In July 2017, Lorenz, Christine, Chris, Andreas and Andi travelled from Hamburg to Denmark to fill the houses around Middelaldercentret's harbour with life. "Gunpowder is Funpowder" quickly became the (inofficial) motto of our weeklong stay...
Gunner Andi diverted the small merchant’s entrance hall into an artillery workshop, housing armour, grenades, incendary devices, handgonnes, tools and materials instead of the merchant’s wares. Even the barrels full of salted herring piled in the corner now played the role of blackpowder kegs. From the shoemaker’s house cloth merchant Andreas conducted his roaring trade, selling woolen cloth imported from Flanders and England. His wife Christine filled in for him when he was out on business and took care of the household. Together with Chris, the housemaid, she cooked up a storm, serving delicious medieval dishes. When he wasn't helping around the house, manservant Lorenz played the hurdy-gurdy up and down the town, sometimes alone and sometimes together with other musicians.
At the weekend the handgonnes and canons were shown off, and of course we gladly joined in with our artillery. Albrechts Bøssor, our Swedish friends, had brought their new bombard Schwarze Gertrud with them, and she was the star of every artillery display! It was the first time the 200 kg-bombard was fired in public, loading first 500 g, then 1000 g of blackpowder per shot. Getting to experience her being shot up close and personal was truly unforgettable! We felt the shock wave all through our bones. Another highlight was the firing of the trebuchets, especially when they used fireballs at dusk.
In the evenings the citizens of Sundkøbing gathered in the merchant’s banquet hall to chat and have a pint or two. Rumor has it, there may have been some gambling going on – but we God fearing and law abiding merchants and craftpeople from Hamborch would never…ehem…
After our departure we heard that the next day Schwarze Gertrud was fired loading as much as 2 kg of blackpowder - sadly, we were not there to see that!
Schwarze Gertrud with 500 g Gunpowder
Schwarze Gertrud with 1 kg Gunpowder