Demonstrations

Our many wonderful Encampments “Bring History to Life” by re-creating the traditions of The 16th Century. Come wander through them, meet the people of the times, explore and learn! See and experience Renaissance Weaponry featuring trebuchets, cannons, swords, and armor! Enjoy the many Daily Demonstrations of glass-blowing, cooking, weaving, and herbal remedies! Learn about Cultures spanning the globe, and see how celebrations and revelry bring us closer together.

The Merchants of Brittany

We portray the headquarters camp of a Merchant Caravan hailing from Brittany, France. Caravans like this flourished in Northern Europe from the 12th through the mid-17th century. Traveling together for support and safety, its members represent a variety of different merchants, artisans, crafters, performers, and travelers. They also had a variety of support personnel: mercenaries for protection, hunters to provide food, cooks, blacksmiths, weavers, cobblers, and livestock handlers.

The camp is set up for patrons to enter and immerse themselves in history. On display are crafts, kitchens, sleeping quarters, dining areas, and crafting areas. Most tents are open to display the living conditions on the road. There are also ongoing demonstrations of renaissance cooking and crafting. All members both actively and passively interact with patrons to their great enjoyment, including one performer who swallows swords as one of his many talents. Care to join them on a trip?

Anger of the Mistress - Trebuchet Demonstration

On our Renaissance festival grounds, an awe-inspiring demonstration unfolds as a towering trebuchet takes center stage. The air crackles with anticipation as onlookers gather, their faces alive with wonder. With meticulous precision, the crew adjusts the colossal wooden contraption, its ropes taut and ready to release its payload. As the massive arm swings and the counterweight drops, a collective gasp escapes the crowd. The trebuchet unleashes a deafening whoosh, launching a giant projectile through the sky in a graceful arc before crashing down with a thunderous impact in the water. Spectators marvel at the sheer power and engineering marvel of this medieval siege weapon, transporting them back in time to an era of grandeur and innovation.

H.M. Royal Artillery

H.M. Royal Artillery is a freelance artillery battery that is employed by the King. Known as “Keepers of the Peace” they open the festival every morning, at his Majesty’s command, with a cannon shot. In the evening, promptly at sunset they close the faire with a second cannon shot. As a historic reenactment group, they are dedicated to teaching and demonstrating the safe use of muzzle-loading black powder cannons and small arms. Twice daily during faire, and by his Majesty’s permission, they conduct a live fire black powder cannon and mortar demonstration.
Their current arsenal consists of 14 cannons, two mortars and numerous small arms. As acknowledged black powder experts with over 130 years of combined experience safely shooting muzzle-loading weaponry of all types, one of their main endeavors is education. Stop by their encampment to learn about the fascinating history of black powder and the weapons that used it.

The Adrian Empire

The Adrian Empire is dedicated to the study and re-creation of Western European culture between the the year 793 and 1625. Our members work to re-create the arts, skills, and culture of this range of the Medieval and Renaissance eras. Local chapters usually meet on a monthly basis and hold tournaments of combat, archery, and the arts. Occasional regional as well as two annual national “wars” are also held which include both tournaments and group battle scenarios. At all of our events, we strive to wear period garb, set up period encampments or settings, and comport ourselves with chivalry and honor.

The Ottoman Empire

During the 16th and 17th centuries, at the height of its power under the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent, the Ottoman Empire was a multinational, multilingual empire controlling much of Southeast Europe, parts of Central Europe, Western Asia, and North Africa.
With Constantinople as its capital and control of lands around the Mediterranean basin, the Ottoman Empire was at the centre of interactions between the Eastern and Western worlds for six centuries.

During various conflicts throughout Europe, great capitols rose and fell often loosing great libraries and other repositories of knowledge and cultural histories, leading to the period known as “The Dark Ages”. The Ottomans held and protected the accumulated knowledge of the greater world for centuries. As Europe entered into the Renaissance the Ottoman Empire began to share the arts, sciences and histories which they had so carefully maintained. It was through their influence that much of the cultural histories of great countries remain. The Ottomans were artists, scholars and philosophers of the highest calibre, generous with their knowledge and diplomatic with their strength.

Red Lyon Smithing

In the heart of the bustling village, amidst the rhythmic clangs, the blacksmith’s forge roars to life as a beacon of traditional craftsmanship. David and his mother Sharon wield their hammers with grace and practiced precision. As the crowd gathers, drawn by the hypnotic rhythm of hammer on steel, their skilled blacksmith hands move with purpose, shaping steel into works of art before their very eyes. With each demonstration they share years of experience, rich history and time-honored techniques of this craft, forging a connection between past and present that resonates with all who bear witness.

Historical Glassworks

Historical Glassworks… A full 2000 degree glassblowing shop right here at the Florida Renaissance Festival, just like on the hit Netflix show Blow Away! Our company brings you International glass blowers Jason Klein and Leslie Pierce for an amazing tour of glass throughout history. Their work can be found in several films, including Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, Paramount Pictures Ben Hur, the Netflix Original The King, and many others! Interested in the deeper end of the pool of historical glassblowing? Ask us about our experiences at several of the experimental archeological wood-fired glass furnace projects that we’ve worked at in England, Belgium, and Germany!

During our many demonstrations throughout the day, we create pieces inspired by a range of cultures and periods, from Ancient Rome, through the Middle Ages, to the Golden Age of Piracy, and beyond! Often, through objects in history, we can tell quite a bit about the people from those periods. What those people valued and how they lived can often be seen in the glass that they used. What would a Viking warlord drink from, or perhaps a renaissance Lady of the Royal Court? Could the average Roman citizen afford glass? Find out the answers to these questions and more at one of our narrated demonstrations! These fun-filled Demonstrations, given four times a day, are each different and themed to match the weekend!