A DOSSEN OF POINTS, SENT BY A GENTLEWOMAN TO HER LOVER FOR A NEWE YEARES GIFTE.
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From a collection of moral poems and narrative ballads written by Robert Smith and others “sufferers in Queen Mary’s days” mixed with poems from a later date. This is believed to be early Elizabethan.
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As I on a new yeares day
Did walcke amidst the streate,
My restlesse ( Read more... )

Forget 'What not to wear' and dip into 'The Garment of Gud Ladyis' - fashion advice from a 15th Century monk.
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From ‘Ancient Scottish Poems’ published from the manuscript of George Bannatyne, 1568. The poem is by Scottish Poet Robert Henrysoun, a preceptor of youth in the Benedictine convent who wrote in the mid 15thCentury.

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THE GARMENT OF GUDE ( Read more... )

A summary of the features and transformations of the Renaissance in 100 words (or so):
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Artists, Scientists and Writers The debates and discoveries of a vibrant intellectual community break away from the revered Greek traditions and founded modern culture.
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Distribution More people are living in towns and cities.
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Economics  
a) Rise of the power and ( Read more... )

To make a common loaf ( Read more... )

How to make Manchet bread (I'm writing it down before I forget):
1. Take a peck of bolted (white) flour.
2. Rub in some butter.
3  Set (a third of a block) of alebalm (yeast) by the fire to grow.
4. Mix in the alebalm with a little buttermilk.
5. Knead.
6. Set by the fire to prove (rise).
7. Fashion into small rolls.
8. Cook in the oven, turning regularly.
( Read more... )

 I had my arm twisted and joined facebook.  It's slightly strange, but compelling. It was nice to catch up with some people I don't get to talk to much.

I've just come back from a week in Dorset. It's very beautiful, and luckily there were lots of things to see indoors. This was good because there was a persistant drizzle for most of the time I was there. Highlights include Blandford Costume Museum - a private museum of mostly 18th and 19th Century clothing and Chedder Gorge (I'm thinking of ( Read more... )

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I think I have worked out why I have trouble with necklines and sleeves - I have very strange shoulders.  I was finishing off a smock last night and was considering the neckline and sleeves.  I was going to have a high, ungathered neckline - but it just wouldn't lay nicely.  The muscles are quite bumpy near my neck so when I wear high necklines it ( Read more... )

I have just learnt about a new (to me) Tudor colour: Paonaz.

It is purplish red and is recorded in the account book of a Venetian merchant as a gift to the Sultan of the Ottoman empire in August 1518. It could be used to colour velvet or wool.

That's 117 colours and the hunt continues...