Maryland Renaissance Festival Returns

Take a trip back to Tudor England at this annual royal affair.
    Perhaps you’ll meet King Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon and their royal court in Revel Grove. Their highnesses, dressed in their finery, arrive in the village to meet distinguished foreign visitors, including the Imperial Ambassador Jehan Jonglet, Georg von Frundsberg, victor at the Battle of Pavia and captor of  France’s King Francis and the Queen’s sister, Juana of Castile, also known as Juana the Mad.
    Love, marriage, and children are on minds in court and village. Mayor Francis Yaxley has made a surprising marriage to the young and beautiful Imogen Ickford. Walter Yaxley has been knighted and promoted to Justice of the Peace in Oxfordshire.  He returns with his wife, now Lady Isobel, and news that they too have a new son.  It seems everyone has a new baby boy.  Except the king. And this greatly troubles him.
    It is a year of heroic victories and personal defeat. Of love, longing and the passage of time. However, for the hours spent in Revel Grove, even the king can shed his cares and enjoy giant turkey legs, jousting knights, juggling fools, lovely ladies-in-waiting, feasting and frolic.  Huzzah!
    (It’s even more fun in costume — available to rent on site.)
    Don’t miss the Center Ring Circus School, where child performers teach you tricks of their trade. Sunday 10am-2pm near Customer Service & the Maypole.
    This weekend only, kids 15 and under are admitted free.


RennFest runs thru Oct. 25. 10am-7pm SaSu, 1821 Crownsville Rd., $19 w/discounts: rennfest.com.