It’s amazing how things seem to line up at times in fun and amusing ways. This summer, I’ve been lucky enough to visit the Bristol Renaissance Faire three times. The Faire is located on the Wisconsin/Illinois border and runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day. I know some of the people who work in the cast as court members and the more I’ve heard about each person’s character, the more I’m interested the history surrounding it. English renaissance was an era that I was never required to study, so I am quite clueless. The closest I had come was my Spanish history and a few of the marital alliances mentioned. The best way, it was explained to me, to get an idea of the Elizabethan time period and the specific era the Faire takes place, was to watch the movie Elizabeth or read The Other Boylen Girl. Taking this a step further, I started with Phillipa Gregory’s first book in the series, The Constant Princess.
The characters that the actors play at the Faire are historically accurate, they research their characters, their titles and lives. Each person must know their own rank with their fellow actors and respond with the proper deference or allowance. Nobility titles, names and dates are all historically accurate. Even costuming is as historically accurate as possible. I wondered where they were able to find their information.
Accidentally, I came upon a wonderful source. While searching for a place I could access an article database for articles to study for Certified Archivist, searching Sir Hilary Jenkinson revealed his works at the Newberry Library. I feel that we (those in the archival profession) see him as a theorist, but looking at his books, his theories come from practical experience. He compiled lists of lords and nobles of England from their records. He organized and published the records. Titles of his works include:
- Surrey apprenticeships from the registers in the Public Record Office, 1711-1731.
- Lambeth churchwardens’ accounts, 1504-1645 and vestry book, 1610.
- Here may a young man see how he should speak subtly in court.
- Guide to seals in the Public Record office.
- The records of the English African companies
Many of these are books, but some are articles. It is somewhat exhilarating when leisure activities, like listening to The Constant Princess while I drive to work, and my professional activities click together.
Looking at what Sir Hilary Jenkinson did with his time as an archivist makes me wonder where I will end up and what I will do with the collections I find. Will I be able to muster the time, stamina and tenacity to compile dozens of books for future patrons decades to come?
Does anyone have examples they have come across of institutions or individuals publishing their archival records for ease of research? Or something similar, barring internet and electronic venues?
