Crowd of 900 enthusiasts partaking in the Soester Feud medieval event
In the heart of Soest, Germany, the annual Soest Fehde medieval festival was held from August 1 to 3, 2025. This significant historical reenactment event attracted around 900 participants from approximately 12 nations, making it one of Europe's most prominent medieval festivals.
The festival, which takes place every two years, offers a captivating glimpse into medieval life and combat, recreating the historical Soest Feud (Soester Fehde) with authentic costumes, props, and performances. The participants, representing various medieval factions, knights, and citizens, immerse themselves fully in the role-playing, bringing the medieval era to life.
The festival's organisation is meticulous, carefully coordinating reenactors to simulate battles, markets, and everyday medieval scenes. The international participation and attention to historical detail make the Soest Fehde a standout event, drawing enthusiasts of medieval culture and history.
Maria Aragon van Beeck, a participant from the Knights of Camelot group, created an authentic costume with glitter accents and a headpiece with a veil for the festival. Ellen Ebeling, a 90-year-old Soest resident attending the festival for the first time, met Maria. Ellen expressed her admiration for the festival, saying, "It's fantastic!" and praised Maria's costume, exclaiming, "You look wonderful!"
Despite the rain that filled the air with the smell of smoke and damp earth, both Maria and Ellen remained enthusiastic. Even the large combat show, which could have been cancelled due to the heavy rain, went ahead as planned. The medieval tents, according to organizer Michael Schiewe, withstood the rain.
Local news outlet Localzeit reported on the Soest Fehde at 19:30 Uhr, further highlighting the event's significance. Small groups of performers could also be found throughout the festival, playing music, cooking over open flames, and crackling fires beside tents.
The Soest Fehde medieval festival offers a unique and immersive experience for visitors, transporting them back to the medieval era and providing a glimpse into the rich history of Soest. The event's success and popularity are a testament to the enduring appeal of medieval culture and history.
During the Soest Fehde medieval festival, Maria Aragon van Beeck, a member of the Knights of Camelot group, received praise for her authentic costume with glitter accents and a headpiece veil from Ellen Ebeling, a 90-year-old resident of Soest. Meanwhile, social-media buzzed with excitement about the captivating food, entertainment, and historical reenactments, making it a trending topic across Europe.
