An August 5th, 2020 post by Rosalie’s Medieval Woman examines a drawing of a brass rubbing and she points out an interesting detail: the belt dangles straight down from the buckle and is not looped in the typical half knot. This is one of those hotly debated “reenactorism” topics which I find fascinating every time there’s a new observation in regards to.
A video aired September 5th, 2020 Rick of Historic Echoes discusses how the beliefs behind the miasma theory of disease impacted the daily life of medieval people. This is part two, and the first part goes into more detail on the actual theories, but I really like how this segment helps explain and inform how behaviors and practices of medieval people can be linked to what was accepted as fact about how bad air effected health. Video duration 12:50.
In an entry posted September 16th, 2020 the Opusanglicanum blog goes through an old box and unearths forgotten projects of the past and examine old projects which no longer pass authenticity muster. I find her reflection on beginner projects both a refreshing encouragement to those just starting their journey, and a great reminder to us all about how much we can learn over time. Approximate read time one minute thirty seconds.
A video aired September 20th, 2020 Ocean of Popula Urbanum discusses their reconstruction of a late 14th century men’s gown, how they assembled it, their fabric choices, and a comparison of their construction methods compared to what may have been found in an original garment. Video duration 15:00
An article in The Connexion September 24th 2020 reports on a group of historians and other experts who recreated a 16th century crossing of the alps by troops of King Francois the I. Starting in Maljasset they passing through the Col de Mary to reach the Italian border, all in kit and armor. A documentary of their journey is in production. Approximate read time, one minutes thirty seconds.
Trying to pretend kill each other in shiny armor is fun, but there’s more to medieval life than formalize murder dances… some of it is real dancing, too! Having just come online recently, Emily’s MA project is formatted into an easy to use website with a wealth of information both for the sake of history and instruction on the art of dance. I foresee this website becoming one of those staples which everyone references and links to in the future. You can find her on Instagram and Twitter, @medievaldanceonline and @DanceMedieval respectively.
A video aired on Popula Urbanum September 27th, 2020 by Andrew, Modern Medieval Man illustrates some of the key factors leading to a great famine and the ways in which it defined some of the major social changes leading from the high to late medieval epochs. Video duration 11:38.
In a series of two articles published the 7th and the 27th of September, Kendra of Darth Kendra Research discusses her observations of manuscripts and miniatures regarding the use of gold on armor, and how the depictions in art may or may not be representative of the color and patina of armor as it was actually worn in the mid to late 15th century. The articles (delightfully) provokes as many questions as it answers and further highlights both the utility and difficulties of using drawings in medieval reenactment and living history. Combined reading time for both articles approximately thirty minutes.
