Medieval Camp Aesthetic

Thoughts on increasing Medieval Aesthetic of your camp. There's something so rustic yet cozy about camping and we adventurers need good camps.

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**IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: Do your own research on the products, do not consider the fact that they appear in the video to be a direct endorsement. I like what I have, but that doesn't mean it's perfect. What I have is what I have atm, and I encourage people to use what they have currently as well. I will do reviews on gear so you can see the pros and cons in the future so please wait for those if you want to know my actual opinions on the gear I currently have. I am generally very tentative to put links, but people ask so here they are.

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Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

[JeremySpringfield]

On Rugs in Tents: For my first Grand Battle at Bicolline, a week long event, I brought a small but very plush rug. By the end of the week that rug felt like absolute luxury. It was the only soft thing my feet touched all week. After 5+ days of combat it was amazing. We modern people tend to scoff at 'riches' like plush carpets, but they really were a luxury item. If you can carry a small carpet on campaign with you, I very much recommend that you do.

[Rajaat]

I like how you take people's budgets into consideration.

[bongothom]

I'm digging your light-hearted fantasy approach. Sometimes the super strict historical accuracy crowd kills the joy.

[texasbeast]

The fear for campsite security is real! My favorite local faire blogger, Sutton Stops, just reported their camper neighbors at faire came back to their spot to find their ENTIRE TENT AND BELONGINGS stolen! The Suttons were outfitted well enough to put the neighbors up for the night instead, but it drives home the point. It's not just beastly paranoia. 😒

[JonRowlison]

Exactly! Thank you for making note of the "this is a fantasy medieval look... not 'living history' but 'living anachronism." I've always hated it when people point out that some fantasy element never existed or that so-and-so axe was preferred over so-and-so sword... it's for fantasy. Leave the strictly-medieval history to the archeologists and the polemologists. :)

[Koty]

"Everyone likes a nice chest."
Truer words have hardly been spoken.

[Cascadejackal]

Plush throws are nice, but it can be worth looking for a sheepskin or other type of furry hide. If you can't get a real hide, or just don't want a real hide, faux hide rugs are perfectly fine as long as they have a thick backing similar to the real thing. If it can pass for a real hide at first glance, it'll probably be durable enough for frequent use. Faux fur material from hobby or fabric shops is NOT recommended! Avoid the stuff sold for costuming, as it often doesn't have a suitable backing layer.

A good faux hide rug should have a tough, thick backing layer that won't tear, rip or wear thin with reasonable use, a thick and soft fur, and be at least somewhat water resistant. If you can, I'd suggest spraying the back ("hide" side) with waterproofing spray. The kind you can buy at shoe stores works. Just as an extra bit of invisible protection from the elements. Probably work on a real hide, too.

Be aware that synthetic fibres can be irritating if you want to use a faux hide rug as bedding; try rubbing it on the inside of your forearm to see how it feels.

A real sheepskin would be my recommendation for use as bedding. Fairly easy to get, often thicker and softer than you'd expect, and much less likely to irritate unless you have an actual sensitivity or allergy.

For use as an actual rug, or to hang as insulation or a windbreak, faux hides are better. Acceptable bedding, too, if they don't make you itchy.

[dynamystic]

Think throw rugs would really help disguise the, necessary, plastic ground cloth. Had not considered that before. Maybe add a couple of different sized wooden bowls.

[DisturbedGeneration]

Ngl, throwing rugs, or more specifically soft pelts on the floor of a tent just.. looks right.. feels right, and definitely helps with insulation.

And it gives that whole "semi-permanent" camp set up. You can relax, you arent packing up anytime soon, just enjoy the time.

[ivan]

Note to battery candles: in my country they are usually set to blink too fast, so it seems that candle is always catching wind and therefore it looks like a very unstable light source, and is annoying if you want to read or do accurate stuff nearby.

[RunaSunset]

I cant wait till your channel blows up. This is actually some solid quality advise for people on a budget and youre so satisfying to listen to, like you actually sound like you've been doing youtube for years

[LunaWolfbane-qn]

When I started my group we were all pretty skint so, apart from the authentic tents, most our stuff was modern covered up or thrifted. Picnic baskets are a great cheaper alternative to chests; lighter too. We've moved on now, being a Noble House, but we still use modern camping cots and sleeping bags. As you said, a wool blamket covers a multitude of sins. Most of our flatware, cutlery, mugs and goblets etc also came from our local charity shops. Old tapestry style curtains are a nice cheap way to insulate and decorate your tent for alot less. My tent may look like the home of a Countess, but the items didn''t cost a Count's Ransom 😉

[ChristnThms]

Really great presentation. I specifically appreciate the pragmatic approach to get people started, where perfection would hold them back. I'd like to add that cheap plywood, finishing nails, and wood glue can accomplish a lot, with regard to chests, with little or no carpentry experience. I've shown several people how easy it is to build a simple wooden box, and they're all happily surprised at how simple it is.

[zentierra]

One of the MANY things I really like about your videos is your focus on the three Rs - Recycle, Reuse, Repurpose. Your tent set up works wonderfully both, as its intended modern fashion, and - with just a little imagination and things you already have - as a good kit to take along on a LARP or solo bit of in-character adventuring. The addition of any rugs/furs/tapestries are not only aesthetically nice, but practical. And kudos on the suggestion of an electric candle for soft (and much safer!) light. Hell, depending on the weather, you could even attach a light blanket, or even sheet, with some kind of rustic/Celtic motif over the top of the tent to give it more of that 'fantasy/medieval look. ♥

[I_AmNmad]

Found you through skill tree. Absolutely adore how your tent came out. I've never been camping, but if I ever do, I'm definitely going to go all in like this!

[Liutgard]

Yanno... I'm a member of the Order of the Laurel, in the SCA, and I'll tell you, I wish more people would take these small steps to fancy up their camp. Yeah, they might not be historically accurate. But they do a lot towards ambiance, and that is a Very Good Thing. It is way too common to say 'I can't afford a period camp', 'My car is too small for period tent poles', or 'I don't have the time/energy to bother with a period camp' and just bring a bubble tent and Coleman camp chairs and call it a day. It is a simple thing to use a basic wedge tent or a Soul Pad, both of which break down small (I've seen them packed in a Prius), cover your chairs, coolers, etc with cloth, and get some battery-operated candles. Small things, minimal effort, big impact. Just my two pence. 🙂

[pathfinder]

Love your videos. Found you on Shad recommendation. So many "purists" out there, I appreciate the fact that you focus more on having fun, over "authenticity". Because let's be honest...we arent really drawing Blade and fighting brigands, goblins, or dragons lol. It's all about fun.

Where did you get your tunic? What brand? I really like that.

[kevinstewart]

Nice, have used many of these in my reenacting career.
Portraying highland Scots is nice, lots of plaid wool to cover up the anachronistic gear-like the lawn/decor wooden crates perfectly sized for a fair bit of kit.

[Danatrid]

I enjoy adding a " fur " or two to my bedroll or cot. It helps hide some of the fabric since some of the modern wool blankets can look TOO clean and uniform. Speaking of furs, a small fur on top of a stump, or chest adds a little cushion for your seat and makes it look a little more lived in.

I have pretty much watched all of your videos at this point, love the content. I cant wait to see what you do next. I have already gotten tons of new ideas for my own kit since I started watching.

[AzraelThanatos]

One thing that I've found is that a cheap pavillion "tent" with walls tends to be one of the better starting points if you don't already have a tent. You can replace parts as you go with cloth sides, the one I had was extremely easy to do that with and the same points also work really well for hanging some of the banners and tapestries on them, and with larger ones, you can even use them to partition chunks of them which is especially nice if you're sharing a tent. It also adds space you can set things up in and is less of an issue for internal fire/smoke than more standard camping designs...and they tend to be a rather cheap thing to start with, especially with their footprint.

I'd used mine for years with upgrades...you just need to make sure it's fully dry when stored away and in a safer position. I had a pretty bad leak in my basement that managed to soak it when I didn't notice during the cleanup and had to pitch it when I checked on it, thankfully, that year the LARP I was involved in moved to a retreat center that had cabins and hotel rooms on site, and there were still openings in them, but that bothered me.