Why France?
As with anything new, when we began to develop GSLRF we looked at ways to set us apart and create something unique on the Faire circuit. We noticed that more than 90% of Renaissance Faires are set in England. This alone inspired us to look for alternatives.
Living in the St. Louis metro area, with its foundations rooted in early French exploration, we thought this offered us some unique opportunities. Not only could we develop something different among Ren-Faires, but we could explore something of the heritage of our region.
In looking at France of the period, we realized just how little we knew. Everything we knew about the Renaissance had to do with England or Italy. Immediately we were drawn to the Three Musketeers (Louis XIII) and Man in the Iron Mask (Louis XIV). A fun, romantic period, and a possibility, but it is actually post-renaissance, The Age of Reason. Next our attention was drawn to Joan of Arc. Hmm.....Hundred Years War, Middle Ages. Possible, but we still wanted to find something in the actual Renaissance.
While much of the public is familiar, at least in passing with Henri VIII and Queen Elizabeth, the reigns of Francois I, Henri II and other French rulers of the 16th century offer material for historical re-enactment just as exciting and colorful as their neighbors across the channel.
