Renaissance Life

Peasants Breakfast in Renaissance England

A Peasant’s Breakfast in Renaissance England

In Renaissance England, the peasant class relied on a simple yet nourishing breakfast to sustain them for the day’s toil in the farms and fields. This morning meal, typically devoid of extravagance, was composed of staple foods readily available to those of modest means. A Typical Peasant Breakfast               […]

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The Harsh Reality of a Peasant Woman’s Life in 16th Century England

For the vast majority of women in Renaissance England, life was an endless cycle of backbreaking labor and hardship. Born into poverty, most females of the peasant class had a harsh existence that began before they could even walk. From a tender age, peasant girls were tasked with chores and responsibilities to support the family […]

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Beer in Elizabethan Life: A Quaffable Companion to Society

It’s probably no surprise that the ale stand is one of the busiest, most popular places in any Renaissance Festival today. It has been that way for hundreds of years. In the Elizabethan era, beer was not just a beverage; it was a cornerstone of daily life, deeply intertwined with social, economic, and cultural aspects […]

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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 […]

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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. […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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.

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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. […]

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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.

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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.

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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, […]

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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 […]

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Pregnancy and Childbirth in Renaissance England

Giving birth in Renaissance England was a frightening business. When Queen Elizabeth I was born in 1533, childbirth was so dangerous, women wrote their wills before going into labor.  In 16th Century England, one out of every 40 women died in childbirth As many as 200 out of 1000 children would die before the age […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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. […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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