Isaac

Breacan an Fhéilidh

As I prepare to do some bagpiping at a historic event, I have decided to do a little post on the Breacan an Fhéilidh or belted plaid. This was the start of the kilt in its biggest, bulkiest, crudest form. The reason I am drawn to blog on this is two-fold. 1.) I have a few 1750s reenactors that have been asking about building and putting on the fèileadh, and 2.) I have seen many people wearing these at historic events and...

Always a proud papa!

Since winning the fire starting contest at Grand Portage when she was 8, Noelle had wanted her own fire kit. She started doing the wool appliqué and beading and now, a few years later… I helped her finish the bag. The design of the appliqué came from an early 19th century pair of leggings and garters in the Musée du Quai Branley in Paris. As an 8 year old, I do not think she knew the Catholic symbolism of the design,...

14th century warm

I finally got around to finishing a new winter coat for my 14th century hunting. Last year, while bowhunting in subzero temps (-20F and colder), I decided that a nice heavy coat would be good to have. Looking at some images, I decided to have T&R Quednau Weaving make some fabric for me. It turned out wonderfully and I am pleased to use it for this project. The handwoven check fabric is what I used for the coat, I...

An Early Harquebus

A bit over a year ago I saw a small harquebus posted online by Nick Barber. He had just built it and I was in love with the gun. I once had a matchlock and used it for a number of hunts successfully but sold it off for lack of use. The desire for another matchlock, and better yet… one that fit closer to my current medieval hunting madness, seemed the perfect challenge. I was able to get a small barrel and chunk of...