Proof of the Plague - eek!

Well, maybe it's a few centuries too late for "eek!"  Nonetheless, Heavenfield's blog is a great historical resource and this is an interesting short article on the Plague of Justinian.

BTW, don't forget to follow SCA Link of the Day Blog!

Artistic Inspiration from opusanglicanum - weaving, garb and beautiful encampment!

This is one of the blogs I love to follow, because this amazing artisan is always working on something lovely; she posts frequently; she has a sense of humor; and she likes cats.  Her embroidery leaves me stunned and makes me think maybe I should get off the Internet and do something with my life.

Opusangicanum:  finished stuff, started stuff,

and the first outdoor event of the year

I also enjoy seeing photos of her daily progress on historically inspired projects like embroidering Noah's Ark.

Opusanglicanum:  Noah's Ark  finished

Dig up a free magazine article from the Society for Medieval Archeology!

Sample articles from the 2006 online journal:

• Investing in Sculpture: Power in Early-historic Scotland (pp 105-42) Meggen Gondek
• An Early Anglo-Saxon Bridle-fitting from South Leckway, Forfar, Angus, Scotland (pp 249-60)  Tania M. Dickinson, Chris Fern and Mark A. Hall
• Reflections on a '9th-century' Northumbrian Metalworking Tradition: A Silver Hoard from Poppleton, North Yorkshire (pp 143-64) Gabor Thomas
• A Lead Model for a Late 5th- or Early 6th-century Sword-Pommel (pp 243-9) Barry Ager   

Many articles contain photographs as well as line drawings; this journal is an excellent scholarly source for use in A&S documentation.

Thanks to HE Eirny Thorvaldsdottir and Lord Martin de Gras for bringing this to my attention.  You both rock!

"Persian Clothiers" Facebook Page

You just never know when one of your friends is going to create an amazing resource.

Lady Adelicia de Clare of Atenveldt has set up a Facebook Page dedicated to sharing "thoughts, patterns, ideas, pics and sudden brainstorms without judgment." It has an international membership, lots of great photos, and some pretty knowledgeable folks who don't mind having their brains picked by the rest of us.

http://www.facebook.com/groups/228818680565289/?ref=ts&fref=ts

If this link doesn't work for you, just log into FB and search for "Persian clothiers."  It will pop right up.  Then, to join, click Join Group in the upper-right corner of the group's page.

Music SCAdians will love

If you don't know the music of these wonderful Atenveldt bards, you should check them out  And please like their Facebook page, too!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Whiskey-Bards/116989421679137

https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/the-whiskey-bards/id111237588

One of the highlights of my Estrella War this year was Master Yonaton, his lovely lady and talented son performing bardic around a camp fire.  What a perfect evening!

Next year, look for members of the Whiskey Bards at Estrella, and ask them for a song :-)

(Warning:  Some content may be offensive to some listeners.  I just uncheck the songs that bother me in my iTunes, but, you know, like, do whatever.)

Images for Costumers and illuminators: An Online Gallery of Religious Art

As you plan your garb, where do you find period images?  When you're getting ready to illuminate a scroll, where do you turn for inspiration?  Here's a wonderful site with lots of period art:

Christus Rex:  A Fine Art Image Gallery

You'll find famous works from artists like Fra Angelico, Bellini, Michelangelo, Caravaggio, Giotto and Masaccio - the list reads like a "Who's Who" from your college art history classes.

Costumers:  To see an example of a painting with great period headcoverings and what appears to be an intricately embroidered sleeve, check out Bellini's Presentation at the Temple.  Here's how to get there:

• http://www.christusrex.org/www2/art/gallery.htm
• Scroll down and click on "Giovanni Bellini" (under "Artists")
• Click on the first painting (Presentation at the Temple).

Isn't that beautiful? Such masterful presentation of complicated folds of cloth, and lovely depictions of both garb and faces.

Illuminators:  To see an example of a procession which might inspire a scroll, go to:

• http://www.christusrex.org/www2/art/gallery.htm
• Scroll down and click on "Ambrogio Lorenzetti" (under "Artists")
• Click on the last painting (Effetti del Buon Governo, Detail).

I just love the queen's weird saddle and the harness on the horses.  I can so see using some of these elements in a scroll for an equestrian award, can't you?

Curious About Life in Elizabethan England?

If you have a late-period persona, this page is a great place to start your research.

"Elizabethan England" at the Shakespeare Resource Center has links to:

• "British History Online" - with both primary and secondary sources; created by the Institute of Historical Research and the History of Parliament Trust;
• "The British Monarchy" - "kings and queens of Britain, Scotland, and the UK from the original Anglo-Saxon kings to present day";
• Description of Elizabethan England, 1577 - from Fordham University;

and of course, lots more.

Even if you just love Shakespeare and English history, this is a wonderful site.