Ye Olde Renaissance Activities

Classroom Study Guide

Kansas City
Renaissance Festival

The following information has been provided in order to facilitate students and teachers in fun, informative, and educational hands on activities. Most material is adaptable to all grade levels. The materials are inexpensive and readily obtained.

Table of Contents

Renaissance Facts

4.Discussion Ideas

5.Was it Possible?

7.Renaissance Word Search

9.Renaissance Crossword Puzzle

11.Renaissance Quest

13.Renaissance Books, Printing, Castle Building

14.Coat of Arms

15.Blank Coat of Arms

16.Renaissance Timeline

19.Artisans

20.Costumes

21.Clothes

22.Customs

25.Language

27.Tournament Jousting

28. Food

29.Festival Location Map

30.Festival Map

31.Merchants

32. Artisan Demos

33.Food & Drink

34.Contest Rules & Entry Forms

Interesting Renaissance Facts

In the 16th century it was believed that everything was made up of four (4) elements: earth, air, fire and water.

Scholars strove to restore the human-centered values of classic antiquity. This movement, called Humanism, involved studying art, literature and culture of ancient Greece and Rome, which had been prohibited during the Middle Ages.

The dinner of a wealthy man included 15-20 dishes.

People were shorter and smaller in the 16th century; the average man was 5’3” tall and weighed 135 lbs. Anyone over 6’ was considered a giant!

Most people only owned the clothes they were wearing.

People in the 16th century had horrible table manners. Guests were often reminded to blow their nose with the hand they used for their knife, not with the one they ate with.

Half of the people in Europe died before reaching 30 years of age, most from disease. A girl’s life expectancy was 24 due to the dangers of childbirth.

Renaissance villagers had walls surrounding them for defense purposes; the smaller the circumference, the safer the village. Streets in the village were as narrow as a man’s shoulders.

The first metal screws were used in 1556 to secure a leather bag. Screws were hammered in and could not be removed easily because the screwdriver wasn’t invented until 200 years later.

The fork was a new addition to the dinner table during the Renaissance.

Trade expeditions grew in popularity in the 16th century; trade routes became safer and a new class of merchants developed. Profits were high, so many merchants became involved. To raise money to pay for the ships and cargos, merchants sold shares in each venture to divide the costs and risks. These “jointstock” companies were the forerunners of modern companies that sell stock to shareholders.

Discussion Ideas

Discuss several occupations that existed during the Renaissance that do not exist today; that still exists today; or that did not exist during the Renaissance. Why have these changes in the job market taken place?

Discuss the opportunities of women in the 16th century as compared to opportunities today. How did they change for the better? How have they changed for the worse? (if at all)

Discuss the environmental factors and hygiene (or lack thereof) that led to the rapid spread of the Black Plague.

Divide your class into small groups. Each group will be a commedia dell’arte troupe (wandering players of the 16th century-the 1st known professional acting troupes). Have each group write a short play and perform it for the class. These plays were about everyday things.

Was it Possible?

The Renaissance was a time of invention. Many brilliant people imagined, designed, and created a variety of new things. On the list below, place a check mark next to the things that did exist during the renaissance era.

_____ fork _____ cotton gin

_____ the “Mona Lisa”_____ screwdriver

_____ printing press_____ eyeglasses

_____ steam engine_____ electric lamp

_____ gun/musket_____ car

_____ microscope_____ submarine

_____ parachute_____ life jacket

_____ world map_____ telescope

_____ stapler _____ saxophone

_____ metal screws _____ helicopter

_____ toothbrush

Was it Possible?

Answers

D = Did Exist

N = Did Not Exist

I = Idea/Design

__D__ fork__N__ cotton gin

__D__ the “Mona Lisa”__N__ screwdriver

__D__ printing press__D__ eyeglasses

__N__ steam engine__N_ electric lamp

__D__ gun/musket__I__ car

__D__ microscope__I__ submarine

__I__ parachute__I__ life jacket

__D__ world map __D__ telescope

__N__ stapler__N__ saxophone

__D__ metal screws __I__ helicopter

__N__ toothbrush

Renaissance Word Search

Here is a list of some things you might see on your visit to our Festival.

Can you find the items in the word search below?

horsegobletharp

knightcrownturkey leg

lancearmorwench

kingpeasantsword

queenprincessprince

maypoleheraldfountain

Artisansjesterfalcon

k / i / n / g / a / l / m / o / t / s / p / o / r / c / t
n / b / i / a / e / c / n / i / r / p / n / m / e / r / e
i / f / a / l / c / o / n / v / u / o / w / j / n / o / m
g / a / f / t / a / r / d / l / a / r / e / h / b / w / t
h / o / r / s / e / n / u / n / o / s / n / k / l / n / i
t / l / t / j / h / l / c / b / t / i / c / j / a / r / s
a / s / w / o / r / d / f / e / n / g / h / s / l / o / p
b / t / u / k / g / a / r / t / i / s / a / n / s / l / a
s / o / h / a / p / r / i / n / c / e / s / s / w / o / r
o / z / a / h / q / e / f / i / p / d / o / c / m / f / m
t / u / r / k / e / y / l / e / g / r / v / o / q / s / o
u / n / p / p / y / s / h / k / a / o / w / u / i / p / r
s / r / q / o / u / d / m / x / g / m / b / t / l / u / t
v / c / m / a / y / p / o / l / e / z / t / l / e / z / u
e / x / o / b / i / l / b / n / j / a / n / e / e / u / q
n / i / a / t / n / u / o / f / d / u / e / v / n / t / a

Renaissance Word Search

Answers

horsegobletharp

knightcrownturkey leg

lancearmorwench

kingpeasantsword

queenprincessprince

maypoleheraldfountain

artisansjesterfalcon

Renaissance Crossword Puzzle

AcrossDown

3. the daughter of a king or queen1. the queen’s headdress

5. male ruler2. a member of the working class

6. weapon used in jousting4. the court clown

7. carried the plague (Black Death)5. King Arthur’s guests at the round table

8. suit worn by knights9. water around a castle

10. the queen’s home

11. Renaissance drinking glass

1 / 2
3
4
5 / 6
7
8 / 9
10
11

Word Bank

kingcastlelancepeasant

princessgobletratjester

knightscrownmoatarmor

Renaissance Crossword Puzzle

Answers

AcrossDown

3. the daughter of a king or queen1. the queen’s headdress

5. male ruler2. a member of the working class

6. weapon used in jousting4. the court clown

7. carried the plague (Black Death)5. King Arthur’s guests at the round table

8. suit worn by knights9. water around a castle

10. the queen’s home

11. renaissance drinking glass

1
C / 2
P
3
P / R / I / N / C / E / S / S
O / A
W / S / 4
J
5
K / I / N / G / 6
L / A / N / C / E
N / N / S
I / 7
R / A / T / T
G / E
H / 8
A / R / 9
M / O / R
10
C / A / S / T / L / E / O
S / A
11
G / O / B / L / E / T

Word Bank

kingcastlelancepeasant

princessgobletratjester

knights crownmoatarmor

Renaissance Quest

In this activity, students have an opportunity to earn points by completing activities. The activity can be used to teach Feudal concepts and the Medieval and Renaissance caste system, too. The hierarchy is as follows:

King: the male student with the highest number of points will earn this position

Queen: the female student with the highest number of points

Prince: male student with the next highest number of points earned

Princess: female student with the next highest number of points earned

Noble:

Knight:

Vassal:

Serf (peasant laborer):

To set up your own Quest, begin by listing all the concepts you wish to cover in the Renaissance unit. Then use the sample activities given in this section, or think of your own activities.

Suggestions from teachers:

• Include kinesthetic, visual, auditory and other different learning styles.

• Include art and research activities.

• Leave enough room in the activity to let students explore and expand their knowledge.

• Give each activity a point value and a start date (point values let the student know the worth of each activity so that they can compete with other children for placement in the hierarchy).

• Some of the best Quest ideas have come directly from students.

Sample Quest Activities

A. Make a game with a Renaissance theme. The game should have written out instructions of how to begin play, how to play, how to “win” (although there does not need to be a winner), how to end play. Students will present the game to class. Suggested point value – 20 points

B. Research Black Death. Create a storyboard or scroll depicting information on Black Death. Present to the class. Suggested point value – 20 points

C. Create a Medieval Cartoon Strip. Strip should have a minimum of five boxes. Remember to include thought bubbles and dialogue between characters that relates to the Renaissance period. All artwork must be your own. Suggested point value – 5 points

D. Write a song telling of an event. Minstrels traveled all over the country during the Renaissance period. You can use a tune you already know and write new lyrics. Perform the song live or put it onto a cassette or videotape. This can be done with a partner. Suggested point value – 10 points

E. Pretend you are a person living in the Renaissance era. Identify your status in the society and write about your life for one week. Add details about your clothes, food, chores, family, entertainment, disease and home. Suggested point value – 3 points for each topic discussed

F. Make a poster of weapons or tools used during the Renaissance era. Label and describe each item. Suggested point value – 5 points

G. Make a paper maché or clay model of a mythical creature (dragon, for example). Write a narrative story to accompany your model. Suggested point value – 20 points

H. Make a model of a Castle. Use Styrofoam, crackers, cardboard, toothpicks, etc. Each part of the castle must be labeled. Working parts receive more credit (a drawbridge, for example). Suggested point value – 20 points

I. Learn to juggle, or perform some other kind of entertainment a Jester would perform. Make a Jester puppet. Suggested point value – 15 points

J. Create a Renaissance dish of food and give samples to classmates (BEWARE of food allergies of others!). Explain how the dish was prepared and present the recipe. Was this a special occasion dish or eaten every day? What class of people ate this dish? Suggested point value – 10 points

Renaissance Books

Background information that is helpful:

• Making books in the Renaissance era

• Concept of Illumination

Create your own Illumination book using the ABC format. Students should write the 1) word 2) definition 3) illuminate the first letter of the word.

Create an antique looking cover for the book by using brown construction paper and ball it up firmly. Do this several times, but be careful not to tear the paper. When you unroll it, smooth it flat. The paper should now be soft and worn looking. Fold the book in half and punch holes in the folded end. Use twine or leather laces to make your book look truly authentic.

Printing

Printing is fun and simple to do. Remember that prior to printing blocks being invented; monks had to copy every book by hand! Printing blocks really changed things. Now the blocks could be rearranged to form new words and used again and again.

You will need: Cardboard, string, glue, paint, paper, and a shallow tray.

First, cut a section of string and dip it into the glue. Arrange the yarn on the cardboard into the shape you want. You can do a letter at a time, or an entire name. Make a lot of “blocks.” You can also make designs to decorate the paper. When your printing blocks have dried you are ready to dip them yarn side down into the paint (make sure not to use too much paint) and practice making different designs by pressing the yarn side down onto the paper.

Castle Building

There are many resources that describe and teach parts of a castle. Research is helpful.

Styrofoam: The packing to almost any electronic equipment has the right “framework” for a Renaissance castle. The Styrofoam may be spray painted (by an adult) and the paint will actually melt the Styrofoam a bit. This creates an authentic mottled look. Don’t forget to add towers.

Edible: Graham crackers, saltines, sugar cubes, ice cream cones (inverted) and icing all make excellent building materials for castle. (Think of the procedure of making a gingerbread house). For small hands, begin with a box for a frame and cover it up.

Cardboard: Provides easy to find material and is inexpensive. An adult should help cut the cardboard. Refrigerator boxes can be used to make “walk-in” size castles.

Coat of Arms

Heraldry (n.) 1. The Science of dealing with coats of arms, genealogies, etc.

2. Ceremony or pomp.

In 16th century England, a knight’s purpose was to defend his Lord’s Castle. Also, the knight spent much of his time in tournaments, displaying his skills and courage. Tournaments were occasions of great pageantry and show. Each knight was entitled to an “achievement of arms”, which refers to their entire display: shield, mantle, crest, helmet, surcoat, etc. (see drawing)

The most noted and important part of the “achievement” is the coat of arms, a design made up of symbols, shapes and colors. Each knight had his own “coat” distinct from any other. A knight chose symbols that represented his personality, name, or a great adventure for which he was famous. Some examples included a lion, dragon, castles, trees, flowers, animals, etc. Coats of arms are still passed down to succeeding generations. Your family may already have one.

Your Family Motto

Mottoes appeared and became a popular part of an achievement of arms sometime during the 14th century. A motto can be a significant indication of the attitude of the family to which it belongs, or a pun designed to reveal the family name in some way.

Some examples:family name – Hopemotto: “At spes infracta”

Translation: “Yet hope is unbroken”

family name – Smith motto: “Faber mea fortuna:

translation: “Smith of my own fortune”

family name – Lockhart motto: “Corda serata fero”

translation: “I bear a locked heart”

Write your own family motto to go with your new coat of arms. If you are studying a language besides English, try using it to write your motto!

Your Own Coat of Arms

Renaissance Timeline

YEAR / EVENT
1348 / The Plague, known as the Black Death, arrives in Europe
1420 / Filippo Brunelleschi designs dome of the Florence Cathedral
1429 / Joan of Arc leads French to break the English siege of Orleans; Charles VII crowned the King of France
1431 / Joan of Arc burned as a witch by the English at Rouen, France
1438 / Incan Empire established in Peru
1448-1453 / Series of victories wins back for France almost all the previous English gains; End of Hundred Years’ War
1453 / Fall of Constantinople
1455 / Gutenberg Bible is printed using the movable type printing press invented by Johannes Gutenbertg
1455-1485 / Wars of the Roses devastated England; Final victory of Henry VI founds Tudor Dynasty; Medieval period ends
1464 / Peace between England and Scotland
1478 / The Inquisition is set up in Spain persecuting Jews, Muslims, and heretics
1485 / Henry Tudor defeats Richard III, and claims throne as Henry VII
1487-1488 / Bartholomew Diaz sails around Cape of Good Hope, South Africa
1491 / Birth of Henry VIII, June 28
1492 / Christopher Columbus reaches the West Indies, first European to reach the Americas since the Vikings
1498 / Vasco de Gama reaches India by sea by rounding Cape of Good Hope, South Africa
1501 / Marriage of Arthur, Prince of Wales, to Catherine of Aragon in October
1502 / Death of Arthur, Price of Wales, March; All books challenging Papal authority are ordered burned
1503 / Henry created Price of Wales; Leonardo da Vinci begins painting the Mona Lisa
1508-1512 / Michelangelo paints ceiling of Sistine Chapel in Rome
1509 / Death of Henry VII, Henry VIII gains throne; Catherine of Aragon marries Henry VIII, crowned Queen
1513 / Ponce de Leon reaches Florida
1514 / Peace between England and France; Copernicus postulates the solar system
1515 / Death of Louis XII, Francois I ascends the French throne
1516 / Birth of Mary, later Queen of England, to Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon
1517 / Martin Luther posts his 95 Theses on the church door in Wittenburg, starting the Protestant Reformation
1518 / Treaty of London between England, France, and the Empire
1519-1521 / Portuguese under Ferdinand Magellan first to sail around the world through the Strait of Magellan
1520 / Henry meets Francois at the Field of cloth-of-gold; Treaty of Burges signed Henry VIII’s book against Martin Luther presented to the Pope, Pope names Henry “Defender of the True Faith”
1523 / English invasion of France
1524 / Secret peace talks between England and France, Turkeys from the South Americas are eaten for the first time in English Court
1525 / Treaty of More between England and France
1527 / Henry VIII begins divorce proceedings against Catherine of Aragon
1528 / Plague in England, Start of Reformation in Scotland
1531 / Convocation recognizes Henry VIII as Head of the Church of England ‘ as far as the law of God allows’; Henry VIII separates from Catherine of Aragon; First appearance of “great comet” (Haley’s)
1532 / “Submission of the Clergy,” Sir Thomas More resigns as Lord Chancellor.
1533 / Henry VIII secretly marries Anne Boleyn in January, she is crowned Queen in June, Anne Boleyn gives birth to Elizabeth, later Queen of England Cramner divorces Henry VIII from Catherine of Aragon in May. Parliament extinguishes Papal authority in England
1534 / Henry VIII breaks with Roman Catholic Church, and the Act of Supremacy declares Henry VIII to be Supreme Head of the Church of England
1536 / Catherline of Aragon dies in January. Anne Boleyn executed in May, after being found guilty of treason. Henry VIII marries Jane Seymour in May
1537 / Edward VI born to Henry VIII and Jane Seymour, October 12; she dies 12 days later on the 24th
1540 / Hernando de Soto discovers the Mississippi River. Henry VIII marries Anne of Cleves in January; and has marriage dissolved in July. Henry VIII marries Catherine Howard
1541 / Ireland made a Kingdom, Henry VIII becomes the King of Ireland
1542 / Catherline Howard is executed in February, Mary, Queen of Scots, is born in December
1543 / Henry VIII marries Catherine Parr in July. Copernicus publishes theory that the sun is center of the solar system
1547 / Henry VIII dies and is buried in Saint George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle. Edward VI ascends the throne. Tsar Ivan the Terrible (reigns 1533-1584) takes power in Russia
1550 / Commedia dell’arte performances evolve in Italy about this time
1553 / Edward VI dies in July. Mary Tudor, daughter of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon, proclaimed Queen of England
1558 / Mary I dies and Elizabeth I, daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn,
ascends to the throne
1559 / Elizabeth I makes peace with France
1564 / William Shakespeare is born
1576 / The first playhouse, called The Theater, is erected by actor James Burbage in London, England
1577-1580 / English Seaman Francis Drake sails around the world
1587 / Mary, Queen of Scots is executed, after being found guilty of treason
1594 / Jacopo Peri’s Dafne, the first opera, is performed in Italy
1602 / The Bodleian Library, the first public library in Europe, opens in Oxford, England
1603 / Elizabeth I, Queen of England, dies
1607 / John Smith founds colony of Virginia at Jamestown
1609 / Johann Kepler suggests laws to explain the movement of planets
1611 / King James Authorized version of the Bible published (most commonly used version today)
1613 / The Globe Theater burns down and is rebuilt immediately on its original foundations
1620 / Pilgrim Fathers sail from England on the Mayflower to Massachusetts