There are a lot of places out on the web that can help us as we build our characters and our costumes. These are just some that I have found.
This list is always a 'work in progress.'
Check back to see what's new!Webmistresses Disclaimer: I've included a lot of links here that I've found on the web as a collection of resources. You will probably find information that disagrees and a lot of things that we can't just at our faire. Just because I've included a link here doesn't mean that the picture, product, service or whatever it is that you are looking at is automatically approved for use at our faire. Be sure to get approval from the appropriate person before you act on anything you might find here.
- Tudor History.org - great site with lots of link for Tudor information
- Life of Women in Tudor England
- English History.net - the Tudor period
- A Compendium of Common Knowledge - one of the best resources on the web for learning about life in the Elizabethan age. While our fair has a different timeline, most of the information here is still accurate for our period.
- Crime and Punishment in Elizabethan England
The best way to learn the language is to immerse yourself in it. You have to start using the language now in order to have it roll off your tongue convincingly in September and October. We will have classes to teach you language, but here are some places to start.
- Speaking Elizabethan - general guidelines for 'speaking Elizabethan'. Some good ideas for starting to sound more period.
- Shakespearean Glossary - Elizabethan glossary giving the meanings of old and unusual words used in Shakespeare's England.
- Elizabethan Language Guide - basic pronunciation and rules for Elizabethan English.
- Renfaire.com - Covering the topics of BFA (basic faire accent) and pronunciation, costuming, acting, and basic history from the Tudor period through the end of the Elizabethan, this site provides a touch of everything for the reinactor or renaissance fair enthusiast.
- Shakespeare’s Plays - all of Shakespeare's play and sonnets online
- Elizabethan Language Book - selected pages from the Elizabethan Language Book. The pages selected are those which contain the largest number of examples of "proper" vocabular, syntax, and grammer.
- Shakespeare Insult Kit - Just what the name says
- Insult Generator - another insult generator.
- Quick Primer on Elizabethan language - from a Shakespeare Theatre Troupe
- International Dialects of English archive - need help with your accent? This is the place to go.
Movies and Television to watch to help you in your Elizabethan immersion. Ask around. Even if you don't have these, lots of your fellow performers do and they're more than willing to share. This is just the short list, there are so many more out there. Part of the fun is finding them!
- Shakespeare in Love
- Elizabeth R
- Blackadder Part II - set in the Elizabethan period, the costumes and language is just outstanding!
- Ever After - there is a lot of modern references, but still some great accents and language
- Anne of a Thousand Days
- The Six Wives of Henry the VIII
Costumes are the responsibility of the performer. You are entirely responsible for the design, the cost and the construction of your costume. We will provide some assistance in the way of lots of people willing to give their opinion, and your costume does have to be approved by the entertainment director and the head of your group.
There will be costume guidelines published. These are just some places you can go to for ideas. Looking at pictures from previous years also is a good way to see what expectations there are for the costumes.
- The Costumer’s Manifesto - a lot of excellent links to get you started in your costume odyssey
- Renaissance costuming – basic information making a Renaissance costume with lots of links
- Ravensgard Costuming and Textiles Page - links, links and more links
- Renaissance Costumes Fabrics - information on fabrics that would have been used in our period of history.
- Medieval and Renaissance Costume Painting - Excellent portraits to give us ideas for our costumes.
- Costume - Some simple guidelines to get you started.
- Sempstress.org - Another costumer's site where she passes on her wisdom of making period costumes.
- Dawn’s Costume Guide - Dawn gives an overview of commercially available patterns. Please note that while most of these will make a good place to start, they're not historically accurate and not appropriate as they're sold for our faire. You will have to make alterations for many of these to pass our costume approval process.
- Elizabeth R - Elizabethan clothes and fashion, including hairstyles.
- Elizabethan Period Costumes - lots of really good information about costumes for our period, including some patterns for basic items - chemise, bodice, skirts, that sort of thing. If you use any of these let us know how well they work.
- Stuff to Know Before You Sew - This was written for the SCA, but much of these ideas and tips are valid for our renaissance festival.
- Royal Paper Dolls - just a fun site that has the dresses of the period for paper dolls.
- How to starch a ruff - period costumer with some lovely ideas!
Please use care when using costumers on the internet. You might ask for references, and always ask for pictures of their work. Just because they say they've made costumes for renaissance festivals doesn't mean that they've made them for performers or for our festival. We have very particular guidelines. Make sure your costumer understands these guidelines before they start to work. The costumer is gong to make what you ask them, so It's your responsibility to make sure your costume is made correctly.
- Artistic Expressions - costumers located here in Kansas City.
- Carlisle's Online - I don't about the quality of their merchandise, but their website is nice ;-) They also have some great links to help you in your costume search.
You must have a cup and something to eat with. But the other things you put on your person will make or break your characterization. Be sure to have everything approved before you buy it. Just because I've listed it here doesn't mean that it's approved for festival use.
As you're looking for accessories for your costume and your character, remember what's appropriate for your character and your station in life. It wouldn't be appropriate for a beggar to have a fine silver cup. Neither would a member of royalty carry around a beaten up tin mug. Some things you can find at thrift stores - goblets, mugs, some bowls and spoons. But many things you're going to have made or purchase. There are many people among your fellow performers who make things, who love to go thrift store shopping and might be willing to share their treasures with you. Just ask. If they don't have it, they can usually tell you were to find it.
- The Tudor Shoppe - You'll find lots of useful things for faire.
- SCA Boots - I don't know their quality. If someone does, please let me know.
- Nativearth footwear- shoes for every occasion.
- Dreamshoes - shoes and leather goods
- Gryphon's Moon - nice jewelry
- Asian Ideas - they have lovely paper parasols to protect you from the sun. Add a little scotch guard and they're also proof against a little rain. They also have a nylon umbrella that looks like silk that's approved for use at faire if you're of the proper class to have such a thing and they're trimmed.
- Feather fans - Lady Susan makes the most lovely feather fans.If you contact her and send her swatches of your fabrics, she will make you a fan that will match your costume.
- Lady Dianotto's feather fans - a different style from Lady Susan's fans, but still very lovely.
- How to make a feather fan - if you're adventurous and want to make your own feather fan, these are great instructions.
I occasionally find pictures of us around the web! I'll list those sites here.
- Premiere Photography - you'll find some great pictures from our faire.
- Artistic Express - costumers located here in KC. This is their photo album.
- At the Faire - lots of lots of pictures of faires from all over the country! And from many years previous. You never know where you'll find a picture of yourself.
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