Bring children into the the celebration of Thanksgiving with one of their favorite activities, coloring. If you have a printer these simple pictures can provide a quiet time in the midst of meal preparations.
How did Thanksgiving become a National Holiday?
Sara Hale tirelessly advocated for a National Thanksgiving holiday. Source: Richards Free Library
A woman named Sarah Hale, editor of the famous Godey’s Lady’s Book magazine, spearheaded a move to enshrine observation of thankfulness in the nation. She wrote to five presidents and numerous governors in her campaign for a Thanksgiving Day.
Hale is largely responsible for the idealistic, somewhat fictional view that Americans today hold in regards to interactions of these first New England colonists and the native peoples. Her picture of this feast with tables laden with turkey, stuffing, many dishes and gravies caught on with Victorian readers.
Godey’s Lady’s Book menu suggestions outlined what we consider a traditional holiday menu, today. How-to and recipes were provided to complete the celebration.
In keeping with her vision of this holiday, pictures here include those that represent parts of the meal, the idea of what the meal was like, how the English and Indian guests were believed to have dressed, and of course, the fat turkey.
Many of this things are now known to have little historical basis, but they are icons of the American Thanksgiving Holiday. I hope you will have fun coloring the ones you download and print.
Thanksgiving Themes
Centering around food, family, and gratefulness, Thanksgiving has ready-made themes. American Indians, native foods of pumpkin and corn, turkey and trimmings, pie…. it is a cornucopia of fun coloring with a bit of history.
Food Concepts of Hunger and Plenty
Pie is the American idea of a dessert dish served at holidays. This is a cherry pie, but pumpkin is the most popular choice.
[caption id="attachment_3381" align="aligncenter" width="442"] Corn, a native food staple helped the new Colonists to survive.
The story changes depending on who tells it and when, but certain facts are undeniable. One is that without the help and instruction of the Natives of the land, the Pilgrims were likely to fail. They greatly suffered from lack of food, and the Indians corn was a Godsend.
Pumpkins, maize, and wild turkeys were some of the bounties of this land where the Pilgrims landed.
The sharing of a feast is a symbol of the peaceful meeting of diverse people and cultures.
Who Were The Pilgrims?
In their native England they were dissenters against the prevailing religious establishment. Braving a journey to an unknown land was worth it to be able to practice their beliefs freely.
When traveling to the new world they came in the company of those wishing to settle for different reasons. The fellow travelers were called “strangers” by their more religious comrades.
Who Were The Wampanoag?
This was the Indian tribe which interacted with the Pilgrims in the original feast. Also called the Massasoit, they had a tradition that all the male leaders should be invited to village feasts. Thus 98 surprise guests turned up at this all-male meal. No worries, though… they came with plenty of meat to supply the tables.
The original celebration lasted three days.
The name means “People of the First Light” since they were situated at the eastern coastal region of the continent. This was a large confederation of tribal villages.
The Wampanoag later came into conflict with the English and suffered great loss from disease with the remnants of their people being sold into slavery, many to the Caribbean islands; but their early relations with the colonists were helpful and supportive. The famous “Squanto” was part of this tribal group:
Tisquantum and other Wampanoag taught the non-native newly arrived Pilgrims how to cultivate varieties of corn, squash and beans (the Three Sisters); catch fish, and collect seafood.(1)
Thankfulness and Gratitude
As first conceived, this was a religious holiday, observed with piety and solemnity. Modern times sees it as a family time with parades, watching football games, and overeating as all part of the day.
What remains is the idea that we should take time to be thankful for our many blessings. Remembrance of the bounty of the nation we live in, gratitude for freedoms and for friendship and family. For religious and secular alike, it is time to recall the good things we enjoy the rest of the year.
Family fun at the Renaissance Faire, with knights, ladies, bards, and visiting faeries. People in costume and character. along with the sights, sounds, and tastes of Renaissance times.
Ye Olde Renaissance Good Times
Chivalrous Knight Source: tribbles1971 on Flickr
Of course, it wasn’t all fun and games during the Renaissance, but there are plenty of modern people who love to dress up and visit Harveysburg, Ohio for just that very thing.
Visitors come from all around to this fair for celebrating the times of knights and ladies, and enjoying themselves in an authentically re-created 16th century English village.
You will find yourself immersed in the talk and the scenes of olden times, where jesters and storyteller bards roam the lanes, and wares are sold by buxom maidens in the shops of the Marketplace.
You can dress up, or simply rub shoulders with the nobles and peasants dressed in their finest Medieval or Renaissance garb. You will see some gypsies and belly dancers, and feast at the stalls of turkey legs or hearty bread bowl stews among other repasts.
Renaissance helmet and plume Source: tribbles1971 on Flickr
Would You Like To Step Back To Olde England?
Every year since 1999 on weekends from late August through October, people have traveled to this little festival to be regaled by performers and to don their finest Renaissance garb. Some are dressed worthy of an SCA event, and some are clearly using their own imagination, but no one seems interested in anything but enjoying the good time of the 16th century infused atmosphere.
An estimated 165,000 people attend the festival throughout the eight weekends stretching through two of the nicest months in Ohio (best weather in my opinion).
The Queen and her entourage parade the ground a couple times a day so that the crowds of her subjects can see the finery and display of her court.
Get Thee To The Faire
10542 E State Route 73 Waynesville, OH –
10542 Route 73, Waynesville, OH 45068, USA [get directions]
Source: StrangeInterlude
Do Tell The Numbers
There are 8 Themed Weekends.
There are 12 stages for the performances.
There are 30 acres of grounds.
HOW MANY RENAISSANCE CRAFTSMEN?
More than 130 merchants and demonstrating craftsmen.Some of the craftsmen will be:
Weaponsmakers of arrows and armor
Glassblowers and Blacksmiths, Leather craftsmen and boot makers
Artisans who carve stone and jewelry makers
Painters and Potters
Purveyors of oils and incense
CURRICULUM
They probably didn’t have merry-go- rounds like this 400 years ago. But kids think they are fun, anyway. Source: by gobucks2
Where does one learn how to be a Renaissance Lady or a Churlish Serf? I don’t know about churlishness, but if you want to learn how to dress, or fully embrace your inner Knight, there are Renschool activities. And some curriculum resources like the pictures of period costume in a <a href=”http://renfestival.com/dbfiles/docs/Traditional-Wardrobe.pdf” target=”_blank” rel=”nofollow””>PDF file.
WHAT ABOUT THE THEMED WEEKENDS?
Pirates Weekend has people dressing up as pirates of course, since this era ushered in the golden age of pirates. Pirate Stunt Show and pirate school are highlights. Barbarian Invasion is time for Vikings and all the rest of the hordes to dress in their finest headgear and come for a good time. Strength contests and turkey leg eating is on the menu. Highland Clansmen with their kilts and bagpipes are going to engage in the Highland games. They will compete in contests of the eating of the Haggis and roam the lanes accompanied by the thunderous pipes and drums of Albannach.And those are just three examples of the fun in store, so make your plans.
Speak Like A Bard
The Bard’s English – A Book For re-enactors, a guide to tutor you in how to speak in character for an Elizabethan effect.
So, You Want To Be A Lady? How To Dress Like One
What Did Renaissance Women Wear?
If you would like to dress the part in Renaissance style, it take a bit of research and probably some sewing skills, although for a pretty penny there are costumers who will make custom a wardrobe for you.
Expect it to be something of a wardrobe, unless you dress as a simple serf in a white shift tunic as an undergarment and then a simple dull colored gown over that. Finish off with dark shoes and stockings and you are done.
The fine Ladies clothing is a very complex affair. After all, it is thought that many noble ladies and gentlemen spent most of their wealth on their clothing and personal jewels.
LADIES OFTEN WORE 5+ LAYERS OF CLOTHING:
Fine Lady
Source: WalterPro4755 on Flickr
White, linen shift undergarment (a chemise)
Skirt made of brocades or expensive materials
Bodice or Doublet
Vest
Collar
Sleeves
Girdle (type of belt)
Overgown
Mantles (long cape)
Headgear for ladies may be an ornamental brooch, a type of turban, a cap with feathers. Partlets were decorative cloths of lace or other material to fill in open necklines. Styles were indicative of the time, but also the country. Italian fashions might have certain features that were peculiar their country and region, the balzo headdress being one example. Renaissance clothing glossary lists many styles.
Plate depicting Anne Boleyn Source: Costumers Manifesto
The proper costume for men of wealth and consequence:
Shirt
Slops
Codpiece
Breeches
Canions (hose similar to bicycle shorts)
Netherhose (tall socks)
The peasant lot:
Long hose
Loose breeches
Shirt
Belted jerkin
Source: Costumers Manifesto
Into 16th Century Character
Oh, Behaaavvve…
Source: tribbles1971 on Flickr
Faire Humor and Performances
Renaissance Fashion – Women’s Clothing in Elizabethan England The Elizabethan era in fashion, from 1558 – 1603, is named after Britain’s Queen Elizabeth I. Garments made of wool and linen were heavy and of a striking design and include such fashion icons as the ruff and the farthingale.
Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc. Researching and re-creating the arts and skills of pre-17th-century Europe. Includes documents, newcomer info, contacts, event calendars, kingdoms, and resource links.
Men of the Peasant Class TUDOR STYLE : Middle Class & Peasant Dress Although fashions changed considerably throughout the Tudor years, ordinary people’s clothing…
The Renaissance in England ranged from a time period stretching from the late 15th to early 16th centuries until the early 17th century. It was the time of Henry the VIII, of Elizabeth the I, and of Shakespeare. Theater and Literature thrived, and though the English were not as renowned for their art or music, those arts developed and architecture flowered.
It was certainly a time of great change for all the people of England, both high and lowborn. The history of Henry the VIII is well known, more for the salacious details of his many marriages and their subsequent short lives than for anything else, Yet, it was a time that gave England her greatest Queen, and the beginning of her quest to become an empire. It was a fascinating time and people love to learn about it and re-enact it.
That is a part, maybe a small part, of the reason that the festivals, fairs, and entertainments with the Renaissance theme have become so popular. We still believe in fairy tale worlds with knights, and ladies and swashbuckling pirates. And there is nothing more fun than visiting their world for just a little while.
Renaissance Festival Sampling
Renaissance Inspirations
Have a renaissance wedding at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival! Wondering how to host a renaissance outdoors wedding or a renaissance wedding reception? Get all the information on renaissance weddings at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival today on My Wedding Chat!
Weddings in the Italian Renaissance This Metropolitan Museum of Art history lesson in what the weddings of the time were like will inform you of details you might like to incorporate in your own wedding plans.
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Corn, a native food staple helped the new Colonists to survive.
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Renaissance helmet and plume Source: tribbles1971 on Flickr
An example of an English Renaissance Noble
