Miscellaneous Facts of the Renaissance English 8 – Delgado

The Globe Theater https://youtu.be/m3VGa6Fp3zI

Class System of the Renaissance Wealthy Merchants Lawyers and Clerks Master Craftsmen Journeymen or Apprentices Independent Traders Domestics

Shopping Venues Markets These were held on a weekly basis They mostly dealt with food items Fairs They lasted longer than a week They offered food, but also other items as well that weren’t offered all the time Shops These sold goods that were usually not related to food, like clothes, shoes, etc. Peddlers These were people who traveled from town to town selling something they made or found.

“Making a Leg” The calf of a man’s leg was very important in fashion during the Renaissance. To show off their calf, men would… Wear tights Wear short pants Stand with their leg forward to accentuate the calf. Turn their leg outward called “making a leg”, to show off their calf. Stand on a rock, chair or table so it would really show it off.

Signs of the “Devil” or “Evil” It was considered “evil” if you were left-handed. It was a sign you were possessed with the influence of the devil. If you were thought to be practicing witchcraft or sorcery, you would be considered evil. When the fork was first introduced, people thought it resembled the Devil’s pitchfork so it was considered evil. Most people ate with their fingers or spoons. When the nobility started using fork, people started to see that forks weren’t as evil as they once had thought.

Customs Avoiding Evil Spirits Attaching coins or bells to clothing was thought to scare off evil spirits. The sign of the cross was used a few ways to scare off evil spirits. People would cross their fingers in the shape of a cross as they passed someone they thought was evil to avoid becoming evil themselves. People would wear crosses around their necks to help keep evil spirits away. People would cross their fingers on each hand and point at people they thought were evil or possessed to avoid their spirit spreading.

Escorting Men would escort ladies whenever they were out walking in public. Men and women WERE NOT allowed to walk around holding hands, but would walk hand to palm. Two reasons why this was important… It was believed that holding hands was a way to spread germs. It was considered scandalous to hold hands because it showed intimacy. Men would walk on the left side of the lady to protect her from being attacked. Two reasons why this would happen… The guy would have his sword on his left. If he were to draw it to protect his lady it would cut her in half if she were on the left. It would show disrespect if she weren’t on his right because it would mean that he didn’t respect her enough to protect her.

Customs Men Greeting Men They would not shake hands, rather they would grab each other’s right wrist and give a firm shake. Then they would pat each other on the back with their left hands. They greeted this way to check the sleeves and backs for weapons. Also, shaking hands with the left hand was considered a sign of the devil.

Customs Women Greeting Women They would pretend to kiss each other on the cheeks. They didn’t actually touch for fear of spreading the plague. Men Greeting Women Gentlemen would bow to the woman, keeping eye contact. The woman would grab her skirt, bend at the knees, and keep eye contact with the man.

Sports and Pastimes Jousting – used for fun and to settle arguments Bear-Baiting – allowed for betting and cruelty Archery – All men between 16-60 were required to know how to use a bow and arrow Hunting – allowed to kill anything but a falcon. If you killed a falcon you would be put to death. Embroidery- the women usually practiced this in all levels of society – the men enjoyed watching the women embroider. Chess/Bowling - these games were recreational for adults Theatre- there were no televisions so people went to watch plays. There were even traveling troupes that performed silly skits Skipping/Leap Frog – these are games the kids played together

Miscellaneous Facts Traitors were beheaded, their heads dipped in tar, and then raised above the town to rot in order to discourage people from becoming traitors. Vegetables were only eaten by the poor. Clothes were washed once or twice a year. Teeth were brushed with a piece of wood or beaten with wooden sticks to remove the lice. People did not bathe but once or twice a year. The wealthy would bathe about once every three months. To avoid the plague, a person would drink four ounces of “mummy”(flesh of a dead person) and wine mixed together.

Customs or Sayings in Today’s Society Brides carrying bouquets down the aisle “It’s raining cats and dogs” Canopy beds/4 post beds “Peas porridge hot, peas porridge cold, peas porridge in the pot 9 days old” “Bring home the bacon”/”Chew the fat” Wake before a funeral “Graveyard shift”/ “Saved by the bell”