In ye olde tymes, a reigning class of excess letter Es forced a population of poor, peasant vowels into centuries of servitude that ended only with King IOU’s assentation to the throne. Pay tribute to a time when E’s ruled the lande with today’s Groupon: for $15, you get one adult ticket to King Richard's Faire in Carver, a 50-minute drive south on MA-3. This Groupon is only valid on the following dates: Saturday, September 11; Sunday, September 12; Saturday, September 18; and Sunday, September 19.

The 80-acre grounds at King Richard’s Faire are packed with hundreds of colorful characters, scores of ancient sporting events, and hours of renaissance fun. On ye grande entertainment docket are dozens of plague-free acts in which acrobats, aerialists, jugglers, minstrels, dancers, fire eaters, knife-throwers, puppeteers, wenches, and tosspots perform shocking feats of daring, valor, and nonsensory for the benefit of His Highness’s honoured guests. A visit to the Royal Zoo offers both princes and paupers a glimpse of faraway lands as rare beasts like as regal lions, white tigers, and hybrid ligers wow the crowds with their incessant adorableness. Venture over to the Tourney Field to witness mounted knights joust using ancient wooden lightsabers known as lances.

Furlongs of fun rides and games will test one’s bravery, gallantry, and aim. More than 100 talented artisans allow lords, good wives, and bad wives to bear witness to glass bowling, portrait painting, hand-spun pottery, sword-making, and more. Satiate your palate with cuisine and drinks from all centuries, including spit-roasted giant turkey legs, boules of chowder and stew, and ringlets of fair French fires. King Richard’s Faire provides a yearly taste of old timey fun, and missing it would rend one vulnerable to being branded as an errant, toad-spotted huggermugger.

Reviews

Six Yahoo! Locals give King Richard's Faire a four-star average, three Insider Pagers give it a three-star average, and Yelpers give it a 2.5-star rating. Although reviewers say it's steeply overpriced, the Groupon helps offset the costs.

• For adults looking for a good time it is a hoot! We dress up and join in the fun. We love the jousting, belly dancers, the fire eating juggler-he is sooo funny! – Amy W., Insider Pages
• King Richard's Faire in Carver is a great rennasaince [sic] festival to attend during the fall. Many patrons get all dressed up in period clothing. There are different shops to visit, shows to see and demonstrations to watch. – J.P., Insider Pages