Illinois Renaissance Festival

   Tis a fine summer's day in 1581. You have entered the village of Depford, England, a hamlet filled with folk of wisdom and wit. The village is governed by the legendary Lord Baron de Bourbon, who has determined that the village will be a model of progressive thought, and unlike England as a whole, practice the unusual traits of tolerance of all religions, equality of gender and station, and cleanliness. The villagers invite others to share their excitement as they prepare for the arrival of Queen Elizabeth I.

   In anticipation of her upcoming marriage negotiations with France’s Duke of Anjou, a man twenty years her junior, Elizabeth has invited Ambassadors and Representatives from all the Royal Houses of Europe, including her cousin from Germany. She is also expecting to host foreign Visitors from as near as Scotland and as far away as the mysterious Island of Japan! The citizenry of Deptford has never seen such pageantry, and are beside themselves in preparation for the day!

   Also to be present at the event is the Queen’s favorite, Sir Robert Dudley, recently knighted and made a peer of the kingdom by Her Majesty. Unbeknownst to Elizabeth, Dudley has secretly gotten married to her cousin, Lettice Knollys, who is no great fan of the Queens. He is now stepfather to Lettice's five children, two of which, his step-daughters, will be accompanying him to the Faire at Deptford along with his new bride.

   Will Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth I, discover Dudley’s unfaithfulness? Will the marriage negotiations between Elizabeth and the Duke of Anjou be finalized or fall through? And what of the Queen’s cousin, Lettice Knollys, she is always challenging the Queen and staying just out of trouble; will she be able to keep her head this time? Join us for a day of royal, rollicking fun in Deptford as you watch the drama unfold in this timeless tale of romance and intrigue, love and deceit.

Our Village and Historie