Rick Smith
Warfare During the Medieval Period
The Medieval period of European history took place between the 5th and 15th centuries. It started after the end of the Classical period, which was marked by the fall of Rome in 476 CE, and before the beginning of the Renaissance period, which started around the 14th century. Europeans lived in a feudal society that had a new set of social, economic, and governmental factors. The constant invasions from other nations prompted the need for military methods.
Highlights from the 35th Annual Central Coast Renaissance Festival
These photos are from the 35th Central Coast Renaissance Festival. Let’s spend some time reviewing this year and giving a shout-out to those that made it happen. New Shows First off, the armored knight shows were fabulous. In my 37 years of working at this festival, I have never seen such big crowds attend a […]
Festivals and Fairs in Renaissance England
Despite the hardships of daily life in Renaissance England, Elizabethans eagerly anticipated the various festivals and fairs that punctuated their calendar throughout the year. With leisure time limited, these events provided much-needed respite from work and an opportunity to come together as a community. While some celebrations coincided with Christian holy days, others had Pagan […]
Combat in Renaissance England
Renaissance England suffered from the constant threat of war from the other Catholic Spanish and French superpowers of the time. It was very important to have a strong fighting force and the best weapons. Weapons from the medieval period were still being used and wielded by trained military men so there was an extreme necessity […]
Fatherhood in Renaissance England
In Renaissance England, relationships between parent and child differed from today. Fatherhood especially meant something different. Today, fathers are expected to take on many roles throughout their children’s lives, i.e., provider, coach, teacher, protector, cheerleader, etc. In the Elizabethan era, they adhered very closely to the fifth commandment. That commandment states “Honor thy father and […]
What Did People Eat In Renaissance England?
You may be wondering what people ate and how food was prepared in Renaissance England. Of course they didn’t go around munching on turkey legs like we see at modern Renaissance Faires; turkeys came from the new world and didn’t exist in Europe at that time. Food was obviously of fairly good quality or we […]
Town Criers … Make ‘Ye Way
During the day you’ll hear bells ringing and people making it loud and clear that the Queen (or anyone else who needs to be announced) is coming. In Medieval England, town criers were the most important way of spreading news with the people of a town. Many could not read newspapers. Royal proclamations, local bylaws, […]
The Danse Macabre
Several times a day you’ll see a strange parade of characters in black with skeleton masks. What is going on? It’s the Dance Macabre. In the Danse Macabre, or Dance of Death, skeletons escort living humans to their graves in a lively waltz. Kings, knights, and commoners alike join in, conveying that regardless of status, […]
Plague Doctors In Renaissance England
Renaissance England was riddled with disease, especially in its growing cities. Overcrowded, rat-infested London, with its practice of emptying chamber pots in the street and allowing raw sewage to flow into the Thames, was ground central for the nastiest diseases known to mankind. The most dangerous of these was the bubonic plague. And one of […]
How Did People Dress In Renaissance England?
What was popular in Renaissance clothing in the 16th century? Women Every woman’s outfit, from lower class to royalty, included a shift which was a loose, linen smock. During this time, bathing was frowned upon and clothing was very expensive so this was worn to protect the gown. They would also wear stockings, which were […]
$3,625 For a Shirt
(From the book Stuffocation: Why We’ve Had Enough Stuff and Need Experience More Than Ever) Think we have inflated prices today? A shirt, before the Industrial Revolution, would have been worth around $3,625 in today’s money! Take a standard medieval man’s shirt, long sleeves, yoke, some smocking, band collar, hemmed, wrists, etc. Estimate it takes 7 […]
Food and Your Life Style
In general, people eat two meals a day: Dinner, at midday say 11:00 or 12:00 Supper, in the evening, about 6:00. Husbandmen and others whose work is never done may have their supper as late as 9:00. It is best to refer to having dinner instead of lunch or even luncheon. Invite people to dine […]
The Shakespeare Book
The Shakespeare Book brings the work of William Shakespeare to life with full-color photography, images, idea webs, timelines, and quotes that help you understand the context of Shakespeare’s plays and poems. From Shakespeare’s most-famous plays, such as Romeo and Juliet and Julius Caesar, to less-frequently performed works such as King John and Henry VIII, every […]
Faire Names For English Folk
From: From: Chris Laning claning@econet.org Date: July 1999 Subject: (NEW!!) Faire Names for English Folk NEW RESOURCE!! Are you tired of people named “Chastity Sweetlips” or “Obadiah Cockswinger”? Do you want a source of REAL names for Elizabethan England? Here it is! Based on new studies of Elizabethan naming practices, Faire Names for English Folk is the most […]
How To Disguise Your Portable Pavilion for Renaissance Faires and Medieval Events
Get Medieval on Your Pop-Up How To Disguise Your Portable Pavilion for Renaissance Faires and Medieval Events by Randall Whitlock Earlier versions of this article appeared in the January, 2006 Cactus Needles, the January, 2006 Connotations, and in my collection, Yardstick and Chalk: Randwulf’s Ramblings on Costume Volume 2. This page is a work in progress. I intend to add […]
Good English Ale
Hops and heresy, bays and beer All came to England in one year. Ale is made from barley, but it can be flavored with just about anything, including pepper, ivy, rosemary, bilberries, and lupines, among many other things. When it’s flavored with hops, it becomes beer. Andrew Boorde (c. […]
More Fun Language Tips
Antique language isn’t necessarily “big words” or curious sentence structure. Try these. (Note that “an” means “if”.) Instead Of… Say… Okay Very well, ‘Tis done, As you will, Marry shall I Wow! Marry! ‘Zounds (God’s wounds, pron: ZOONDS) I’faith! Hey-ho! God’s Death! What ho! Excuse me Forgive me, Pray pardon, I crave your forgiveness, By your […]
Costuming For The Renaissance Festival
If this is your first visit to our Renaissance Festival you probably won’t be in costume, and that is perfectly fine. However, if the Renaissance spirit grabs you, you’ll soon be longing for a costume to be more a part of the fantasy. Starting as a peasant is a good first step, as the clothes […]
How To Use Thee and Thou
Language: Thee and Thou This is not grammar you are taught in school, but simply the ordinary way people talk. Your excuse for incorrect usage cannot be that you were poorly educated. Say: “How art thou“, never “how are thee” What wouldst thou have of me? I will go with thee. Thou art a rogue. When the next word begins […]
Money in Elizabethan England
Money and Coinage The Basics All coins are silver or gold, including the pennies. In times not too long past, copper was used to extend (debase) the coinage without actually spending any more silver. But no money is actually minted as a copper coin. If someone gives you a modern copper penny, laugh and tell […]
Elizabethan Cookery
What We Eat Elizabethan cookery is generally sweeter than today’s; meats are often cooked with fruits, producing a mix of sweet and savory. Some medical texts advise against eating raw vegetables as engendering wind (gas) or evil humours. It is important to remember that while many things were period somewhere, not everything was eaten in every […]
Life In Elizabethan England
Just about anything you could want to know about life in Elizabethan England is found in Maggie Secara’s book, Life in Elizabethan England – A Compendium of Common Knowledge. Food, clothing, manners, religion, occupations … it’s all in there. Here, for your reading pleasure and edification is a link to the entire book. Enjoy!
Common Sayings We Got From Shakespeare
Today’s well-educated person uses an average of 18,000 words in their lifetime. Shakespeare used over 34,000 different words in his plays, thousands of which he simply made up (accessible, barefaced, exposure, lament, paternal, puke, roadway, schoolboy, and watchdog.) Many of his phrases have fallen into everyday use in our language today, including A […]
ATMs On Site
Of course we want you to bring as much money as you can and spend it with our wonderful vendors. Don’t worry if you run out… we have two ATMs so you can always get more! 😎
Knight Tournaments: Fatality or Fame?
Knight Tournaments: Fatality or Fame? By: Susan Thread As symbols of respect in addition to valor, knights turned out to be a staple amongst stuff that demonstrated how it ended up being within the Middle Ages. If you have researched them close enough, knights are an intriguing mix of all the things that made males […]
Where Are The Renaissance Faires?
Renaissance Faires and Festival have become so popular they can now be found in almost every state. There are several links online to faire locations, so just do an internet search, but here’s a good start: http://www.renfaire.com/Sites/
What’s In A Name? Finding Your Renaissance Alter Ego
Are you tired of people named “Chastity Sweetlips” or “Jake Tosspot”? Do you want a source of REAL names for Elizabethan England? Thanks to Chris Laning for sharing links to some great resources for finding a true Renaissance name for your character. Here are the links; http://www.s-gabriel.org/names/christian/fairnames/ You may also be interested in this site, […]
Renaissance and Tudor Festivals
Renaissance and Tudor Festivals By Rachael Cox and Hayley Amber Cox Renaissance festivals, Medieval fairs, Tudor theme days. Whatever you call them, they are an increasingly popular event seen up and down the land in the spring and summer months. My new found passion for authentic Tudor costume led me to the discovery of the exciting […]
Renaissance Faire Costumes – Were There Any Women Pirates in Renaissance England?
By Philip Wynne You bet! They were most definitely in the minority but they were never the less there and very able. So don’t worry about sacrificing your well established credibility among your fellow renaissance faire friends when you buy a really cool and very authentic pirate costume…one you wanted bad, you wanted real bad! […]
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