The ORF Blog

June 18, 2025

In a world dominated by digital interactions and virtual experiences, the Cincinnati Siege 2025 stands as a testament to the enduring allure of physical prowess, camaraderie, and the timeless spirit of chivalry. This premier armored combat tournament, held from May 23 to May 25 at the Ohio Renaissance Festival Park in Waynesville, Ohio, offers spectators […]

June 11, 2025

From the clang of steel in a joust to the aroma of roasted turkey legs wafting through the air, renaissance festivals capture our imagination like few events can. Across the country, renaissance festivals enchant millions of visitors each year, transporting them to a world of fantasy, history, and immersive fun. Whether it’s your first time […]

April 16, 2025

The idea of the renaissance brings to mind two sorts of meals; the lavish affairs of the court in which hedonistic amounts of food were heaped before royalty, and the simple gruellike porridge that the peasantry had to be satiated with. However, we know that even the poorest of peasants did their best to bulk […]

February 12, 2025

“A wicked design to erect and uphold in himself an unlimited and tyrannical power to rule according to his Will, and to overthrow the Rights and Liberties of the People’. In carrying out this strategy, he had ‘traitorously and maliciously levied war against the present Parliament and the people therein represented.”– One of the accusations […]

January 28, 2025

“Would you be pleased to find a nation of such barbarous temper that, breaking out in hideous violence, would not afford you an abode on earth … What would you think to be thus used? This is the strangers’ case, and this your mountainish inhumanity.”Sir Thomas More, William Shakespeare St.Bartholomews Day Massacre In 1572, Margaret, […]

December 25, 2024

Stories. A man waits among his peerage, eager to distinguish himself before his king. His opportunity arises in the form of a man of green, neither friend nor foe, but a tester of men from beyond the boundaries of the church. He is tall, his raiment one of fine embroidery despite his leafy personage. He […]

December 11, 2024

When we think of the Twelve Days of Christmas today, visions of drummers drumming, lords a-leaping, and golden rings might come to mind thanks to the famous carol. However, during the Tudor period (1485-1603), the Twelve Days of Christmas were far more than a whimsical tune. They were a time of extended festivity, feasting, and […]

November 28, 2024

During the Elizabethan era (1558–1603), Christmas celebrations were rich with music, featuring carols that have endured through the centuries. These songs, originating from various regions, were integral to the festive season, reflecting both religious themes and local traditions. From devout worship to stories passed down through oral recitation, get ready to add these songs to […]

November 13, 2024

The holiday season is a magical time where the warmth of tradition and the sparkle of festive celebrations come together to create unforgettable memories for families. From enchanting light shows that transform the night into a wonderland to charming Christmas villages bustling with holiday cheer, there’s no shortage of holiday fun to be had. Take […]

October 30, 2024

While modern audiences might turn to haunted houses, horror films, and ghost tours for a chilling thrill, the Tudors of 16th-century England had their own methods of indulging in fear. During the reign of Henry VIII and Elizabeth I, the world was rife with superstition, religion, folklore, and a fascination with the macabre. Let’s dive […]