Articles
The Emergence of the Plague Doctor
During the bubonic plague outbreaks in Elizabethan England, the role of the “plague doctor” emerged. These were physicians who were tasked with treating those who had contracted the disease, but also with trying to prevent its spread. However, it is important to note that the term “plague doctor” was not commonly used during the Elizabethan […]
Feast Like Royalty: A Guide to the Delicious Food Choices at the Central Coast Renaissance Festival
The Central Coast Renaissance Festival is a celebration of the culture and customs of the Renaissance period. Along with live music, battling knights, and other forms of entertainment, the festival also offers a wide variety of food and drink options that are sure to satisfy any visitor’s hunger and thirst. From traditional fare like turkey […]
A Look at Breasts and Modesty Throughout History
No pun intended, OK? Alright, moving on . . . The Central Coast Renaissance Festival, and most Renaissance Faires and Festivals, attempt to simulate what it might have been like in Europe 450 years ago. We get some things right, but honestly, we are off base on a few. That’s OK. It’s all in the […]
Falconry in the Renaissance Era and its Enduring Legacy Today
Experience the Thrill of Falconry at the Central Coast Renaissance Festival Falconry is an ancient sport and practice that most people rarely, if ever, see. You will get an up-close look at it at the Central Coast Renaissance Festival. Falconry, also known as hawking, was a popular pastime among the wealthy during the Renaissance Era. […]
Renaissance festival hairstyles for women: a guide to peasant, middle class, and noble styles
During the Renaissance era, hair was considered an essential element of women’s fashion, and different hairstyles were adopted by women of different classes. The peasant, middle class, and nobility all had their unique styles, which reflected their social status and lifestyle. Middle-class women, on the other hand, had more resources and time to devote to […]
A Renaissance Festival Romance, Conclusion
Read Part 1 of the story here. Read Part 2 of the story here. Read Part 3 of the story here. In the weeks following the Renaissance Festival, William and Lily found themselves reminiscing about the joy and excitement of the event. They often talked about their favorite moments at the festival and laughed about […]
Raggedy Redbeard and the Princess: A Tale of Pirate Stories and Kindness
Raggedy Redbeard and the Princess” is a heartwarming tale of a pirate performer at the Central Coast Renaissance Festival, who shares his stories of life on the high seas with a young girl dressed as a princess. As the festival draws to a close and the crowds disperse, the unlikely pair find comfort in each other’s company, reminding us of the power of storytelling and kindness, even in the most unexpected of places.
English Renaissance: From Simple Language to Shakespeare’s Inventions and Modern English
During the English Renaissance, the English language underwent significant changes and evolved into the modern form we know today. At the beginning of the Renaissance, English was still a relatively simple language, with a limited vocabulary and a grammar that was much simpler than that of other European languages. However, as England began to emerge […]
From Historically Accurate to Fantastical: The Rich Variety of Festival Costumes
The festival is a great place to see a variety of costumes and fashions, ranging from historically accurate garb to imaginative interpretations of Renaissance style. Here are some of the different types of costumes and fashions you might see: Historical Accuracy: Some festival-goers take great care to create historically accurate costumes that are representative of […]
Why is Sarah Sad?
Sarah had always been fascinated with the Renaissance era, the fashion, the food, and the activities. She had heard a lot of great things about the Central Coast Renaissance Festival, and she had made up her mind to attend the event. The festival promised a weekend of fun-filled activities like jousting, live music, and artisans […]
Alcohol in English Renaissance Diets and Modern Renaissance Festivals
Alcohol played a significant role in the diets of both nobility and peasants during the English Renaissance period. Beer was the most common alcoholic drink consumed by both groups and was often brewed at home using grains like barley or oats. Wine, on the other hand, was a luxury item that was generally reserved for […]
A Renaissance Festival Romance, Part 3
Read Part 1 of the story here. Read Part 2 of the story here. In the weeks that followed the Renaissance Festival, William and Lily continued to spend time together. They went on picnics, took long walks along the beach, and even tried their hand at sword fighting. As their love deepened, William began to […]
A Short History of The Ruff
The ruff is a type of collar that was a prominent feature of Renaissance dress. Its history can be traced back to the 16th century in Europe, when it became a fashionable accessory for both men and women. The exact origins of the ruff are not known, but it is believed to have evolved from […]
A Simple, Hard Life For Peasants
In Renaissance England, the majority of the population were peasants who worked hard to earn their daily bread. One such peasant was a man named John, who lived in a small village in the countryside. John was a farmer who owned a small plot of land where he grew wheat and raised a few chickens. […]
A Renaissance Festival Romance, Part 2
(If you missed part 1 of this story, you can read it here). William and Lily wandered through the bustling Central Coast Renaissance Festival, taking in the sights and sounds of the colorful event. The air was filled with the aroma of roasted turkey legs and freshly baked bread, while the clinking of armor and […]
A Renaissance Festival Romance, Part 1
Once upon a time, there was a young woman named Lily who had always been enamored with the romance and chivalry of the Renaissance era. She had grown up reading tales of knights and maidens, and her heart had always longed for the kind of love and adventure that seemed to exist only in the […]
Step Back in Time and Experience the Humorous Humiliation of The Stocks
Participants are not punished or humiliated and are instead encouraged to have fun and enjoy the festival atmosphere. It’s all in good fun and a way to immerse oneself in the culture and entertainment of the Renaissance era.
Creating Your Renaissance Character
Creating a character for a Renaissance festival can be a fun and creative process. Here are some steps you can follow to create your character: Research the Renaissance period: Before you start creating your character, it’s important to research the Renaissance period and understand the culture, history, and fashion of the time. This will help […]
Why Wear A Costume At The Renaissance Festival?
Costuming is an important aspect of the Renaissance Festival and plays a significant role in creating an immersive experience for attendees. Whether you’re a seasoned participant or attending for the first time, selecting the right costume can enhance your enjoyment of the event and help you feel as though you have stepped back in time. […]
Children At The Renaissance Festival
Costumes and Dress-Up: Children often enjoy dressing up in costumes and playing make-believe. Renaissance festivals offer an opportunity for children to dress up as knights, princesses, fairies, and other characters from the period, which can be a fun and engaging way for them to participate in the event.
Queen Elizabeth’s Tilbury Speech
Queen Elizabeth went to Tilbury, England to rally the troops on August 9, 1588. At the time, England feared that Spain would invade its shores. That moment has gone down in British history as one of its finest. Here is the speech in full: My loving people, We have been persuaded by some that are […]
How To Create A Renaissance Festival
Whether we call it a “faire” or a “festival,” there are certain steps that help create the feeling of authenticity. Of course, we are just playing make-believe, but we do our best to take our participants and guests back to an earlier time. Here is a great blog post we’d like to share about how […]
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 […]
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 […]
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