Let the SUN Shine In

As Published in the White Birch newsletter
Rokeclif, Northshield, December 2009

Note: this is not a standard book review but rather an event review

Whether you fight, craft or dabble in the bardic arts, each of us is on a path of learning.
SCAdians are folks who never want to stop discovering and know that life itself is a classroom. For a day, some of us literally went back into classrooms to further our knowledge. Stellar University of Northshield, SUN, offered twelve class tracts ranging from marital studies and meat pies to heraldry and history. Seven hours of classes within each category made for a dizzying 84 options and a very full day.

Some seek to brush up on old learning, some to dabble in things they know nothing of. For my
own part, I sought out classes near to my heart; heraldry, literature and history. I’ve taken a few classes concerning British and period literature as well as done a fair bit of reading on my own. Only at SUN, however, would four Lords known for their fighting prowess discuss chivalric literature. Such uniquely SCAdian perspectives were exactly what I hopped to take advantage of at SUN.

When we enter into the SCA, should we choose to make it more than a casual contact, we find a
culture and history so rich and full that it stands its own alongside mundane modern history. Two classes I chose where just to learn more about being a SCAdian of Northshield. The one I’ll never forget was a presentation of “Row Men Row” by a certain bard called Owen Alun. Through the song’s eighteen verses he gave those listening a glimpse into each reign during the Northshield principality with all due explanations for those entering green like myself. The passion he felt for the SCA, and his kingdom in particular, came through and touched everyone present. The teachings of our bards unite us in pride as well as knowledge. When I was later informed that this gentle is known as ‘The Owen’ I knew for myself just why.

After doubling my knowledge of Northshield inside a day, what better way for SUN to end than
with court presided over by our King Siegfried? He and his Queen held court and saw to many fine acts. The transference of the Baronage of Jararvellir, the appointing of vigils for a newly nominated Laurel and Pelican, and the granting of many honors to both friends and strangers made this the most enlightening and enjoyable court I’ve yet had the privilege to attend.

I went to SUN with high expectations for both fun and learning. I’m grateful to write and say
this event did not disappoint. I would urge every SCAdian to at least once take such an opportunity when it comes around.

Amata Cromwell

A Book Worth its Weight in Gold

As published in the White Birth newsletter
Rokeclif, Northshield, March 2009

The World of the Luttrell Psalter

Michelle P. Brown

In the mid 14th century, Geoffrey Luttrell commissioned an artist team of scribes and artists to create the Luttrell Psalter. There is evidence of multiple artistic hands upon the Psalter. Unusually, some of its creators may have received room and board with the Luttrell household and be depicted alongside the Luttrell family. Even more remarkable is the inclusion of the peasant folk who lived and worked the Luttrell lands. This Psalter is unique for its many images of daily life such as plowing, harvesting and the mischief of children. While lacking the legal precision of William’s Doomsday book, the Luttrell Psalter does offer a broad record of life on Geoffrey’s medieval estate.

The reasons for the creation of the Luttrell Psalter were many, both worldly and spiritual. It was at once a celebration of the Luttrell family and its holdings and a memorial of the same to last beyond Geoffrey’s time. Awareness of mortality, not surprising to find within the medieval Christian faith, pervades the pages of the Psalter. Concern for his eternal soul led Geoffrey to make many provisions of charity in his will in exchange for prayers to be said for him after his death. Certain illuminations may be connected with these gifts to the Church. The bedecked war-horse Sir Geoffrey sits astride in one of the best known images was a mortuary gift to his parish church.

Other images use allegory to reflect the struggle of man’s soul. A naked youth faces the mouth of hell in one picture while Geoffrey sits in a boat rowed in one direction by his Sins and pulled forward in another by Truth and Mercy. In addition to visual double meanings, the positioning of the images within the text form added layers of interpretation and depth to a reading of the Psalter. One could say the words of the Psalter play with the illuminations.

While the text of the Psalter is pious the tone of the work is not without an element of entertainment. Grotesques may represent the twisted and sinful souls of humanity, but they also reflect great imagination and creativity given outlet. Alongside psalms of praise and images warning against various evils there is a child up a tree sneaking cherries and a feast with Sir Geoffrey sitting center table. While both of these images work into the religious nature of the work, for instance the likeness of Geoffrey’s feast table to a second image portraying Jesus at the Last Supper, they also enable a more mundane reading. Such events would be ones to which any on the estate could relate, whether as the naughty child or a servant at the feast, and make a personal connection with their reading of the Luttrell Psalter.

It is doubtful monks or friars still think to pray for Geoffrey Luttrell’s soul but the record of his life remains to entertain modern readers and the illuminations to inspire curiosity and wonder. While few today can read the Psalter’s calligraphy and the narrow subject may not be of high interest, simply for the beautiful images I recommend anyone take a look through The World of the Luttrell Psalter. For those with an interest in illumination or medieval books this scholarly work is a must to read cover to cover.

Amata Cromwell

Technology and the Middle Ages

As published in the White Birth newsletter
Rokeclif, Northshield, March 2009

The Medieval Machine: The Industrial Revolution of the Middle Ages

Jean Gimpel

Working at a bookshop, I can’t help but note that as many shelves of books on history as we have, there are just as many shelves devoted specifically to military history. Whether due to the plethora of documentation or human nature, often history has focused on war and victors. In classes it is too often the place and date of battles that we are asked to memorize and the wonder of the full tapestry of history is lost. Jean Gimpel has taken a little studied facet of the history of Western civilization and expounded his findings into a book with a refreshing change of focus.

Beyond dismissing the stereotype of ‘dark ages’, Gimpel argues that the breadth of inventions and advances seen in the middle ages outpaced what later came during the Renaissance and in fact should be seen as the true Industrial Revolution of Western history. He covers first medieval energy sources and the harnessing of water and wind power. The emphasis is on how the water mills, dams, and windmills of the middle ages taped the potential of these energies to a far greater degree that the works of the early Roman Empire. Given the general notion of the Middle Ages being a low time between two greater periods of history, Gimpel often makes a point of the industry of the Middle Ages outshining the supposed glory of Roman era.

Agriculture and mining are each given a chapter to showcase the advances of the Middle Ages. Within each topic he focuses on the strides made to increase crop yield and to streamline labor practices. The author contrasts Rome’s use of slave labor and enjoyment of a milder climate to the technological drive of the Middle Ages impelled by a harsher climate and lower population density. He sees the adage of “what does not kill a person makes one stronger” at work in Western Europe.

Gimpel goes further than a simple history of European technology to give a social assessment of the Middle Ages that is far more optimistic than most. He highlights aspects of society, such as miners and stone workers, who grew in status and wealth. While most teachings on the Middle Ages paint the picture of a rigid society with a tight focus on religion, this book focuses on free thinkers and inventors. Indeed, the author makes the claim that free thought and inventiveness actually declined with the onset of the Renaissance. In large part this claim is based on the idea of advances during the Renaissance being focused on the waging of war rather than the betterment of daily life and society. While I wasn’t convinced of this broad point, the book does provide a wealth of new information and interesting views I’ve not found elsewhere.

A goodly amount of space at both the front and end of the book is spent comparing the decline of the Middle Ages with what he sees as a decline of our current society. As this book was written thirty years ago, take away what you will from his modern day tie ins. The topic of Gimpel’s book was fascinating and his tract well researched. I fully intend to read more on the matter of industrial archeology prior to the better known, steam driven, Industrial Revolution and if this aspect of history interests others I would say to give The Medieval Machine a read through.

Amata Cromwell

Readings for Basic Persona Work

As Published in the White Birch newsletter
Rokeclif, Northshield, October 2008

At some point amidst attending shire meetings, helping at events and enjoying A&S gatherings each of us tackles the challenge of creating a persona. For some it’s a simple matter selecting a name they like, maybe a time and a place, and calling it good. They aren’t looking to root it into a grander picture or to delve too deeply into the matter. For others of us though the concept of a persona is a daunting challenge, our desire to bring a medieval character fully to life hampered by a lack of knowledge or even an idea of where to begin. To this SCAdian I would hand two books: The Timetables of History by Bernard Grun and The Illustrated Book of Heraldry by Stephen Slater.

The first, The Timetables of History, is not a standard book one reads cover to cover or a chapter at a time. Rather, it is a chart more than 600 pages long charting events of human history. The spectrum covered includes politics, literature, music, science and daily life. If one is at a loss for an inspiring year or wants to have a better idea of what occurred in their persona’s lifetime, this is an ideal starting point. The facts are brief and the format is logical. Many time tables I’ve seen divide their lists by culture or continent and run the various strands parallel to each other. This book places worldwide events together, separating them out only by year and subject. Rather than be a confusing muddle it allows the lengthy chart to retain its simple and easy to use format.

The very length of Timetables is something of a drawback; only about one third of the book is applicable to SCAdian needs. The data is not interpreted, sources are not listed due to the enormity of space such would require, and this book alone will not complete a persona story. Its true value is in the sparking of ideas and confirming of facts, both especially useful functions to new SCAdians.

The second book, The Illustrated Book of Heraldry is a solid introduction to heraldry at large. It may be read cover to cover if one wishes or certain chapters of interest may be read in isolation. The three foci of the book are the history, language and use of heraldry. Such are of course very broad subjects in and of themselves but this title serves as a general over view, excellent for someone with little or no prior knowledge. The layout is bold, easy to read and quite attractive with many color pictures to clearly illuminate what is spoken of in the text.

As a general reference book, Heraldry does not stay within SCA bounds, either of time or of our heraldic rules. As well as the history of heraldry, this book does spend some time on modern heraldry in both its design and its uses. The SCA maintains its own set of heraldic rules, exceptions and guidelines that this source, of course, does not cover. It is however a solid start to a beautiful subject and, as long as its limitations are kept in mind, a wonderful resource when first pondering the design of one’s own SCAdian arms.

Book Wish List

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My Persona

While my challenge will focus around 50 of one activity, reporting on books, I thought I'd say a little on who I am first off.

I am Lady Amata Cromwell of 14th century England. My father's manor is in Northumbria, but several years past I traveled to the great city of London to wed. Sadly, my beloved has since passed on. In our short time of marriage, he taught me to read and write so that I could help him with his shop. Watching him at his craft of bookbinding was a joy and I can only hope I keep his good name in continuing on with the work. My maid servant is not only a dear companion to me in this work, but is an invaluable second watch over the details and correctness of what I am doing. For the most intriguing of manuscripts, I might offer to bind for free in exchange for allowing the copying of the text.

Down this Merry Path

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