A Program of
Our Instructors
Our instructors come from diverse backgrounds, bringing expertise from across the worlds of history, Renaissance studies, acting, and hands-on reenactment. With professionals and enthusiasts from around the globe, each brings a unique blend of knowledge, passion, and experience, ensuring a rich and engaging learning environment for all participants.
Dr. Spencer M Dayton
Dean of
The Thistle & Rose Academy
Dr. Ben Pfaff
Vice-Dean of​​
The Thistle & Rose Academy
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Rick Silver
Theatrical Combat & Weapon Handling​​
Rydell Downward
Acting & Improvisation for Reenactors​​
Mark Chilcott
Period Crafts & Trades​​
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John Deitzel
The Art of Swordsmanship​​
Melissa Butcher
Costume & Culture: Understanding Renaissance Attire​​
Instructor Bios
Dr. Spencer M Dayton, Dean of the Thistle & Rose Academy & Interactive Historical Storytelling
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Dr. Dayton serves as the Dean of the Thistle and Rose Academy and is the Guild Master of the Guild of St. Margaret of Scotland, where he leads initiatives in historical education and interpretation. A Fellow of several prestigious societies, including the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland and the Royal Anthropological Institute, he is recognized as an authority in history and historical reenactment. Dr. Dayton is also a published author and has been involved in historical research and reenactments specializing in portraying King James. As a passionate advocate for education, he dedicates his efforts to enriching the understanding of Renaissance history through immersive programs and events.​
Dr. Ben Pfaff, Vice-Dean of the Thistle & Rose Academy
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Dr. Ben Pfaff brings over 20 years of experience as a participant in Renaissance Faires across Michigan and California. A founding member of the Guild of St. Margaret of Scotland, he has extensive expertise in conference planning and management, making him an invaluable part of the Academy's leadership. Beyond his work in the Renaissance community, Dr. Pfaff is an accomplished engineer and researcher, specializing in operating systems, networking, and distributed systems. As a founding engineer at Nicira Networks and later at VMware, he is best known as the founder and lead developer of Open vSwitch and OVN, with over 25 years dedicated to free and open source software. Dr. Pfaff holds a PhD in computer science from Stanford University, combining his technical expertise with a deep passion for history and immersive learning.​
Rick Silver, Theatrical Combat & Weapon Handling
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Rick Silver, Guild Master of the Stirling Mercenaries, is a recognized leader in weapons training, choreography, and safety. With a degree in Theater Arts, he has appeared in numerous theatrical performances and films, bringing his expertise to the production side of events, including faires, where he specializes in weapons training and battle staging. Skilled in stage combat, fight choreography, and costume design, Rick is also proficient in a range of weapons, including archery, firearms, and sword fighting. Additionally, his talents extend to mastering various accents and dialects, enhancing his versatility in performance.​
Rydell Downward, Acting & Improvisation for Reenactors
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Rydell Downward is a seasoned graphic arts professional known for his technical expertise, creative vision, and practical approach. With years of experience in the printing industry, he combines his design skills with a strong sense of service and commitment, ensuring high-quality results in every project. As the Executive Director of the Northern California Chapter of the Prestigious Guild of St. George, INC., Rydell leads with dedication and a passion for excellence.
Beyond his professional achievements, Rydell is a veteran period actor, celebrated for his roles across the Renaissance and Victorian eras. His charismatic stage presence, deep historical knowledge, and ability to engage audiences on the fly make him a standout performer, bringing authenticity and energy to every character he embodies. Whether on stage or behind the scenes, Rydell’s expertise and enthusiasm make him a vital part of the historical and artistic community.
Mark Chilcott, Period Crafts and Trades​
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Mark Chilcott, Guild Master of the House of Hawkdale, has over 25 years of experience in the Reenactment Arts, specializing in showcasing the trades and skills of a 16th-century English household. Through his leadership, the guild provides fairgoers with engaging, interactive experiences in historical crafts and daily life.​
Professionally, Mark is a Senior Manager of Research & Development, with a proven track record of taking life science and IVD products from concept to global market launch, working with companies like Bio-Rad Laboratories and Hewlett-Packard.
John Dietzal, The Art of Swordsmanship
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John Dietzel, known as "Gentleman Johnny," began his journey into swordsmanship as the first Dragon Slayer at Davenriche European Martial Artes School (DEMAS) at the age of 12. After two years of study under Steaphen, Johnny’s love for swords never faded. In 2010, he returned to DEMAS, focusing on dagger, grappling, and applying medieval combat techniques to modern combat training.
In 2015, John became a full instructor at DEMAS, where he developed the Dragon Slayers program, teaching younger students the Davenriche system. He is currently the lead instructor for Dragon Slayers and the rangemaster for the D.S.O.C. Killhouse indoor airsoft range. An active participant in Renaissance Faires, Johnny is known for his friendly teaching style and is beloved by both kids and adults.
Melissa Butcher, Costume & Culture: Understanding Renaissance Attire​
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Melissa Butcher has been a dedicated participant in Renaissance faires for over a decade, crafting and wearing custom-made Scots-Irish and English noble garb. With a bachelor’s degree in theater arts, specializing in costuming, mask making, and millinery, she has also spent 30 years studying and adapting Tudor fashion for various social classes. A former middle and high school teacher, Melissa combines her love for crafting—knitting, crocheting, sewing, spinning, and embroidery—with her passion for historical accuracy. Renaissance faires have allowed her to share her extensive skills and knowledge while connecting with an amazing community of like-minded individuals.