Herjolfsnes- here I come!

Herjolfsnes- here I come!

I have decided to join the Herjolfsnes challenge on FaceBook (‘about’ information below).  Many thanks to Elina for the timely initiative!

In some ways I need a new project like a hole in the head… But I have already made 5 items from the finds (2 dresses, 2 hoods and footless hosen), and these finds are a good fit for Thora in terms of timeframe and climate. 

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New Blog: Thrums, threads and thoughts for Thora

There's a new blog on More Than Cod!  The purpose of Thrums, threads and thoughts for Thora is to give me a space to explore my process of learning history.  As I work through new projects or read new-to-me research, I stumble across little details or wonder about the whys and wherefores.  It will also be a place where I can share ideas on more practical aspects of being a reenactor.

I'd really like to encourage people to comment, make suggestions and ask questions!

«Mannen i myra» exhibition: Commission completed

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Stephen Wickler (Researcher, Tromsø University Museum) demonstrating one of the hoods prepared for the exhibition.

The Skjoldehamn find is known to many interested in Northern European textiles, and there has been much discussion about this remarkably complete find since its discovery in 1936.  In this exhibition original artifacts from the find will be on display.

As a result of previous work I have done, I was pleased to be commissioned to create two replicas of the hood for an interactive portion of the exhibition.  In addition, the recreation of the blanket from the find I wove in 2012 will also be part of a display allowing the public to experience these textiles first-hand.

The exhibition will be opening on September 16, 2015 at 7 PM.  Information in Norwegian here.

 

"Period is not perfect" and playing on Pinterest

I have finally given in and started using Pinterest.  There are really too many forums and interfaces available, and it is not possible to keep up with them all regardless of how interesting they may be.  The choice to use Pinterest relates to provenance.  I would like to make pictures and links available, while remaining respectful of intellectual property.  Finding great pictures ripped out of context is so very frustrating, so I'm aiming to keep myself honest about sources.

I am particularly proud of the "Period is not perfect" board.  As I have said in the description, "Examples of poor construction, errors and botched jobs in extant finds prior to the mid-17th c. It is perfectly period to have errors, quick-fixes and other examples of Less Than Perfection! Let's take heart from these and have fun using and reparing our stuff." I do hope for suggestions for this board!
My general Pinterest boards covers a range of topics, primarily related to Norwegian/Scandinavian topics, as well as links to other interesting blogs.

Go take a look and leave a comment!

Happy World Book Day! -Missale Nidrosiense from 1519

For World Book Day, The Gunnerus Library of NTNU (Norwegian University of Technology and Science) in Trondheim, Norway presented the first book ordered printed in Norway: Missale Nidrosiense from 1519.  This book presented the new liturgy to be used in the whole of the Archbishopric of Nidaros- which encompassed the Norwegian lands from Trøndelag and to the north.  The book was printed on the orders of Archbishop of Nidaros Erik Valkendorf and was produced in Copenhagen by Master Printer Paul Reff.

(information from library website: http://www.ntnu.no/ub/missale-nidrosiense)

Plenty to do... time to get cracking!

The Lofoten winter fisheries are just ended, and the cod is now drying on the hjell and hesje (racks).  The smell? Well, as they say, it smells of money!

Soooo many options!

Soooo many options!

I am preparing for a busy sewing season.  I have two major medieval events this year: DoubleWars in Southern Sweden in May, and mother-of-all-wars Pennsic XLIV in Pennsylvania, USA in July/August.  Sure, I'll be watching some of the battles, but this medievalist loves the classes and window shopping that comes with collecting a hoard of our ilk for a week or so of fun!

I plan to work on serviceable clothes that finally move me forward into the 13th-early 14th centuries.  This will be a learning process where I'll finally put away commercial patterns and start working from draped body blocks.  What's a body block, you say?  Look at the tutorials on the By My Measure blog and pursue the many excellent links.  I also want to work from the skin out and pursue various options for the underpinnings and see what testing these out in the Northern Norwegian climate teaches me.  So the stash has been raided and a rainbow has been brought forth.  Now on to the hard decisions.... exactly what to make?!?!!

New name article and updating A&S 50 Challenge blogs

New name article and updating A&S 50 Challenge blogs

There's a new onomastic article Middle Norwegian Names from Diplomatarium Norvegicum Diplom 257 (May 06, 1339).  Interestingly, this diplom documents the use of "-sun" as a patronymic for 14th c. Middle Norwegian.

The A&S 50 cooking blog is now up-to-date with the 8 previously published entries.  The first entry on the A&S 50 persona blog is up and more will be posted over the next few days.   Both blogs now have the option of RSS feeds- see the sidebar on the left to sign up!

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