I'm sure everyone remembers my fond reminiscing on the my time in the OSU Renaissance Performers Guild. I'm also sure that more than a few people who have attended a Ren. Faire wonder how much effort actually goes into presenting a historical performance. The answer is... it depends on who is in charge. With my own experience there has been a good bit of historical background presented to all of the actors. This includes words popular at the time, the type of clothing worn, accessories that would have been present, what was going on in the immediate area and the context of the that in relation to that time in the world.
It is however entirely up to the actors to use these. Actors must balance entertainment, functionality, and what is recognized as historical by patrons. This is not an easy thing to do. As a friend of mine was performing at the Great Lakes Renaissance Festival it was required by her character's station to kneel or if she wished to be dramatic even prostrate herself at the nobility. However it had been raining heavily one weekend so doing so quickly covered her garments in mud. Even the actors playing the nobility gave her leave told her it wasn't necessary after they could no longer distinguish the original color of her clothes.
Amusing stories aside most renaissance actors will try to give at least an appearance of accuracy but a lot of faires do not pay them and so they are limited in what they can afford both on time and money.
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