History
Celebrating May Day in Renaissance England
As winter’s chill finally loosened its icy grip, the arrival of May carried a sense of rebirth and revelry across the villages and towns of Renaissance England. It was a time to celebrate! This first day of May, called May Day, marked an annual rite of passage – a lively, passionate celebration of spring’s renewal […]
Pyes in Renaissance England
In celebration of Pi Day, let’s delve into the history of pies and what they were in Renaissance England. Before we go back to the 16th centuery, we should look into how Pi Day came to be a nationally recognized day passed by the House of Representatives on March 12, 2009. Origin of Pi Day […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Dancing Through the Elizabethan Renaissance
During the Elizabethan Renaissance, dance was an important aspect of English culture. It was a way for people to come together, socialize, and express themselves through movement. Dance was popular among both the upper and lower classes, and it was often performed in a variety of settings, including the court, the theater, and the home. […]
The Majestic Tapestry of Renaissance England’s Royalty
Once upon a time, during the vibrant era of the Renaissance in England, a multitude of distinct royals graced the courts with their presence, each with their unique personalities, aspirations, and struggles. Let us embark on a journey through the corridors of power and witness the tapestry of royalty that adorned this remarkable period. First […]
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 […]
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. […]
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 […]
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. […]
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.
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 […]
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.
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, […]
$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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 Festival Jewelry And Its Significance
Renaissance Festival Jewelry And Its Significance By David Lawson Renaissance jewelry was worn as a means of decoration, but had lots of meaning as well. Much of the inspiration behind these works of art were nature, life experiences and religion. Some of them were very simple depending on the gems and stones that were used, […]
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