HERR KARL AND COMPANY
15TH CENTURY KNIGHTS
Bringing the Middle Ages to Life
Learn about Knights and Knighthood, the steps to Knighthood, the parts of Knight's armor and the Knight's Code of Chivalry through an interactive program or presentation. Audience members or faire or festival patrons can try on authentic armor with us and also help Herr Karl get "suited " in his full 15th century suit of 16-gauge plate armor.
Fun and informative for all ages!
HERR KARL & COMPANY
15TH CENTURY KNIGHTS
AT A GLANCE
A Bit of Background
We are a group of Iowa-based renaissance educators/performers who provide a hands-on interactive demonstration at renaissance faires and festivals throughout the Midwest. We also are available to offer presentations and programs on Knights and Knighthood, parts of Knights armor and the Knights Code of Chivalry for schools, home schools, church groups, youth and adult community groups and libraries year round.
JOIN OUR TEAM
We are so happy you’re interested in getting involved with our work here at Herr Karl and Company 15th Century Knights. There are so many ways for you to help, and we truly appreciate each and every effort. By lending your support, you’ll become a valuable part of our Non-Profit Organization and help to strengthen our operations.
KNIGHTS (NON-FIGHTING)
Are you a renaissance enthusiast who is looking to join a group? Have you ever wanted to be a knight ? If so, Herr Karl and Company would like the pleasure of having you join our company of traveling performer/educators. (WE ARE NOT FIGHTING KNIGHTS - WE LEAVE THAT UP TO OTHER GROUPS.) We teach about steps to knighthood. kinghts and knighthood in general and parts of a knights armor. Throughout a typical day we let kids and adults live out their fantasies of being knights by allowing them to try on 13th century armor. Then we knights get suited in our 15th century armor for presentations and photo ops.
SQUIRES WANTED
Herr Karl and Company is looking for young men age 14-20 to serve as squires on our team as we travel to Renaissance festivals in Iowa, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Kansas, South Dakota during the 2022 season.
These young men can either be on-site squires to join us at certain festivals, or travel with us to as many as possible during the season. Food, lodging and (if necessary) transportation is provided.
For more information, with questions or to sign up contact Chuck Friend (Herr Karl) at 641-366-2585 or Glen Gerot (Sir Gregory ) at 319-325-3163.
Come join the fun with Herr Karl and Company 15th Century Knights today.
MEET THE TEAM MEMBERS
Committed to the Cause
CHUCK FRIEND (HERR KARL)
Founder / Director of Operations
With us since our founding, Chuck Friend is our veteran team member. He brings 8 years of experience and skills to the forefront in helping our organization grow and succeed. He us a true Marian Associate Teutonic Knight of the Deutsch order St Marys of Jeruselem since April 19, 2020
GLEN GEROT (SIR GREGORY)
Co-Company Leader
Glen Gerot joined Herr Karl and Company 15th Century Knights after attending a show where he was suited in armor by Herr Karl himself. He shares the vision and drive to improve upon our Non-Profit Organization, and is focused on developing the organization with experience and integrity- "for the patrons".
MIKEY DUBOIS
Squire Nathaniel
Mikey joined Herr Karl when he was 12 years old as a page and has been traveling with the company ever since. Now a junior at Cedar Rapids Prairie high School, Mikey continues in his squire role
ALEXANDER ELFGREN (SIR ALEX)
Squire (Knight in Training)
When Alex attended his first renaissance festival last year - he had no idea that he would soon be suited in armor, helping Herr Karl and Company perform their duties at the festival and soon be asked to become a "family member." Alex (from Overton, Nebraska) is truly a joy to be around and makes it a pleasure to have him on the team.
JOEL SPRINGER
Knight
Another newcomer to our family is Joel Springer from Aurora, Nebraska. Joel met us with his cousins last year in Sioux Falls, then came and helped again at Midlands in Council Bluffs and Great Plains in Wichita. His enthusiasm and willingness to help makes him a valuable asset to the team.
BEN SPRINGER
Knight
Brother to Joel, Ben came to Midlands (Fall) in 2021 and got interested after having a chance to suit up in squire armor. So interested that he accompamnied his brother back to Wichita and performned again. We look forward to having Ben as another family member in 2022 for as many shows as he can attend.
2022 TENATTIVE SCHEDULE OF APPEARANCES
Subject to change
April 9-10
GREAT PLAINS RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL (SPRING)
Twice-yearly Renaissance festival and Scottish Highland Games held in Sedgewick Park in Wichita Kansas. Worth the drive to attend this great family festival
April 30 - May 1
NEBRASKA RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL
Small family renaissance festival held in Riverwest Park in Elkhorn, Neb
May 21-22
MIDLANDS RENAISSANCE REVEL (SPRING)
Twice yearly renaisaance revel held at Dittmars Orchard near Council Bluffs, Iowa
June 4-5
SIOUXLAND RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL
For the second straight year , Herr Karl and Company will be making the trip to Sioux Falls, South Dakota for the Siouxland Festival at the Lyons fairgrounds
June 16 and July 13
KIDS IN COLLEGE
Learn about knights and Knighthood in a fun interactive session at Iowa Valley Continuing Education in Marshalltown. Sessions limited to students in grades 3-8 , 10-15 students per session
August 20-21
MIDLANDS RENAISAANCE REVEL (SUMMER)
Enjoy the coming of fall with the second festival of the year at Dittmars Orchard near Council Bluffs
September 24-25
GREATER QUAD CITIES RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL
Eastern Iowa renaissance fair held annually on Credit Island in Davenport
Oct 8-9
A GATHERING OF ROUGES AND RUFIANS - POSSIBLE
Annual fall rennisssance festival fundraiser for Shakespeare on the Edge, now held in Baraboo, Wisconsin on the grounds of Circus World.
Oct 8-9
GREAT PLAINS RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL ( FALL ) - POSSIBLE
Fall edition of the twice yearly festival held in Wichita's Sedgewick Park
Nov. 5-6
OKLAHOMA CITY RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL - POSSIBLE
First year for this fair in Oklahoma City produced by the director and cew of the GreatPlains Festivals in Wichita
WATCH THIS PAGE FREQUENTLY FOR ANY ADDITIONS OR CORRECTIONS TO OUR SCHEDULE
WHAT CAN WE DO FOR YOU?
Choose your program or book an appearance .
Herr Karl and Company 15th Century Knights is in the business of teaching and educating young and old alike about the glorious time of Knights and Knighthood in the Middle Ages. Give us a call to book us for your Renaissance Faire , festival or for a new program for your community, school or homeschool or church group.
RENAISSANCE FAIRES
AND FESTIVALS
Book us for your Renaissance faire or festival. Kids and adults live out your fantasy of being a 13th century knight by trying on chainmail, a gorget, gauntlets and a helmet.
At least once a day one or more of our knights will be fully suited in plate armor for walk arounds and photo ops
FEES AND CONTACT
INFORMATION
Fees are based on the distance traveled from Conrad , Iowa and the type of program or presentation that is wanted.
Renaissance faires require lodging or payment enough to cover lodging.
To book Herr Karl for a program /presentation or Herr Karl and Company for a festival or faire contact:
Chuck Friend: 641-366-25485
or 641-751-1395.
Glen Gerot can also be contacted at
319-325-3163.
YEAR-ROUND PROGRAMS AND PRESENTATIONS
Herr Karl would love to help out your school, homeschool group, church youth group, community based youth or adult groups and libraries with a program/presentation on Knights and Knighthood. the parts of Knight's armor, and the Knight's Code of Chivalry.
Your group would have the opportunity to experience try-on armor and also to actually help suit Herr Karl in a full 16-gauge plate suit of armor
GET INVOLVED
You Can Make a Difference
Your support is important to our work at Herr Karl and Company 15th Century Knights. There are many ways you can contribute towards our causes, and every little bit that you commit goes a long way in helping us fulfill our mission. Learn more about how you can get involved and take advantage of the opportunity to do some good. Volunteering your time or making a financial donation is always appreciated
MAKE A DONATION
Make A True Change
Our organization depends on the support of people like you. We want to keep the Middle Ages alive year round, but it takes extra money to buy equipment and travel throughout the Midwest. Cash donations of any size are greatly appreciated , as is volunteering your time to help at faires and festivals.
KNIGHT FOR HIRE!
If your Midwest or Iowa high school or college has Knights as its nickname, Teutonic Marian Associate Knight Herr Karl (Chuck Friend of Conrad, Iowa) would be available to come to one of your football or basketball games in a full suit of 16-gauge plate armor to help promote school spirit and to provide great photo opportunities for students and families.
He would also bring sets of leather armor with steel helmets for three of your own young men to "suit-up" in.
School Requirements:
Provide two student /adult helpers to get Herr Karl and the three young men "armored-up".
Cost to School:
Appearance fee and mileage to be discussed. (One night lodging if distance dictates).
Questions or to schedule:
Contact Chuck Friend at 641-366-2585 or 641-751-1395; by e-mail at chuckfriend@gmail.com or by postal mail at Box 103, Conrad, Iowa, 50621.
BRINGING THE MIDDLE AGES TO LIFE
The Focus of Our Efforts
SCHOOL CLASSES AND HOME SCHOOL GROUPS
( ELEMENTARY THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL)
LIBRARIES, YOUTH AND ADULT ORGANIZATIONS
OR CLUBS
History taught "hands-on"
Hands-on interactive learning excites students of all ages. This is one of the key focus areas at Herr Karl and Company 15th Centruy Knights: to provide a program on knights, knighthood, steps to knighthood and parts of a kinight's armor. Whether for Western Civilization, World History or elementary/middle school social studies we can promise that we make learning fun.
Need a special program?
Our programs are not just for schools. If your club, your youth or adult organization, or library would like to learn some Middle Ages history through the presentation by a real Teutonic Knight. Call me today. Hands on and interactive causal approach to life-long learning
"I can see you are really passionate about what you do. Don't stop - Keep teaching!"
Michael - Shelbyville, Ky
CONTACT HERR KARL AND COMPANY 15TH CENTURY KNIGHTS
