Presenting Queen Elizabeth I and her royal subjects: Portia, from Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice, and D’Artagnan of the Three Musketeers. (This time my kids had fun choosing the costume fabrics and trims for their personas.)
A Feast for Queen Elizabeth I: Old World meets New World Foods
Since we studied about exploration of the New World where Queen Elizabeth I had tried to establish colonies, why not let her taste some of the food from the New World?
We realized some of this may not be accurate. But in our research, exactly on what day were the Europeans brave enough to eat the tomato which had been brought from the New World? We decided to just have fun with this.
Acting mighty queenie, I remained seated while everyone helped themselves.
For this Becoming History Presentation, our guest list grew since my dad’s cousin was in town.
My dad asked where my food taster was, to which I replied: my royal subjects seated here are my taste testers.
Since no one had keeled over, I figured it was safe to sample the food! He got a good laugh over that!
When I was presented with the food, I stuck my nose up at it, asking: What is this? I’ve never seen food like this before.
My son answered: My queen, this is a sample of food found in the New World. Your kitchen staff has devised new recipes with these new foods.
I’d then ask questions about each item and the children would take turns telling me what it was and where it came from.
Leonardo da Vinci Nature Journals
Then we talked about Leonardo da Vinci, based on my kids’ research.
Since he used to keep nature journals, they shared how they learned more about detail by careful observation like da Vinci did, by following his example.
They also experimented with different artistic techniques such as perspective and light and shadow, just like Renaissance artists did.
Renaissance Paintings
From that moved to Renaissance art analysis, which helped us appreciate each gorgeous painting.
My daughter explained the artistic techniques Raphael used in The School of Athens.
My son shared how Titian used color in The Assumption and Coronation of the Virgin.
Reformation Hymn
After discussing the life of Martin Luther and how he led the Reformation we sang: A Mighty Fortress is our God which was written by Luther. This was especially interesting to my mom and my dad’s cousin, who were raised Lutheran. They learned a lot they didn’t know before!
Shakespearan Recitations
After the kids shared the history of Shakespeare, they performed some recitations.
Musketeer Sword Lesson
After our literary journey with Shakespeare, we turned to The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas since my son was dressed as D’Artagnan.
To have ruffles or to not have the ruffles, that was the question regarding this costume. Although my son insisted on being a ruffle-less D’Artagnan, I insisted that it was extremely French and period-accurate to wear ruffles. He’d thank me later, I promised him. He doubted that would ever happen.
D’Artagnan gave us fencing lessons!
Even Slipper Kitty got into the act, as she came to sit in my lap.
Pussy cat, Pussy cat,
Where have you been?
I’ve been to London
to visit the Queen.
What did you there?
I frightened a little mouse
under her chair. -Nursery Rhyme
