New Jersey Renaissance Faire 2016 Study Guide

Transcription

Study Guide
for
School Days at the
New Jersey Renaissance Faire
New Jersey Renaissance Faire 2016
NJRenFaire.com
Facebook.com/NewJerseyRenFaire
Facebook.com/NJRFedutainment
@NJRenFaire
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W
ELCOME TO CROSSFORD
“There be magic in these woods”
The small village of Crossford is a typical English village of the 16th century. It has its farmers,
its miller, its baker, oh, and its magical forest. Perhaps that is not typical, but it is ordinary for the
citizens of Crossford, as it has been for decades. This forest is very old indeed. It has an energy all
its own. It is the home to many fairies who hold court within its very boundaries. During times
of magical power, which fall upon the solstices and equinoxes, the forest finds a person in need
of direction, someone caught at a crossroads...and it brings him or her here to Crossford. This
gateway transcends not only space but time itself.
Where is Crossford?
Crossford is a village in
Northumberland, England. If it
existed in 2016, it would stand
approximately 20 miles southwest of
Alnwick Castle, home of the Duke of
Northumberland. However, as with all
magical places, it has faded away
with time.
Northumberland
Northumberland is a county in
Northeast England. It shares a border
with Scotland along its northern
edge. Due to its geographical
location, it has been the scene of
many battles between England and
Scotland. As evidence of its violent
history, Northumberland has more
castles than any other county in
England. This includes the castles of
Alnwick, Bamburgh, Dunstanburgh,
Newcastle and Warkworth. This
violence extends back to the Roman
occupation, and the famous landmark, Hadrian’s Wall, is one of Northumberland’s key features.
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School Days Study Guide | May 2016
What goes on in Crossford
on our festival day?
English knights and friends of Crossford’s own
Sir Barry Brash. What impact could these
knights have upon our travelling Vikings? Also
While our village is firmly set in the year 1563, we have some missionaries from the south
as always the magic of Crossford has brought
of Spain, who have been trying to convert the
us guests from another time. Today’s
Moorish peasants who stayed behind after the
magical story brings us our earliest visitors, yet. fall of the Alhambra. They have been forced
You may know the stories of King Arthur as
to return to England after some less than
he was a famous, if not quite real, amalgam of
glorious escapades found them in deep trouble
Medieval English kings. Well, if you came from
in the area.
the North Germanic or Nordic Lands, you
would be equally familiar with the tales of the
As if that wasn’t enough, the Queen of England,
Nibelungenlied. Legendary Kings of Burgundy, Elizabeth Tudor, has also decided to stop by and
North Germanic Areas and the diverse Norfind out just what is happening in this
dic Lands including Iceland all appear within its mystical town. Northumberland may be a
pages. These semi-legendary heroes are pulled long way from London, but rumors have even
from as early as the late 400s to late 700s dereached her Royal ears about the goings on.
pending on sources.
Unable to believe the rumors, she has sent
her spymaster in training, Francis Walsingham,
On our festival day we have Brunhilda, a
ahead to find out the veracity of these tales.
shieldmaiden, who has been commanded to
What might happen when the Queen of all
wed by her father, King Budli the Valiant of
England arrives and discovers that the Duke
Iceland. Her presumptive suitor Gunthar,
of Northumberland has been hiding the truth
Prince of Burgundy, has come to bring her to
about the magical Woods of Crossford?
wed. Brunhilda has refused, stating will she
marry no man who cannot best her. Her
Will Brunhilda find her true love? Will
father has commanded her to travel to
Gunther be able to best her? Will King Budli
Burgundy where Gunthar will have the chance survive the trials and tribulations of having a
to prove his worth. However, on the way
rebellious daughter? All these questions and
there, they find themselves instead in the
more wait to be answered here in 1563 at the
quaint English village of Crossford.
Midsummer’s Faire in Crossford.
Also visiting Crossford this day is a madcap
assortment of other visitors including Sir
Sigurd of the North and Sir Lionel DeMarcus,
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O
UR CHARACTERS
When reading history books, we often feel distant from the people in them: George Washington
is just a guy in a powdered wig who became our first President; Queen Elizabeth I was a redhead
who wore huge dresses. They are so distant that it can be difficult to relate or understand that
such historical figures were real people, with real feelings, real problems and real lives.
At the New Jersey Renaissance Faire you can experience history first hand. Speak with these
people and talk to them about anything. Meet with William Shakespeare and ask him what
inspired his plays. Ask the Duke and Duchess what it is like to live in a castle. Talk to knights
about how to swing a broad sword, and why they needed them. Don’t just read the history –
experience it. You’ll be surprised just how human these legends are. And learn just how
legendary you can someday become.
Queen Elizabeth I
(September 7, 1533 - March 24, 1603)
Elizabeth Tudor was born on the 7th of
September, 1533. She was the second
daughter of King Henry the VIII, but last in line
to his throne. She was not crowned Queen
until 1558, after the death of her elder sister
Mary and brother Edward. Elizabeth the First
was the last member of the Tudor dynasty, but
the most prolific in her accomplishments.
Coming to power in a time of turmoil,
Elizabeth was the first since her father to allow
both Protestants and Catholics to practice
their religions at the same time. Prior to this
her sister Mary had forced many Protestants
into hiding due to her staunch Catholic
upbringing. Under Elizabeth’s rule, there was a
resurgence in art and theater, as well as seafaring trade.
In 1563, when our faire is taking place, Elizabeth has been on the throne for only 5 years. And
yet, unlike her predecessors, this is a time of peace in England. There are no major wars with any
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neighboring countries. Using this peace and prosperity to her advantage, Elizabeth has decided
to go on “progress”, which means to tour the countryside. It was quite common for the Queen
to go on progress during the summer when London became too hot due to it’s close quarters.
The peasants and nobles were thrilled to see their Queen in person, and Elizabeth herself
enjoyed these sojourns to the country to view the magnificence of her own kingdom.
Today Queen Elizabeth joins the Duke and Duchess of Northumberland at one of their summer
retreats. They will host her and her entire entourage, some 300 people, at their own estate until
the Queen determines she would like to leave.
Brunhilda
In Norse and Germanic mythology, Brunhilda
appears in many old stories as a shieldmaiden
(a woman who chose to fight), a valkyrie and
an Icelandic Queen. Some women in Nordic
countries like Norway, Sweden, and Denmark
fought alongside men. Sometimes, shieldmaidens
were shown as Valkyries: warrior women who
brought dead warriors to Valhalla, a Viking heaven.
Brunhilda is a skillful warrior as well as forceful
diplomat. However, this would not save her, as all
the tales end up with her being killed, usually in an
inglorious manner.
She appears in many different stories throughout time like the Volsunga Saga, Nibelungenlied,
and many Eddic Poems. A 19th century opera, Der Ring des Nibelungen is still performed today.
While her father demands that she must marry to continue on her family line, Brunhilda will only
marry a man who is able to best her in combat or feats of strength. If she were to marry, she’d
have to quit her duties as a shieldmaiden in order to eventually raise children. Brunhilda swore
this vow concerning marriage: “But I swore a vow: ‘I would marry no one who could know fear.
Brunhilda never ends up marrying the man she wants. Sigurd is her heart’s love, but he always
wins her hand for another, Gunther, of Burgundy. In one story, the Volsunga saga, Sigurd rode
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through a circle of fire to reach her. After they met, Brunhilda taught Sigurd the secret of the
runes, and Sigurd was impressed with her intellect, skill, and beauty. Despite Sigurd’s courage, he
was magically convinced to forget Brunhilda and marry another. Later he helped Gunther pass
Brunhilda’s tests in order to win her favor, using magical disguises so that he might appear to
be Gunther.
Brunhilda’s story changes details in every telling. This is to be expected as any ancient story was
passed down through Oral tradition for hundreds of years before it was ever written down. Fun
side note: the ring from the Nibelungenlied given to Sigurd by Brunhilda is generally considered
to be Tolkien’s inspiration for the One Ring of his stories.
Vikings
Vikings - A term which originally meant
rowers (pre-age of sail), became
synonymous with raider or pirate. The
term itself did not come into common
usage as we know it until the 18th
century. They were Germanic Norse
seafarers from the area of Norway,
Sweden, Denmark and Iceland. The height
of their power has become known as the
“Viking Age” in England and lasted from
793-1066. Vikings were thought to be
savage conquerors and did conquer and claim many lands far from their homes (they conquered
England in 1013). Some, however, did travel peacefully and make settlements across Europe and
North Africa. Vikings also have a rich and lasting culture we still feel today. We mostly see it
through the stories they left behind, their grand longships, and their finely crafted weaponry.
They are mostly known for their longships (also called dragon-ships) which helped them travel
quickly across the seas and even in shallow water. This helped them travel up rivers and get away
quickly if a raid went poorly. In the best conditions, longships traveled at 17 mph. Vikings
traveled all over Europe and as far as North America (One of the most famous Vikings, Erik the
Red explored parts of what is now Canada.) and traded with people as far as China. They sold
items like honey, tin, wheat, wool, wood, iron, fur, leather, fish and walrus ivory. In order to get
where they needed to go,Vikings would need to know the sea currents, winds, and stars. Many
Vikings also could tell what land they were close to by the birds of that land.
Vikings were known for their skill in battle particularly with their large shields. Some Viking
warriors wore wolf and bear skins when they went into battle and were called berserkers. They
changed into battle, going berserk, and did not wear armor, believing Odin, the father of the
gods, would protect them. The Vikings also believed in a number of other gods: Thor, the god of
thunder; Baldr, the god of beauty; Frejya, the goddess of love; Loki, the god of trickery; and Sif, the
goddess of earth. They wrote using runes and carved several messages into stone, many of which
have been preserved. The runes are an ancient alphabet and runestones were used to
communicate a number of things like marking territory, bringing glory to dead kinsmen, boasting
about buildings, and explaining important events.
Vikings and Shieldmaidens
Here are all of the vikings visiting Crossford this year
Traveling with Brunhilda
Other Vikings
King Budli, Brunhilda’s father
Balder, Tarben’s brother
Brunhilda. Shieldmaiden/Valkyrie
Tarben, Balder’s brother
Gunther, Brunhilda’s suitor
Vidar, Young Viking
Hagen, Gunther’s brother
Skegox, Juggling Viking
Gudrun, Gunther’s sister
Ylva, Thora’s sister
Hildegard, Shieldmaiden
Thora, Ylva’s sister
Svanhilde, Shieldmaiden
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Introducing the Rest of Crossford
Set out to meet as many of these fine folk as you can during your visit!
Nobility
• Duke Hugh Percy, Our Festival Host
• Duchess Elizabeth Percy, Our Hostess
• Lady Elizabeth Percy, Daughter of Duke and
Duchess
• Lady Margaret Percy, Daughter of Duke and
Duchess
• Lady Beulah Percy, Sister of the Duke
• Lady Jane Seymour, Sister of the Duchess
• Lady Silvia Poignard, Queen’s Companion
• Lady Margaret Stanley nee Clifford,
Daughter to the Earl of Cumberland
• Francis Walsingham, Future Spy Master
• Philomena Collingswood, Tutor
• Reginald Farthing, Music Tutor
• Una Verse, Court Astrologer
• Jeremiah Billings, Bailiff
Knights and Squires
• Sir Sigurd of the North, Visiting Knight
• Sir Lionel DeMarcus, Visiting Knight
• Sir Edmond Thomas, Visiting Knight
• Sir Henry Walingford, Visiting Knight
• Sir Barry Brash, Knight of Crossford
• Sir Lucian Blackthorne, Knight of Crossford
• Sir Ian Pendergrast, Knight of Crossford
• Sir Markus Stout, Knight of Crossford
• Dame Bradamante of Warfield, Knight of
Crossford
• Sgt. Snorri Tasker, Knight of Crossford
• Squire Bran, Squire to Sir Lucian
• Squire Jack, Squire to Sir Ian
Townsfolk
• Bridgette Escargot, Queen’s French Chef
• Francesca Bonita, Queen’s Italian Chef
• Brother Would, Christian Missionary
• Brother Could, Christian Missionary
• Willard Malot, Executioner
• Scarlet McGowan, Blacksmith
• Patricia Sheffield, Butcher
• Heidi Flax, Weaver
• Tilly Flax, Shepherdess
• Honey Flowers, Baker
• Joanna Perkins, Innkeeper
• Sally Startch, Washer Wench
• Ima Irons, Washer Wench
• Samantha Longsford, Tavern Wench
• Lydia Longsford, Tavern Wench
• Gwendolyn Gardener, Vegetable Monger
• Lily Farmer, Widow/Puppeteer
• William Farmer, Carpenter
• Lukis Willabe, Traveling Entertainer
• Evangeline Sherwood, Pirate
• Thomas Swift, Jack-of-all-Trades
• Ferdinand Fiddelsworth, Bard
• Johanna Gutenberg, Inventor
• Marna Katts, Rat Catcher
• Aurora Katts, Wisewoman
• Maggie Katts, Wisewoman
• Katherine (Kitty) Katts, Talismonger
Adventurer’s Guild
• Iron Jack McGowan, Leader
• Mr.Yu, Alchemist
• Max Chase, Woodsman
Wait, there are more?!
You will also meet Crossford’s Glassblower, Blacksmith, crafters, artisans and all who
make food provisions for the Duke and Duchess. And don’t miss your chance to cross
paths with knights of Noble Cause, and be delighted by the amusements of our
aerialist, jugglers, sword swallowers and more!
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S
HAKESPEARE’S WORKS
Two abridged works of William Shakespeare will The main plot of the play revolves around
appear on the Willow stage this season.
Katherina, the aforementioned “Shrew”, and
her suitor and eventual husband, Petruchio. Set
in Padua, in one of the Italian city states that
Shakespeare used for many of his settings,
Katherina is the eldest daughter of Baptista
The Taming of the Shrew is one of William
Minola, a rich lord. Katherina’s temper is
Shakespeare’s most well-known comedies and
notorious, and it is thought no man would ever
also one his of most controversial. It was most wish to marry her. On the other hand, two men
probably written between 1590 and 1592,
– Hortensio and Gremio – are eager to marry
though the exact date remains elusive.
her younger sister Bianca. However, Baptista has
Depending on whom you consult, this is either
sworn not to allow Bianca to marry before
a piece of farce, or a disturbing treatise on the
Katherina is wed.
treatment of women. Either way, it remains one
of his most produced works of theatre. Today
In the meantime, Petruchio arrives in Padua
you will see only a small portion of the entire
from Verona. He explains to Hortensio, an old
play, taken in a farcical light.
friend of his, that he has set out to enjoy life
Taming of the Shrew
after the death of his father, and his main goal is
to wed. Hearing this, Hortensio recruits
Petruchio as a suitor for Katherina. To
counter Katherina’s shrewish nature, Petruchio
employs reverse psychology, pretending every
harsh thing she says or does is kind and gentle.
Katherina allows herself to become engaged to
Petruchio, and they are married in a farcical
ceremony during which he strikes the priest
and drinks the communion wine.
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The rest of the play goes back and forth
between the suitors for Bianca and the
“taming” of Katherina. However, today you shall
get but a taste of the show, as we show off the
first meeting of the two fiery individuals. Watch
the sparks fly as they each find the measure of
the other and somehow a match is made. You’ll
all be screaming “kiss him Kate!” by the end.
Othello
Return on one of our public 2016 Public Faire
Days (June 4, 5, 11 and 12), and there will be a
second abridged Shakespeare play on the
Revels Schedule.
Othello was written circa 1603 with first
performances recorded in 1604. Given its
varied and enduring themes of racism, love,
jealousy, betrayal, revenge and repentance,
Othello is still often performed in professional
and community theatre alike, and has been the
source for numerous operatic, film, and literary
adaptations.
Though handled with a comedic touch (and
lots of blood) by NJRF directors, the subject
matter is for more mature audiences.
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T
IMELINE
To give you a snapshot of where the events of our day are pulled from history, here is
a timeline of Europe during the Viking Age (8th to 11th Centuries), the Renaissance
(14th to 17th Centuries), and the Age of Discovery (15th to 17th Centuries).
563
Our Viking travelers hail from this time.
789
Vikings begin their attacks on England.
840
Viking settlers found the city of Dublin in Ireland.
866
Danish Vikings establish a kingdom in York, England.
876
Vikings from Denmark, Norway and Sweden settle permanently in England.
980
Viking leader Erik the Red discovers Greenland.
995
Olav I conquers Norway and proclaims it a Christian kingdom.
1000
Leif Eriksson, son of Erik the Red, explores the coast of North America.
1013
The Danes conquer England; Æthelred flees to Normandy.
1016
The Danes under Knut (Canute) rule England.
1028
Knut (Canute), king of England and Denmark, conquers Norway.
1042
Edward the Confessor rules England with the support of the Danes.
1066
Harold Godwinson king of England defeats Harald Hardrada king of Norway at
the Battle of Stamford Bridge. William duke of Normandy defeats the Saxon king
Harold at the Battle of Hastings.
1453
Fall of Constantinople--Greek scholars imigrate to Italy bringing with them
Ancient Greek 1453 manuscripts. European trade links by land with Asia are
severed, leading many to begin seeking routes east by sea and spurring the age of
exploration. Renaissance begins in Italy.
1492
Christopher Columbus lands in Bahamas and “discovers” the New World.
1503
Leonardo da Vinci paints Mona Lisa.
1506
St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome is rebuilt under Bramante.
1507
New World is named America after Amerigo Vespucci.
1509
Henry VIII ascends English throne.
Michelangelo paints the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.
1512
Ponce de Leon “discovers” Florida.
1513
Machiavelli writes The Prince.
Balboa becomes the first European to encounter the Pacific Ocean.
1517
Hernando Cortes discovers Mexico.
1519
Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan sets out to circumnavigate the globe.
Cortes conquers Mexico for Spain.
1521
Spanish conquest of Aztecs.
1524
Verrazano, sailing under the French flag, explores the New England coast and
New York Bay.
1527
Troops of the Holy Roman Empire attack Rome, imprison Pope Clement VII—the
end of the Italian Renaissance.
1534
First book printed in Western Hemisphere, in Mexico.
1535
Jacques Cartier discovers St. Lawrence River.
1541
De Soto discovers Mississippi River.
1543
Publication of On the Revolution of Heavenly Bodies by Polish scholar Nicolaus
Copernicus— gives his theory that the earth revolves around the sun.
1558
Queen Elizabeth I ascends the English throne--the Elizabethan Era begins and the
Renaissance will reach height in England, credited for great drama of Shakespeare
and Marlowe.
1563
The present day in Crossford. It is the height of the English
Renaissance and the magic of the woods has brought together
many historical figures from throughout the Renaissance as well
as our special visitor Brunhilda.
1564
Shakespeare is born in Stratford-upon Avon.
1577
Francis Drake begins voyage around world.
1580
Francis Drake returns to England after circumnavigating the globe.
1584
Sir Walter Raleigh discovers Virginia.
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1588
England defeats the Spanish Armada.
1590
Galileo experiments with falling objects.
1592
Plague outbreak forces closing of theatres until spring of 1994, during which time
Shakespeare wrote the narrative poems, Venus and Adonis and The Rape of Lucrece.
1599
The Globe opens, Julius Caesar is one of the first plays staged in the theatre.
1603
Queen Elizabeth I dies and James VI of Scotland becomes James I King of England.
Lord Chamberlain’s Men—the company of players which Shakespeare wrote for
and was a sharer in—becomes the King’s Men, with the patronage of King James.
1604
First performance of Shakespeare’s Othello.
1607
Jamestown is established--In 2016 it remains the oldest surviving English colony
in America.
1613
The Globe is destroyed by fire. The theatre was rebuilt in 1614 and remained
open until 1642. Shakespeare’s Globe, a modern reconstruction of the theatre
next to the original site was opened in 1997.
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NTERTAINMENT ABOUNDS IN CROSSFORD!
Storyline
Duke’s Court, Human Chess, Grand Joust and Day’s End: Follow
the story of Brunhilda as she must choose between her father’s wishes and her
own beliefs. Meet the characters at the Duke’s Court. Follow the struggles in
our full scale Human Chess Match and Grand Joust. The day will culminate, all
will be resolved, and history will resume its rightful course in Day’s End.
Other School Day Revels
*Taming of the Shrew: The classic
play by Master William Shakespeare will
be performed for your entertainment
pleasure in a half-hour abridged form.
*History Speaks: Join Marshall Laww
as he hosts a question and answer
session with Brunhilda, King Budli,
Shakespeare, and Queen Elizabeth. Bring
your questions and prepare to learn
history from those who lived it.
*Beggars, Thieves and the Black
Death: Learn about some of the darker
sides of the Renaissance from our Lord
Mayor Marshall Laww.
*Armor Demo: Join the Knights of
Noble Cause as they demonstrate the
skills of the knight and the armor and
weapons that keep them safe on the field
of battle.
*Glassblowing Demo: The history of
glassblowing will be discussed as the
molten glass is transformed before your
eyes. Each show is it’s own time period.
Lords of Adventure: Join Jack Bold
and Roger Awesome for a comedy sword
fighting show that will teach you about
confidence, bully-prevention and being an
adventurer in your daily lives.
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*Peasant Dance: Put on your dancing
shoes and join the villagers of Crossford
for a lesson in the historical dances of
the period.
Peasant Trial with Lord Mayor
Marshall Laww: Participate in a trial
with the Lord Mayor himself. As Her
Majesty’s justice is upheld, students may
find themselves on trial.
Shelli Buttons, Aerialist: Be
amazed as Miss Shelli Buttons defies
gravity with aerial acrobatics and
spectacular feats of human potential.
*Whipperwill Archery: Join Master
Archer Bill Darr for a lesson on the
history of the English longbow. He will
perform shots that will amaze as this
tool and weapon comes to life before
your eyes.
Roger Awesome and Hildegard
Sing: Roger Awesome and Hildegard
regale your senses with period tunes.You
never know what you might hear from
these two!
*Shakespeare Approves: Watch
the Bard himself entertain with one of
his famous plays starring... you!! Be
ready to participate in an interactive
retelling of one of Master Shakespeare’s
famous plays.
Samantha Longsford Music:
Samantha Longsford, also known as local
musician Chelsea Carlson, will be singing
some of her original hits for you.
Crossford Singers: Join the villagers
of Crossford for some rollicking music of
the times.
*indicates shows with specific educational
content
Pesant Dance
Shakespeare
Approves
Day’s End
12:30 AM
1:00 AM
1:30 AM
12:00 AM Human Chess
11:30 AM History Speaks
Shakespeare
Approves
Archery
Demo
Archery
Range
Beggars,
Thieves and
the Black
Death
Taming of the
Shrew
Shakespeare
Approves
Willows
Shelli Buttons,
Aerialist
Lords of
Adventure
Shelli Buttons,
Aerialist
Pesant Trial with
Marshall Laww
Aerial Pointe
Follow Brunhilda’s plot line in the highlighted shows.
Roger Awesome
Archery
and Hildegard Sing Demo
Crossford Singers
Samantha
Longsford Music
Crossford Singers
10:30 AM
11:00 AM
Samantha
Longsford Music
Duke’s Court
Duke’s Grove
10:00 AM
9:15 AM
9:00 AM
Ampitheater
Grand
Joust
Armor
Demo
Swain
Field
Guest Choice
Medieval
Roman Era
Glassblowing
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R
EVELS SCHEDULE FOR SCHOOL DAYS
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CTIVITIES FOR YOUR CLASSROOM
Talk Show
You play the upbeat need-to-know-everything talk show host, and assign each student a
person from the Renaissance who they will portray in an interview.You may provide
students with information on each of their Renaissance guest characters or assign students
to learn more about their assigned person independently. In either case, students should
learn some facts of the person’s life and be encouraged to further develop their own ideas
about what it would have been like to be that person, including their behavior, feelings and
point of view on matters.
On the day of the talk show, your classroom becomes the network studio stage and
students step into the shoes of their Renaissance character to become your guests and
audience. As guests, students answer questions in character.You decide whether your
guests have traveled through time to appear on your talk show today in 2016, or your talk
show is taking place back in the time of your guests. For the latter, you may wish to come
up with a historical persona for yourself as the host and remind your audience that they
are also back in time with you.
Make it fun and less stressful for students by having multiple guests on your talk show at
once.You can group them in themes for each
episode—have a panel of Renaissance artists
History Speaks
one day, put nobles with opposing viewpoints
on your show together, any theme or scenario Prepare questions for our cast of
that will produce dialogue works. Perhaps you characters before you visit Crossford.
wish to discuss a current event of their time
Students may interview Brunhilda, King
with your guests. Ask a variety of questions— Budli, Shakespeare, and Queen Elizabeth
some referencing points you want to make for at History Speaks, a formal Q&A hosted
your lesson and some that are just for the fun by Lord Marshall Laww. See
of it. Keep your audience involved by having
Revels Schedule for details.
them ask questions too.
Students will also have the chance to ask
The roles you assign students can be straight
any of our historical characters their
from this week’s history chapter or people
burning questions as they encounter
who your students create by your assigning
and interact with them on the streets of
them a class and trade of the period.
Crossford.
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What have you done at YOUR crossroads?
Throughout our festival day Brunhilda finds herself in a situation where she must choose
between two actions—whether to do what her father says, or stick true to her beliefs. She
can only pick one, and each choice will lead her down a different path with different
consequences—consequences that will impact how history plays out.
Have students think of a time when they were at a crossroads—when they found
themselves in a situation like Brunhilda and had to choose between two (maybe more)
different actions. Have them write about the situation, what their choices were, which path/
action they chose and the outcome. Have them speculate how the outcome may have been
different if they took the other path, and reflect on what they learned from their
crossroads.
Adapt this for younger students by asking them if they have ever been in a situation in
which they wanted two different things but could only have one. Have them describe it,
write a few sentences about it, or draw a picture of it. Ask what they chose and if they
were they happy with their choice.
Heraldry
By the Renaissance, heraldry had gained clout as the “noble science of arms”. Its origins
are Medieval, from the practical need to identify one’s friend and foe on the battlefield,
and use of designs on shields to do so. Over time these designs grew to represent identity
and nobility. Great meaning is in the selection of every color, shape, symbol and placement
selected.
Have your students design their own coat of arms. It should include symbols and images
that represent who they are, their background, their character, their strengths, and
interests. Older students can be assigned to research the language of heraldry—the
heraldic meanings of colors, division of the field, charges, and other symbols. They can even
come up with a motto.Younger students may simply be instructed to draw images that
represent themselves, such as a favorite color or pastime. As a community or team building
exercise, design a coat of arms for your class or school together.
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G
LOSSARY
Speak like you are from the Renaissance!
Here are a few of the words and phrases you may hear around Crossford...
Anon—soon, also a goodbye
How stands the hour?—
Prithee / Pray—please
Art—are
What time is it?
Privy—restroom
As you will—okay, whatever
Mayhap—possibly
Thee / Thou—you
Aye—yes
Nay—no
Thy / Thine—yours
Bard—originally a professional
Nipper or Nipperkin—child
Thither—there
poet employed by a monarch or
or children
Whence / Whither—where
nobleman, later used to describe
any writer; Shakespeare is known
as The Bard.
Ere—before
Fare Thee Well—goodbye
Good Morrow / Good
Den—hello, good day
Gramercy / Thank Thee—
thank you
Guild—an association of craftsmen or merchants that controls
the quality of work and provides
training to apprentices
Hail and well met—Hello,
nice to see you
Hark—listen
Hast / Hath—has
Hither—here
How We Address One Another
There are strict social rules or etiquette to follow when
talking to each other in the Renaissance, especially if you
are lower class - and let’s face it, in the Renaissance most
of us are middle or lower class.
King or Queen:
“Your Majesty”
Duke or Duchess:
“Your Grace”
Upper Class Men (such as a Noble or Knight):
“My Lord” or “Good Sir”
Upper Class Women (such as a Lady of the Court):
“My Lady” or “Good Madam”
Villagers:
“Master” or “Mistress”
...and it is always appropriate to greet our festival hosts
Duke and Duchess Percy with an enthusiastic,
“God save the Duke” or “God save the Duchess”
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EDU
-TAINMENT
New Jersey Renaissance Faire Education Programs
The New Jersey Renaissance Faire offers its own unique combination of entertainment and
education—dubbed EDU-tainment—for students of all ages. Student groups visit the NJ
Renaissance Faire, AND the NJ Renaissance Faire visits schools like yours!
School Days at the Faire are reserved exclusively for school and student groups
as an extension of the annual festival which takes place the first two weekends of every June.
Located at Liberty Lake in Columbus, NJ, the New Jersey Renaissance Faire, is a thrilling place
for a field trip. Here lies the crossroads where fantasy meets reality. Revels abound
and students learn firsthand what that hype in their history books is all about. The interactive
experience of the Faire brings history, literature and arts curriculum to life for K-12 students.
Assembly Programs bring the revelries of the Renaissance to schools in 60- minute
touring productions. Our company of players travels to schools throughout New Jersey, Eastern
Pennsylvania and Delaware October through April.
Student Matinees portray a mix of historical and fictitious characters while sharing
stories straight from classic literature. Our next Student Matinee program will be Stories from the
Macabre featuring Edgar Allan Poe in October 2016.
In-School Performances, Workshops and Residencies
delivered by NJRF Teaching Artists and Performers are available YEAR-ROUND. Our Teaching
Artists are trained professionals in acting, stage combat, improvisation and interactive theatre, with
extensive experience in Shakespeare, history, literature, performing arts and more. They provide
first-hand experiences, which bring history, literature and arts curriculum to life.
Contact Caroline Leipf at [email protected] to
learn more about any of our education programs.
N
OTES
23
New Jersey Renaissance Faire, LLC
1195 Florence-Columbus Road, Bordentown, NJ 08505
[email protected] | 888.864.8222 | www.njrenfaire.com
ªªªªª
Special thanks to all the Teachers, Administrators,
Parents and School Personnel who work passionately to
educate young people. The creativity and experiences you
provide are the foundation from which they will become
future Renaissance men and women.
ªªªªª

Andy Pritikin
Producing Director
Phillip Leipf Artistic Director
T.J. MillerEntertainment Director John Williams Personnel Director
Caroline Leipf
Director of Education Programs