Author: Greet Gijsberts

Greet Gijsberts is a persona created to play in the Society for Creative Anachronism. She authors this blog in order to document her projects and adventures, and share them with a wider audience.
Events6 Comments

GW: Dance classes-1 of 2

Greet Gijsberts

Both of these were taught by Lord Edwardus the Wise, of Trimaris, who is a lovely dance partner as well as a patient and clear teacher. ENGLISH COUNTRY DANCING We got the message that English country dances always have three distinct parts, that are very nearly always in the same order: Walking, Siding, and Arming.  This helps the memory a great deal. I’m going to replicate some dance text that you can find elsewhere, but that’s because I want to reinterpret it.  Dance is hard to describe in print, and I figure you can use as many different points of … Continue reading GW: Dance classes-1 of 2

Events, Food4 Comments

GW: Medieval Cookery Class Notes

Greet Gijsberts

(I’m putting these two classes under ‘Herbalism’ because for me, herbalism is Garden Stuff.  And as I grow my garden in order to eat out of it, Cookery and Redacting belongs here.) CULINARY USES OF HERBS –  Taught by Lady Aliessa Wallace, under a sunshade that I’m going to copy this week – check back for a ‘Types of Tents’ post. Basic tenents:First we learned that to the medieval cook, "herbs" are anything green and growing.  "Vegetables" wasn’t a separate category.  So when they say to throw in unnamed herbs, they mean whatever edible green you’ve got ready to eat … Continue reading GW: Medieval Cookery Class Notes

Events1 Comment

Back from War!

Greet Gijsberts

And I had a WONDERFUL time!  (Thank you SO much, Gabrielle, for bringing me along – it was so nice to tent with you!) I have so much to say about the last five days – I learned so much and met so many nice people! – it’ll take me a little while to get it all together – and to catch up on my sleep!  Here’s a preview. Leatherwork workshopMedieval cookery and redactingBasic salves and creamsMordanting and dyeingHandsewn garb construction, including eyelets and fabric buttonsDANCING and DANCING and DANCINGChatted up fencersChatted up tent ownersWatched fencing melees and pickupsAttended CourtShopped!Got … Continue reading Back from War!

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Sweetpea Harvest

Greet Gijsberts

On the sweetpea front: I am still harvesting sweetpeas.  4 oz, then 11 oz, then 4 oz, then 4 more oz.  (I’m recording the harvest weights on my calendar so I have a total for the year when I’m done. Oops…forgot to weigh the carrots.  I’ll have to guess when I harvest the rest of them.)  I’m picking peas about every four days.  They’ve been getting sweeter as the season progresses, which I chalk up to the latest weather pattern, of several days of clear weather with cold nights, and then a heavy rain – rinse and repeat. Or perhaps … Continue reading Sweetpea Harvest

Food1 Comment

Linnaeus’ Flower Clock

Greet Gijsberts

Wouldn’t this be beautiful, embroidered? (Click to enlarge.)  Linnaeus isn’t quite period (1707-1778), but I’ve always been impressed by the drawings of the early Enlightenment. Here’s the list of flowers:0200 – Night blooming cereus closes 0500 – Morning glories, wild roses 0600 – Spotted cat’s ear, catmint 0700 – African marigold, orange hawkweed, dandelions 0800 – Mouse-ear hawkweed, African daisies 0900 – Field marigold, gentians, prickly sowthistle closes 1000 – Helichrysum, Californium poppy, common nipplewort closes 1100 – Star of Bethlehem 1200 – Passion flower, goatsbeard, morning glory closes 1300 – Chiding pink closes 1400 – Scarlet pimpernel closes 1500 … Continue reading Linnaeus’ Flower Clock

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Daughter’s Portion

Greet Gijsberts

From Realm of St. Stephen: Each branch of the kindred – that is, every son of the ancestor along with his descendants – was entitled to an equal share of the inheritance.  However, since the division broke the ties that had hitherto linked the ‘brothers’ to one another, henceforeth, each branch was to form a new findred, within which the same rules were again operative. The Golden Bull of 1222 had presribed that a daughter who had no brothers was entitled to a ‘daughter’s quarter’, that is, to one quarter of her father’s patrimony, and it was to be inherited … Continue reading Daughter’s Portion

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Biz meeting minutes, Mar 2007

Greet Gijsberts

Biz Meeting Minutes, March 3, 2007 – SENESCHAL and DEPUTY SENESCHAL – Opening words (Gabrielle andThomas) – "It’s cold out here, let’s make it quick."– OFFICER REPORTS– A&S – Elspeth – forms up-to-date.Start thinking about Saturday in the Park – talk to Greet about it. (Greet: Expect scheduled craft days, because I don’t want people to be stuck at home the two weeks prior making ten widgets by each one lonesome – this should be a group activity.)  Suggestion: 3rd Sunday of the month = "Garbapalooza" – people bring machines and we set up tables and work on crafts here … Continue reading Biz meeting minutes, Mar 2007