“No joy can equal the joy of serving others.”— Desiderius Erasmus, 1500s This past Sunday, the Barony of the Lonely Tower hosted a lively autumn Revel, including a potluck meal. It was held in an electrified shelter at Papillion’s Halleck Park. The gathering was the perfect chance for old friends and new faces to come…
“The apprentice sharpens the quills, fetches the ink, and ensures the vellum is smooth, for in these small services he learns the grand art.” Anonymous, French Manuscript (15th century) Welcome to another installment of “Journey and Art in 15th-Century Bruges.” This time we explore the daily life of Jehanne Bening. That’s me, or at least…
Hey there, friends! Do you know the senses of a great craft competiton? The kind you hear the hum of conversation. The scent of slow-cooked meat. And the sight of beautifully crafted projects. It could only be Calontir’s Kingdom Arts and Sciences Competition. It is one of my favorite events of the year! This time,…
I don’t know about you, but I love history. It inspires, humbles, and fascinates me. Part of that is learning the etymology of some common words and idioms, many of which are Medieval or even older. I list here some of the most fun ones I’ve come across and hope you enjoy learning about them…
Humor often cuts through serious matters more forcefully and effectively than sharpness. — Horace, Satires Book 1, Satire 10, Line 14 Hey, friends! I came across something interesting today—a post about the history of memes. Naturally, my mind went straight to thinking about how far back memes might go. I was hoping for a fun…
“Where hands and minds combine, the painted word shines bright. In Bruges, masters craft the heavens in their works, making gold and light dance upon the page.” Anonymous (15th-century), on the Bening Workshop In the bustling city of Bruges, the Bening workshop stood out. It was a beacon of artistic excellence. This was during the…
Heraldry has always been more than just a pretty design—it’s the mirror of the soul, showcasing both the virtues of the past and the hopes for the future. -Bartolus de Saxoferrato in the 14th century. If you’re a reenactor, are you fascinated by historically accurate heraldic devices? Or maybe you just enjoy the art of…
Hey, everyone! I don’t have any photos to share for this Work-In-Progress Wednesday. I’ve been hard at work on something exciting that’s almost finished! It’s a bit different from my usual projects, and I’m absolutely thrilled with how it’s turning out. I’m diving into a story set in—you guessed it—15th-century Bruges, my favorite time and…
“Bruges, in thee we find all that is fair: A city rich in goods and graced by air. Thy towers rise, like stories told in stone, Of grandeur, of beauty, and of a name well-known.” George Chastellain (c. 1405–1475) Hello, dear readers! Welcome to the first installment of my series, “Life and Art in 15th-Century…
“They travel for devotion’s sake, but often find their own desires.” Marguerite of Navarre (1492–1549) humorously observes that people may set out on a pilgrmage for religious reasons, personal motives often slip into the journey. Hey, all! At the June 2024 Calontir Lilies War, I had the pleasure of taking a unique class taught by…
Hey there, fellow SCA enthusiasts! Because Kingdom Arts and Sciences Competition is fast approaching, today, I want to talk about judging. A topic that’s close to my heart. But before we get to it, let’s set the stage with a friendly reminder. The ultimate goal here isn’t just to decide the worthiness of an entry….