June 2, 2020
Hailed as the cradle of human-kind, Africa’s history is one of unparalleled distinction. We tend to think of this continent as a singular entity when in reality Africa has 54 countries and is a diverse tapestry of culture, civilization, and development. Over 3,000 indigenous peoples are living there with over 2,000 different languages spoken today. […]
Read The Renaissance Outside Europe – Africa
February 25, 2020
Our view of the world is, perhaps not surprisingly, quite Eurocentric. As Americans, we feel much of our history stems from our beginnings as an English colony. This has shaped a great deal of our perceptions; from culture to politics, social normalcy, and even our food. But as America continues to grow and develop, we […]
Read The Renaissance Outside Europe – China
December 31, 2019
Should old acquaintance be forgot And never brought to mind Should all acquaintance be forgot And auld lang syne. Robert Burns Auld Lang Syne (1788) When we look back at the old year, we are filled with memories from all we’ve experienced and how far we’ve come. A new year means new opportunities, new challenges, […]
Read New Year Traditions Around The World
December 20, 2019
What comes to mind when you think of a ‘renaissance’? You probably heard the term in school, or about works of art. We talk about someone being a ‘renaissance man’, meaning that they have a wide range of talents and knowledge. And of course every year we get hyped for the Ohio Renaissance Festival, bringing […]
Read Renaissance Throughout Europe
December 13, 2019
When taking a look back at the Tudor Rose, it’s important to realize the significance attached to the imagery. Heraldic symbolism is about ever so much more than just pretty pictures on a shield. Encompassing rank, lineage, politics, and accolades a family’s Heraldic design tells a story, allowing those who witness it to discern immediately […]
Read The Symbol You See Everywhere at Faire – The Tudor Rose
December 6, 2019
The holiday season is a time of splendor. People turn out their best in hopes of bringing light into the darkness. Whether it’s a faith that the sun will one day break through the clouds or that a divine miracle can be visited on humanity, we all hold this time of year to a higher […]
Read A Very Tudor Christmas – Holiday Traditions of the Past
November 19, 2019
Winter in England was no joke, especially in the more rural communities. Seaside villages were buffeted by storms and many country villages were isolated from the larger cities when the weather was bad enough. Hard frost, freezing rain, and deep snows sometimes lasting well into April. Difficult traveling conditions often kept people at home, or […]
Read Elizabethan Harvest Festivals
August 9, 2019
Throughout her life, people flocked to Elizabeth. Some sought alliances, others to fall into her favor. But only a few truly left an impact on her. From political allies to romantic partners, some stood out from the crowd and others who were most notable in their absence. I could easily have made a Top 10 […]
Read 5 People Who Changed Elizabeth I Life
July 23, 2019
Welcome to the real-life geographic location of Willy-Nilly-on-the-Wash, snugly tucked in between Warwick and Bishop’s Itchington roughly ninety miles from London. Rather, should I say the ‘theoretical’ location of Willy-Nilly, being that Willy-Nilly exists best and truly in the hearts and minds of its people and primarily in Harveysburg, OH. To be fair, this is […]
Read The History of Willy-Nilly-on-the-Wash
July 2, 2019
The thundering of hooves across the jousting list prompts the roar of the crowd as the lance splits into a dozen pieces. A knight falls from her steed, her armor shining in the sunlight as she clatters to the ground. A cloud of dust rises and the crowd holds its breath to see if she […]
Read The First Years of ORF – With Rebecca Kostrach