Bedspread finally done!

Never say never on unfinished projects! This one has been more than 20 years in the making, but it's now finished and in use.










This started life as a bunch of embroidered patches purchased by my mother at a yard sale back in the 1980's. She gave them to me and they travelled from Pennsylvania to Indiana to Maine to Ohio to New York and finally to Bulgaria. After all that time in my sewing basket, I finally assembled it.

Now if I can just keep the cats off the bed......

Winchester Pilgrimage AS 45, part IV

Here's the last bit about Winchester and it's all photos. The scrolls are back from the framers and I thought I should share them! Sorry about the glare from the flash. I will eventually retake them on a sunny day, if we have one again this summer!

One AoA






Two Orders of Ffraid

Winchester Pilgrimage AS 45, part III

I wrote this up once and lost it all when the power went out. I guess that's Bulgaria for you. In any event, my annoyance has kept me away from the site for a while. Let's try again for the next-to-last installment on Winchester.

After the demo ended, the spectators cleared out and we set up for court. There were both Principality and Kingdom Courts scheduled, so we snagged seats at the back of the Great Hall to watch. Her Highness Princess Aeringunnr of Insulae Draconis first called forth the members of the Order of Ffraid. Lady Constanza, who looked quite stunned, was then called forth. Her lord, Guy de Dinan escorted her forward and she was inducted into the Order to much cheering.











The Princess then entered Lord Guy into the Rolls of the Order!












Before the final "vivat" for Guy had died down, Her Highness' herald, (and our friend) Lord Asbiorn, was also made a member. The rafters rang for the three new members!

That was the full business of the Principality Court and so the Kingdom Court opened. Master Robert de Canterbury, the royal herald, bagan to read a scroll in Latin while we continued to congratulate Constanza and Guy at the back of the Hall. Much to my shock, he was calling my name. It's a good thing there were others (especially Constanza) to send me forward because I was surprised, to say the least. I receieved my Award of Arms from King ThorvaldR II and Queen Fiona II with great pleasure (on top of the surprise)! Truthfully, I have no idea who was in the room at that point, because it was all a blur as I made my way back to my seat.












(The previous three photos are courtesy of Lord Raphe Cuthbert. None of us were thinking of cameras at that point!)


Court proceded and Lord Theodric was entered into the Popular Company of Sojourners as he will be leaving our shores. Lord Thomas Flamanc then was entered into the Order of the Dragon's Bowle, which is quite a rare award. I believe there was another award, but I am not sure. The final business of the Court was the Laurelling of Mistress Melisendra Fitzwalter. It was a beautiful ceremony and quite moving.

Court closed and we moved on to the Feast. The dishes were well chosen and Katelin's (sp) cooking was excellent. Constanza and I were two of the servers and I now know that if I ever need to organize an invasion or a war, Mistress Judith de Northumbria is the one I want as my General. She kept the servers on time, in step, and in good humor. Everything was delivered hot from the kitchen and courses were cleared smoothly and without any signs of haste. Even the little girls waiting at Head Table were asking eagerly for more to do, rather than less! With all of that, the servers were able to sit and eat with their friends for each course. I don't think anyone could ask for more than that!

After the last course (warm marzipan on shortbreads - yum!), we all settled in to talk and enjoy the evening. My first brewings of raspberry and cherry cordials seemed to be well received by our friends. (I have more started for Raglan Ffaire - beware!) After all the excitement of the day, I turned in early and slept like a log.

Next morning the skies were clear and we were able to strike the tent and pack it up safe and dry. We travelled back to London and spent the evening relaxing. On Tuesday it was back to Bulgaria for me. Sixty days until Raglan....

Winchester Pilgrimage AS 45, Part II

After Saturday lunch, the demonstration for the public began. I was amazed by just how many showed up despite the intermittently inclement weather. The British really do take the rain in stride with a stiff upper lip! First Lord Matthew Baker heralded the heavy fighters and described what would be happening.















The fighters then took the field. Between the rain and the spectators, I didn't get many good shots, unfortunately.

















Next was a dance exhibition led by Mistress Judith de Northumbria. The children really loved it when they were invited to join in.

Winchester Pilgrimage AS 45, part I

This year's Pilgrimage was excellent, as usual, but it also had a lot of interesting twists and turns. Unlike last year, which was blistering hot, it was rainy, overcast, and quite cool on Friday and most of Saturday. We all got tents and pavillions up just in time to be under cover before the skies opened up. There were even more period pavillions than last year, as you can see.
















I didn't take any photos of our modern tent, but we were situated in the Brothers' walled garden, which was pretty great visually. Alas, we were also next to the back of the pub that was featuring a beer festival and live music every night! We were lulled to sleep on Friday night by two singers, a fiddle, and assorted other instruments playing "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life." Hehehe!

Saturday morning started out with a thick English mist, which turned into full-fledged rain before we were due to set out on Pilgrimage. Several of us though better of a long, soggy walk and stayed in the Great Hall and sewed, scribed, and wove. Others joined us in the Hall as they returned from the walk.

Finally, a use for rakiya!

Every year I receive large quantities of the local brandy, aka Rakiya, at the holidays. As it's usually home distilled, it's serious stuff. I've never acquired a taste for it, so it just sits in my kitchen cupboard. Well, I wanted to try cordial-making as one of my A&S 50 challenges, which seemed like a good way to use up some rakiya. I set up two batches to steep six weeks ago, one raspberry and one sour cherry. I just finished bottling it and all I can say is yum!! I think I must try some additional recipes asap! Bring on the Rakiya!

Events!

It's now only 20 days until the Winchester Pilgrimage V and I can hardly wait! I also just received my confirmation for Rhaglen Ffaire VI in August. Huzzah!

I've been doing some sewing between loads of work for the University and I've finished my hose and Constanza's hood, which will be useful for both upcoming events. I still have more things I'd like to finish, but none of them are vital for either event.