Tuesday, 8 May 2012

Pepys Diary.

Saturday 8 May 1669

"Up, and to the Office, and there comes Lead to me, and at last my vizards are done, and glasses got to put in and out, as I will; and I think I have brought it to the utmost, both for easiness of using and benefit, that I can; and so I paid him 15s. for what he hath done now last, in the finishing them, and they, I hope, will do me a great deal of ease".
Pepys at this time was having a great deal of trouble with his eyes, and bright light gave him discomfort.

This is an original Visard or Vizard mask, once covered with silk on the inside and velvet on the outside. To thype of mask, Pepys had tubes fitted into the eye sockets so as to cut out anu outside light and only allow him to see the page he was reading or writing.

These masks were common wear for women in the 16th and 17th centuries and similar masks were I believe used by men and women in public, in the 18th century in Italy.

More about the vizard masks here: http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/402520

Ranging, Pathfinding, Bushcraft & Survival Notes: Neo-Traditionalist Woodsmanship... My Concept...

Monday, 7 May 2012

Tools Of The Trade. The Butcher.

Diderot's Encyclopedia. My thanks to Mad Wolf for this information.

And we must go a marching to the beating of the drum!

http://lambtons.wordpress.com/2012/05/07/and-we-must-go-a-marching-to-the-beating-of-the-drum/

Artisans of Australia: Timbercraft

My thanks to Magnet for this video, one of our group members living in the UK.

Sunday, 6 May 2012

You Still Need To Carry Your Shot Pouch.

Even when using a cartridge box, you still need to carry your shot pouch and powder horn. You don't know how long you are going to be out there or what may happen. Always travel fully equiped if you are going any distance.

A Cartridge Box or Cartouche For Faster Reloads.

“a Gun, fit for service, a Cartouch Box, and a Sword, Cutlass, or Hanger, and at least Twelve Charges of Powder and Ball, or Swan Shot, and Six Spare Flints,”

"every soldier Shall be well provided with a well fixed gun or fuse, Sword or hatchet, Snapsack, Cartouche box,horn charger & flints". New Hampshire Militia Laws, Oct. 7, 1692.

"one good Musket, Fuzee or other Firelock, well fixed, a Cutlass, Bayonet or Tomahawk, a Cartouche Box filled with 12 or more Cartridges of Powder, 12 or more sizeable Bullets and 3 Good Flints." 1757.

Belt loops on the back.

The copper nail in the centre works like a button to secure the outer flap closure.

A cartridge box I made some time ago for militia use. Cartridges are a lot faster to reload.

Settlers.

"I noticed particularly, one family of about 12 in number. The man
carried an axe and a gun on his shoulders. The Wife, the rim of a spinning
wheel in one hand, and a loaf of bread in the other. Several little boys and
girls, each with a bundle, according to their size Two poor horses, each
heavily loaded with some poor necessities. On the top of the baggage of one,
was an infant rocked to sleep in a kind of wicker cage, lashed securely to the
horse. A cow formed one of the company ,and she was destined to bear her
proportion of service - a bed cord was wound around her horns and a bag of meal
on her back. They were not only patient, but cheerful and pleased with
themselves with the expectation of seeing happy days beyond the mountains"
Diary of Presbyterian Rev. David McClure.
18th century.

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What is Living History?

What is Living History?
Living history makes history come to life. To do this members emulate different sorts of people from history. These can include blacksmiths, seamstresses, housewives, farmers, woodsmen and woodswomen. We wear the clothes of the time and learn and use the life and trade skills of the period.
What period of history does the NECLHG re-enact ?
Approximately 1680-1760 on the New World Frontier.
Why this period of history and why a New World lifestyle and not Australian?
The New World was settled much earlier than Australia and enables us to choose from a larger variety of nationalities, occupations and skills. All of these options make the activities more fun.
Australian settlement was in a later period and founded on a penal colony. There are other re-enactment groups for people interested in the Australian colonial period.
Is joining NECLHG expensive?
No. There are no membership fees for the group. The activity is only as expensive as you want it to be! Many members make all their own period style clothing and equipment. This is an ideal activity for people who like to make things and be creative.
What if there are some items I can not make myself or I am too busy to make?
You always have the option of buying or trading for items. People who want to purchase their clothing and equipment can do so; there are many specialist suppliers. Also you can trade for items you can not make .
Can my family join this group?
Yes we are very family oriented.
What is experimental archaeology?
This is the term used when someone makes and uses a period tool or item. This can be anything from lighting a fire with a flint and steel to building and sailing a ship on an original route! It is the only way to really discover how things were done “back then”.
What is historical trekking?
This activity is trekking and camping in an historically accurate manner. People on a historical trek wear the clothing of the period and carry and use only the equipment used in that period. These treks are a great way to learn woods lore and survival skills.
What sort of “period skills” can we learn and practice?
You can learn and use any skill that was used in the period you reenact. For the mid-18th century these include spinning and weaving on a loom, finger weaving, tomahawk throwing, fire lighting, blade sharpening, leather making and leather working and much, much more.
Is the NECLHG a gun club?
No. Some on our members may carry a period gun on treks and camps as part of their persona. These guns are flintlock muzzle-loading antique guns or copies. The highest level of safely is maintained at all times. Guns are not carried loaded and all gun carrying members are licensed.
What about women members?
In the 18th century women performed many traditional and non traditional roles. There were women blacksmiths, naturalists, artists, and woods-women. Some accompanied militia on scouts . In the NECLHG a women can be what ever she wants to be!
What about children.?
Children are always welcome. Naturally children are the responsibility of their parents. Children really enjoy the living history activities and skills. It is a wonderful way to learn history and it makes their school based history a lot more meaningful. Also children can learn bush craft, survival skills and camping skills.

A Woodsrunner's Diary

A LIVING HISTORY BLOG.