Sunday dance classes at the hall

On the 24 of April, a number of new dancers were present, so we could practice those dances that need 6 or 8 people. Accordingly, the three dances we were:  Upon a summers day, If all the world was paper, and Dance de Cleves

There are some You Tube versions of these below, for those wanting to aid their memories or follow along at home. There are always some variations in steps and the floor plan, but I think all would be helpful.
Dance de Cleves
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=le5RwjTQG1s
Some minor differences probably to cope with the size of the hall.  They turn before doing the hearts and flowers and reverse direction halfway through.

If all the world was paper
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3t5w5WR96U
There is a bit of mucking around at the beginning and the first chorus hay is done differently. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aenhHdGna1Q
The first chorus hay starts with swapping with your partner before going
across the set.  We go across the set and then we swap with our partner.
Note their sidings are a bit more elaborate than what we do

Upon a summer’s day
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIMz_NQxQ5w
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUO4T5G7Ue0
It’s pretty much how we do it except for the sidings

PGC2019 Baronessa Isabel Maria’s Practical Hairdressing Class

When I am forgotten as I shall be and sleep in dull cold marble … Say I taught thee.  Baronessa Isabel Maria recounts a class she taught earlier this year:

“At Canterbury Faire I reprised a class on practical period hairdressing for women, that Meisterin Christian and I had previously taught at the 2016 Southron Gaard Collegium.

With a view to making period hairstyling more accessible to people, the class touches on different styles seen in period, along with the techniques and tools to recreate them.  Plausibly period techniques are explored and compared to modern methods for suitability, ease of use, and security of the hairstyle.  The class culminates with a demonstration of hair sewing, on a volunteer.

Meistern Christian and I maintain the class notes on the Hous Amberherthe webpage, in addition to a pinterest board devoted to pre-1600 hair maintenance.”

PGC2019 Baronessa Ginevra’s Candle making class

At Firey Knights II, and again at Golden Flight, Baronessa Ginevra taught how to make dipped beeswax candles.

Across most of the period we cover, beeswax is an appropriate and good option for candles.  It casts a brighter, clearer light then rushlights, so you can read or work by it, and it doesn’t drip as much as the modern alternatives of paraffin wax or soy.  Dip candles use less wax than some other means of candle production, and are simple to produce – just ask the children who made their own!

(Thanks are due to Ladies Gisla and Vigdis for the photos of their candles, because Ginevra realised she forgot to take any during the classes)