This will be a good year for the arts and sciences at the War!  In addition to scheduled classes, there will be a number of hands-on, ongoing demos scheduled in various other locations to which you are welcome to come, learn and try out new skills.

Scheduled classes will be held in the A&S Point beside Merchant's Row. There will be shade, but all students should remember to bring their own chairs.  In addition to the scheduled classes held here there will also be 'open-mike' space for those who want a shady place to sit, work on projects, hold discussions and maybe an impromptu class.  All are welcome!

There will be NO PREREGISTRATION.  This is not an Ithra session and no credit will be given.  Classes will be on a first-come, first-served basis and any fees will be collected by the instructor.

The A&S Point will be open starting at noon Thursday, 9 to 5 Friday and Saturday, and 9 to noon on Sunday.  There will be updated information available every morning on what is happening that day, location of demos, changes in schedule, new classes added on, so be sure to come by often and check to see what's new.

CLASSES AT THE A&S POINT

Friday
10 a.m.
Italian Blackwork
Instructor:  HL Kassandra of Dragon's Laire
Class Limit:  15
Class Fee:  $2.00 as I will make copies for patterns and put them in a pocket folder, along with fabric and needles to go in the pocket.
Class Description:  We will learn to do the backstitch and enjoy some Italian patterns. I can show the reversible (double running stitch) if asked.  Class will
last 1-1/2 to 2 hours.

12 noon
Medieval Knitting 1
Instructor:  HL Angharad Bach
Class Limit:  5
Class Fee:  $7.50
Class Description:  In this class, students will make a small medieval-style knitted wool pouch.  Whether you've never picked up yarn and needles or you've knitted before and you want to learn to knit in the round, this is the class for you.  In this class, students will learn to cast on, knit in the round, and finish using the Amazing Three-Needle Bind-Off.  The class kit includes a set of metal double-pointed needles, a small ball of worsted-weight knitting wool, a drawstring, and a handout.  This class lasts 2 hours.  NOTE:  If you are a beginner and interested in taking Dame Christian's class, it is recommended you take this class as well to help you prepare.

2 p.m.
Medieval Knitting 2
Instructor:  Dame Christian de Holacombe
Class Limit:  12.  Limit of 4 beginners who haven't knitted before.
Class Fee:  None.  Kits $10 - $15
Class Description:  In the European Middle Ages, knitting was a new, exciting way of making stockings, purses, gloves and hats. (Like alchemy, blackwork embroidery and the number zero, we stole it from our Islamic neighbors.) Learn when, where, what and how people knitted in the Middle Ages, and if you don't know how to knit, we can teach you. Beginner and advanced kits, which include yarns, needles and handouts, are available for a simple pouch, a multi-colored pouch, or a pair of cozy stockings. Pick whichever kit you want, according to your level of experience. It's not as hard as you may think! Or just come, bring your knitting (period or mundane), and chat.

2 p.m.
Dyeing from local weeds and other sources.
Instructors: HL Gersvinda Gaeslinger and Meistara Kadthlin in Storradtha.
Class limit:  10
Class Fee:  $6 (handout, fabric samples, dye)
Class Description:  Several local weeds are highly suited for dyeing, some are even in the top 5 most popular medieval dyes!  Learn to identify the plants, process
some of them into dye, and even go home with some samples! This is a three part class, including dye chemistry, plant identification, and practical, hands-on dye time. We will present at least a red, yellow, and blue, possibly more, time permitting.  We will provide a handout, and a small skein or scrap of wool, silk, and linen for each student. Students may choose which colors to dye their samples. Please bring a chair and practical walking shoes, as this class includes a tour of site to look for dye plants!

Saturday
10 a.m.
Make a Voided Work Bookmark
Instructor:  Baroness Sabrina de la Bere, OP
Class limit:  10
Class fee:  Kits containing fabric, DMC floss, needle, and instruction sheet will be available for $5.
Class Description:  Voided needlework is found throughout the late medieval world. In modern terms some call it Assisi from its 19th C revival in that area. We will discuss the various forms of Voided Work, the stitches used, patterns, and various techniques associated with the technique. Bring embroidery scissors.

12 noon
Bidding the Beads: Historical Rosaries & Paternosters
Instructor:  Dame Christian de Holacombe
Class Limit:  10 kits available; auditors welcome
Class Fee:  None.  Kit $6
Class Description:  For most of the SCA's period, a rosary or paternoster was a common accessory for men and women of all ages. Whether simple or elaborate, worn for religious reasons or just to show off a piece of expensive jewelry, there are many types and many ways to wear one. In this class you'll see many pictures and handle a collection of replicas of historical rosaries (including some new ones!); $6 buys a kit to make your own 50-bead loop with a cross or other medallion.
"Conversion kits" are available for anyone who wants to make an Islamic rosary.

2 p.m.
Tablet Weaving 101.
  Instructor: Baroness Theiadora Groves, OP
Class Limit: 8
Class Fee:  $2 if you come with materials, $5 if you need materials supplied.
Class Description: Learn the basic structures and patterns of Tablet Weaving and how many patterns you can make using just 2 colors of yarn warped in the Continuous Warp method. This hands-on class covers the basics of threaded-in tablet weaving for trims and belts. No weaving experience required.  Class will last 1-1/2 to 2 hours. Students should bring: 4 balls of Cotton Crochet style thread (size 3 or size 10), 2 of the same dark color, and 2 of the same light color (you want two high contrast colors) 10 Tablet weaving Cards (instructor will have a limited number for purchase/borrowing)
Bring inkle or band loom. Students without a loom will use a back strap method to weave.

CLASSES TO BE HELD ELSEWHERE ON SITE
Please come by the A&S Point first for directions, possible schedule changes and further information, if needed.

The Moneyers' Guilds of both Kingdoms will be offering individual introductory hands-on training whenever individuals express that level of curiosity, as well as continuing training of formal Apprentices of the Guilds.   This will take place at the Moneyers' Guild pavilion on both Friday and Saturday afternoons; see A&S Point for directions.

* A class on Japanese Yumi (8 foot archery bow) will be offered on the archery range at 9:30 a.m. Friday by Alaricus Simmonds, Arcarius to Baron Julian Farnsworth.  There will be no fee, and the class will last less than 1 hour.  The instructor will be dressed in a  Japanese Kyudo uniform and will explain the Japanese uniform, archery bow and then demonstrate the form of shooting.

*Meistar Ref will be offering a class on Viking Cooking with Period Implements in the cookery demo area at 3 p.m. on Saturday.  Those interested should gather first at the A&S Point and will be conducted to class from there.

* A day-long series of Medieval Household Skills classes will be held in the encampment of  Meistara Kaðlin in Stórráða.  See A&S point for directions.  For each class there will be supplies for 10 students. Students should bring a chair, and wear clothing they don't mind getting soot, dye, or cheese on.  No children under 12 (for safety reasons, our classes include fire, toxic chemicals, etc).  Feel free to stay the whole day, or only come for a one hour class.

9-9:30 Hair Taping and Appearance (hats, veils, etc.) for Women.
Instructor: Meistara Kaðlin in Stórráða, Viscountess Mathilde Hathebier, HL Gersvinda Gaeslinger
The first thing you do in the morning is make yourself presentable. Hair taping is a technique that is easy to learn and do, and will keep your braids out of the fire for days.  No one wants to be sunburnt, or have their veil blow away in the wind, so join us for some quick tips on how to keep everything neat, in place, medieval, and easy to do. This will be a demonstration class, since it is only 1/2 hour.  We will provide supplies for purchase, and please feel free to come back during"solar" time for further help doing your own hair. This class covers a variety of simple, medieval ways to put your hair up and not get sunburned.
$3 (handout, lacing needle, ribbon, pins)
Please bring your own chair.

9:30-10 Fire, making it and keeping it going.
Instructor: Marcus Octavius Rufus.
Learn to lay the fire, start it, keep it going, make good coals for cooking, and safely extinguish your fire, weather it be camping or in a fireplace.
$1 (handout)
Please bring your own chair

10-11 Comfrey salve/beginning herbalism.
Instructor: Viscountess Mathilde Hathebier
Learn to do some simple herbalism!  Students will go home with a simple comfrey salve.
Please bring your own chair

11-12 Cheese and butter, or what do you do with all that milk?
Instructors: Meistara Kaðlin in Stórráða, Viscountess Mathilde Hathebier, HL Gersvinda Gaeslinger
Your dairy animals will produce a lot of milk at certain times of year, but you'd like to eat it ALL year.  How shall you manage it? This class will present simple techniques for making butter, fresh and aged cheese.  Each student will leave with a butter churn, and some fresh cheese, as well as cultures if you are interested.
$10 (2 handouts, butter churn, cultures, milk)
Please bring your own chair

12-1 Lunch/period preserved foods.
Instructor:  HE Ysabella.
Bring your lunch, and taste some period preserved foods!  Meat is a seasonal product, and without refrigeration, you need to preserve that bounty somehow.   We'll cover a variety of preservation techniques, and taste some sausage, smoked fish, fermented pickles, etc.  $5-7, because it is an eating class!

1-2 Brewing, Meads.
Instructor: HL Vari.
  Brewing possibilities.  Especially small beers/meads.  Handout and possibly samples for those over 21 ($3)
Please bring your own chair

2-5 "Solar"
This is a time to bring over your project, your research, and your knowledge!  This is a low-key, flexible, informal, craft time. We will demonstrate a different small handicraft every half hour (or hour, we'll see how it goes).  Feel free to come and go as you like.  Each handicraft will be available as a "packet" for purchase, this will
include an instruction sheet and beginning supplies, for around $1-5, depending on the craft.
Please bring your own chair.
We will demonstrate:
Drop spinning
Mending
Hand sewing and gore setting
Bobbin braiding
Naalbinding (oslo stitch)


*Ongoing Cookery Demos
Sponsored by Maitresse Anne-Marie d'Ailleurs  and Duchess Juana Isabella

For the duration of the War, there will be an area where cooks from both kingdoms will be happily cooking period food. We will be cooking over a fire, and demoing such topics as crockery cookery, baking and whatever cuisines take our fancy!

There is no set schedule at this time, but if you come by our area, we'll have a notice board saying what's up, what's next and when the cinnamon buns are coming out of the oven.

If you're interested in learning more about period cookery and cooking over a fire from some of the premier cooks in both kingdoms, come on by! If so inclined, feel free to jump in and play (sensible cooking clothing required , i.e. no long drippy sleeves, hair tied back or covered, natural fibers strongly encouraged (shoes required) or just wander by and get samples shoved at you as available.

Come play, come visit, come sample, come learn!


Once again, exact times and locations are subject to further changes and arrangement, so make sure you check in at A&S Point to keep current.


The A&S activities at this War are truly an interkingdom event, as artisans from both the West and An Tir have given tremendously of their time to make this happen.  My heartfelt and sincerest thanks go out to them all.

Countess Elisabeth de Rossignol, OP, OL
A&S Activities Coordinator