When I first decided to write a guest blog for The Top Ten of Anything and Everything, I didn’t know how difficult it would be to narrow it down to just ten photographs. Having recently experienced how enthusiastic the people involved with Renaissance Faires are (my daughter was a supporting cast member for the New Jersey Renaissance Faire), I should have known that there would be a wide variety of photographs from all over the country at my disposal. A Digital Renaissance Feast. Somehow I managed to select ten. If you enjoy these, I recommend visiting the websites and facebook pages of these photographs as well as any other Renaissance Faire in the country. There is so much more to see. If you have never been to a Renaissance Faire, check out the next faire in your area. It will be a day well spent.
10 – The Chainmail Pooch
I originally titled the post “Top Ten Costumed People Seen at a Renaissance Faire” but then I found this little fellow on the facebook page of the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire. Chainmail is often seen in the costuming for Renaissance Faires and there is normally at least one vendor selling chainmail products and clothing. The photographs that would depict the more common use of chainmail in clothing would remove the G rating of this post, so I will just leave that to your imagination.
9 – Arrgh! There be Pirates
Source: http://www.pbase.com/kramerkrause/escondido_renaissance_faire_spring_2009
Pirates could always be seen at the Renaissance Faire and many faires have pirate themed weekends. Ever since the series of movies that I don’t think I need to name, Jack Sparrow is a common visitor to the faires. I bet this guy gets a lot of Johnny Depp groupies hanging around him. Marc Krause who has several galleries at the source link, shared this photograph taken at the Escondido California Renaissance Faire in 2009.
8 – The Floral Headdress and the Proverbial Turkey Leg
This photograph from the 2012 Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire , Carrington’s First Turkey Leg, was the winner of the Food Picture Contest. (picture taken by Courtney Henry). Families are a big part of the atmosphere at the Renaissance Faire. You can see many young 21st century girls transformed into maidens of the realm by putting a ring of flowers around their head. Little boys just want a wooden sword. There is nothing that says Renaissance Faire more than walking around eating a smoked turkey leg. It is both lunch and part of the costume.
Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/72213316@N00/5315933415/
The Gypsies always add color to any Renaissance Faire and their dancing is thoroughly entertaining. This photograph of the Gypsy Dance Theatre was taken at the Texas Renaissance Festival in 2010 by photographer Frank Kovalchek. Whether it is gypsies dancing on stage or patrons dressed as gypsies, they could never sneak up on you because their costumes often have belts, bracelets or anklets with little bells which are used to keep away evil spirits. Jingle Jingle.
6 – The Peasants
Source: http://www.norcalrenfaire.com/entertainment/guilds.html
Not everyone can be the Queen or even part of her court because after all she needs subjects to rule or step on :). The peasants serve a purpose and most of the characters seen at a Renaissance Faire are of the peasant class. This photograph is the Mongers of Saint Swithin from the Northern California Renaissance Faire. According to the website, the Mongers Guild brings to life peasant class street vendors. These relentless and determined street merchants will attempt to sell anything. Whether it’s Pig’s ears, Chicken feet, or month old cabbage, these villagers of modest means will convince you that you need to buy it. They also perform each afternoon in the hilarious and bawdy faire classic, Pye Powder Court.
5 – Proper Ladies Must Wear Their Layers
Source: http://www.pbase.com/kramerkrause/escondido_renaissance_faire_2008_fall
Among the throngs of patrons visiting a Renaissance Faire, the well dressed ladies wearing all their layers is a site to behold. This is often in temperatures above 90 degrees. Marc Krause who has several galleries at the source link, shared this photograph taken at the Escondido California Renaissance Faire in 2008. The photograph was too cute to pass up.
4 – Royalty
Every Renaissance Faire has some type of royalty and often it is Queen Elizabeth of England (Reign 1558-1603). This photograph is Queen Margaret and King Edward Longshanks of England. Each year in the magical land of Crossford, notable characters from history come forth through the forest which is filled with fairy magic to arrive at the New Jersey Renaissance Faire. These royals were among this year’s arrivals.
3 – Animal, Vegetable or Mineral.
Now that is performance art. This was a photograph of Arick d’Entremont from the facebook page of the Bristol Renaissance Faire in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Talk about going green. I wonder how long he had to stay in that position. That is working hard for your craft.
2 – Knight Rider
I knew when I started writing this post that knights would be included and be near number one. I looked at so many wonderful jousting photographs and couldn’t decide between them. When I found this unique take on a knight on the facebook page of the Bristol Renaissance Faire in Kenosha, Wisconsin, I decided this would be the one. The Joust is an important event at a Renaissance Faire. What’s better than a ancient battle of heros in heavy metal on horseback. The crowd always goes wild.
1 – Uh! What Else Would He Wear
Source: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151468057206024&set=o.150086671796964&type=3&theater
This is not a cardboard cutout that you get your picture taken with. He is real and he wasn’t the only extreme costuming I’ve seen at a Renaissance Faire.
Looks like a lot of fun. I’ve never been to one.
LikeLike
It is. It took all my effort to be unbiased to pictures of my daughter in the Nj Faire. I did sneak one in a later post about the Battle Falkirk though.
LikeLike
Quite a research and collection you have here. Is your daughter in any of the pictures? This is my first time at the RenFaire and it was a lot of fun. It is actually a photographer’s heaven.
LikeLike
I didn’t include her or many from the NJ Renaissance Faire in that post. I was trying to be unbiased as it is supposed to go out as a guest blog Top Ten Anything and Everything but I don’t know when. I did use a picture of her (first picture) in a Worpress writing assignment https://mholloway63.wordpress.com/2013/08/04/daily-prompt-back-to-the-future-a-little-renaissance-magic/
LikeLike
This is a great top 10 list! I know it took some effort to put it together, and I have seen quite a few of these types of photos, but this is delightful!
LikeLike
Thank you for visiting my post and for your comment. I am glad you liked it.
LikeLike
Love the dog in chain mail. A big dog like a German Shepherd would almost make sense in armour, but this little guy is just too funny.
LikeLike
I thought so too. I was at this year’s Pa Faire this weekend but I didn’t see the chain mail pooch.
LikeLike
Reblogged this on The Worlds top 10 of Anything and Everything!!! and commented:
Today is Sunday which means it is guest post day! Today’s post is from ‘Maryann Holloway’ and brings us a “Top Ten Costumed Characters Seen at a Renaissance Faire” which features some amazing images and a few laughs as well, so I hope you enjoy it and show it as much love as you do my own top 10′s. But if you think you can do better or interested in doing the same please drop me an E-Mail: turtle4578588@gmail.com But until then here is today’s….
LikeLike
Thank Russell for such a great blog for which I could prepare this guest post. It was fun and I hope others enjoy it.
LikeLike
Aw, that poor puppy 😉
LikeLike
But he is protected if there should be a joust 🙂
LikeLike
But he’s so small, he might get trapped by a fridge magnet!
LikeLike
That’s funny. Thanks for visiting my post and adding more humor.
LikeLike
I can always be relied upon for inane comments. If ever in need, you know where I am 😉
LikeLike
Great guest post. Gives us insight into others interesting things. Great post. Ivan
LikeLike
Thank I love the top 10 posts and enjoyed preparing a guest post for it.
LikeLike
omg – the chainmail enrobed pooch!
LikeLike
Thanks. I went to this year’s PA Faire and looked for this dog but didn’t see him/ her. Many weekends to go so maybe I will see the pooch next time. Thanks again for you comment
LikeLike
Loved all the pictures. Will have to return again and again to visit all the https.
LikeLike
I went to one of these 2 times. I did not have the costumes though. The ones I like are 4-6. The girls are so cute.
LikeLike
Thanks
LikeLike
This post is right up my alley! I go to the Pennsylvania Faire often and am always thrilled with the costumes I see there. Thank you for sharing these great photos!
LikeLike
You are welcome. We went last weekend to the PA and expect to go a few more times this year. Thanks for viewing my post.
LikeLike
Haio my friend о(ж>▽<)y ☆ I have nominated you for Very Inspiring Blogger Award wish you luck o (◡‿◡✿)
for more info (http://snabulsi03.wordpress.com/2013/08/19/glance-of-inspire/)
LikeLike
Thank you. I appreciate your nomination.
LikeLike
you welcome (^▽^)
LikeLike
I love those things… can’t help myself.
LikeLike
Thanks
LikeLike
#2 is awesome
LikeLike
That’s some heavy metal. Thanks for viewing and your comment.
LikeLike
[…] the nomination. Please visit her blog to be inspired. The nomination came as a result of my guest post on the Top Ten Anything and Everything which has given me more viewers than I have experienced […]
LikeLike
[…] in appropriate habiliments. If you enjoy seeing such costumes, check out my post from August https://mholloway63.wordpress.com/2013/07/16/top-ten-costumed-characters-seen-at-a-renaissance-faire/ […]
LikeLike