After I had passed my PhD exams, and while I was still trying to make my ill health, frantic schedule, and dissertation work together, Lee was asked to help build a Faire booth at the Renaissance Pleasure Faire (South) for the friend of a friend. They thought there might be some free tickets involved. While he was building the booth, she posted a help wanted sign.

So of course, we worked in the booth.

We knew fairly quickly that we wanted to be involved at faire in another way for the next year, and so we looked around. Since Lee spoke fluent Italian, we thought we would audition to be Italians. As a result, Lee began studying western martial arts through The Bankeside Schole of Defense. When the Italians let us know that our audition would not be accepted, we were members of The Gentlemen Adventurers, that year, instead.
Lee portrayed Sir Henry Danvers, an historical Englishman who was knighted for his prowess in battle in the Low Countries. He shot someone at a dinner party, and he and his younger brother were banished. They spent their time in Europe fighting well and valorously in other people's armies. When they returned, the younger brother got himself into trouble again, and was executed. Sir Henry managed to live on, and gained many further honors under King James I/VI, including a title. Unfortunately, he never married, and his estate and title was finally settled upon his youngest brother John, one of the Regicides. A living descendant of the Danvers Family was a great help to Lee, first through his webpage of biography about his famous forbears, and also through his generous gift of correspondence, patience, and amusement.

My character was somewhat less well-documented. I chose someone known only by a probable pen-name: Jane Anger. I knew I wanted an intelligent, educated woman. I have a difficult time playing dumb. So I was searching lists of female authors during the 16th century for possible characters. When I found Jane, I knew I had my author. First of all, she didn't seem to be titled; this was important in the GAs, since they portray the gentry, and not the nobility. Secondly, her one known work was a published defense of women that was based upon biblical grounds. I knew I loved this woman. You can learn more about her here .

The Gentlemen Adventurers turned out not to be the best fit for us, in part because it was so very difficult to find women authors, or other learned women who weren't titled. My request to play a knight's wife who had followed her son to Oxford to oversee his education personally was denied, and we were invited to audition for the Queen's Court. Well, that would allow me access to the authors with the titles, though I'd have to avoid those that were already cast. We agreed.

And for the last 3 seasons, we have been Baron John Lumley, and his Lady wife, Joan (or Jane, the records have both versions), nee FitzAlan All of these pictures are from the first season, however.

In the first picture, Lady Berkeley and Lady Coningsby are awaiting dinner service with us. In the second, we are talking with Baron Talbot. Perry Doty, the actor who portrayed Lord Talbot for many years at faire, passed away this winter. He is sorely missed by all of us.

Here, the Yeomen of the Guard, in the red and black doublets, form a lovely backdrop as Mistress Brydeges's gentleman admirer makes our portrait. Well, yes, he was really the actress's husband.

Lee is carrying The Sword of State. Since it represents all of England, he reverances no one while carrying it, though he does get out of the Queen's way, if he sees her coming. She knocked him all the way down to the ground the last weekend of 2006 on her way to the stage for the Queen's Show. It was all in good fun, and no one was hurt, but Lee gets out of her way if he sees her coming.

Backgammon has been around as a game for centuries. In the 16th century, the English called it Tables, and played it as a gambling game. I was fortunate enough to find a beautiful set that at least looked like something someone could possibly obtain during the 16th century and brought it out to the Faire. One of the pieces was lost within the first season, which frustrated me greatly. (Each piece is inlaid, and the entire board is also inlaid. It was made in Jerusalem. I can't just run out and get another piece.) On the other hand, if you can't stand to lose it, don't take it out to faire. I'm always looking for new Tables partners.
When there is no one to play Tables with, I work on my needlework, like any proper lady of the Court. Idle hands are the Devil's workshop, even if Lady Lumley is a devout Romish Catholic.

In our second season, we were joined by Lee's daughters.

This past season, the Court decided they could do without us because of our blogs. So we moved on to St. Cuthbert's, and are considering our options for continued participation at the Faire.

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