Which medieval type are you? From simple peasant to proud Templar

You’re standing at a medieval market for the first time, looking around – and you don’t know where you belong. Over there, the bloke in chainmail with a sword. To the left, the woman with a herb pouch and a linen veil. At the stall behind them, a blacksmith who’s just lighting a fire. Everyone seems to know exactly what they’re doing. You don’t.

   

What to expect in this article

 

• The six medieval types: Which one are you?
• The self-test: Which medieval type are you?
• Type A: The farmer – The backbone of the scene
• Type B: The warrior – Steel, sweat and show fights
• Type C: The Craftsman / Craftswoman – The quiet backbone of the Middle Ages
• Type D: The Healer – Herbs, knowledge and the monastery apothecary
• Type E: The Templar / Knight of the Order – For all those who want to stand for something
• Type F: The Merchant – At home everywhere, a stranger nowhere
• Which type wins? None. All of them.
• FAQ – Frequently asked questions about getting started in the medieval scene
• Conclusion: Just get started – the rest will follow

  Reading time approx. 11 mins.

The six medieval types: Which one are you?

We’ve seen it all. We’ve met hundreds of newcomers who were exactly at this point – and six months later were so passionate about their role that you can’t even imagine them in jeans anymore.

The crucial first step: finding out which medieval type you are. Not which character looks the coolest – but which one suits you. Your personality, your daily life, your budget. This article shows you the six most common types, explains what defines them – and includes a short self-test that tells you in under three minutes where you’re likely to fit in.

Neither medieval markets nor LARP have just one type of person. The scene is more diverse than it appears from the outside. Here are the six we encounter most frequently:

The self-test: What kind of medieval character are you?

Answer these five questions honestly. Make a note of which letters you choose most often – the answers are right below.

Question 1: What do you enjoy most in your free time?

• A) Being outdoors, gardening, animals, nature
• B) Sport, martial arts, physical challenges
• C) Crafting, building, handicrafts, the workshop
• D) Cooking, herbs, botany, herbal medicine
• E) Philosophy, history, grand ideals, rituals
• F) Meeting people, storytelling, markets, travel

Question 2: What is most important to you at a medieval event?

• A) Campfires, community, cooking real food
• B) A good fight, putting on armour, tournament victories
• C) Showing off what I’ve made myself
• D) Helping others, role-playing as a healer or nun
• E) Being part of something bigger, orders, chivalry
• F) Meeting as many interesting people as possible

Question 3: How much do you want to spend initially?

• A or D) Under 100 euros – I’m starting small
• C or F) 100–200 euros – a solid starter set
• B) 200–400 euros – if it’s going to be good, then do it properly
• E) A conscious investment – a Knight of the Order needs time and money

Question 4: Which material feels right to you?

• A) Coarse linen, natural colours, undyed
• B) Steel, leather, gambeson
• C) Everything – wood, metal, leather, clay
• D) Fine linen, herb pouches, wooden mortar
• E) White woollen cloak, cross, chainmail
• F) Colourful cloth, leather, a bag full of goods

Question 5: Which statement resonates with you most?

• A) “I want to know how people really lived in the past.”
• B) “I want to fight. To really fight.”
• C) “I make most things myself.”
• D) “I’d rather heal than fight.”
• E) “I stand for something. Honour is not an empty gesture.”
• F) “I’m everywhere and nowhere – and I love it.”

💡 Analysis: Count your letters. Which one appears most often? Read on – your type is waiting.

Type A: The Farmer – The Foundation of the Scene

Sounds unspectacular? Think again. The farmer is the type who sets the tone at a medieval market or in camp. No frills, no heavy armour, no expensive orders – but a campfire that burns, a stew that smells delicious, and a costume that looks as though it really is from the 12th century.

This person loves authenticity. The immediate. Life as most people actually experienced it in the Middle Ages – with hands in the earth, wool against the skin, and a sense of community that no fantasy LARP can replace.

What you need – Farmer starter set

• Coarse linen tunic or dress in natural, beige or grey tones (€25–45)
• Simple woollen trousers or leggings (€25–40)
• Wide leather belt (€20–30)
• Leather lace-up shoes (€35–55)
• Linen pouch on the belt (€15–25)

Total budget for beginners: approx. €100–150. You’re ready to go straight away – at any market, in any camp.

Type B: The Warrior – Steel, Sweat and Stage Combat

You want to fight. Not stand around, not eat cheese, not stare at the campfire – you want to be on the field, with sword or shield, and use your whole body. That is a legitimate, deep motivation – and the scene has plenty to offer for it.

Important to know: There are major differences between LARP combat (foam weapons, latex, body contact) and exhibition combat/re-enactment (steel, safety rules, real armour). Both are brilliant – but both require different equipment and different preparation.

What you need – Warrior Starter Set (LARP)

• Linen tunic or gambeson as a base (€35–60)
• First LARP foam weapon (one-handed sword or short sword, €30–60)
• Leather vambraces (€25–40)
• Leather belt with sword scabbard (€25–45)
• Lace-up boots (€35–55)

Total budget for getting started in LARP: approx. €150–260. For re-enactment/exhibition combat: find a group first, then get kitted out – the community will help you get started.

⚠️ Note: Before buying your first piece of armour, always check the setting in which you intend to fight. Leather armour for fantasy LARP and historically accurate plate armour for re-enactment are two completely different investments.

Type C: The Craftsman / Craftswoman – The silent backbone of the Middle Ages

You’re the type who doesn’t just take part, but helps build things. The blacksmith at the forge. The potter at the wheel. The leatherworker who sews his own belt. Artisans in a medieval context are often the most fascinating figures at the market – because they do things, because they demonstrate skill, because they can explain why.

Especially for people who aren’t into role-playing but still want to be part of the scene, the artisan role is a perfect way to get started. You don’t have to invent a story. You live your craft.

What you need – Craftsman starter set

• Sturdy linen tunic in earth tones (€25–40)
• Apron made of leather or heavy linen (€20–35)
• Wide work belt with tool holders (€25–40)
• Lace-up shoes or sturdy leather boots (€35–65)
• Optional leather gloves for blacksmiths/carpenters (€15–30)

Total budget for beginners: approx. €120–200. Plus: What you really need is your craft – you bring that with you.

Your medieval costume is waiting for you

Whether a simple peasant woman, a noble merchant or a mysterious herbalist – in our women’s costume collection you’ll find the perfect outfit for your character. Become who you would have been in the Middle Ages.

Discover costumes

Type D: The Healer – Herbs, Knowledge and the Monastery Apothecary

You’ve heard of Hildegard von Bingen and were immediately fascinated. You know what yarrow does for a fever. You find the idea of keeping a herb book and talking to people who need help more exciting than any show fight.

The healer role is one of the richest in LARP and at markets – because it has so much depth. Monastic medicine, the Hildegard tradition, folk medicine, travelling quacks – depending on what appeals to you, there are very different ways to interpret the role.

What you need – Healer starter kit

• Fine linen underskirt or shirt (€25–45)
• Wool dress or wool cloak in muted colours (€45–80)
• Several small linen pouches containing real herbs (€10–20)
• Small leather-bound notebook/herb book (€15–30)
• Veil or bonnet (€15–25)

Total budget for beginners: approx. €110–200. Knowledge costs nothing – and is the best thing you can bring with you.

Type E: The Templar / Knight of the Order – For anyone who wants to stand for something

The Templar isn’t the easiest way to get started. But it’s one of the most rewarding. Anyone portraying a knight of an order – whether a Templar, a Knight of the Teutonic Order, a Knight of St John or a Knight Hospitaller – is making a statement: I stand for something. I uphold values. I bear responsibility.

This takes time, research and a certain budget. But nothing at a medieval market attracts more attention than an authentically dressed Templar in a white cloak, cross and chainmail. And nothing gives a character more depth than an order to which they belong.

What you need – Templar starter set (beginner’s kit)

• Linen undergarment (€25–40)
• Simple chainmail (aluminium for beginners, €80–150)
• White woollen surcoat with cross (€45–70)
• Wool cloak with order insignia (€60–100)
• Leather belt, lace-up boots (€50–80)

Total budget for beginners: approx. €260–440. Not cheap – but an outfit that will last for years and grow with you.

💡 Tip: Start with the aluminium chainmail (lighter, cheaper) and upgrade to steel later. The surcoat with cross makes the biggest visual impact – and costs the least of all.

Type F: The Merchant – At home everywhere, a stranger nowhere

You don’t want to be tied down. You want to chat, trade, tell stories, crack a joke and, five minutes later, discuss horse care with a knight you’ve just met. The merchant is the most flexible role in the scene – and the most sociable.

At LARP events, the travelling merchant is often the hub of the story. At markets, they’re the person everyone passes by. In camp, they’re the one who knows what’s available and where. A role for people who like to be the centre of attention – without explicitly wanting to be.

What you need – Merchant starter set

• Colourful or two-tone linen tunic (€30–50)
• Wide belt with several pouches (€30–50)
• Leather shoulder bag or travel pack (€30–50)
• Felt hat or chaperon (€20–35)
• Lace-up shoes (€35–55)

Total budget to get started: approx. €145–240. And then: stock that you really know and can sell.

Which type wins? None. All of them.

The honest answer: there is no right or wrong medieval character. Someone who starts out as a farmer might be a warrior a year later. Someone who begins as a merchant might eventually find themselves sitting by a campfire with a herb pouch and a herb book.

The scene is fluid. People grow into their roles. They try things out. They mix and match. Most experienced campers and LARPers today are no longer what they were at their first event – and that’s a good thing.

What really matters: Just get started. With what you have right now. With the budget you have right now. With the character that feels right for you today.

FAQ – Frequently asked questions about getting started in the medieval scene

Which medieval character type is easiest for beginners?

Definitely Type A (farmer) or Type D (healer). Both require the smallest budget, the least prior experience and can be played immediately at any market. A rough linen tunic, a belt and lace-up shoes – and you’re set.

Do I have to commit to one role?

No. The self-test indicates a tendency – not a rule. Many people combine several roles or evolve over time. Someone who is a trader today might become a fighter tomorrow. The scene rewards curiosity, not consistency.

How much does a decent starter kit cost in total?

For the simplest roles (farmer, healer, trader), you’ll get by fine with 100–200 euros. For fighters, a realistic figure is 200–400 euros. A Templar or knight of the Order needs at least 300–500 euros for a credible start. Everything can be expanded – and most items last for years.

Where can I visit my first market before I buy?

Just turn up. Many markets allow visitors in everyday clothes. Have a look at what others are wearing, chat to the traders, ask questions – the scene is surprisingly open to newcomers. Look first, then buy.

Can I play a warrior character as a woman?

Of course. In LARP and re-enactment, women who fight are absolutely normal and well-established. Historically, they were rarer in official roles – but in the LARP fantasy setting, anything is possible, and there are also groups in re-enactment that portray this. The equipment is the same, the camps are the same, and so is the fun.

What is the difference between a medieval market, LARP and re-enactment?

Medieval market: A public event, usually featuring traders, demonstrations and a relaxed atmosphere. No fixed role required. LARP (Live Action Roleplaying): Active role-playing, usually in fantasy settings, with rules and a storyline. Reenactment: A historically accurate re-enactment of specific eras and events – more research, higher standards, greater authenticity.

Conclusion: Just get started – the rest will follow

The worst kind of medieval enthusiast is the one who has never started. Whether you love nature, want to fight, practise a craft or simply want to wander around markets – there’s a role for you. And an outfit to go with it.

At vehi-mercatus, you’ll find starter sets and individual items for every type – from your first linen shirt to a complete knight’s outfit. We’re happy to advise you if you don’t know where to start. Drop us a line, have a look round, and be inspired.

The next market awaits. And somewhere out there lies your version of the Middle Ages.

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