A GUIDE TO THE BEST OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA : SHOPTALK : MEDIEVAL DREAMS

PITY THE KNIGHT who wore chain mail as heavy as the 40-pound shirt made of 21,500 interlinking metal rings. Robin Grattidge doesn’t ask his employees to wear such attire, but he does require that they dress in the styles of centuries long gone by. To the owner of Medieval Fantasies--A Renaissance

Merchant’s Gallery, archaic is hip.

With his small cultural center, Grattidge whisks browsers back in time. He pays homage to the days of yore and the pageantry of the medieval wars through his extensive collection of culturally diverse artifacts (original works and reproductions): ornate swords, knives and shields, beaded jewelry, perfume bottles and customized costumes.

Medieval Fantasies also hosts a class in traditional beadwork, coaching in theatrical swordsmanship and regular performances of Celtic songs and stories. Medieval Fantasies, 12029 Ventura Blvd., Studio City; (818) 506-1505.