I'm rather fond of Caxton

After a mention of translating old English on another site, I had to go track down Caxton's preface from one of his books explaining how difficult it was to pick WHICH English to print.

From the British Library

In the preface to the Eneydos he told a story of some merchants going down the Thames. There was no wind so they landed on the Kent side of the river to buy food. ‘And specyally he axyed after eggys. And the good wyf answerde that she coude speke no frenshe. And the marchaunt was angry for he also coude speke no frenshe but wold haue hadde egges and she vnderstode hym not. And thenne at laste a nother sayd that he wolde haue eyren. Then the good wyf sayd that she vnderstood hym wel’ [And he asked specifically for eggs, and the good woman said that she spoke no French, and the merchant got angry for he could not speak French either, but he wanted eggs and she could not understand him. And then at last another person said that he wanted ‘eyren’. Then the good woman said that she understood him well].

As a translator of books which were to be printed Caxton had to ensure that the language which he used was acceptable to quite a wide group of potential readers and buyers. ‘Loo what sholde a man in thyse dayes now wryte egges or eyren? Certaynly it is harde to playse euery man by cause of dyuersite and chaunge of langage’ [Now, what should one write nowadays, eggs or eyren? It is certain that it is difficult to please everybody because of the diversity and the change of our language]. As far as the social position of his language was concerned Caxton’s solution was to strike what he perceived as a balance but he aimed his language not at rude men but at ‘a clerke and a noble gentylman’: ‘Therfor in a meane bytwene bothe I haue reduced and translated this sayd booke in to our englysshe not ouer rude ne curyous but in such termes as shall be vnderstanden by goddys grace’ [therefore, as a compromise, I have translated this book into an English which is neither too coarse nor too refined, but using phrases which are understandable, God willing].

A very similar video to what I want to do

Often it is difficult to get everyone together to practice dancing. Something always comes up and schedules often conflict. I thought it would be nice to produce instructional dancing videos so people could learn and practice at home.

I have found a video of Black Nag that is very similar to what I had in mind.

A 12th Night Long Past

From Early English Books Online database.

THE Description of a Maske presented before the Kinges Maiestie at White Hall, on twelft night last, in honour of the Lord HAYES, and his Bride, daughter, and heire to the Honourable the Lord DENNYE, their mariage hauing been the same day at Court solemnized. (1607)

AS in battailes, so in all other actions that are to bee reported, the first, and most necessary part is the discription of the place, with his oportunities, and properties, whether they be naturall, or artificiall. The greate hall (wherein the Maske was presented) receiued this diuision, and order: The vpper part where the cloth & chaire of State were plac't, had scaffoldes and seates on eyther side continued to the skreene; right before it was made a partition for the dauncing place; on the right hand whereof were consorted ten Musitions, with Basse and Meane Lutes, a Bandora, a double Sack-bott, and an Harpsicord, with two treble Violins; on the other side somewhat neerer the skreene were plac't 9. Violins and three Lutes, and to answere both the Consorts (as it were in a triangle) sixe Cornets, and sixe Chappell voyces, were seated almost right against them, in a place raised higher in respect of the pearcing sound of those Instruments-eighteen foote from the skreen, an other Stage was raised higher by a yearde then that which was prepared for dancing: This higher Stage was all enclosed with a double vale, so artificially painted, that it seemed as if darke cloudes had hung before it: within that shrowde was concealed a greene valley, with greene trees round about it, and in the midst of them nine golden trees of fifteene foote high, with armes and braunches very glorious to behold: From the which groue toward the State was made a broade descent to the dauncing place, iust in the midst of it; on either hand were two ascents, like the sides of two hilles, drest with shrubbes and trees; that on the right hand leading to the bowre of Flora: the other to the house of Night; which bowre and house were plac't opposite at either end of the skreene, and betweene them both was raised a hill, hanging like a cliffe ouer the groue belowe, and on the top of it a goodly large tree was set, supposed to be the tree of Diana; behind the which toward the window was a small descent, with an other spreading hill that climed vp to the toppe of the window, with many trees on the height of it, whereby those that played on the Hoboyes at the Kings entrance into the hall were shadowed: The bowre of Flora was very spacious, garnisht with all kind of flowers, and flowrie branches with lights in them; the house of Night ample, and stately, with blacke pillors, whereon many starres of gold were fixt: within it when it was emptie, appeared nothing but cloudes and starres, and on the top of it stood three Turrets vnderpropt with small blacke starred pillers, the middlemost being highest and greatest, the other two of equall proportion: about it were plac't on wyer artificial Battes, and Owles, continually mouing: with many other inuentions, the which for breuitie sake I passe by with silence.

Thus much for the place, and now from thence let vs come to the persons.

The Maskers names were these, (whom both for order and honour I mention in the first place.

• 1 Lord Walden.
• 2 Sir Thomas Howard
• 3 Sir Henrie Carey, Master of the Iewell house.
• 4 Sir Richard Preston, Gent. of the K. priuie Chamber.
• 5 Sir Iohn Ashley, Gent. of the K. priuie Chamber.
• 6 Sir Thomas Iarret Pentioner.
• 7 Sir Iohn Digby, one of the Kings Caruers.
• 8 Sir Thomas Badger, Master of the Kings Hariers.
• 9 Maister Goringe.

(Th. Campion's book does include the music for these songs. I've not heard of anyone reproducing this thing. It might be time to recontact my English Lit prof from Macon State. He studied masques.)

What's been going on?

I've spent the past half month moving from one house to another. The new place needed alot of cleaning, so I had to do that first. I should be finished with the actual shifting of stuff (books mostly) today.
I've also started working some weekends to make up for any budgetary shortfall.
I also went to Florida this past weekend to visit my daughter for her cheerleading competition (1st place again woohoo!)
I've also been slammed with a similar vile migraine to what I got last year around this time. Still unsure why.
I no longer have inet available at home, only at work.
etc., etc.

Some portrait links

It's always useful to have more costume reference wouldn't you agree? Or is there such a thing as too much? hmmm.
http://www.marileecody.com/nobilitypics.html

Sock Dreams

This site/store really rox my what?
*laughs*
Funnily enough, I could use some of the tall, plain socks for garb. Hrm. Easier than making it, cheaper too. *sigh*