Fair Lady Aside

The Road Less Traveled

2011-01-14T11:26:00.000-08:00

I would prefer to write of more side saddle experiences, but for the moment, I have to accept the fact that my horse is not suited for it, not because she isn't game, but rather because of her incredibly steep hip tilt. So, what's a medieval chic to do?

I must turn my attentions to more "classical" equestrian pursuits by which I mean hunting and martial skills. These are not modern dressage feats or modern hunting pursuits, this is using a sword or spear from horseback.

First things first, Phase I of the plan is to simulate the art of hunting boar, I have acquired a lovely 3D archery target of a most impressive beast. Naturally it is stationary to get the horses acclimated to monstrous beasties.

Phase II, and if I see another one of these things with a boar's head, you better cite me. A Tourinha with a boar's head instead of a bull's horns, I call it a Boarinha. (I'll give it a more linguistically correct name when I have the time.) These items are used to teach bullfighting horses -- now before you spread the hate -- this is not about teaching my horse to fight bulls, it's about demonstrating historical technique.

So, I will begin posting project pictures shortly.

Books for Inspiration

Gaston Phebus' Book of the Hunt

The Art of Medieval Hunting: The Hound and the Hawk By John Cummins

The Master of Game Edward of Norwich

A new hennin for the holidays

2009-12-03T04:41:00.000-08:00

Part of the ensemble of a well dressed lady is her "hat". Our latest hennin is of the truncated style with a "butterfly veil" of creamy silk; crossed with blue silk, and studded with glass beads and golden pearls. Once again Kat of Kat's Hats in the UK has pulled off a stunning vision of handcrafted, red silk, medieval goodness.

Our hennin is based on Giovanni Boccaccio's Le Livre des clèves et noble femmes MS. Fr.599, f.40 French. fifteenth century. Bibliothèque Nationale, Paris.

We can say that we are pleased with the appearance and should have images up in our attire soon.

Medieval Hunting Show

2009-07-31T10:23:00.000-07:00

I'm pretty excited. We're starting a new presentation at the local museum. As the title indicates, one on medieval hunting. It looks to be a promising one. We will have ferrets, Italian Greyhounds, and Raptors.

It is an opportunity to dress in the proper 15th Century Fashionista stylings of the Burgundian Court. I will finally get to wear my new hennin and show off my Iggies, Evie and Baby.

Side Saddles: Cautionary Tale

2009-05-28T08:38:00.000-07:00

Not all side saddles are equal. Recently, I was having Normandie fit for a side saddle and as my regular status indicated, we had some fit issues with the cantle area or lack of one. Basically it was packing down too much and would slide. Fitting takes time. In any case, I remember someone had mentioned a side saddle on consignment at a local saddle shop. So, Gail, Sue and I took a quick road trip to take a look at the saddle. This is the side saddle up for sale.

If you do not know anything about side saddles or assume that they are fitted like other saddles, then you need to find an expert before riding or fitting one. The pictured saddle is an example of a poorly crafted saddle. Things you can't see in the photo: The tree is twisted and slopes off to the off side, the center line is "off center". The finger billets on on the off side have a huge gap that would allow for the installation of an extra billet, the padding as typically found in most English saddles which makes up for the bars of a western, is practically non-existent and allows the saddle to dig into the horse's back. When a rider is sitting on the horse, their left seat bone is hanging off the side of the cantle. There is no saddle beneath them. This is a poorly made saddle by a maker that clearly doesn't know the first thing about side saddles. Ebayers beware.

Oh, did I mention that the balance girth points in the WRONG direction? It angles toward the back of the horse rather than toward the front. If I can obtain the pictures from Sue that we took, you will see what we're talking about.

A Swing and a Miss!

2009-05-28T08:35:00.000-07:00

Well this past Saturday, Gail and Sue made the trip north to try to help find a side saddle to fit one of my horses. After roughly 5 hours, we came close, but there were no carrots to be had. Sigh...these saddles are extremely hard to fit.

We tried a Wayne Steele on Normandie. It was fitted and Gail mounted up for an inaugural ride. Normandie walked off alright, but then got half way down the side of the ring and did a little cow kick, almost like he was swatting a fly. It might have been, but then he did it again...this time in protest. Apparently the saddle rolled a little and it started digging his withers. Normandie is stoic when it comes to a lot of things; however, he is quite expressive when something isn’t right.

Gail dismounted and we headed back for the aisle to try the second saddle, a nice Mayhew. Normandie was learning patience as he stood in the aisle and waited while the balance girth was set and then it was out to the ring for a second test.

This one fit him a little better especially in the withers. Bob helped with a “pony” ride; Normandie followed him allowing Gail to concentrate on fit and feel instead of worrying about what Normandie was thinking. The saddle had new flocking and the packing down caused the cantle to dip low creating an uphill slope on the saddle; back to the aisle.

We took the saddle off and bridle again and Norm stood on the cross ties while Sue, super saddler that she is, took the saddle to her car and opened up the padding and began adding more wool. She stitched it up, and we were off to the ring again for another test ride.

Another swing and a miss; it rode better, but the saddle would still roll to the left as you rode. So, the consensus was to wait and try it out on other horses to see if it was a fundamental issue with saddle or something else.

So, Jenn still has no saddle, but we’re still working on it. Sue is cogitating on the problem and we’ll see what happens.

Since they were up my way and I had heard that there was a side saddle at a local saddle shop, we took a quick road trip and it was quite educational. The side saddle is an example of caveat emptor (buyer beware). I will address this in my next post.

Pisanello Bit Completed

2009-05-06T06:13:00.000-07:00

We've always wanted to have a medieval bit made for presentations and to further our understanding of the medieval riding experience, and to improve the overall impression in the field. After looking at several bits and some of the best renderings from artists of the time period, we settled on the drawings of Italian artist Antonio di Puccio Pisano (aka Pisanello d.1455).

This first image is a sketch that detailing the action of the bit and the horse's mouth. You see faint indications of the shank shape. The mouthpiece appears to be a thick snaffle type. You can also see a very simple leather or fabric "curb" with a 'T' connection that goes through one of the bit rings.

The next image gives a clearer view of the bit's shape, purchase, and connections. It also shows the almost ubiquitous bosses. You can also see another example of a curb "chain". In this case it looks like a leather/fabric type that has chain on the ends. You can also see the two types of reins and where they are connected.

When working with the professional bit maker here in the US, I submitted outlines and original images and after a brief exchange of functionality, a price was agreed upon (this is a custom bit). Within a day of the final drawings being submitted, the bit maker sent the next photo. It details the shank lengths and he was offering me a choice of which length I wanted to go with.

The original bit was supposed to be 8" inches to fall more in line with Normandie's 7 shank Myler. However, the image that we provided suggested that the bit in the original art was a little longer. So, after a quick discussion, we decided to go with the longer shanks.

This is the result, the complete bit.

From the time that we designed, discussed, and had the bit in hand was 3 business days. One of those was the shipping.

Side Saddle Fitting

2009-04-28T06:35:00.000-07:00

Looking forward to having Sue and Gail up to do a saddle fitting and a lesson. I'm sure that Normandie won't appreciate having a "ladies" saddle on him, but we'll see. There are a few candidates and hopefully I will walk away with a saddle so that I can pick up my side saddle riding where I left off. I think we're trying a few models on him. Sue thinks that the STEELE "ENGLISH PLEASURE" will be the one. I can't recall if we're trying a Circle R on him. I'll be sure to have some pictures taken of the process. This is very exciting.

Pisanello Bit

2009-04-28T04:24:00.001-07:00

In the process of examining medieval tack, I decided to focus briefly on bits. I'm currently having a 15th century style bit made for educational purposes and for historic interpretation. The design is based on examples of bits in the drawings of Antonio di Puccio Pisano (aka Pisanello). I'm also currently designing a Medieval style headstall for use with the bit. I hope to post pictures once the bit and headstall are finished.

Advice on a horse for the Good Wife of Paris for the pleasure of Hawking

2009-03-26T09:33:00.000-07:00

While researching numerous equestrian oriented topics, a work that I came across, but had only heard of in regard to culinary pursuits was The Goodman of Paris (Le Menagier de Paris, 1393), a domestic guide book that was written for a fifteen year old bride of a wealthy, bourgeois, Parisian man. Like many marriages of the middle ages, the man was no doubt many years, if not decades her senior, so at times the document might sound condescending, but I tend to think of it as more of a fatherly tone as he advises a daughter about life and the management of a household.

Having received Eileen Powers version, much to my dismay, the section regarding the care and selection of horses was not included. Greatly disappointed, but not deterred, I went in search of Le Menagier de Paris. And what should I find but a newly printed work by Gina L. Greco and Christine M. Rose titled The Good Wife's Guide. It contains a similar translation with the major difference, it was complete and contained the portion that was of keen interest to me, mainly that dealing with Horses, which I will not go into any detail here.

My primary goal for this entry is the gentleman’s advice on the pleasures of hawking and the type of horse required.

3.2 Hawking Treatise

1. Item, To complete what I earlier promised you , my dear, I place hereafter what I know about being an austringer and the art of hawking, so that in the hunting season you can divert yourself with this pursuit if you so choose. To begin with, you must know that, for the season, a good austringer readies 9 dogs and three horses for hawking, if he wishes to continue and perform well the duties of the occupation....I will treat later when I speak of hunting with hawks. But here in the beginning, I will first deal with dogs and then horses,...(pg. 233)

5. Item, you must be equipped with a small horse, easy to mount and dismount frequently, calm to ride, and not too lively, does not squirm, or buck, or bolt, or do anything to hamper the sparrow hawk’s return to the gauntlet. The horse must remain quiet and immobile when waiting for its master to mount or dismount. (pg. 235)

Some might recall my earlier entry regarding the Fatal Ride of Mary of Burgundy. She was hawking. I don’t know what manner of horse she rode, but the outcome of her hunt was tragic. Her horse shied and Mary fell from the horse's back and was trampled. She died several days later from the wounds that she received. Was her horse spirited? I'm not certain, however, it did buck according to the accounts.

It seems that then, as now, ones level of horsemanship and the activity in which one wishes to engage, must be evenly matched. I suspect that given his young wife’s age and most likely her level of horsemanship might have something to do with the advice on a “less spirited” horse. Recognizing the potential for danger, even today, we train our horses, so that no matter the discipline or activity, they stand quietly and calmly for the mount.

Books references:
The Good Wife’s Guide by , 2009 (complete translation in English)
The Goodman of Paris by Eileen Powers, 2006

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Habit Forming Revisited

2009-02-09T11:42:00.000-08:00

My "Woodvylle" hennin for the Fair Lady Aside.

This hennin was hand crafted by Kat of Kat's Hats in the UK. It is a lovely flowerpot hennin made of antique gold colored silk with goldwork and pearls. The edge is lined with black velvet and a lovely silk veil drapes over the wire supports.

The photo doesn't really do it justice, but it just another step closer to the proprely attired lady.

Six more weeks...

2009-02-02T09:57:00.000-08:00

I would have been happier if they'd left "Phil" in his tree stump. Six more weeks of winter? (expletive deleted via self censorship). I have a wall of snow and ice walling the front of my house, courtesy of the town highway department, that can be seen from space. Six more weeks is NOT what I wanted to hear.

Ah well...here's to another six weeks.

A season?

2009-02-02T09:27:00.000-08:00

The medieval humors would have me listed as "melancholy". While not really sad or depressed, I'm feeling a little solemn and reflective. 45 minute drives will do that to you, especially when you turn the radio off and your brain goes into thought overdrive.

I'm not sure how many readers are familiar with the "A Reason, a Season, or a Lifetime", below is a run down...

"When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally, or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend, and they are! They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrongdoing on your part, or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered. And now it is time to move on.
Then people come into your life for a SEASON because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn. They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it! It is real! But, only for a season.
LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons: things you must build upon in order to have a solid spiritual foundation. Your challenge is to accept the lesson, love the person, and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life.

Recently I've been giving it a lot of thought. I've known many people who have been transitory in my life, but recently, a friend who I had thought would be there for a lifetime has me rethinking that and I wonder if it is becoming more of a "seasonal" thing.

During a recent visit, it seemed that topics of conversation or at least ideas, seemed to be dismissed with only cursory thought. It's something that I noted a few years ago, but thought that it might be just one of those sojourns we all tend to go on when evaluating the sum of our lives thus far. One of the things, and it's probably silly, was that we were discussing a movie that was on TV, and I'd made some comment that I'd thought was innocuous, and they'd just muttered under their breath, loud enough for me to hear, "It's just a stupid movie".

I can't say why, but it really bothered me. It was like my opinion had no validity. I've noticed this more and more since they'd tested and were accepted into the top 98 percentile society. If you don't know what that means, look up the word "table" in Latin.

Things like this have been occurring for a while and it just makes me think that we've drifted apart over the years and that our ideological/religious, socio-political, and personal paths are only going to drive us further apart until one day, we'll just stop talking.

I thought about discussing it, but am not sure how I'd approach something like it. I just don't know. It just something that was really eating at me yesterday and I just needed to voice it to the ether.

End of rambling...

Marie de Bourgogne: La Chevauchée fatale

2009-01-15T04:10:00.000-08:00

I had read many years ago that Marie de Bourgogne, daughter of Charles the Bold, had been involved in a tragic riding accident, and until yesterday, I really had no idea of the magnitude of her injuries. I didn't even know that an examination had been made of her skeleton. As I sat and translated the few brief passages, an involuntary chill swept through me and I was moved, almost to tears by a woman I had no connection with, who had died over 500 years ago; a young woman who's life was tragically cut short in her twenties.

It was March, 1482. Marie and her husband, Maximillian of Austria, were the guests of the duke of Clèves. Their host had arranged for a bird hunt. So, the royal party set off toward the woods and marshes. Maximillian and the other men set off ahead to flush game. Marie, with hawk on hand, had soon taken a heron. She had sighted another when tragedy struck.

The accounts vary as to what caused Marie's horse to shy and buck violently - a ditch or a tree across the path - what is known is that Marie fell to the ground and she was trampled. Marie was taken to a nearby house. She was tended to by physicians, but the injuries that she had sustained would painfully and eventually end her life.

The forensic evidence supports the accounts of her injuries. She had suffered not only injuries to her hands and arms, but to her ribcage as well: four broken ribs.

It serves as a reminder that no matter how innocuous the trail, how much we trust our horse, and how well we ride, in a glimmer of an eye, we can be taken by surprise.

A woman we knew where we stabled our horses before had made an almost prophetic observation. One of our horses has often been called "bomb proof". She said, "He's so calm and good natured that the one time he actually does spook, you're really going to get hurt". Six years later, that comment manifested into stark reality. Fortunately for my husband, he lived through it with "minor" injuries.

Ride safely.

Back on the Grid

2008-12-17T04:51:00.000-08:00

Monday afternoon, the power was back, along with landline and cable, and the all important INTERNET. YAY!!!

After two days of unseasonably warm temps that melted off the ice, we now have 2 -3 inches of snow with more expected. Looks like a White Christmas in New England.

Ice Storms...UGH

2008-12-15T06:06:00.000-08:00

Ice Storms...what a joy. [insert heavy sarcasm]

The meteorologists had been missing calls for a while now. So, imagine our shock when they actually got one right.

Since 10pm Thursday, December 11, our neighborhood has been without power. We were watching "The Dark Knight" at had just arrived at the climax of the movie when...[distant boom] a transformer blew and the power went out then browned in and out as the power fluctuated for a few moments...[distant boom] the second transformer blew and the lights were out for the duration.

8am the power was still out. Donning jackets and shoes, we leashed the hounds and walked outside to find a crystalline forest, a downed pine tree and a birch tree across the road. Both had just missed taking out a utility pole and the associated power lines. Around the cul-de-sac, a small birch tree had its branches frozen to the power lines, but no break. As we rounded the corner, our neighbors we not so lucky. Their power line from the pole to their house took a direct hit by a high, hardwood branch that had snapped off.

We finished our walk. Figuring that we'd be without power for at least the day, maybe two, we pulled out the portable generator and got it fired up. Then we headed out for gas and some breakfast. It was at this moment that we realized how badly the town had been hit.

Our road was blocked by two fallen trees. Fortunately we had a connecting road. As we drove down the road, there were trees with their crowns touching the pavement and frozen there. Power, cable, and phone lines were snapped or strewn all about. We wove our way down to the main road and headed to the local Sam's Club.

No stop lights were functioning. This made making turns across four lanes of traffic an extreme sport. Sam's and Walmart were down for the count, as well as Dunkin Donuts, MacDonalds, and the local super markets. Everything was dark which meant the town was in bad shape.

We headed across the bridge to the neighboring city. We fueled up and went on a hunt for breakfast. There we found the rest of our town, in the drive thrus. We all had the same idea at the same time. We pulled into Mac Donald's and already the drive through had 25 cars in it and the parking lot was filled to capacity. 5 minutes after we got there, two uniformed employees came out and started turning walk-in traffic away. "no food". "we're closed". Rolling down my window I asked them if they were really closed or we're they at their maximum seating capacity. "No food". They had the last car in line pegged as the last vehicle that they could serve. I found myself wondering "How did they know this?" "What if the last guy was picking up meals for six of his friends that were working construction somewhere?" At that point, we figured we'd leave and try to find another one.

Finally we did. While the line was long, we got what we wanted. Then we headed back with our fast food bounty to liberate the dogs and hunker down for a longer wait.

It is amazing how reliant we've become on creature comforts and instant information.

All I can say is thank God for cellphones as we'd have been SOL without our cells as our landline was toasted. We have no internet access. This blog is courtesy of my employer's access.

So, today is Monday. Welcome to day four without power. I did see one of the big utility trucks in our circle last night. I'm hoping he was there doing some assessments to see if they could get us back on the grid in short order.

Habit Forming Continued

2008-12-05T11:56:00.001-08:00

It's been four months since my last post. I'm nearing some final touches on my riding "habit". I've commissioned a new hennin with a butterfly veil. This should complete the clothing nicely. Antique gold silk with a creme colored veil with pearls and goldwork.

Once the final touches are finished, I will post a picture of the completed look.

Then it's on to the saddle.

The Long Awaited Buckle

2008-07-16T04:54:00.000-07:00

The Belt and the Buckle are now complete, now they must be attached one to the other. For this I will be paying a visit to a friend who has the experience to put it all together. I tried to do it but felt that I would mangle Gina's work.

Above is what the belt will look like when it's actually finished.

Habit Forming: Revisited

2008-05-12T04:27:00.000-07:00

Many who have followed this meandering and occasionally sporadic blog might remember that I was having a 15th century broad belt made for my historical riding attire. The belt portion of lovely tablet woven silk has been done for quite some time and has been eagerly awaiting completion.

Well it seems like that day is drawing nearer. I've received some updated pictures of the belt buckle. Below is just a taste. I don't want to spoil the end result as the buckle has not been gilt yet.

The image that follows is the strap end. The buckle is silver and hand crafted, not cast.

Bit-less Bridle Round 2

2008-05-12T04:22:00.000-07:00

I received my replacement bitless bridle Thursday but due to weather, didn't have an opportunity to use it until Sunday. It worked great! Phantom's head carriage was natural and relaxed. She figured it out very quickly, and was more responsive. Halts were instant rather than 3 or 4 steps. I got to concentrate more on leg and seat than having to worry about the battle of the bit.

It was a great ride and I'm very pleased.

Bitless Bridle First Try

2008-04-19T17:49:00.001-07:00

Well, I have to say I am impressed. I fitted Phantom with the new Dr. Cook's bitless bridle today. Normally, when a bridle with bit is placed in her mouth, she gets tense and makes a fuss if the same bridle has a brow band. I put her on the cross ties and after the dust and fluff, and unclipped her halter and slipped it over her head. I unbuckled the noseband of the new bitless and slipped it on. No fuss, no muss. She even accepted the fact that this was an English style headstall with brow band.

Then she quietly stood while I read the "User's Guide" and made the appropriate adjustments. I was amazed at how quiet and calm she was, especially since we haven't done any work in about six months. She also seemed to understand and work with the new bridle quicker than expected, but since I only worked with her from the ground today, I won't have a full evaluation until I actually sit in the saddle.

I ordered the Draft size as historically these are the only headstalls that seem to fit warmblood sized horses. I have all the straps to their highest holes and it still looks like I have an inch of play on each side. So I've asked for the Bitless bridle folks for some advice. Normally, I'd put some additional holes in the bridle, but it's a synthetic AND if it doesn't work, I have a 30 Day Money Back on it. So far the company has been VERY user friendly.

I'll keep ya posted.

Dr. Cook's Bitless Bridle

2008-04-18T04:13:00.000-07:00

Over the past few years, it seems that getting just the right bit for Phantom has been a major challenge. No matter how many times I measure, have another experienced horse person measure, etc... I've always felt that whatever bit I ended up with was never "right". Phantom is not hard mouthed and I really want to keep it that way. So, one day while looking through the latest "Yankee Pedlar Horsemen's edition" publication, I came across an ad for Dr. Cook's bitless bridle and thought..."hmmm...I wonder if this might be a good solution." They had a web site, and I visited.

You'd be amazed at the number of people that have written about their success with this bridle. I've read the product material on the web site and read the hundreds of reviews from satisfied riders that have had similar feelings and issues with bits and their own riding experience. The testimonials made the difference for me. How can 374 pages (Dec 2000 - March 2008) of heartfelt testimonials be wrong? The people writing their stories range from professional dressage and eventers to the weekend horseman.

Now some might think that I might be hard on my horses mouth. Heavy handed or my hands aren't quiet.

Firstly, I am not a heavy handed rider, all of my instructors have said that I'm light and have quiet hands. I do my level best to use leg, seat, and voice over the bit. My friend and current instructor, always said that the "Horse's brakes are in their feet, not their mouth". C'est vrais.

Others might say that my horse is hard-mouthed or has dental issues, or is just a pill.

Secondly, Phantom does not have any issues with her mouth. Her teeth are perfect and she has no sores on her tongue, lips, or any other part of her mouth. She does have a lower palate, which is why I moved away from a snaffle all together. I ride in a meyler low-port mullen mouth which she seems to be fine with, but I always felt that it was hard on the bars of her mouth. I just feel that she is one of those horses that would do well without a bit.

A few years ago, someone had suggested going to a hackamore as there was a pony that had similar bit tolerances. Once the owner switched to a hackamore, the pony was a perfect gentleman and no longer tried to dump the kids. Phant's only intentionally tried to dump me twice, on the same day. That is due in large part to another rider letting her get away with stuff. But in regard to the hackamore, I never got around to that stage.

Since Phantom has had about six months off, I thought we'd start fresh this Spring. Lots of ground work and a new bitless bridle.

I contacted Bitlessbridle.com. Their staff was very swift to respond and answered my questions. within 2 hours of my hitting the send button. I ordered the bridle the same day. I ordered it the 15th it arrived on the 17th. It comes with a 30 Day money back guarantee. Also if you buy the synthetic and decide that you want to upgrade to a leather, just clean up the synth and send it back, they credit you the purchase price of the synth and you pay the difference.

I thought it was very nice that the bridle actually comes with a "User's Guide" to make sure that you have the proper fit for your horse and a trouble shooting guide if the rider should note that there are somethings that aren't going quite right with suggestions for tweaking.

I ordered the synthetic as it was an inexpensive option. It looks like leather when it comes out of the box. Mine is the English design as the Western doesn't come in warmblood/draft size. It is a nice simple design. I will be trying it out on my mare this weekend and will post more when I have something to report and will try to get photos of the experience.

My previous assessment

2008-03-06T12:19:00.000-08:00

What do you get when to add one 9 month old IG, one bag of kitty litter, a large kitchen, and approximately 1.5 hours to work with?

A DISASTER.

In my last post I had indicated that I was ecstatic to have two Italian Greyhounds...that assessment might have been premature. Especially when thinking about the path of destruction that was torn through my kitchen last night.

We had to run to the grocery store and then two the barn to dispense love and cookies on our horses, who have started to wonder if we're figments of their imagination. The dogs had been walked, fed, had bedding, and more chew toys than Santa could possibly supply. Setting up the gates, we told the dogs we'd be back "shortly", the key word for a few hours. They had the TV to listen to and light.

Bob and I returned in about 1.5 hours. I walked up to the door and saw my beloved pup, sitting on the oriental carpet in the kitchen with her "happy" face. Her tail started wagging at me as she watched me as I looked through the door window. My face was blank as my mind attempted to work over exactly what I was looking at...this odd blue stuff scattered on the floor. I knew they'd gotten into something...but what was it? Then in DAWNED on me. She realized it at the exact same moment and disappeared around the corner of the island.

OMg! The Carnage... Revenge Poop, the shredded training pads, the eviscerated remains of the cat litter bag; its blue "gore" sprayed across the pristine tiles of the kitchen as if a tiny Sweeney Todd had slashed his way through.

Needless to say, the blue of the litter wasn't the only thing being spewed!

It took me an hour to clean the kitchen. What a mess!

Another year older...

2008-01-16T04:57:00.000-08:00

*sigh*

Just found out that Circle R isn't currently taking orders for side saddles. The fuster (treemaker) is redesigning the tree. So, I have no idea when the saddles will be available again. Very frustrating. I may need to talk to our historical saddler and see what he can do. He's made side saddles before and has been a saddler for over 30 years. So it might be time to do a fitting and just have him go ahead with the "project".

On the bright side of today, Bob's taking me out for my birthday. We're going to try out a new Japanese restaurant that opened in our area.

And this weekend, we'll have our new Italian Greyhounds. YAH!!!

Belt Buckle... delayed

2008-01-10T09:35:00.000-08:00

The girdle buckle is still being made. The craftsman had a very busy holiday and then suppliers and other folks took off for the holidays. So needless to say I'm still waiting for my buckle. However I knew that they really wouldn't get started on it until close to the end of 2007.

Here is the beginning of it. It's the little piece in the upper left corner. It will be two of those pieces tall to conform to my girdles 5.4 cm width and will have the back plate. Somehow I don't think it will look exactly as I had imagined it, but we'll see.

So far, most viewers probably are not overly impressed. It's not far enough along for me to "panic", so I reserve judgment at this time. His other work is fantastic, so I'm going on faith here.

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Happy New Year... belated

2008-01-08T09:49:00.000-08:00

The last week of 2007 and into the first full week of 2008 has been really busy. Before Christmas, Bob and I had been in contact with the East Coast Italian Greyhound Rescue. We wanted to adopt some Iggy's, as they are affectionately known. We'd been thinking about it for a long time and when we visited the adoption page, we saw her, little Evie. She is the cutest blue/fawn greyhound. Right now we're waiting for her to finish healing from her spaying before we can bring her home.

Due to the holidays, things were kind of slow and in the last week, we've signed applications, discussed our goals, and had a home visit to make sure that our home is the proper fit. We also adopted an 8 year old male named Brady. His owner was forced to give him up because he has a serious medical condition. He loved his three dogs, so we hope he will take some solace that Brady is coming to a home that will love him and take care of him. Evie and Brady had clicked really well, so we decided not to separate them. Brady is apparently good with puppies, Evie is 8 months.

On Sunday night we were given the green light and in two weeks our two Italian Greyhounds will be coming to their forever home.

Bob and I can't wait.

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Wishing you the Joy of the Season

2007-12-21T06:31:00.000-08:00

8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them,

"Do not be afraid I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:8 - 11)

Religion was such an integral part of the medieval persons' life and I've always loved this particular work, St. Columba Altarpiece (central panel), c.1455, Alte Pinakthek, Munich, by Rogier van der Weyden, one of the 15th century Flemish Masters. It reminds me of the joys in my life and the sacrifices that have been made.

Whatever your religious beliefs, may you be moved by the spirit of the season and may your lives be filled with joy, love, and prosperity.

"God Bless us every one" Tiny Tim, from "A Christmas Carol in Prose, being a Ghost Story of Christmas " by Charles Dickens

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What's New

2007-12-05T04:30:00.001-08:00

... Not a lot. Things have been busy with the holidays here in the States. Thanksgiving was very nice. Spent time with Bob's Mom and his Aunt. My folks retired down South so we won't see them until Christmas at that time we'll also be visiting with my brother and his family.

Currently nothing new on the side saddle front. I've made a few inquiries to a maker in Canada, but have yet to hear back from them. I'm not sure if it is an email thing (junk filter) or that they are slow to respond. I was planning to have one made for Normandie since he has the correct back for it, just to ride and stay in practice.

I've added a bookstore to my regular web site that primarily deals with Charles the Bold and various Burgundian connections in the XVe century. I also have affiliates in the UK and France.

One of the Equestrian selections is featured on this page. While not historic in a XVe century context, it is a fun way to ride. :-)

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Lucky Number 13

2007-10-24T04:34:00.000-07:00

Well, Bob and I celebrated our 13th Anniversary last night. We really went all out. We had a romantic dinner at the Café Escadrille; the gourmet room.

We arrived at 5pm and were seated in a lovely booth of red and gold fabric. The linens were white and well pressed.

Our waiter was Paul, a very nice man dressed in a tux and a good conversationalist. He prepared several of our dishes table side. His mad culinary skills come from the school of life rather than a traditional school of culinary arts. His passion shows in his cooking skills and timing. He loves what he does and it shows.

Before dinner, we made a wine selection. It was a lovely Red Zinfandel from the Rombaurer vineyard in the Napa valley. 2004 vintage. It was a full bodied red, fruity with a hint of vanilla and blueberry. It went very well with our dinner and was never acrid.

Brought to the table was a basket of assorted breads and a dish of butter.

Next, we ordered our hors d'oeuvres, Lobster ravioli in a lobster bisque and Escargot Bourguignonne (French helix snails in a Burgundy butter). The ravioli was very tasty, however this was a test as this was the first time either Bob or I had ever tried escargot. Lucky me, I had the escargot placed before me. Since I had never tried it, I examined the escargot tongs that were attached to the escargot plate. Remembering the dinner scene from the movie "Pretty Woman" with Julia Roberts, I decided to take my time and learn the finer points of this implement so as not to have a "slippery little suckers" episode. It was quite simple. With snail fork in my left hand and tongs in my right, I was off and running.

The snails looked very dark in the dimly lit room, almost black. I removed the first snail from the shell and took a bite. Interesting texture, not unlike calamari. Little on the bitter side. Basically two chews and a swallow. Bob was not overly thrilled with the taste; over chewed I think. It wasn't a bad experience and I'd probably try it again. Even Bob agreed that he'd be willing to give it another go.

I think Paul was surprised. He thought I'd had escargot before given my mastery of the tongs and fork. Nope, first time.

"So, what made you try it?"

"Well we'd been watching Anthony Bourdain and Andrew Zimmern on the Travel Channel along with Samantha Brown, and figured we'd give it a go."

"So you watch the Food Network and such"

"Yes we do."

"So do I."

Paul has found over the course of his culinary career that he's seen it all. Adults dumbfounded by dining objects, people placing fat from a steak right on the table cloth instead of a plate. EW.... I wouldn't even do that in the privacy of my own home. Gads!

So anyhoo, some interesting conversations...

Next was our Warm Spinach Salad. This was cooked table side. The dressing was a bacon vinaigrette of butter, brown sugar, and a few other odds and ends with caramelized onions. It's sweet, but not overpowering.

Our palate cleanser was a lemon sorbet with a sprig of mint. It was a delicate lemon, not overpowering and when eaten with the mint leaves...Trés bien.

Our entrées arrived. Bob's was a variant on "surf and turf", a cut of sirloin with a Maine lobster tail. Accompanying his meal was a side of artichokes and sauce Béarnaise and a baked tomato half with a "piped" squash filling.

I had a three pound Maine Lobster served "lazy man" style. For those that may not be familiar with this term, it means that they take the lobster meat out of the shell. My favorite sea dweller came ornately displayed in a delicate butter sauce. I savored every sweet, succulent bite. I guess I had shown my prowess with the snails, that I was not offered a bib. According to Paul, folks make quite the mess. I am happy to say that I wasn't one of them.

The sides that we ordered, were sautéed button mushrooms, these things were to die for, they were so delicious, and asparagus with Hollandaise sauce on the side.

It was about 6:45pm and Bob and I were finally joined by other couples. Since 5pm, we'd had the entire gourmet room to ourselves. So the entire wait staff seemed to be ours alone. It was nice. Our "bus boy" was a very nice French gentleman. I think he was delighted that we'd actually use some of our limited French. We spoke to everyone. It was just a lovely experience.

For dessert, it was Bananas Foster. Fresh sliced bananas flamed in a dark rum with Crème de Banana liqueur and brown sugar and butter. It is served over vanilla ice cream. It was delicious!

We paid our check and ate our after dinner chocolate. It was topped with an espresso bean-- very good.

We left at 7:15 pm with our bottle of wine. They re-corked the bottle and heat sealed it in a bag.

It was a fantastic evening. A great way to end our special day.

--- This just in ---

While Bob and I were dining last night, 4 gentleman came in around 7pm. As I looked at one fellow, I kept thinking to myself that he looked like Mike Lowell of the Boston Red Sox... turns out that it was!
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Wow...it's been awhile

2007-10-16T11:55:00.000-07:00

It's been an exceptionally busy September for me and I've been remiss in blogging about it.

The weekend of September 1st, we had our usual museum show followed by some filming for a museum project.

September 8th, I can't recall, it was something of a blur.

September 16th, we were working on a video project with the students of WPI and the Higgins. It was an equestrian shoot, so it was very busy to say the least...and I'll have to remind the students that I'm still waiting for those photos that they dangled in front of me.

September 21, I was transporting horses for a charity event. We put up a tent in the dark...on a slope. Not fun and certainly NOT recommended.

September 22, was a charity Medieval Faire for Miracles in Motion in Keene NH. It was fun and interesting. The horses had a good time. My wallet didn't...but it was for a good cause; a therapeutic riding center.

September 29...hmmm... another weekend that's relatively blurry. Oh, I remember now, Bob and I played tour guide for the Richard III AGM. We were invited to a lovely lunch and caught up with some old friends.

October 6, our monthly Higgins show.

This week, it's just playing house. Chores and such. The leaves are falling and I have a lot of raking to do. Bob and I decided that we were taking October off.

We were hoping to partake in the first World Invitational Joust in California, but our wallet was drained in September. We're hoping that we'll make the next one in April 2008. It should be great.

Update: Belt buckle

I won't get it until near the end of the year. I'm bummed. I was hoping to get it before the Euro goes up.

Bank Transfers!

2007-09-14T05:13:00.001-07:00

Good Grief, the amount of "fee" that is extracted on both sides of the world is incredible. Not only do I end up paying the $35 on my side, but also, because the bank that handles international wires, extorts another 48 EUs out of the merchant I'm doing business with, I get "zapped" for another 36 EU. This unfortunately makes it hard to work with small craftsmen. The pain might have been less transparent if they had a paypal account or something. I'm not blaming the merchant, I'm his first US customer and they've been very up front and have a solid reputation. They were just as surprised as I was. Usually European banks do a 4-6 EU fee, but for some reason the US and another country, he didn't mention which one, get trounced in the exchange.

Somewhere in the background I can hear John Cleese in an old Schwep's ad saying, "Do you have a word for highway robbery?"

Global Economy my....@$$@#*&*%#!

I'm starting to wonder what this is going to cost to get my bauble shipped to England and then to the US.

Current mood: perturbed.

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In Memorium

2007-09-11T03:48:00.000-07:00

Today marks the 6th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on World Trade Center in New York, the Pentagon, and Flight 93 which crashed in Shanksville PA.

Special thoughts go out to Carl "Max" Hammond's family. He was on Flight 175, and to Nick Bogdan's family. I did not know Nick personally, but he was part of a circle of friends that intersected with my circle of old high school friends. I believe he was in the North Tower and about to head home. My thoughts are with his wife, Dorothy, and their two children.

A red, white, and blue ribbon, faded a little from six years in the sun, still hangs from my review mirror, a tribute to those who should not be forgotten. My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone, in every country, who was touched by that day.

Pax

Riding in a dress

2007-09-05T04:19:00.000-07:00

Monday I took my first ride on my horse wearing a replica of a 15th century Burgundian gown. Sorry, I didn't think to have my camera with me. It would have just been one more "thing" to deal with, as my husband was going to test out his updated armet at the same time. Any how, I did this on a modern, western saddle. It is no small task to mount in a full skirt. There's no slit in the skirt, so I did what a lady in the USS told me to do.

With my husband Bob acting as valet, I unceremoniously hiked, thank goodness I was wearing jeans underneath, my skirt up and flung the mass of fabric over my left arm, stepping up on my 18" mounting block, I grasped the reins in my left hand and the cantle in my right, placed my left foot in the stirrup, and threw my right leg over. Once I was safely in the saddle, I released the bundle of fabric, letting it fall to either side of me. Bob helped me adjust my skirt. While I felt a lot like the Wife of Bath (Ellesmere Manuscript Canterbury Tales at left) with my legs on either side of my horse, it was not a "bad look", though I think I would have preferred the more lady like aside position. I was sorely tempted on several occasions to fling my right leg over that western obstruction known as a pommel. However, my biggest concern was that very same pommel, which I eyed constantly as I rode around the ring. I just had the horrible vision of the dress getting caught on the horn at some point and...well... horrible vision covers it pretty well and I had no desire to become a kite for my horse. Fortunately, nothing bad happened, but Phantom could sense I was nervous about something and the fact that the gown tickled her flanks, did little to ease my nerves as I felt her skin twitching.

My dismount was just as lacking in grace. I couldn't do "around the world" and dismount facing out. I had to do it in the current fashion of bring my right leg over and slipping to the ground facing the horse's side. Just something about that pommel again and possibly getting that hem caught. I had no desire for a cowboy's death. Though that's usually involves stirrups and being dragged over merciless terrain.

It did raise a few questions:

I have to wonder how mounting was accomplished in the 15th century. The saddles were not like the ones we have today and I am relatively sure a certain level of decorum was practiced so as not to "flash a little leg". Women did not have access to the riding attire of later days. It was definitely the era of full skirts. I've added an image from the "Mort d'Arthur" from the Bibliothèque Nationale de Paris to show the aside pose. The manuscript is mid-15th century and the saddle seems to be a common form of regular riding saddle with "eared" cantle.

So, I find myself asking...

Was a platform used? It is unclear as I haven't seen in contemporary (to the 15th century) art that shows a lady mounting.

Did the ladies companion give her a "leg up"?

Again, I haven't seen it in an illustration, yet. So far, I've only seen ladies already in the saddle and haven't come across any passages of etiquette for valets or companions assisting the lady in the saddle.

Or did they just do it themselves from any natural or man-made object that could be used as an impromptu mounting block?

I really don't see them just "hauling" themselves up there, even though there is a passage in "The Saddle of Queens" that discusses one lady's attendants being required to mount unassisted from the ground. I don't have the book to hand at the moment, but will dig out the passage and see what the primary source is for the comment, if it's available. Some early 20th century books weren't big on footnotes. *sigh*

It will bear some experimentation and probably a horse of smaller stature than my own mare to know for certain. Another thing to add to my "to do" list.

Buckle

2007-08-30T16:29:00.000-07:00

Well, the payment is wiring it's way to Poland. Once received, my buckle will soon be crafted.

I'll keep you posted (no pun intended).

Horses... Pffpft!

2007-08-21T07:56:00.000-07:00

Since we lack an indoor, the weather had been either too hot or too wet about a month back and I didn't have much of an opportunity for any real saddle time. So, for the past month, Phantom and I have been working on really basic stuff, neck reining and working off of leg cues at the walk.

Things were going well, so I felt it was time to work some basic trot into the routine. It was going to be a simple thing, or at least that's what I initially thought until my loving mare of 9 years attempted to dump me in the dirt not once but twice! In all the years I've ridden her, she has never attempted to throw or roll me.

The first time, we were going across ground poles. Since this was the first time in about 8 months that we worked with poles, I gave her her head so that she could actually see what she was walking over. Phantom being the "thinker" that she is, used it as an opportunity to break into a trot in the middle of the poles and then drop her head and bank hard right when we got to the last pole in an attempt to roll me into the dirt. Her attempt failed and we continued to work the edge of the ring a few times.

After I felt that she was in hand and we were working on a faster walk, I decided to move Phantom into a trot. Knowing that she has a tendency to attempt to cut into the middle, I kept a little tighter outside rein. What I didn't see or feel coming was her sudden head turn to the left. This caused a snaking action of her body and before I could react, we were loping into the middle of the ring, when I belatedly attempted the correction, she dropped her head and inside shoulder in an attempt to roll me off the side.

Fortunately I maintained my seat through both of these attempts. The only thing she managed to do at that point was raise my ire. My hands were shaking from the adrenaline rush of nearly being pitched twice and all I wanted to do was beat the tar out of her.

However, I love my horse and realized, being a rational creature, that I was partially at fault, and having never struck my horse in anger and never wanting to, I got off and asked my instructor if she might give her a spin to see what kind of bug had crawled up her butt.

Sure enough, my sweet "bay"-bee girl tried the same things with the instructor. After working with her for about 15 minutes, she had determined that the only things that I did wrong were giving her too much head and performing an improper block. She said that since my reining technique was loose, Phantom had gotten used to not carrying herself properly and was protesting to having to collect herself and actually work, so she was having a tantrum.

So, I have one more thing to work on, proper blocking. After my muscles quit hurting, I'll work in the trot without poles and see if she and I can come to some sort of accord that won't result in a donnybrook.

Embroidery Help

2007-08-10T08:13:00.000-07:00

I know that there are a few embroiders who look at my blog. I am seeking some help with this 15th Burgundian piece.

The institution questions its attribution and thinks that it might be Swiss in origin. Somehow I sincerely doubt that the Swiss of the 1470s would create anything for Charles the Bold considering their less that amicable dealings. The arms depicted are the Valois arms of Burgundy; Philip the Good, late in his reign at the earliest and Charles at the latest.

To see a larger version of this image, go to the following URL.

http://www.bildindex.de/bilder/fmc655142b.jpg

To get to the largest image, you need to go to the www.bildindex.de/bilder/ and search the term: Stickerei

This will present a page with other examples of embroidery. Scroll down and click on the fire stryker image. Then click enlarge to get the full size image.

The questions I have specifically are, what embroidery technique(s) are employed? And what types of thread? Are they gold and silver?

The description, at least on this site is not very helpful. I may have to consult "Die Burgunderbeute" as this piece does appear in it. I'm just not up on my technical German. I will post the information from the book later today when I have access to it.

Any discussion is most welcome.

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Almost Complete

2007-08-07T04:44:00.001-07:00

I'm very pleased. Gina wrote me yesterday to show me the completed girdle. Now I must really push the buckle maker to get going. It's truly lovely.

Current Mood: Happy :)

Putting things Aside

2007-07-31T04:16:00.000-07:00

Recently I've not had the chance to ride aside. Partially due to the saddle disappointment, but more due to the pursuit of other historical equestrian activities as events hurtle toward us; it's hard to believe it's August. I've not abandoned the idea of riding aside, I've just been spending more time getting the riding garments together, chasing down a craftsman for my girdle buckle, and designing a medieval saddle, and training my mare for other aspects of the medieval hobby. So, it's just on hiatus for a little while. Most likely until after September.

I will continue to add pieces regarding books, cooking, and historical "kit".

Lexicon:
Kit is the clothing and other assorted items that create the material aspect of a re-enactor's impression.

An impression as I understand it, is the representation or portrayal of a person's everyday life, be it a scullery maid or a high born lady, the latter is what my "aside" portrayal is all about.

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Goldwork: Taking a step back

2007-07-30T11:10:00.000-07:00

Okay, I eagerly tore open my Benton and Johnson "Golden Lily" kit and decided that after reading the directions (all text, no pics), that I was in over my head a bit. I lack a familiarity with the embroidery terms and proper stitching technique. On the plus, I did manage to finally get out there and get an embroidery hoop and a proper set of needles to begin, but I needed more information on the "how to".

An earlier internet search had put me on the trail of vendors of gold and metal threads. Some of the vendors even had a selection of books. This brings me to a lovely little book that just arrived at my doorstep: Beginner's Guide to Goldwork by Ruth Chamberlin.

This little book is packed with useful tips and how to information on not just goldwork, but regular embroidery as well. It is lavishly illustrated and contains a plethora of beautiful, and richly detailed images of the author's work. Her experience in the field of ecclesiastical embroidery shows not only in her beautiful work, but in the working tips regarding patterns and making a duplicate. One for working on and one for reference. She also shows beginners how to properly stretch their working surface and how to make sure you have your design properly centered in the frame.

It is a wonderful little book and my husband is excited at the prospect of finally having an embroidered flint and steel for his livery jacket done in the proper style. But that's another project.

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Medieval Cookery

2007-07-25T04:21:00.000-07:00

This weekend, we had quite a few people descend on our house for our living history group's second drill of the summer. We've been making an effort to get people to our house or the stable at least once a month to do a group oriented activity that wasn't centered on the museum. So, we've gotten together for group activities for a march in May, and a drill in June and July.

The goal was to get my horse used to men in shiny armour and carrying medieval pole arms (glaives, bills, and spears). Phantom has had minimal close contact with these things and we figured it was about time that she "stepped up"...which she did admirably.

Part two of the Drill, was to be the Grill... and it was going to be medieval food. Yum. Bob and I had started earlier in the week picking through our medieval cookbooks and lighted on a few tasty entrées that would delight the modern palette. That Friday, we went shopping for the big items, but the market where we shopped was lacking some key ingredients: decent asparagus and leeks.

The next day started out with me out the door at 8:30 am on a Saturday to run to the grocery store to pick up a few food items that we didn't have a chance to pick up the day before. Once the grocery run was accomplished, I zipped across the river on a quest for Ale; Belgian Ale of the dessert variety. I was greatly saddened to find that our favorite place to pick up the ale was gone.

Coming round, I called Bob, who had just sat down to brekkers, and delivered the bad news and returned home with the food.

Stashing it in the fridge, Bob and I headed over to the stable to do some paddock cleaning and to say hello to the "babies". This was a quick job and hello, and we returned home to put some spit and polish on the house before our friends arrived.

After the house was tidied, Alex arrived with bread and sausage. He and Bob joined me in the kitchen and we began the prep work on the food. I diced and sliced onions, Alex chopped cabbage and leeks, and Bob whipped up a medieval wine marinade for the beef. I wanted to be sure that all the ingredients were ready when we returned so that we could get the grill started.

So here's the menu from Saturday:

Redwine marinaded delmonico steaks

Spiced mushrooms

Boiled cabbage in a beef broth with leeks

Boule bread and small rolls

Imported German beer

2 kinds of German sausage (from a local butcher)

Cheese

Grapes

While it was on the menu, there was just so much food, that I never got around to cooking it.

Asparagus with saffron

The food and the company must have been a real hit. We started cooking a 5:45pm and people didn't depart for their homes until 10:45pm.

Books used for this menu:

The Medieval Kitchen: Recipes from France and Italy, Odile Redon, Francoise Sabban, Silvano Serventi, Edward Schneider (translator), ISBN: 0226706850, University of Chicago Press, (2000)

Pleyn Delit: Medieval Cookery for Modern Cooks, Constance Hiatt, Sharon Butler, Brenda Hosingtom, ISBN: 0802076327, University of Toronto Press (1996)

The Medieval Cookbook, Maggie Black, ISBN: 0500015481, Thames & Hudson (1996)

If you decide to buy any Medieval cookbooks, I will offer a word of caution, do not purchase "Fabulous Feasts", in this bloggers opinion (from experience), the recipes are not very palatable and have no documentation proving that they are medieval.

Two other cookbooks for the offering:

Early French Cookery: Sources, History, Original Recipes and Modern Adaptations, Eleanor and Terance Scully, ISBN: 0472088777, University of Michigan Press (2002)

The Original Mediterranean Cuisine: Medieval Recipes for Today, Barbara Santich, ISBN: 155652272X, Chicago Review Press (1996)

Bon appetite!

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A Vision in Red Silk

2007-07-23T10:00:00.000-07:00

I was very excited this morning when I received an email from Gina. Attached were some "baby" photos of my silk girdle. It looks absolutely gorgeous. I have no doubt that this piece will be an heirloom someday.

The flash has illuminated the silk with a vermilion cast. This silk is actually more like an iron-rich blood red (has a bluish hint).

I was so ecstatic about the girdle, that I just had to share.

If you missed my previous post about the girdle please check out: Habit Forming

World Invitational Joust Oct 27, 2007

2007-07-17T06:47:00.000-07:00

For those who read my blog and are interested in things Medieval, those in California, might be interested in attending a Historical Joust. This is not the same type of jousting you typically see in Hollywood films or those seen at Ren Faires, this is the high fidelity stuff of the past.

It is a recreation of a Joust of Peace. The Field of combatants hail from all around the globe. The participants are wearing historical reproductions of REAL suits of armour. It promises to be unlike any joust that the US has witnessed.

For information on the joust, location, and the field of competitors, please visit:

World Invitational Joust 2007

Tickets are available at the gate, but are also available on-line at : Historic Enterprises

Gold Work - Yay!

2007-07-09T15:38:00.000-07:00

Well, when I walked in the door today, what should be sitting on the kitchen table? My Gold Work kit. YAY! Now all I have to do is go out and get a proper set of needles and a hoop and I'm off and running.

Current Mood: Optimistic

Malaise

2007-07-09T11:12:00.000-07:00

I should have known it would happen. For the past week, I've been in a "blue funk" or malaise. I suppose it could be a minor "mid-life" or just a build up of little things. But it has brought me here. Chicken Soup for the soul is a insufficient, flavorless meal, especially when you have the "blahs".

A vacation...HAH...I laugh at the notion of a vacation, besides, I took last week off and right about then, the cloud of malaise descended. I know what started it, but just couldn't shake it.

The side saddle fitting not going my way left me in a down mood.
My farrier is MIA in the general sense, not in the actual battlefield sense.
My gold work kit hasn't arrived and I'd really like to get started on my embroidery project
My saddle and tack project is on hold.
Had an unpleasant meeting at work; just before vacation.

I'm in a holding pattern for too many things; so it's snowballing. This is my recipe for "the blues". Don't mean to trouble readers, just venting.

A Good Time

2007-07-01T14:01:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since Phantom and I have just had a good session in the ring where we just kicked around and worked on the really basic stuff. Just riding on the buckle and the pure use of leg and seat.

We're also working on going from direct rein to just neck reining. It was a real joy to work with her Saturday.

Today, Sunday, is Phantom's 9th birthday. To celebrate, it was a day of rest for both Phantom and her pasture-mate Normandie. No saddles, no bridles, just some grazing in the front pasture on fresh green grass and clover, and cookies, lots of Gingersnaps.

There is something very comforting to just stand in a pasture with your equine buddies and just enjoy the blue skies, mild temperature, and just live in the moment; to be.

Getting to be Habit Forming

2007-06-26T10:05:00.000-07:00

Well, I don't know why, but I've been bitten by the "embroidery" bug. For the record, I don't embroider, sew, knit, stitch, crochet, or do anything else related to actually making clothing myself. I generally leave that to others with far more experience, time, and inclination than I. However, sometimes you have to do things yourself and head down the road less traveled.

To that end, in order to improve my horse's kit, I've decided that her saddle must have a decorative cloth of gold cover. It's no doubt going to be an ambitious project, but it must be done, much like learning to ride aside.

It is not a task that is undertaken lightly, but the reward will be the satisfaction of knowing that my horse is well dressed. So, I've purchased a small gold work kit to see what I'm getting myself into; hopefully not over my head.

Why not buy a cover? Why all the trouble?

It's all about impression and cotton damask won't cut it, not for this impression. And here's a little excerpt from the:

Wardrobe Accounts of Edward IV
Part XX For Th'office of the Stable

Delivered for the covering of a sadelle and an herneys in russet velvet cloth of gold for an hakeney, and a footeclothe maade of russet velvet lyned with blac bokeram, by vertue of a warrant under the Kinges signet and signe manuelle bering date the second day of Septembre in the xx{ti} yere of the moost noble reigne of oure said Souverain Lord the King unto the saide Piers Courteys for the deliveree of the said stuff directe,

Velvet, iij yerdes russet; velvet cloth of gold, ij yerdes di' russet; bokeram longe, v yerdes.

What's the purpose of sharing the excerpt? Well it's contemporary with my portrayal and it specifically notes "cloth of gold" being utilized in the covering of tack. No one that I know of makes authentic cloth of gold, and if they do, it is beyond my income bracket. That means in order for it to be "affordable" to me, I have to pretty much do it myself.

I will be sure to post my progress with the kit as well as the cover design for my mare's saddle.

Getting Medieval - Drill Day

2007-06-23T10:04:00.000-07:00

Today, the group is getting together to do something a little different. Today we will be working on an mixed drill; people on foot and working with our two horses. Part of this little exercise is to get my mare used to people in armour. We'll see how this works. It's been awhile since armoured people have been around her.

Still working the side saddle issue. I'll talk more about that in a future post.

Saddle Fitting

2007-06-17T07:35:00.000-07:00

Current mood: disappointed

After spending roughly 3.5 hours trying to find a fit for my mare, we were 'defeated' in the end by her physique.

Lacking pronounced withers, possessing standardbred shoulders, and an incredibly deep hip tilt, the fitter could not find a saddle that would not roll even with the potential added benefit of a breast collar and crupper.

Now my husband's horse was an ideal candidate. However, having him fitted for one is somewhat pointless as our goal was to go to events together and I can't see him riding my horse all the time and me riding his.

I am so totally bummed right now. :-(

But, as they say "never give up", so I am currently doing some investigation to see if there might be something: a combo, a style, that might work on a horse with a body type like my mare. I'll keep y'all posted.

Reading for the 'Medieval' Horsewoman

2007-06-13T08:04:00.001-07:00

This is a suggested reading list for those riders interested in historical (a.k.a.-"classical") horsemanship. Whilst several of the books pertain to the topic of 'side saddle', several others are about horsemanship in general or its equipment. There are also other books listed here regarding archaeological finds that are relevant to the rider and the accessories and textiles that might make up a medieval riding habit.

I have included two pattern books. The first, 'The Medieval Tailor's Assistant', with which I have personal experience. It is a good book and the author does a good job of providing contemporary images to back up her pattern designs. One of the caveats is that you will have to know something about sewing, and the making of muslins, and have the ability to tweak the patterns to fit your body. The other issue is that you have to be good at metric conversion or fluent in working with metrics patterns. (If not, try this conversion tool.)

The second is the 'Tudor Tailor' with which I have no practical experience. However, it seems to have very high reviews. I have provided it solely as a jump point for women seeking to ride in a Tudor Habit.

Side Saddle:

Side-Saddle by Doreen Archer Houblon, London, Country Life (1938)*
The Saddle of Queens by Lida Fleitmann Bloodgood, J.A. Allen & Company (1959)
The Fair Lady Aside Her Saddles and Habits by Mary L. Thomas, Private Printing (1993)

* Mrs. Houblon's book has been reprinted, but I have been told that the later editions of this book are missing some key bits of information and that if the reader can obtain a copy of the 1938 printing, that it is the book that they should acquire before later editions.

Artifacts and Archaeology:

Horses and Horsemanship:

The Medieval Horse and its Equipment, 1150 - 1450
Livro da Ensinana de Bem Cavalgar Toda Sela by Dom Duarte, King of Portugal (1438)
English Adaptation of Bem Cavalgar, by Antonio Franco Preto, (2006)

Pattern Books for Medieval and Renaissance Clothing:

The Medieval Tailor's Assistant by Sarah Thursfield (2001)
The Tudor Tailor by Ninya Mikhaila (2006)

Some of these books are exceptionally hard to find and their prices reflect this fact. I suggest inter-library loan or one of the following book search engines with which I have had tremendous success.

New and Used Book Search Engines:

AbeBooks.com
AddAll.com

Bon Chance!

Habit Forming

2007-06-12T04:34:00.000-07:00

Current mood, very happy. I just placed the order for my XVe century girdle (wide belt) for my habit. No, not a nun's habit, my historical riding habit. This is a typical wide belt worn by ladies over their gowns during that time period.

The design I've chosen is based on Rogier Van Der Weyden's portrait of Isabella of Portugal. It will be created by Gina B, a wonderful woman who is a member of the silk women of Soper Lane. These ladies specialise in the weaving of silk as it was done in the 15th century.

Mine will be a lovely checkerboard pattern in red silk. The color is almost like scarlet lake. A red that leans more toward the cool end of the color spectrum. I am currently sourcing the buckle and strap end for this lovely belt. It will be based on a buckle design of another Van Der Weyden painting, "Portrait of a Lady".

The finished example will look something like this example on Gina's web site, except for the color of course, and the fittings will be different.

Upcoming Side Saddle Lesson and Fitting

2007-06-11T10:56:00.000-07:00

I'm ecstatic. This upcoming weekend, June 16, will be another lesson and a side saddle fitting for my horse.

Fitting Phantom properly has never been an easy task. She has a wide barrel and a long back. Regular saddles even when fitted for her seem to pinch her withers. I suspect that she needs a different type of rigging, that the common girth placement is too close to her shoulders.

I can't wait to see if a nice Circle R side saddle (western style) is going to work for Phantom (and me).

Aborted Lesson

2007-06-11T10:25:00.000-07:00

April 15, 2007

It was time for the third side saddle lesson, but alas, it was not meant to be. You know the old poem for the “want of a horseshoe nail the battle was lost”? Well for the want of a screw, the lesson was lost.

Ah costume...er-ah, I mean saddle malfunctions.

sigh

The lesson started off with great promise. I was actually going to ride a new horse. He was tacked up and we moved into the indoor. Gail mounted and did her regular warm-up ride and girth tightening. Then it was my turn.

When I mounted, the saddle seemed to slide toward me. We tightened the girth again and then Gail and I moved off a few steps, but already I kept moving my seat toward the off side; I halted.

“I feel like I’m sliding.”

After an examination, it was determined that the saddle we were using wasn’t a very good fit for my mount. The padding didn’t help and the saddle was low at the pommel and sinking into the horse’s withers. So wanting to make sure that his experience was as good as mine, I dismounted while Sue brought in the backup saddle.

The backup saddle was placed on the horse’s back and then it was discovered, a screw in the safety stirrup’s attachment was missing. Being that it was only my third lesson and I was on a new horse, I didn’t want to chance not having a stirrup. So, we canceled the lesson for the day.

It is reasons like this that it is very important that new riders work with experienced equestriennes when fitting saddles and for proper instruction. No one is beyond learning something new, no matter how long they’ve ridden. Besides, it’s a sad day when you don’t learn something.

My Second Side Saddle Lesson

2007-06-11T09:55:00.000-07:00

February 18, 2007

Took my second lesson this weekend. One word...OUCH.

I was riding a different side saddle that dropped my left hip making me feel like I was sliding off to the left despite the fact that the saddle remained true. So, now my left back muscles are sore and my right leg kept stressing at the hip joint and in the last trot, my right calf cramped because I was compensating for the drop. That and my right leg was working really hard to keep me forward where I needed to be.

The saddle had a longer seat than the previous one I rode on. It apparently makes "A LOT" of difference, also the amount of padding under the right leg. So the riding lesson turned into a valuable "seat" lesson; having the proper saddle for the rider. Both the fitter and the instructor switched to the new saddle thinking it would be more comfortable for me, turned out that the previous one, despite the horn over my left leg being a little tight, and having a shorter seat, was more of an ideal fit.

Despite all this, I still had a blast. I'm still getting used to the "new normal" -- not having my right leg to aid. My grumpy little QH was not as grumpy, though he was still a bit of a pill at times.

I'm hoping to get the chance to try out two Circle R custom saddles (www.circlersaddles.com) in the 1.8 - 2.6K range) at my next lesson. I'll let you all know how it goes. In June I will have my mare fitted for a custom side saddle.

My First Side Saddle Lesson

2007-06-11T09:36:00.000-07:00

January 21, 2007

There’s an old adage, ‘You’re never too old to learn’. Dom Duarte, King of Portugal (early 15^th century) had written in his treatise on horsemanship Livro da ensinança de bem cavalgar toda sela, that people could ride no matter their age or ‘infirmity’. And it’s true. Less than a week after my birthday, I’ll let y’all guess which one; my little Stratus was swiftly moving toward Holden Massachusetts, with my husband Bob riding shotgun, for my first side saddle lesson.

It was a bitterly cold day, not unusual for January in New England, but the sky was as bright as my anticipation of my first aside lesson. Nothing short of a blizzard or a nuclear event was going to keep me from my goal. This was something I had to do.

I must have bored poor Bob to death. My excited chatter made the hour long drive seem non-existent, at least for me, and soon I found my car pulling into the narrow driveway of the riding facility that hosted my instructor. We had arrived fifteen minutes early for the noon appointment; this gave me ample time to put on my black Ariat Springbucks and my half chaps. Oh, one tip, never wear thick wool socks with Ariats. I never thought I’d get the zippers up and had to press poor Bob into service to help. The goal was to keep my toes warm, it was January after all.

We sat in the car and waited for the appointed time. I anxiously and repeatedly glanced at the clock, “Come on 12!” At five minutes of, we made our way to the entrance of the facility, helmet bag in one hand, Canon-GL1 in the other, that’s a video camera by the way, if I was going to experience side saddle, vanity demanded that I see how I looked while riding aside. I have to give props to my honey for being the sport that he was and indulging me.

As we walked in, Bob and I were stunned by the narrow aisle and the small stalls, and the seemingly pony-sized horses. Now keep in mind, my mare is 16.1 hands. My husband’s gelding is a strapping young boy of 17 hands. So size is relative. And in that “narrow aisle”, we found Gail, my instructor and Sue, my co-instructor and saddle technician. They were preparing Ben, a cute, but grumpy little quarter horse that would be my lesson partner. This was the second time he had a side saddle on him, so it was going to prove interesting.

My excitement spilled over. Bob and I chatted with Gail and Sue about our horses and experiences, hobbies (living history specifically), my goals and reasons for taking up riding aside and other things. While they were fitting Ben, Sue talked about fit while keeping a weather eye on Ben, who was grumpy about his sides; occasionally threatening a kick while having the girth tightened.

Finally, Gail slipped the bridle over Ben’s muzzle and ears, unclipped him from the cross ties and walked toward the large wooden door at the end of the aisle, “Door!” She called out. “Enter” was the reply from beyond. As the door rumbled open, it revealed the indoor. It was time to ride!

Gail was first up. She wanted to make sure that Ben was warmed up for the lesson and to make sure that the saddle fit him. After all, it wouldn’t do to have me tumble off and making an impact crater in the footing. Normally I wouldn’t be concerned, but did I mention it was January? Things hurt a lot more when it’s cold.

So, I watched Gail make the circuit in both directions, effortlessly, or at least she made it seem so, tightening the girth as she rode. She rode up to the mounting block and dismounted. It was finally my turn. We were to start off at a walk and would work up to a trot. Trot? I wasn’t expecting trot. Trotting astride was one thing, trotting with both legs on the same side...hmmm... sounded risky. A mix of concern and excitement moved me to the mounting block.

Gail demonstrated the safety stirrup. She lifted up the saddle skirt and held the stirrup leather and the iron parallel to the ground, “You want to be careful, this is a safety stirrup, it’s meant to release, so if you pull it up beyond this point” she lifted it slightly above the horizontal, “it will detach.” I gave her my best Mr. Spock dubious, arched eyebrow, to which she added, “That’s a good thing, that’s what it’s supposed to do.”

Before I mounted, I was told that when placing the saddle on the horse, make sure that the saddle was slightly off center toward the off side. That way when the rider mounted, if the saddle slid, it would actually center. It worked.

So, I put my foot in the single safety stirrup, and up I went. I sat astride to properly adjust my seat. Then Gail told me to place my right hand behind me on Ben’s rump and then swing my right leg over the horn and into position. The reason for this is to keep your hips in the proper position. She then gave me some instructions on aids and how to keep my posture and the pressure that I should use with my right calf to keep my purchase on the saddle. As she walked next to me, she would occasionally adjust my left toe.

It was a lot of minor adjustments as I rode; things to remember and apply as we went. Then she asked if I was ready for a brief jog, and then we were off.

In my first post, I addressed the issue of “why” someone would choose to ride in this manner, aside from the historical precedent of long flowing dresses and propriety, the second half of the “why” question was, “isn’t it dangerous?” Well, in all honesty, the art of riding is inherently dangerous. We are not mounted on a bicycle or a motorcycle. We are atop a living creature with a mind and will of its own that does not always comply with ours. However, I do have to agree with Mrs. Houblon’s assessment of physique playing a role in riding aside.

Excerpt:

The principles of riding and the ends at which we aim are exactly the same side-saddle as astride. This is a point that I should like to make clear from the beginning. Of course, there are certain details in execution which differ in the two modes of riding, and certain adaptations which have to be made when riding side-saddle; but the broad principles, the principles of balance, poise, suppleness, rhythm, sympathy, firmness of seat, independence of hands, and nicety in the application of the aids, remain the same, and so do the results which we strive to attain.

How, then, are we to decide whether to ride astride or side-saddle?

I think the answer is that it depends on our physique.

There are some women whose physique enables them to ride astride so beautifully that they do not feel it necessary to add riding side-saddle to their other accomplishments. These, however, are in the minority, and to most women I would say ride side-saddle, for it will give them that firmness of seat (the foundation on which rests the whole superstructure of good horsemanship) which, owing to their physique, they would never have astride. After all, the average woman has not got the same muscular strength as the average man; and where, in cases of emergency, the man has to use all his strength to retain his balance, the woman, riding astride, would probably fall off. On the other hand, if she rides side-saddle, she may even succeed in remaining on her horse on occasions when the man, riding astride, would "part company."

I do not say for a moment that it is impossible to fall out of a side-saddle. It is, at times, only too easy! Nevertheless, it is an undoubted fact that a side-saddle can give a woman a far firmer seat than she would ever have astride.

Mrs. Doreen Archer Houblon, Side-Saddle, Chapter 1, pg. 1

To lend some credence to the last statement, at one point, I was unconsciously relying on the stirrup too much and pushing against it with my left foot. This caused my left leg to move too far forward and as I rounded a corner while at a trot, I momentarily, and unwillingly shifted my balance enough to get my undivided attention; you know that feeling. When your stomach suddenly feels like it's the size of a cherry pit; and my mount fell out of the trot. At no point did I feel like I was going to ‘part company’. I have ridden astride most of my life and I have to tell you that I felt more secure on that side saddle than I did riding astride in my Australian stock saddle.

Now, a little something about my physique, I have wide hips and powerful legs. I am certain that these two physical attributes allowed me to stay firmly seated. I was able to ride longer and more comfortably that I had for a long time in an astride saddle. So in the case of my physique in relation to that of my horse, at least for me, means that a side saddle is probably the better choice for me. We will see how this idea bears out over the next few months when I actually try this on my wide barreled mare.

The remainder of my lesson went well. It was an awesome experience that I recommend anyone try at least once.

The dismount is not unlike playing “around the world” on the back of the horse. I turned my body sideways and scooched toward the cantle of the saddle. I raised my right leg over the saddle horns and removed my other foot from the stirrup. Then when I was ready, slid to the ground and the lesson was over.

I can’t wait until my next riding lesson.

Side Saddle: A Novice's Journey

2007-06-08T08:10:00.000-07:00

I had been thinking about riding aside for a few years, but various reasons, the chief amongst them being the lack of an instructor, brought the idea to an abrupt whoa. Then one day, I don't remember if it was just a moral imperative after looking at a XVe century French manuscript depicting ladies arrayed in damask finery and riding palfreys aside, or a conversation with a friend of mine in our living history crowd, that spurred me on again. Needless to say, I was bitten by the blue tail fly, but instead of being bucked and pitched, I began searching in earnest for an instructor. I had to learn this style of riding.

My introduction to this elegant art of horsemanship began in December of 2006. After various searches, I found the NEA (New England Aside) Association and sent an email to them in hopes that they would have a member who could help me achieve my goal. Within a day, I was contacted by the organization's secretary and a dialog began. The NEA was very helpful and soon, after the long and seemingly fruitless searches, I finally had the name of an accomplished horsewoman not too far from my home that taught ladies the art of riding aside and access to a side saddle technician who was well versed in the history of the saddles and would bring various types of side saddles to my first lesson to show me how to check the fit and introduce me to the parts of the saddle.

Now some of you might be thinking, 'why on earth would anyone want to ride that way, isn't it dangerous?'. Well, read on, because I found myself wondering the same thing...about the dangerous part, but now...let's take a look at the first part of the "why" question.

Why on earth would anyone want to ride that way?

Well, the simplest answer is another question...why not?

Firstly, I am a historical interpreter, when not performing my real job as a UI Designer. My area of interest is XVe century Burgundy and France, that's the 15th century (1400-1499). I normally portray three roles depending on the need of the group. The first is a mounted archer -- this is an archer much akin to how we think of mobile artillery. I ride to the battlefield, dismount and join up with other archers and armed personnel of a Burgundian Lance of the Ordinance Companies of Charles the Bold, Duke of Valois Burgundy (1467 -1477)-- I would normally ride my horse astride for this portrayal. My next role is that of a middle class Burgundian merchant. For this role, I wear a full dress and can ride my horse astride, though this is deemed to be not very ladylike, and unlike the English ladies of Richard II's reign and before, the ladies on the continent had been riding aside for a very long time, as early as 1192 if some of the extant seals of noble women are accurate. My third portrayal is that of a lady of the lower nobility, and it is for these latter two portrayals that I found it necessary to ride aside. In historical re-enactment of the Middle Ages, it is an under represented part of the woman's equestrian portrayal.

The second 'why' has to do with physical issues. I'm about 5'-4" and I ride a 16h mare, who I lovingly refer to as La Belle Dame sans Merci (The beautiful lady without mercy). She is a heavy hunter with a round, wide barrel. This tends to cause knee and back stress for me. During my first lesson (I'll get to that in a future post), one of my instructors told me that a side saddle is a good saddle for relieving some of these issues. By not having to ride with a leg on either side, I don't have to practically split myself in half to ride, thus alleviating the stress across my lower back. Also, since I don't have to wrap my legs around a wine cask (my mare's barrel), I don't cause stress on my knees. So a side saddle has made it possible for people with different levels of physical impairment to be able to pursue riding again or for the very first time. And I have to tell you, that it is a wonderful thing.

So, there you have the 'why' of riding aside and the beginning of my tale. Next, I'll tell you where not to begin.

Side Saddle: Where NOT to Begin

2007-06-08T08:00:00.000-07:00

In my previous post, I began with how my journey started, but it brings up another issue. A friend on another side saddle list said that in keeping a journal, people may want to know what went wrong as well, not just the successes. So, I feel obligated to share that with you where not to begin your journey riding aside. It's a little site I like to call...eBay.

I like many others who want to get started in this art, begin by searching eBay for side saddles. While you might find some really interesting saddles at a really good price, I have two in my collection and neither are appropriate for my horses. The early saddles tend to be narrow through the tree and are meant to fit the horses of the time, not our more robust horses. On the reverso, I have two lovely examples of the saddler's art of the late nineteenth century: a Western style and an English style from mid-Pennsylvania that will make wonderful conversation and educational pieces.

The other reason not to just plunge head long into riding aside is that it is a different way of riding. My instructor referred to the posture of riding aside as teaching the body a new "normal". There are nuances to this style of riding that are not readily apparent, even to accomplished riders who ride astride; I whole-heartedly recommend that you find an accomplished horsewoman (or man - yes there are some that teach it) to instruct you in the art of riding aside. Mounting, getting ones seat, correct leg position and posture whilst one rides is paramount. Also, making sure that you have the correct saddle for your horse. This is another reason why I don't recommend eBay side saddle finds that goes beyond mere fit.

If you aren't familiar with this style of riding or the equipment, you can't really judge a good, safe side saddle from a poorly made, dangerous one that can have any of the following issues, cheap leather, a horn in the wrong place, poorly attached tree fittings, etc. These are all ingredients for disaster. I like to give people the benefit of the doubt, but I have to say it, there are people out there who are only interested in monetary gain, and that craftsmanship, that in the Middle Ages would get the saddler fined or expelled from their guild, and have their saddle burned for being shoddy product, doesn't matter to the less scrupulous any more than your personal safety. So go with knowledge and experience over the "too good to be true" deal. Your horse will thank you and it just might save you from taking a nasty spill or worse. Caveat emptor (Let the buyer beware).

So, with that out of the way, onto my very first side saddle lesson.