The Gentleman Adventurers is a theatrical troupe specializing in first person historical interpretation of various army and naval officers of the English Elizabethan period.  We bring not only interaction on the streets but conduct duels of honor at The Renaissance Pleasure Faire in Southern California each spring.

Each member of the Gentlemen Adventurers have conducted serious research on the character that they portray which helps them bring a slice of life to every event they attend and helps them to educate the public in Elizabethan military matters and commonplaces.  Furthermore, most of our members are students in The Bankeside Schoole of Defense which enables them to stage realistic swordfights and quarrels over a gentlemen's honor.

Historically, Gentlemen Adventurers were the second and third sons of nobility, knights and land-owning gentry.  Through the tradition of primogeniture, the first born sons generally gained the titles, lands and the family business upon the death of their father, whilst the second and subsequent sons were left to gain honor and glory for themselves.  The most common way for these young gentlemen to move up in the world was to attach themselves to an army or naval unit.  Because of their high birth, they were gentleman, not common soldiers and were frequently given command of units during a campaign.  Additionally, the common soldiers would look to them for guidance if the leaders were fallen.  It was believed that noble birth naturally granted the ability to lead.  These were the men who gained knighthoods and glory from being involved in military actions.  They were the patriots, heros and soldiers of fortune of the 16th century.