Here is a selection of short articles about previous events in the Shire.
Costume Revel – 26th March 2010
Our opening revel of the season (well, after St Ethelburga ands Coronet tourney, anyway!). We have about 20 denizens of the Shire spend an afternoon working on patterns and costumes, from gowns and overgowns to chemises and hose. Plenty of costuming resources and books were on display for consultation, as wel las the ubiquitous laptops and sewing machines.
The feasting was by candlelight, and we were regaled by a sumptuous spread as follows -
Revel Menu
Pommesmoille with small wafers (Thomas)
Chicken Great Pie with Mustard Sauce (Vitus)
Bacon and Chicken tart (Arnault)
Roast Beef with Lord’s Sauce and green salad (Paul & Anne)
Frumenty (Robert)
Simnel Cake (Edith)
Divers Cheeses, Meats, pickles, olives and Breads (Omnes)
Small Cakes with Fruit compote (Basilea)
The site is undergoing renovation, and the improved floor was put to good use with dancing led by milady Anne and Master Paul, with a bransle set and galliards.
Many thanks to ladies Ynes and Anne, and who brought so many useful resources and examples to share about historic clothing. Lord Thomas for his advice on early Mediaeval costume and shoes, and divers others who in their own way helped make a splendid evening.
The 1st Insulae Draconis Coronet Tournament – Gilwell Park, Essex, 19/21 February 2010
Over 160 members of the SCA across the Kingdoms, including the Royalty of the Kingdom of Calontir and that of Drachenwald, gathered to witness a talented field of combatants fighting for the right to be entitled the first Prince and PRincess of Insulae Draconis. This event marked the culmination of several years of hard work in expanding our membership and raising the standards of both game and organisation in these fair lands.
Under the driving guidance of Ladies Edith of Hedingham and Constanza of Thamesreach, a cast of many produced the largest event ever organised by Thamesreach. Dealing with two feast halls, and three sites, a weekend of enjoyable food, dance, fighting, and workshops surrounded the main event.
St Ethelburga’s Feast III – 23rd January 2010
And thus it was that over forty citizens of these Isles gathered in the vaulted nave of St Ethelburga’s Church, once ruined by an IRA bomb, now a centre for peace and understanding. Master Paul de Gorey and Anne Dellar, both experienced and talented dance masters, led the populace in a series of Measures of the Inns of Court of London, as well as more familiar bransles, and other favourites of the Shires.
The feast was provided by the cooks Lord Guy, Master Robert and Lady Edith, ably supported in pastry-making by Ladies Constanza and Basileia, and Lord Asbiorn. Thamesreach’s desire for largesse was held in good order, and the feast below (derived from a combination of recipes from Chiquart and Cariadoc’s Miscellany) was presented –
Frumenty, A Roast of Beef, accompanied by Mustard, Norfolk Fool, Green Pesen Royal, Mushroom Pasties, Bread, An Assortment of Apples and Pears, Tarte of Strawberries, Tarte of Spinage, Rissoles of Pork, Wafers, Meringues and Angels Food
This left the populace well-fed and content. A short Court was held under the gaze of Their Graces Alaric and Nerissa, whereupon first-time visitors to the Shire and kingdom were called up and presented. The Autocrat and cook, Lord Guy was also called up as were Master Robert and Lady Edith, to be congratulated on the spread of food recently provided. The evening then returned to a fine display of singing and dancing before it drew to a close at 10pm.
Lord Guy would like to thank everyone for coming and hopes they enjoyed themselves. He would also like to thank the many members who helped out in their own way in making this a memorable night, and finally HG Nerissa for providing vital transportation.
November Rapier Revel – 28th November 2009
Greetings from your servant Genevieve,
Just a short note to thank all the fine folks who trotted out this past Saturday, transport fu notwithstanding, to help paint and decorate wallhangings, to work on our shire’s fencing skills, and to enjoy a fine potluck meal with the shire of Thamesreach.
A core of seven rapier fighters worked through exercises and drills, building up to an afternoon of combat. As well as individual duels, we also practiced melle fighting in the open, across a barrier and also a bridge battle scenario Excellent training for the events ahead in 2010!
Twenty adults and 5 kids sat down to feast (though ‘sit’ might be a strong term for some young ladies…), which is a very satisfying turnout to end the year.
As usual we were rolling away from the tables, stuffed to the gills on good food, barely able to shuffle through dances, though there seemed always room for more spiced wine and port.
We did, however, manage one kid-friendly dance – an Official Brawle alternating adults and young ladies (aged 4-9), which was very well received. My thanks to the other robust adult dancers (Ynes, Asbjorn and Guy), who stretched their aerobic and power-lifting capacity for the extended rendition of this brawle.
Especial thanks for the Flintheath folk who braved traffic wardens (and dancing instructors, oh noes!) to share their fencing expertise, and willingly measures and marked muslin hangings and stamped with goodwill.
If this first try at stamping a diapered pattern is any example, we’ll have a magnificently- decorated hall hung with ‘tapestries’ for the coming coronet tournament, that we can all delight in.
Much toasting of our newest Peer, Master Robert of Canterbury was to be had and a convivial evening of conversation and dancing brought the 2009 season of Thamesreach revels to a close.
