Imagine Bacon’s Castle as the backdrop for UFC in armor.
Only it’s the Tournament of the Castle Renaissance Faire, the feature attraction Saturday and Sunday in Surry, which will include blacksmith demonstrations, equestrian showcases, Celtic music and an artisan market. The event has sold out.
The armored combat competition hosted by the Tidewater Dogs of War is called buhurt (pronounced BOO-hurt). Like UFC, buhurt is full-contact, but the focus is on historically authentic armor and fighting reminiscent of a knights' melee.
In this case, the setting for the 14-team tournament is the 40 acres outside the oldest brick dwelling in North America, dating to 1665. Acquired by Preservation Virginia in the 1970s, Bacon’s Castle sits on what is believed to be America’s oldest formal garden.
“When we were approached with the idea of hosting a competition at the castle, it seemed like a great idea to draw attention to Bacon's Castle and to raise funds for the continuing preservation and restoration,” said Carol Wiedel, site coordinator for Preservation Virginia. Because of the event's popularity, organizers have decided to make the faire an annual event.
The property and multiple outbuildings remain in a constant state of repair and restoration. Spencer Siebeck, a craftsman for Preservation Virginia, will combine her day job with her passion during the Tournament of the Castle. As president of Dogs of War, she revels in channeling her inner warrior alongside many of her best friends.
Dogs of War, southeastern Virginia’s first buhurt team, has members from Richmond to the North Carolina border. Other teams will travel from around the nation, including Chicago and New York.
“What’s better than knights in a castle?” Siebeck asked. “I could have collected stamps growing up, but I’d rather hit people with swords.”
There’s no mercy in buhurt, which is more physical than fencing. Axes, polearms and halberds, all dulled for safety reasons, are among the weaponry.
Siebeck will pack her mace, 6-foot polearm and two-handed falchion, which she describes as a gigantic medieval machete.
“I didn’t even know there was such a thing until I saw someone walk in with one, and I said, ‘That looks scary. I have to get one of those!’ ”
Siebeck anticipates plenty of bruises, as her armor only protects so much.
“In our sport, the goal we’re trying to achieve is what does it feel like to wear your historically authentic 80 pounds of armor and really go absolutely nuts in the arena?” she said. “Because this is punching, kicking. It’s striking; it’s grappling. It’s everything.”
The rules say no hitting in the neck, groin or feet, though Siebeck admits, “It’s pretty no-holds barred.”
How much competitors feel the hits corresponds to the heaviness of the suit, which varies in options and price range. Titanium gauntlets, for example, can exceed $1,000.
Heavier suits weighing 100 pounds or more shield the skin from most blows, but it’s harder to be nimble.
“If you want to have more stamina, be faster, you wear a lighter kit," Siebeck said. "You get hit; you feel it a little more. Whereas one of my teammates has a 115-pound kit and he doesn’t feel anything.”
Nick Johnson, vice president of the Dogs of War, fights in one of the heavier suits. When he wore one the first time, he was more agile than he anticipated, “while feeling like a walking tank,” he said. “It’s such an engaging sport to be in and to watch.”
Like Siebeck, Johnson spends his days working on Bacon’s Castle, which isn’t a castle in the traditional European sense.
Followers of British-born planter Nathaniel Bacon occupied it in 1676 during Bacon’s Rebellion, an uprising by settlers against Gov. William Berkeley. At the time, "castle" referred to a fort, not a palace, and after the rebellion, it became known as Bacon’s Castle, despite Bacon never setting foot inside.
It’s distinguished by its American Jacobean style of architecture, the second phase of English Renaissance architecture. Its features include columns, arches, detailed woodwork and large stones. Bacon’s Castle is one of the few remaining buildings in the United States that reflects this opulent style, which is expensive to maintain.
Preservation Virginia relies on a stockpile of traditional materials for repairs.
“We could work every day on this building and never be done,” said Siebeck, whose latest project involves making traditional lime mortar from oyster shells to repoint the brick.
During the Renaissance Faire, food trucks will be on-site and alcohol from Virginia Craft Beer, Hampton Roads Winery and Breezy Hill Meadworks will be available for purchase.
Except for the gift shop, Bacon’s Castle will be closed, with all activities taking place outdoors.
Visit Preservation Virginia for more information.