Diamond Rose Guild The Guild of the Diamond Rose Academie d'Armes is a non-profit organization and an assemblage of people who are interested in participating in recreations of life during the renaissance period, traveling throughout Europe, specifically focusing on the period 1550's through 1600. The purpose of this organization is to teach about period mannerisms, weaponry, speech, clothing, and participate in renaissance faires. We bring history to our schools through reenactment. We encourage fellowship and camaraderie among it's members and friends. The Guild A Renaissance re-enactment guild portraying an assemblage of Huegenots (protestants emigrating from France) and travelers ranging in social status from tradespeople to upper middle class and nobles from France and other countries in Europe. The nobles within our group travel with the protection of the Royal guardsmen, who continually train in the arte of defence to keep their swordfighting skills honed. Huegenot History Huguenots is the name given to people who practiced a particular kind of Protestantism in France which was aligned with the theology of John Calvin. The Huguenots, as a class, were the bone and sinew of France. The nobility were wealthy, the merchants and manufacturers prosperous, and the poorer classes sober and industrious. It is estimated that the loss to France by the Huguenot persecutions, first and last, was about 400,000. Manufactures and the arts were paralyzed, and the whole country suffered from its effects for one hundred years. Since the Huguenots of France were in large part artisans, craftsmen, and professional people, they were usually well-received in the countries to which they fled for refuge when religious discrimination or overt persecution caused them to leave France. Huguenot numbers grew rapidly between 1555 and 1562, chiefly amongst the nobles and city-dwellers. By 1562, they had a total membership estimated at least a million, especially numerous in the southern and central parts of the country. The Huguenot cause prospered, and included members of the nobility, as well as to social groups which felt themselves repressed by the social order, providing a unifying system which was used as a base to confront the seats of power. It is estimated that one third to one half of the nobility became Huguenots. Huguenot refugees had lived in London since the reign of Henry VIII as far back as 1550, in conjunction with Dutch Protestants. Their character and talents in the arts, sciences, and industry were such that they are generally felt to have been a substantial loss to the French society from which they had been forced to withdraw, and a corresponding gain to the communities and nations into which they settled. Huguenots in England The First French Protestant Church of London was founded on July 24, 1550, when English King Edward VI granted a charter to Protestant refugees led by Polish cleric, Jean a Lasco. The charter granted the freedom of individualized worship at the Temple of Jesus -- Austin Friars in the City of London. The Huegenots had been forced to flee France during the late 16th century and this had driven an increasing number of Huguenots to seek sanctuary in Elizabethan England - (in particular due to the massacre on St Bartholomew's Day, (August 25, 1572) Membership in the Academie Membership is open to anyone intersted in being an intergral part of a renaissance guild. Our main emphasis is on entertaining and educating the public at Renaissance faires, school demonstrations, theater demonstrations, etc. about the culture and lifestyle of the time period ranging from 1550's-1600's. We are all volunteers putting our time and effort towards a worthy and fun goal. The Diamond Rose sponsors one local faire, Cain's Crossing Renaissance Faire, and it is mandatory that all members of the guild will assist in this endeavor to the best of their abilities. Officials Guildmaster - Lady Mina Deputy Guildmaster - Lord Somnus Secretary - Lady Elena Treasurer - Lord Falcor Quartermaster - Lord Dante Sergeant at Arms - Lord Matthew Apothecary - Lord La Teur Contacts Guild Ambassadors Lady Mina - debbieandmarc@yahoo.com Lady Katianna - lady_katie71@hotmail.com Lady Elena - dbaird@cainscrossing.org home / fencing / Elizabethan research |