• Meeting of the Monarchs: The Field of the Cloth of Gold
A political summit between England's King Henry VIII and the French King Francis I on 1520 was one of the most celebrated and spectacular events of the Renaissance. The name given to the meeting-place, The Field of the Cloth of Gold, reflects its unparalleled splendor and pageantry, which dazzled Europe as the two monarchs tried to impress and outdo one another, nearly bankrupting their respective treasuries in the process. But what motivated them to arrange the extraordinary event? What did they hope to accomplish? And what, if anything, did they achieve?
• Women's Voices: Songs of the Trobairitz
The modern-day notion of entertainment in medieval Europe often takes the form of elaboratley costumed gypsies—those jester-like performers who sings and play instruments.
• Renaissance Beauty Secrets
The English renaissance beauty was not the demure medieval ideal; she was expected to be livelier and bolder than her predecessor. This change in ideal resulted from continental influence, particularly French, and was most dramatically reflected in the new popularity of cosmetics
• Torture Museums
What do Neck Violin, the Heretic's Fork, the Pear, the Iron Maiden, the Branks, the Claw, and the Judas Cradle have in common? These strange and gruesome devices were used by medievel torturers, churches, and public authorities to extract confessions from people practicing the wrong faith or suspected of being whiches, or to punish haples victims for the crimes of theft, murder, immoral conduct (prostitution), or simply being in debt....
• To Be Wed At the Faire
Our guide to Renaissance-themed wedding venues.
• Ren Faire Performers: The Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire
Photographs by Loretta Paul and Nicholas Pinto.
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