Essex Babe Or Mediaeval Baebe?

I hail from Essex so feel perfectly entitled to natter on the topic of Essex babes. I strongly suspect that I fall far short of the type of girl we see in the media or on "The Only Way Is Essex" for my shelf frontage is more akin to an ironing board than the pneumatically enhanced chesticles of which some are so proud, I lack an orange tan and I've never been the proud owner of a set of veneered gnashers so bright you'd be dazzled from Mars!

In my head I rather fancy myself as more of a Mediaeval Baebe...I mean what's not to like.....they're are beautiful and accomplished singers and musicians....

The reality is that I would look more like Fiona from Shrek if I were to dress so....aah well never mind. One can dream. Here are the ladies doing their thang

Arilx

Tales From A Medieval Joust

It's been years since I went to one of these events and I had forgotten what a joyous romp they are. Can I also say [I know BAD MOTHER] just how civilised it was not having to hare around with a grumpy small person [when he was small I mean] these days [he was as ever still in bed when we left him and out with some young fillies when we returned] and the novelty of not having to visit the children's zone still hasn't worn off!

I've seen Devil Stick Peat the Jester before but in the intervening period he's got married and produced a couple of his own little jesterlings. Aww. This chap is not only great fun but he also does some great work for charity both here and abroad.

Medieval musical entertainment from A Companye of Strangers and musicians in the living history village.

Fascinating talks on a range of subjects from medieval sayings through to medieval housewifery. As you might imagine I have scribbled down a few choice snippets to share in due course!
This gentleman gave a most graphic and gruesome talk about Master Topcliffe who was Elizabeth I's torturer and struck fear into the hearts of even the most hardened criminal. His stand was very much in keeping with this theme.

One of the traders made it crystal clear the fate that awaited any would be light fingered individual.

Naturally, as you expect, there were some stonkingly good battles which Mr GBT enjoyed whilst I sought the entertainment of the Mediaeval Baebes.

Most marvellous way to invest one's groats methinks!

Arilx

No Words Needed Today.

Arilx

Arrows

Arilx

Rather Astonishing Really!

Having confidently said in August...erm we're talking 2013 here...that I would be doing a red Goddess poppet next I cut it out, couldn't decide how I wanted to decorate it and thus consigned it to the bottom of the UFO pile where it has languished ever since.

Fast forward to the last couple of weeks and a fully formed idea wandered into my head. Taking the red/white/silver colours and moon motif for the Mythago ladies's kit and the yellow and gold sun kit for the Mythago chaps as my inspiration for the yellow and red dolls progress was swiftly made. A final push to get the orange one done and I am now pleased to say that all are finished and are now out on display on my seasonal shelf. Here's the proof!

Arilx

A Quirky Dame

It's been a while since I featured a local eccentric so I thought it high time that I addressed it with a tale of Miss Elizabeth Gatford.

In life Miss Gatford had already earnt a reputation as being rather a one off let's say. For twenty years she remained holed up in her mansion whilst everything around her including her coach was left to rack and ruin. However, in death she was more remarkable still.

I have found it often to be the case that those individuals who stand out from the crowd and plough their own furrow are also amongst the most generous. Miss Gatford was no exception. In her will [written in 1790] she instructed that a sum of £5 5 shillings per annum should be used to buy bread. This was to be left on a shelf in front of her seat in church and then distributed amongst the poor every Sabbath. This has continued until recently but now the money is put towards supporting a local foodbank. She also specified that £15 pa should be used to feed her animals after her death- this included her cats, dogs, guinea pigs and parrots but for some strange reason not her horses. She was equally clear about the arrangements for her burial which were carried out in accordance with her wishes.

Elizabeth eventually shuffled off her mortal coil on 8th July 1799. Her body was kept preserved for a month in wine of spirits and then she was interred within four coffins- one of shell, one of lead and the others of oak and stone in the vault of the church she attended after 10pm at night. I think it must have been quite a memorable affair.

Arilx

Lammas 2014

August the month for kicking off your shoes and relaxing. Bright blessings to all who celebrate the wheel of the year. Enjoy the sunshine and treats of the late summer.

Arilx