Blogs

Lost something?

We finished off the year with our best "Fight Night" yet, with seven combatants including one new authorisation, and one visitor from Christchurch.  After some warm-ups, we rotated pairs (single rapier, single kill) until everyone had fought everyone else, then a straight king-of-the-hill.  After a break for water, we continued the king-of-the-hill format, but with any weapons combinations.  Hopefully, this got us into the right frame of mind for the Baronial Rapier Championship on the Sunday.

On this day in 511 died Clovis, King of the Franks.

In attendance: Cecelia, Emrys, Katherine Of Glastonbury.

Belle Qui

Washerwoman's Bransle

(Karen's version, starting on A, transposed up a note from the version we'd been playing in the Buckton recorder book so it was easier for the recorders)

Cecelia top line

Katherine middle line

Emrys lower line

Voltati in Ca Rosina

Ballo Del Fiore (at different speeds, trying to get faster)

Ly Bens Distonys

Cecelia and Emrys middle line (main tune)

Our first attempt at this sort of evening of music: all-in, anything goes ...

We revisited Duchesco, and tried out new recordings of several old favourites.

We're still enjoying the Red Book of Montserrat; and some other stuff too.

A group reconstruction of Duchesco, and practice for the balls and St. Caths and Canterbury Faire. 

On this day in 1035 died Cnut the Great.

In some ways Cnut had it easy, as far as conquerors go.  His father, the awesomely named Sweyn Forkbeard, had already conquered England for him.  However, when Sweyn died, Cnut's brother, Harald, got Denmark; and England south of the Danelaw rebelled.  Aethelred Unraed returned from exile in
Normandy and Cnut fled.

Today is Martinmas.

Martinmas was one of the most important days in the medieval calendar, effectively being the start of Advent. 

St Martin was born in Pannonia in 316.  Following family tradition he joined the army, which sent him to Gaul.  There he performed his most famous act: seeing a beggar freezing in the street, Martin sliced his own cloak in two, giving one half to the beggar.  Whilst some laughed to see Martin in his ruined cloak, others were shamed by their own failure to act.  That night, in a dream, Martin saw Jesus wearing the half