Renaissance through Elizabethan Period

Resource 1: National Portrait Gallery, London

This free museum has a plethora of portraits that would be ideal for anyone looking for inspiration in set, prop, makeup, or costume design. Some paintings are over 16 feet tall, and the detail captured is unbelievable.

Added bonus: Online archives which store photos of portraits along with descriptions of sitter and painter. http://www.npg.org.uk/

Things to note regarding male royalty:

• Starched, stiff collars of lace
• Tight tights
• Ornamental tassels, pearls, and jewels
• Decorated shoes with heels
• Big jeweled garters just below the knee
• Lots of plumes on headpieces/helmets
• Lots of color

Sketch at the National Portrait Gallery, Floor 2, room 1. 07-08-13.  Subject: George Villers, First Duke of Buckingham.  

Things to note regarding female royalty:

• Starched, stiff collars of lace
• Plunging necklines
• Tight corset bodices
• Ornamental pearls and jewels on both clothing and in hair
• Ruffled shoulders
• Big foreheads and poufy hair
• Lots of color

Sketch at the National Portrait Gallery, Floor 2, room 1. 07-08-13.  Anne of Denmark, wife of King James I. Late 1500s.

Postcard purchased on 7-8-13 from National Portrait Gallery. Queen Elizabeth I ('The Ditchley Portrait').
. Circa 1592. The actual portrait can be found on the 2nd floor, room 2.

__________________________________________________________________________

Resource 2: Tower of London, London

This Medieval Palace community is surrounded by walls and a moat.  Dating back to William the Conqueror in 1070 or so, The White Tower was the first portion to be built, completed in 1100. Henry III added two new tours in the early 1200s, and by 1238, he built massive walls on the north, east and western sides, along with nine new tours and a moat. King Edward I (1272-1307) transformed the Palace by adding a second wall to fortify the Palace.  In 1533, Henry VIII commissioned the addition of lodgings. In 1774, a new gate and drawbridge were created at the east of the outer southern wall.

William the Conqueror (1066-87) that the history of the Tower of London begins. - See more at: http://www.hrp.org.uk/TowerOfLondon/sightsandstories/buildinghistory/normanbeginnings#sthash.79zy8H15.dpuf

William the Conqueror (1066-87) that the history of the Tower of London begins. - See more at: http://www.hrp.org.uk/TowerOfLondon/sightsandstories/buildinghistory/normanbeginnings#sthash.79zy8H15.dpuf

William the Conqueror (1066-87) that the history of the Tower of London begins. - See more at: http://www.hrp.org.uk/TowerOfLondon/sightsandstories/buildinghistory/normanbeginnings#sthash.79zy8H15.dpuf

William the Conqueror (1066-87) that the history of the Tower of London begins. - See more at: http://www.hrp.org.uk/TowerOfLondon/sightsandstories/buildinghistory/normanbeginnings#sthash.79zy8H15.dpuf

William the Conqueror (1066-87) that the history of the Tower of London begins. - See more at: http://www.hrp.org.uk/TowerOfLondon/sightsandstories/buildinghistory/normanbeginnings#sthash.79zy8H15.dpuf

Aside from visiting the Tower, the official website http://www.hrp.org.uk/TowerOfLondon/ showcases additional histories of the Tower and the people associated with it.  There is also a webpage devoted to further reading about the tower, as well as a timeline of events at the Tower and archives of five different organizations that are part of the history of the palace, prison, and fortress.

This is an excellent resource for architecture, weaponry, dress, and furniture of the time.

Notes on Tower of London

• Focus on battle gear/protection
• Weaponry: Swords, Axes, Spears

Photo taken at Tower of London, The White Tower. 07-14-13.  The Flaming Blade/Two Handed Sword. 16th century.

Photo taken at Tower of London, The White Tower. 07-14-13.  Staff Weapons. Mid 1500s.

Photo taken at Tower of London, The White Tower. 07-14-13.  Armor of Henry VIII. 1540.

__________________________________________________________________________

Resource 3: British Library, London

Spread out over six floors, the British Library is host to a plethora of books and historical items.   There are reading rooms spread throughout with resources available from Humanities to Science.  There is also an online collections catalog at http://www.bl.uk/# that is organized in several ways: By time period, by region, by subject, and more.

The free permanent exhibit has a wide range of historical items ranging from the Magna Carta to Beatles lyrics.  Other items include some of the first music, books, maps, and even sketches by Leonardo.

Great resource for props production and for shows with old chants or short songs within the script.


Notes on Music of early 15th Century 

• Polyphonic music
• Uses colored ink
• Complex rhythmic patterns
• Different shapes for notes

Photo taken from The British Library website. http://www.bl.uk/whatson/permgall/treasures/music.html. 7-15-13. The Old Hall Manuscript, early 15th century. Original can be found in the Sir John Ritblat Gallery in the British Library, London.

__________________________________________________________________________

 

Resource 4: National Gallery, London

This free art museum showcases paintings from the 13th to the 19th centuries. Photos are not allowed, but the official website http://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/ lists all paintings along with dates and artist information. There are lectures, courses and workshops offered as well as a selection of films and podcasts.



General Trends of the late 1400s/early 1500s

• Appears nudity is widely accepted
• Women bathed together
• Focus on hunting and battle-weapons included spears, swords, bow/arrows, standards/flags

Fashion of the late 1400s/early 1500s

• Men had tunics
• Chain mail worn with armor
• Luxurious materials for women
• Hair uncovered
• Low necklines
• Fitted bodices

Sketched at the National Gallery, room 12. 07-11-13. Portrait of a Lady. 1556.

Sketched at the National Gallery, room 12. 07-11-13. David & Jonathan. 1505.

__________________________________________________________________________

Resource 5: Mary Arden's Farm; Wilmcote, England

Another part of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust is this working Tudor farm. Complete with reenactments and educational information, the actors on this farm take visitors through daily routines, skills and crafts the young William would have known in the late 1500s. More information can be found at http://www.shakespeare.org.uk/visit-the-houses/mary-ardens-farm.html

Photo taken at Mary Arden's Farm; Wilmcote, England. 07-29-13. Falcon Yard. 16th Century.

.

Photo taken at Mary Arden's Farm; Wilmcote, England. 07-29-13. Stocks Near Pig & Goat Pens. 16th Century.

Photo taken at Mary Arden's Farm; Wilmcote, England. 07-29-13. Herb Drying Room. 16th Century.

Photo taken at Mary Arden's Farm; Wilmcote, England. 07-29-13. Wooden Cart. 16th Century.

Photo taken at Mary Arden's Farm; Wilmcote, England. 07-29-13. Farm Hand Tools. 16th Century.

Photo taken at Mary Arden's Farm; Wilmcote, England. 07-29-13. Farm Hand Tools. 16th Century.

Photo taken at Mary Arden's Farm; Wilmcote, England. 07-29-13. Barrels Near the Cider Press. 16th Century.

__________________________________________________________________________

 

Resource 6: Anne Hathaway's Cottage; Warwickshire, England

Another one of Shakespeare's properties, this house is set up as a staged area throughout the house to show how it would have looked in the 15th Century, but since it remained in the family's possession until the late 1800s, there is a mismatch of pieces from long after Anne's death. This house, belonging to Anne Hathaway's family (William's wife) is on display for visitors. More information can be found at http://www.shakespeare.org.uk/visit-the-houses/anne-hathaways-cottage-amp-gardens.html

Photo taken at Anne Hathaway's Cottage. 07-29-13. Shakespeare's Courting Chair. Late 16th Century.

Photo taken at Anne Hathaway's Cottage. 07-29-13. Shakespeare's Marriage Bed. Late 16th Century.

Photo taken at Anne Hathaway's Cottage. 07-29-13. Window & Bench. 15th -16th Century.

Photo taken at Anne Hathaway's Cottage. 07-29-13. Thatched Roof & Half Timber Construction. 15th-16th Century.

__________________________________________________________________________

 

Resource 7: The British Museum; London, England

Over two million artifacts from the collection are archived online at http://www.britishmuseum.org/.  Aside from the extensive collection within the museum, the Museum also offers a range of courses and events for teachers exploring the permanent collection and the special exhibitions.  There is also a plethora of activities and resources for students online, categorized by culture, by subject, and by age group.  This particular museum is so vast and varied that spending a day there wouldn't be enough. The collection ranges from Egyptian to Roman to Greek artifacts and more, with great information about culture, lifestyle, religious life, and more.

This is a wonderful resource for props, set design, actors (as far as viewpoint/background information on the life of characters, and even costuming.

Photo taken at The British Museum, London. 08-02-13. Gilt-Brass Watch. 1560.

Photo taken at The British Museum, London. 08-02-13. Castellated Dial Clock. 1500s.

__________________________________________________________________________

 

Resource 8: Royal Shakespeare Company; Stratford-on-Avon

Aside from producing Shakespeare's plays in both traditional and more modern settings and costumes, the RSC has costumes and educational information from previous shows on display throughout the building in foyers and dedicated gallery spaces.  All costumes are tagged with what show they were created for and who wore the item.  The RSC creates all of their costumes, including ironwork such as helmets, swords, and the like at one of their properties located across the street from the theatre(s). Their website http://www.rsc.org.uk/ also has breakdowns of shows as teacher resources, from everything to main themes and synopses to production photos, interviews, activities, and other information.

Photo taken at The Royal Shakespeare Company Theatre. 07-29-13. Black Doublet with Ruff. Elizabethan Period.

Photo taken at The Royal Shakespeare Company Theatre. 07-29-13. Burgundy Stomacher. Elizabethan Period.

Photo taken at The Royal Shakespeare Company Theatre. 07-29-13. Black Doublet with Wired Collar. Elizabethan Period.

Photo taken at The Royal Shakespeare Company Theatre. 07-29-13. Garter Under Knee & Flouncy Shoes. Elizabethan Period.

Photo taken at The Royal Shakespeare Company Theatre. 07-29-13. Breeches & Lace. Elizabethan Period.

Photo taken at The Royal Shakespeare Company Theatre. 07-29-13. Slashing & Ruff. Elizabethan Period.

Photo taken at The Royal Shakespeare Company Theatre. 07-29-13. Panier, Petticoat, and Bodice. Elizabethan Period.

Photo taken at The Royal Shakespeare Company Theatre. 07-29-13. Dress. Elizabethan Period.

_________________________________________________________________________

Resource 9: Book Period Style for the Theatre, by Douglas A. Russell

This book is the most useful, well-laid out book that covers a span of time from the ancient world all the way up to the modern world. Sections within each time period include costuming and accessories, acting and movement, directing information, information on the theatre itself, world/history events that were going on at the time, art and sculpture, how to design for that time, and specific plays of the time.

General Renaissance Info:

• Renaissance= rebirth of art, literature, and those sorts of things
• Women's role was still defined by the man, but she was freer than her medieval counterpart
• Late Renaissance was an "age of crisis, loss of faith, and political cynicism"
• Obsession with witchcraft

Architecture:

• Hammer beam ceiling- Like the fan vault, only made of wood
• English architecture= symmetry and balance
• Heavy, decorative furniture; masculine
• Putti: Cherubic infant with wings

Renaissance Costuming & Accessories:

Women:

• Jeweled hairpieces, sticker-like coverings on face hid the marks of syphilis
• Triangle shaped body: Steel corset, flat chest
• Stomacher: V shaped panel of stiff material on the dress (pointed waist, triangle shape up to chest)
• Simple truncated cones, tiny pillbox hats
• Lacing appeared at the breast, under the arms, and at the shoulder
• Gown was sometimes divided into bodice and skirt and worn under a sleeveless outer gown
• Younger women preferred uncovered hair to show complex knots and twists, set off with jewls or nets of gold
• Older women and servants wore kerchiefs
• Fans were an accessory
• Pomanders containing musk or perfume were worn on chains

Men:

• Sleeveless Doublet
• Codpiece: Piece of material tied over the front opening where the hose came together
• Collarless shirt under doublet
• Slashing: Sleeve cut to show much of the shirt sleeve beneath
• Hats were wide, flat, slightly turned-up brims decorated with plumes and jewels
• Skull caps
• Young men had long hair, older men wore it shorter
• Shoes were like slippers
• Pomanders containing musk or perfume was carried by the "dandies"

*As time went on, fabrics became thicker, sleeves and doublet skirts were fuller, rounded beards were prominent and rounded berets made the face seem fuller.


Renaissance Manners & Movement

• Male stance and walk was based on the easy athletic movement of the warrior
• Gentlemen were proud of a good leg and posed to show it off
• Men's arms loosely folded across chest, hands on hips, hands on the belt, dagger or sword hilt
• or on the beard/chin while the other arm supported the elbow
• Greetings between close friends involved a warm handclasp
• Short bow was for acquaintances (while bowing, hat was held in hand across the body)
• Gentleman never removed his hat in sitting except to greet a friend or superior
• Women had to take small steps and lifted the skirts only when absolutely necessary
• Women's hands rest in front of the abdomen just below the waist, clasp a locket or chain, or can be rested on the arm of a chair while sitting. Custom was also not to show the feet while sitting.
• Women would bow/curtsy by keeping the head erect and bending knees