Revel Grove, Oxfordshire, England

Unique among renaissance festivals, the Maryland Renaissance Festival utilizes a storyline and progresses each year forward in the timeline of Henry VIII, through all his reign and all six of his wives. This season is set in the year 1539.

The annual Harvest Festival is the biggest event in the calendar year for the small village of Revel Grove, which is east of the city of Oxford in Oxfordshire. Mayor Matthew McGregor, his wife Mayoress Beatrice Appleton McGregor and all of the villagers welcome visitors to enjoy the food, entertainment and crafts in the village.

King Henry VIII and some of his most trusted courtiers are on the annual Royal Progress and have traveled from Woodstock Manor to Revel Grove to meet with artist Hans Holbein the Younger. The artist has been tasked with painting portraits of some of the most eligible ladies in Europe. If one of the women catches the king's eye, she could be the next Queen of England!

Stephen Vaughan, governor of the Merchant Adventurers and Ambassador to the Netherlands is also visiting Revel Grove to meet with Baron Cromwell, Chief Minister to the King. Traveling with him is none other than John Winchcombe aka as Jack o'Newbury, the most famous clothier of the time. His woolen products are THE most desired English fabrics on the continent. 

Also back in town is Sir Richard Mondes, currently the Master of the Worshipful Company of Woolmen and recently elected Member of Parliament for Oxford and Revel Grove. Sir Richard is none to pleased to see the "overrated" Jack o'Newbury in town taking away his business! Mondes had hoped to secure a deal with Baron Cromwell for an order of 1000 kerseys. What's Newbury doing in town?!

Sir Richard is moving up in the world, but happy to be back home in Revel Grove. He is not so pleased to discover Mayor McGregor and his family still living in the Mondes Manor house. It seems when Mondes built his new manor house several years ago, a small part of it was on Appleton/McGregor land. Therefore, the mayor feels he is within his right to live in a small portion of the house. Sir Richard wants this dispute settled once and for all!

Adding to the Mayor's annoyance with the ongoing Manor house mess, he discovers the devious Baron Templeton (he's not a baron, that's his first name. And don't let him tell you otherwise!) has recently become Mayor of rival village Tiddington as well as elected MP for Tiddington & Albury. Templeton and his entourage are back in town to stir up some trouble!

The MPs will be making their way to Westminster as in 1539 the King has called for Parliament to be convened to decide on some important issues including The Fishing Act (making fishing out of ponds with the intent to steal a felony), Taking of Hawks Act (stealing hawk eggs, hunting in the King's forest is a crime), settling a Jointure for Lady Rochford. Oh, and the Suppression of the Religious Houses Act as well as the Proclamation of the Crown Act which states that if the King proclaims it, it shall be obeyed as though it was an act of parliament. What?! (spoiler alert, these acts were all repealed in the future. Except for the Jointure for Lady Rochford, which was kept up pretty much until she was beheaded. So, this was only paid out until 1542. But if you see her, don't tell her - it would ruin her festival day!)

The royal and village story is just one aspect of the Maryland Renaissance Festival, set in the Village of Revel Grove, where visitors can find all manner of amusement, feasting and shops galore.  More than 200 performers fill ten stages and taverns as well as the streets of the village with continuous entertainment.  A three thousand seat jousting arena host combat joust thrice daily as well as other large exhibitions.  More than 140 merchants fill their shops with their predominately handcrafted wares by the artisan in the shop, as well as various demonstrating shops creating treasures before your eyes.  Forty-two food and beverage emporiums and five taverns create a feast throughout the village to sate your appetite and quench your thirst.

Time travel to fun at the Maryland Renaissance Festival. Huzzah!