Burgschneider, the German company that has spent over two decades making medieval clothing and equipment and organizing historical reenactment events, has secured an official license from Middle-earth Enterprises to produce Lord of the Rings costumes and host immersive LARP events.1 The first project under the license, the Brandywine Festival, raised over $538,000 on Kickstarter from more than 1,100 backers against an $80,000 goal.2
Background
Burgschneider started in the early 2000s making tunics, cloaks, and accessories for the historical reenactment community. Functional garments built with period-appropriate materials and construction. Over two decades they built a loyal community across Europe. Their annual events draw thousands. Their catalog runs into hundreds of items.
The license
When a rights holder needs someone to produce a hobbit cloak that functions as a cloak, the choice falls to people who have been making cloaks for twenty years. Burgschneider’s existing products already belong aesthetically in Middle-earth. The overlap between historical European clothing and Tolkien’s world is substantial. Their products under the license are handcrafted garments, not printed merchandise.
Brandywine Festival
The Brandywine Festival is a five-day immersive experience set in the Shire, in Harrodsburg, Kentucky. The campaign exceeded its goal by more than six times. The collection includes cloaks, tunics, bags, and accessories. The funding came fast because the trust was already established.