Velvet, silk, taffeta

The class structure during Elizabethan England was quite evident in the clothing of the era. The upper class used rich velvets, satin and exotic silk. Fabrics were imported: silks from the Middle East and the finest velvet from Italy. The brightest colors were considered the most expensive so that the upper class women were quite distinguishable from the working class women by the color of their dresses. Upper class women also used classy jewelry and the ruffs were indispensable for a truly elegant look.

Ladies in waiting dressed elegantly as they were selected from the nobility to serve as companions to the Queen or noble women. They were not considered servants and would often wear an ankle length dress with long sleeves and a hair piece.

In our next post: what the men wore

Sources: Elizabethan Clothing, www.seatofmars.com; http://www.elizabethan-era.org/

Elizabethan Costumes

Clothing during the 15th to 16th centuries was an indicator of one's status. While the nobility wore fabrics with rich colors and fine embroidery, the common folk wore drab colors in wool or flax. The Men typically wore boots, pants (called breeches), a shirt, a vest (also know as a jerkin), and a hat. Women would often wear an over and under skirt, a bodice, a shirt, and a hat, scarf, or snood.

In our next post...costumes for the nobility.

Hear Ye the Town Crier

Just like the Town Crier of old, let everyone know that an amazing, special event is coming to St. Mel in December. "Hear Ye, Hear Ye!" or "Listen up!"

During the medieval times, many English towns had an official called a "Town Crier", whose job was to stand in public and shout, or "cry" official announcements. To attract attention, he would ring a bell. Town criers were the center of communication as most people were illiterate.

The Town Crier usually carried a Scroll, on which was written the proclamation or announcement of the day. After proclaiming the news, he would post the scroll on a wall for those who could read. Interestingly enough, town criers were not always men. In fact, many town criers were women.

The Madrigal Dinner

If you've never been to nor heard of a Madrigal Dinner, you've come to the right place. Here's a brief description:

Regardless of form, content, theme or name, the Madrigal Dinner is basically a "you eat, we sing" framework surrounding a variety of arts, all complementary and in turn being complemented by others. Music, drama, the visual arts and not the least, the culinary arts, all combine into a unique integrated aesthetic experience, unleashing the imaginations of all involved, including (and especially) the audience.

The audience will find themselves in the center of a make-believe world, peopled by the Lord and Lady of the Manor, jesters, minstrels, and all the sounds and excitement of another time and another place.

Source: The Compleet Madrigal Dinner Booke by Paul Brandvik