Medieval Wool: Shearing

The weather is fine and it is time to shear. Much of medieval England's economy was based upon sheep and wool. Sheep are an extremely useful animal. They mature rapidly, can reproduce at around ten months, can have twins and triplets, produce wool, meat, milk, and hides. They can be kept economically over the winter months as compared to cattle and can forage efficiently.

Many breeds of sheep depicted in medieval artwork appear small. Some of this is likely due to the artists interpretation. The sheep above are not much larger than house cats; very impractical. Popular belief is that they therefore were small primitive breeds like the Soay, Icelandic, and Shetland breeds. As there were no recorded breeds of sheep during much of the middle ages, rather "types" of sheep based on their wool quality, artwork and more reliably, the archaeological record are the places to go to determine the size and probable type of sheep breeds that existed. www.bahs.org.uk/32n1a2.pdf

The modern Romney breed is considered to be a direct descendant of the Medieval Longwool. Bones of this stocky, medium sized sheep have been found in the midsection of England and are believed to have been introduced by the Romans. The Medieval Longwool was of a different type than the native British breeds. The native British breeds are fierce little animals, with dual coats - a more hairy outer coat and a downy soft woolly under coat - and impressive multiple horns.

The Luttrell Psalter depicts some sturdy, mid-sized sheep with very curly fleeces, very similar to a modern Romney. Although there are two animals in the manuscript that sport curling horns and are presumably rams, modern Romneys are polled. Occasionally a ram with "scurs" or wimpy hornlike spurs does crop up, a reversion to their medieval ancestors.

Although recently shorn, the curls are obvious in this Romney's fleece. This Romney has been sheared by the traditional method using a steel, bow-spring hand shears. Medieval illustrations of sheep shears are nearly identical to the modern version of the tool. The medieval versions most commonly have only one bow in the spring handle. The modern version used to shear the sheep in the photo has two bows in the handle. Medieval shears are depicted with both blunt and pointed ends. The blunt ended medieval examples are interesting because sharp, pointed shears are needed to slide into a fleece to facilitate a cut. Perhaps a different method is used when using a blunt sheep shears as opposed to a pointed shears? There is another theory for this.

This woman's shears appear pointed. The shears in the Illustration at the top of the page show blunt ended shears. Although there are depictions of blunt ended shears by different artists, as with the cat-sized sheep, this may be an artists interpretation. Blunt ended shears were used in the wool fulling process. Woolen cloth was washed vigorously after it came off the loom to set and tighten the weave. Then the cloth was laid out and brushed or carded to raise the nap and sheared to make a uniform surface. Shearing cloth with pointy ended shears is inherently disaster ridden as it would be so very easy to pierce the piece of cloth and make a hole - something sure to get you fired. An artist during the middle ages did not necessarily spend his time in agrarian pursuits. He knew shears were used to remove fleeces but the shears he was familiar with may have been a very different kind. A modern seamstress would scoff at a depiction of someone cutting out fabric with a hair cutting scissors - or to use correct terminology - shears.

Both sets of shears clearly show the single bow in the steel of the handle forming the spring. A sheep shears wants to stay open until you squeeze them shut. After the cut they spring open again. A bit of ingenious ancient technology that has not needed to be improved upon over thousands of years.

Romney wool has a long staple, about five to eight inches long. It is of medium grade and is a strong wool. It is well suited to being combed rather than carded. Combed wool is spun into worsted yarn, a smooth, strong yarn that weaves into a tough smooth cloth, excellent for outerwear. It has a moderate amount of lanolin - the "grease" that coats the wool fibers. Shearers were known for their soft hands. Lanolin was extracted for ointments and unguents by boiling a greasy fleece and skimming off the thick, sticky oil after it had cooled. Pieces of greasy fleece are an excellent remedy for "hot spots" on feet generated by ill fitting footwear or other chaffing, as in armor and under horse harness. It is soft and cushiony and the lanolin assists in relieving friction. It is a remedy still used by hikers today to prevent blisters, a dangerous eventuality. You can purchase tubes of pure lanolin at your local pharmacy. It is wonderful stuff. (Caution: Some individuals are allergic to lanolin. Try a small dab before rubbing in generally.)

This photo clearly shows excellent shearing technique. The edge of the shears are angled slightly up toward the shearer and small ridges in the newly shorn wool show the repeated pattern of this method. This ensures the sheep will not be sliced by the razor sharp shears. A sheep's skin is extremely tender and pulling at the wool lifts it where it can be easily caught in the cut. A shearer who slices a sheep the first time remembers the surprise and horror and diligently practices the correct technique!
Sheep shears must be sharp or they do not work. A whet stone is in a shearers hand often. The shears are dangerous and a thrashing sheep causes the shears to be tossed safely away into the grass on more than one occasion. Assistants who help restrain a large, irritable ram need to remind the shearer to mind who they're stabbing and practice good self preservation techniques while keeping the animal from kicking the shearers and leaping up and dragging its half-shorn fleece all over the meadow.

The next installment will go over preparing a fleece to spin.

Post Mortem

Coronation is over. We are tired yet happy. Many, many thanks to those who volunteered from the shire and thanks to those from shires far and wide who assisted to make the day flow easily. Tremendous thanks to the shire of Silfren Mere and their generous contribution of lunch. The beautiful ladies who prepared and served the midday  meal impressed the kingdom with their skills. Thanks to all.

Coronation Lunch

Coronation Lunch will be generously provided by Silfren Mere. They will be serving:

Beef barley pottage, chicken barley pottage, vegetarian barley

pottage, all served in bread bowls.

Assorted cheeses

Assorted dried fruits

Shortbread

Hot tea/coffee

Water

Milk

Coronation Feast

 

Menu for the Coronation Feast of Morgan and Lusche

First Remove

Various flatbreads

Fresh soft cheese

Fruit

Olives

Second Remove

Fish served with dilled butter sauce

Roast fowl

Cheese Pie

Spinach pie

Third Remove

Roast Pork served with a turnip relish and various mustard sauces

Roast root vegetables

Manchet - a fine white bread roll

Fourth Remove

Wastels Yfarced - a fruit and spice filled bag pudding served with custard sauce

Contact Anna of Rivenwood

(Anna Schuster)

Feast steward

with

any concerns at:

anna5schuster@yahoo.com

Coronation of Morgan and Lusche

The Shire of Rivenwood Tower

proudly presents











The

Coronation of  Morgan and  Lusche

April 9th, 2011 9:00 am to 10:00 pm

Fairmont National Guard Armory, 700 N Fairlakes Ave, Fairmont MN 56031
From exit 99 on I90 go south 1.4 miles to the 1st stop sign.
Turn left and go ¾ mile and the site is on the right.

 

Site Fee:

Adult & Teens $10

Children 12 and under free.

Non-Member Surcharge: $5

Feast: $10   Lunch: $5

No merchant table fee.

Checks payable to:

SCA- Shire of Rivenwood Towwer

Site is wet and hadicapped-accessible.

Deadline for reservations is April 1, 2011.

Event Steward: Bartel fits Neel (Bart Saxton)

1982 175th St., Fairmont MN 56031

mailto:bart@bsaxton.com 

507-779-4101

Cancelled

Yule Party Cancelled Due to Cruel Weather!

Shire Yule Party and December Business Meeting

The Shire of Rivenwood Tower is hosting its Shire Yule Party

Saturday, December 11th, from 4pm – 9pm. It will be held at the Garden City Community Room .

Come in Garb or as you are. Refreshments are potluck, period or no. Remember your Feast Gear. (Feast Gear) Games and diversions planned to maketh one merry. All are welcome!

- Good King Wnceslas looked out
on the Feast of Stephen,
When the snow lay round about,
Deep and thick and even.



The Monthly Business Meeting will be held in conjunction with the Yule Party.

St. Radegund's Fair Class Schedule

St. Radegund's Fair
Saturday


All classes will be held in the Sheep Barn unless otherwise specified. See Map.

Wattle and Daub 9:00 am. Learn three different wattling techniques and how to mix and apply daub to a wall. Learn different soil types and which manure to use. All poop is not the same! This will be a two to three hour class. This is also a HANDS ON class. Due to the nature of wattle and daub construction, water, mud, and manure are involved. It will require a change of clothes and physical involvement. It is also fun! (This class will be held just outside the Sheep Barn.)

Paper Making 9:00 am. Make your own piece of paper. This class will be open throughout the day.

Viking Punched Jewelry 9:00 am. Make your own piece of Viking punched jewelry. This class will be open throughout the morning as it will take individuals varying times to complete their piece of jewelry depending on how intricate their design.

Greenwood Feast Gear Carving 10:30 am. Carve your own piece of feast gear from green cottonwood. You will be shown how to carve a bowl, trencher, or spoon. Materials will be provided but if you have a good sharp hatchet to bring with you to class; it will facilitate you working on your own project much sooner. (You won’t have to wait in line!) This class will run longer than one hour. (This class will be held in the Bacchus Court.)

Tin Whistle 10:30 am. Learn a bit about the tin whistle and the music it plays. A tin whistle will be provided.

Beginning Bobbin Lace 10:30 am. Learn the beautiful art of lace making. Materials will be provided for you to experience and be bitten by the bug!

Who Am I? Fleshing Out Your Persona 12:00 pm. Are you feeling like a Celt? A Norse woman with land? A merchant from Andalusia? Learn how to choose, research, and bring to life your SCA persona.

Finger Loop Braiding 12:00 pm. Learn the useful and beautiful technique of finger loop braiding. Make strong and beautiful cords to enhance garb, tie shoes and boots, or use as purse strings. Fun and easily achieved!

Charcoal Pencils 12:00pm. Learn to make your own charcoal pencils to use on your handmade paper!

Intro to Western Martial Arts. 12:00pm This is an intro level class on the history and technique of Western Martial Arts. You will gear up and learn how to stand , move, strike, and defend. (This class will be held in the list field.)

Feast Planning 1:30pm. Learn to plan a feast! Have you felt daunted by the prospect of planning and carrying out a feast for your event? You will not feel that way again after attending this class. The trick is all in the planning! Taught by one with over a decade of Feastocrat experience; she has successfully taught others to plan and carry out feasts! Preparation is the destroyer of fear!

Siesta!
2:30 pm – 6:00 pm
Classes continue…..

St. Radegund's Fair

St. Radegund's Fair will be held August 20th, 21st, and 22nd at Jack McGowan's Farm . Site/Camping fee will be $15.00 with a $5.00 non member sir charge.There is a family cap at $45.00. There will be a pot luck feast on Saturday evening.

Though we have a goodly amount of  classes already, we  are always looking for more classes and instructors!  St. Radegund herself required all women who came to her abbey, regardless of station, to be literate.  She kissed lepers to the dismay of those around her. She told off kings and princes.  In this wonderful tradition of "No Respecter Of Persons" , we in Rivenwood Tower believe ALL have something worthy to share!  Do you know how to make one fabulous period dish?  Can you whip up a tunic the night before?  Do you know useful Latin phrases?  Can you recite the Lord's Prayer in Old English?  Can you write something in the Gothic calligraphy style?  Can you do naalbinding? If you felt the least little tug at your conscience at any of these things, perhaps it was the good Saint poking you in the back.  Please send your class idea and intent to:  St. Radegund class coordinator  Anna Schuster.

Some classes we have already:
Paper Making
Charcoal Pencils
Medieval Pot Herbs in Your Backyard
Wattle and Daub Construction
Beginning Tin Whistle
Greenwood Feast Gear Carving
Feast Planning
Period Dancing
Death By Heat: How To Recognise the Signs
Intro to Western Martial Arts
New-
Viking Punched Jewelry
Beginner Bobbin Lace
Finger Loop Braiding
Who Am I? Fleshing Out Your Persona

Plus

Archery and Heavy Fighting!

May Party

Saturday, May 15, 2010 the forming group of Oubliette will host the annual May Party beginning at 10:00am and continuing until we tire out -

"BYODBNODAPABT"  -  Bring Your Own Dead But Not Overly Decayed Animal Parts And Burn Them!

Bring whatever you wish to toast over the fire and The good people of Oubliette will treat us with side dishes!  Remember to bring your own feast gear, paper or otherwise. Garb is optional but fun!

Attention all fighters!  Bring your armor and weapons. We will be fighting for the title of Shire Chanmpion! The prize is the honor of keeping the Champion's Tabard until it is won away from you!

Also, the Stick Game champion will be named!


Where: Cedar Creek Park Cedar Park Road Fairmont, MN 56031
Cedar Creek Park

MLC Renaissance Fair

Saturday and Sunday, May 1st and 2nd, The Shire of Rivenwood Tower will be doing a demonstration at the Martin Luther College Renaissance Fair in German Park in New Ulm.

We will be setting up at 8:00 am in the park. The fair begins Saturday at 9:00 am and runs until 5:30pm and Sunday runs from 10:00am until 2:30 pm.

Anyone may come to participate or come and enjoy the fair.

CANCELLED!

Apologies! The Garb Workshop for Saturday, April 24th is cancelled due to unavoidable work schedules!
Another Garb Day will be done in future.

Garb Workshop

Saturday, April 24th will be held a Garb Workshop at the Prahl's home.  Come and spruce up your existing garb or start some new.  For new people; the first and only true requirement for participation in the SCA is appearing at events in "Garb"(period looking clothing).  Bring along fabric (your choice but NOT knit - stretchy material) in cotton, linen or wool. (You may ask at the fabric store. It is also printed on the end of the bolt - roll of fabric.) Bring also some matching sewing thread - sold also at the fabric store.  You will want to bring 4 yards of a main color and 2 yards of a different or contrasting color.

If you have a pattern already that you are interested in bring it along if you need guidance.

Title: Garb workshop
When: Sat Apr 24 11am – 5pm Central Time
Where: Mike's & Linda's House http://www.rivenwoodtower.org/

April 11th Business Meeting

Sunday, April 11th at 2:00pm will be held the Shire of Rivenwood Tower's monthly Business Meeting at Jack McGowan's. Find Jack McGowan's.
(Join the Shire Group Discussion)

We will be discussing:

MLC Ren Fair
St. Radegund's Fair - event positions and advertising
Demo's - Solstice, Rock Bend, MSU
May Party hosted by Oubliette
Summer scheduling - armory,fighter practice, archery (REMEMBER to bring your personal calendars!)

Also:   Ways to re-activate/reinterest shire members. Come with solutions to suggest and discuss.

ATTN. WE ARE LOOKING FOR FUTURE OFFICER CHANGES! Consider stepping forward to serve the Shire.

Medieval Gardening

Tansy - Hang in your doorway to discourage flies.
Wormwood - To dispel parasites, repel moths, and brew absinthe.
Salad Burnet - cucumber flavored salad green.
Comfrey - setting of bones and healing of wounds.




Plantain - poultices and infusion for coughs.
Melissa - (Lemon Balm)  strewing herb and
                  lemon scented flavoring.
Pulses - beans and peas.
Fat Hen - pot herb similar to spinach.
Teasle - thorny seed heads used to card and full
             wool.

These and many other plants were grown in medieval gardens.  Anyone interested in participating in a Shire medieval garden project contact Anna Schuster at. anna5schuster@yahoo.com

Post Mortem

Lupercalia is successfully put behind us! It was indeed a success and enjoyed by all!  The games were popular as was the auction. Thank you to all those who donated the most excellent items!  The visiting Royalty, His Highness, Prince Tom, enjoyed the fighting and Bushkazi - thank you Mike Prahl!  The feast was wonderful, thank you Jacob Weiss and Linda Prahl.  Linda Prahl recieved a Balefire during court for her efforts in medieval cookery. Thank you to Dave Smith, Herald from Oubliette, who heralded court for the very first time! Our own herald, Melanie Wing, appointed herself child warden and policed very effectively juvenile mayhem. Thank you to Teresa Herbert for her work making site tokens and overseeing games. Thank you to Bart Saxton for donating his time and materials for the feast tokens, pewter belt buckles. They were very popular. Thank you to Gary Jensen and the Schuster peasant rabble for their hard work in the scullery and to the Prahl, Smith and Wing youth for their long hard work to make Lupercalia a happy day for our guests!

There is a lost and found. If you lost an item at Lupercalia please contact the seneschal at mailto:seneschal@rivenwoodtower.org

Lupercalia

Lupercalia!  Saturday, February 27th at the American Legion, Nicollet Mn.  Troll opens at 9:00am and the event runs until 9:00pm.  There will be Heavy Weapons fighting, Bunny Bushkazi, Games, Lunch, the Lupercalia Auction, Arts and Science display with the fun theme "Most Inconcievable", Court, and a Roman Themed Feast. There will be the children's and adult pinata.

Oubliette Feast and A Movie Demo

The forming Group of Oubliette, sponsored by The Shire Of Rivenwood Tower, will be holding a Feast and Movie demonstration February 20th from 6:00 pm to 9:00pm at the Fairmont Film Society,  109 West 1st Street, Fairmont Mn.  Cost is $10.00 for feast and the movie entertainment. The feature film is "The Princess Bride".

Lupercalia Pre-Cook Day

We are doing some pre-freast cooking tomorrow, February 20th beginning at 11:00am at the Prahl's, Garden City, Mn.  Address:621 Main St N Garden City, MN 56034

Come and lend a hand.


Phone:507.546.3726(eve)

http://www.rivenwoodtower.org/

St. Radegund's Fair

We are on the calendar!

St. Radegund's Fair