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By divine appointment

Would the lawful ruler of this realm please rise!

This is the Prince. His duty is to sit tight, look amused and wait for the reigning parent to keel over of old age or hemlock. As of yet I have not figured out who the King and Queen are. My dislike of crowds and elbowing may well be the cause of such ignorance. I have busied myself with recording the routine of the Court instead.

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Historically, literacy has not been universal even among the high-born.

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Youths would learn more esteemed skills, the art of killing among them

High-born Lady
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Considering quick tempers of many courtiers, the skill with rapier and dagger would have been most useful in a variety of social situations.
Naturally, personal weapons and armor are too good for commoners. The benevolent rulers got serious cutlery and armor to make sure that the plebs do not get any ideas. Much the same reasons would later be used to convince US citizens that the government agents are the only ones trustworthy enough to carry arms. A rapier or a helbard was as much a status symbol for the Inquisition as an HK submachine gun is to their present-day brethen, the ATF. And speaking of the Devil...

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The exteemed Ancestors of the Authors of the Communications Decency Act and other most modern and worthy undertakings are quite affable. Just pray you do not encounter them in their professional capacity.
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As in the modern times, the Inquisition was mainly after those who use "controlled substances" (tobacco, pot, books). However, since those people tend to be no threat to anyone, we suspect that the main goal is perpetuation of the agency. Note the similarities in methods: confiscation of property of the accused to make defense difficult and outright burning of those they target. The only difference is that terminology got simpler (Waco rather than auto-da-fe).
Girl and a rose
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To be fair, I would like to note that the abovementioned people are not all bad. The upper class has, for instance, perpetuated of the spirit of chivalry. This wench, though out of period with her wrist-watch and modern bra, has apparently moved at least one Renaissance man to a show of gallantry.
Girl with a wrist watch
Speaking of wrist watches -- they seem to be the most common anachronism at the Faire. Hi-res (right)


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