Medieval Woodworking and Furniture

For this project, my group researched medieval woodworking methods and constructed a table reminiscent of the time period. Due to the limited knowledge we had of this topic, we did extensive research on medieval furniture and how to mimic these practices and aesthetics best. Having researched our topic, a comprehensive and detailed planning stage allowed for better visualization of our table. In light of this project’s budget, our table had a fixed structure, as opposed to movable boards set on trestles; further, our tabletop was to be round instead of square or rectangular. With direction established, my group gathered the required materials from several locations. The tabletop consisted of two plywood boards cut into circles and glued together, while the base of the tables included a singular fence picket cut into four legs and an old fence post. After gathering, cutting, and sanding our wood, we applied a beautiful espresso-coloured stain to our materials to make the table appear a singular colour instead of distinctly coloured pieces of wood. After construction, a leather band and metal accents were applied to the circumference of the tabletop to provide a more medieval aesthetic. Ultimately, this was a project that lay well outside of my academic comfort zone. My group showed excellent determination and optimism when approaching this process, and as a result, we successfully built a medieval table where we could now enjoy a medieval drink, play a medieval game, and have medieval fun.

Michael Bozin