Greenfield.
They will be around the festival, at a special tent on Main Street, and in the Kid Zone Area. Watch out for news about special fighter demonstrations with both rapier and heavy sword. These will be taking place in the Riley Gardens behind the Riley Home on Oct. 5 at 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. and on Oct. 6 at 11:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
