Book Review – Cotton, Climate, and Camels

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Bookcases in the library of the University of Leiden, 1610

by The Honorable Lady Vashti al-A’sar

 

Cotton, Climate, and Camels in Early Islamic Iran: A Moment in World History by Richard W. Bulliet

Contents:

  1. How to Identify a Cotton Boom
  2. Islam and Cotton
  3. The Big Chill
  4. Of Turks and Camels
  5. A Moment in World History

In Cotton, Climate and Camels Richard Bulliet explores the rise of cotton production and export in Iran during the ninth and tenth centuries.

It sounds simple, and a bit dry. I couldn’t have been more wrong. This tiny book (less than 200 pages) is easy to read and filled with details from primary sources. Even better, Bulliet does a great job making connections between different types of evidence to support his theory.

In addition to background information for  Persians, A’bbasids, and Seljuks, Bulliet explains how the changes in climate, religion, political, and cultural groups coincided in Persia in ways that affected technology, agriculture, and people’s daily lives. These changes are found reflected in the foundation and naming practices of towns, the naming practices for people, artistic styles, industries, and trade goods.

Despite some space given to qualification statements and academic conventions this book was easy to read and a great surprise in the amount of detailed information it contains.

Cooking Classes at Lilies by Mistress Giraude and Master Tosten

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From Mèstra Giraude Benet:

Küche mit Kachelofen, aus: Kuchenmaistrey, erstmals erschienen 1485 bei Peter Wagner. V

I’d like to share some info about the cooking classes that Master Tosten will be teaching at Lilies this year. They are under my name in the site book, but while I will be helping, he is the main instructor! You can sign up in advance to reserve a spot, which will help him know how much supplies to bring in. Both classes will be held at my cooking table setup across from The Harp!

Cooking in Clay – Baked Apples
Mèstra Giraude Benet
Private Encampment
Sunday, June 9 – 1:00 pm for 1 hour
Audience: Adults Skill Level: Beginner
Age Limit: 8 Fee: $30 (Fee includes a clay pipkin to keep) Max Size: None

Class Description: With Master Tosten du Calais. Explore the process of cooking in clay in the fire. Participate in the history of cooking, and go home with yummy yummy baked apples and your own pipkin. Cut up the fruit, season, and cook to perfection. Class is open to student 8 and above, with parental attendance in the class as well. You may sign up and pre-pay in advance at Tosten’s Pots

Cooking in Clay – Main Dish
Mèstra Giraude Benet
Private Encampment
Sunday, June 9 – 9:00 am for 2 hours
Audience: All Skill Level: Beginner
Age Limit: 8 Fee: $40 (Fee includes a small cooking pot to keep) Max Size: None

Class Description: With Master Tosten du Calais. Explore the process of cooking in clay in the fire. Participate in the history of cooking and go home with hearty main dish and a small cooking pot. Using period ingredients, create a unique combination for you and to share. Simmer your meal in the coals. And share with others, your interest in cooking and period life. You can sign up in advance on Facebook at Tosten’s Pots.  Anyone who might be interested in signing up for the class but who is not on Facebook can email Master Tosten at Dougv@gryph.com , and he will send a PayPal invoice.

Fire Arrow Demonstration at Lilies Canceled

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We’re extremely disappointed to share that the fire arrow demonstration announced previously isn’t going to proceed at Lilies. It was found to be too similar to be a “fire performance,” which is excluded from allowable SCA activities.

We apologize to both Emerick (Eric Shipley), who worked hard to research and create the demo, as well to as everyone who was looking forward to it. Anyone with questions is invited to reach out to us or the Lilies Committee privately.

The OAFocrats

Viking Archery Owner in Hospice

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With much sadness, Rask, owner of Viking Archery Supply has been moved home to start hospice care, and is declining rapidly his wife says. Due to this he himself will not make it to Lilies War this year.

I do know he had made arrangements for his shop to be turned over to new Scadian owners, but I am not privy to if they will still make Lilies because of the above circumstances, and I leave that to the Lilies Merch-o-crat to handle.

Please keep him and his family in your thoughts during this time. Thank you. Cards and such may be sent if you wish addressed to:
The Merrill Family
9300 South St. Rd. 3
Muncie, IN 47302

St George & The Dragon / Bardic Bedlam Court Summary, May 11, A.S. 54

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In evening court:
Selene of Lesbos – Torse
Jon Chesey – Golden Calon Swan
Alvira MacDonald – Pelican
Aiden O’Seaghdha – Court Baronage

Other court tidings:
Master Daniel Martel was the winner in the Ranked Archer category.
Copin di Gentile was the winner in the Unranked Archer category.
Honorable Lady Ayisha bint Asad took home the A&S prize.
Emeric was the winner of the novice tourney, and led a 3-fighter team to victory.
Honorable Lord Charles Vaux won the bear pit tourney.
Christopher Allen won the Cut & Thrust tourney.
6 newcomers received mugs.
Duchess Ashland de Mumford will be the new Archer General.

Sant Jordi, Bernat Martorell. 15th C.

Review: The Knowne World Bardcast Features the Music of Calontir

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Unknown Artist. Minstrels with a Rebec & a Lute.
13th c. Manasseh Codex. El Escorial, Madrid. Public domain in the US

The Knowne World Bardcast is a podcast of bardic performances from across the Society. The typical format is familiar to listeners of radio and podcasts for generation; a playlist of recordings gathered from bards who have recorded their songs and made them available. The production levels of the recordings are spotty, of course, but Lord Gideon ap Stephen does a good job of editing the program and making it interesting. It is a pleasant way to be introduced to the music of other kingdoms, and a good way to pass the time on road trips to foreign wars. Please consider subscribing on your favorite podcatcher.

Lord Gideon is on a quest to publish episodes that showcase each particular Kingdom. His goal is to have episodes for all 20 Kingdoms, and he has done several of them so far. At the time of this article, he had recently posted an episode for Calontir and, for the first time, had to split the episode into two parts.

The Calontir Episode, Part One:  In the Key of Army

“Part One: In the Key of Army” is a documentary-style episode recorded at Gulf Wars. Gideon recorded Calontir singing as a kingdom at the Calontir Party. Standards such as the Battle of Maldon, Benevento, In Praise of a New Knighthood, and many other Calon favorites. Will make any Calontiri heart skip a beat, and long to join the chorus at the earliest opportunity.

The Calontir Episode, Part Two:  The Heart, The Land

This is a more typical episode of The Knowne World Bardcast. After being impressed by Calontir’s group singing, Gideon received messages reminding him that Calontir has its own share of solo bards, songwriters, poets and performers. The call went out and many answered and  “Part Two:  The Heart, The Land” was born. From across time and space, recordings of Calontir bards were gathered and assembled into a playlist:

Lord Gideon’s “The Knowne World Bardcast” is a great addition to the wealth of SCA culture, and this close look at Calontir’s culture of song is most welcome. We will be adding KWB to our SCA Links page under “Arts and Culture”

Eyfríðr’s Celtic Book Reviews

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Copyist-illuminator. Mid-15th Century. Public domain in the US

Three short book reviews by Lady Eyfríðr Geirsdóttir

Here are my reviews for the first three books of my Celtic research project. I’ve tried to describe the book itself and then my personal thoughts on it — Eyfríðr

The Celts, by Barry Cunliffe

A broad approach to Celtic history, focusing mainly on the late Iron Age and beyond with emphasis on interactions with Rome and linguistics.

Eyfríðr says:  Great for an overall view of the Celtic world, and a nice starting point for research and clarification.

The Origins of the Irish, by JP Mallory

JP Mallory gives himself a valid criticism:  “This book may well be criticized for focusing so much attention on assessing the various hypotheses for immigration into Ireland….and not devoting much space to exploring the genius of the Irish (or Irelanders) in developing their own cultural identity.” There are many theories and not many facts when it comes to the origins of the Irish.

Eyfríðr says:  Essentially just theories of immigration. That information overall was good, the author had a few funny quips, but on the whole his ‘tone’ as a writer came across as quite self-satisfied, which was off-putting for an informational text. 

Archaeology and Celtic Myth: An Exploration, by John Waddell

More archaeology than myth, with reasonable conclusions and interesting parallels between Ireland and Indo-European mythos. Reviews both well-known sites like Tara and lesser known sites. Lots of primary and secondary sources. Focuses on equine ritual, solar worship, sacral kingship, and sovereignty goddesses.

Eyfríðr says:  I expected more myth but was very pleased with the scientific approach to the subject matter. Lots of really fascinating details that make you wonder and wish for a time machine. Reading this made me feel like I got the briefest glimpse into the Iron Age.