kentwell 2013

we went to Kentwell Hall for the great annual tudor recreation. it was fab. even dh enjoyed it this time [ a sottler]. there is still time to go, as another weekend for this event [where we will be parts again] and mini tudor events throughout the year.

SB started as gentry, but it wasn’t quite what she had imagined, so bella the fairy waved her magic wand and she became a still room maid, which she v much loved . BB had barnschoole in the morning, and then in the afternoon was a trainee pre-apprentice with the potters, which she also v much loved. i was in the cott again, but next year think i might try something different as i dont really feel i am learning any new skills, easy tho the cott is and convenient.

there were loads of school groups on the weekdays who appeared to be having fun, and i really enjoy talking to them. my fav is the weekends and general public days tho. it being my second year it felt good to know people, to talk and banter with other stations and generally feel like we belonged there. v happy that the girls and dh were happy too . one of my fellow goodwives in the cott and i worked out we worked together over 10 years ago! the evening dances and chatter were great too. . BB got her penmanship licence got to be king arthur in play for the gentry and won first prize at the fair for her wool sheep . there is a nice pic of me here.

looking forward to going back next weekend.

Having written a long comment, just thought i would remind myself of nice stuff we made to remember!
Agnes made a delish breaded frumenty – there was no grain this year so she experimented with bread, and it was scrummy we had with dried fruit that were warmed in butter and sugar the first day and stewed peach the second.
She and I also made flatbread this year on the skillet, that worked really well and the kids loved
i made a pease pudding into pease farts with some oats and egg to bind, cooked on the skillet, also yummy
Katy made a veg aigre-douce [sweet and sour to most peeps] that was fantastic and also a lovely egg custard tart [in the oven]
i found out bb likes pottage if turnip free
I like it best with lovage and beer
I loved knowing more people at kentwell, saying hello and chatting on various stations and making business with dyers – a blue apron in linen for bb [tho she says she needs a brown potters one!] and my sheep colour hat was popped in before i left! meeting friends from last year and making new ones. getting loads of kisses from a lovely little boy at the end of the week

Actually ‘in very truth’ mayhap I should return to this blog and write a lot more anon!

so SB – well, thankyou to Bess for the loan of the golden gown, SB looked fab [as did bess!] unfortunatley bess was on her own bar the 2 children as gentry, so think it was more stressful and less fun than SB had thought it might be, and when she swapped out to let someone else try the gown, she realised she really didn’t want to go back to it. I was all a bit worried as didn’t want to feel we were letting anyone down, so talked to ‘the magic fairy’ bella, who is the ‘sorter’ at kentwell, and whose word is law . she pondered and said she would see what she could do. the stillroom – where sb has also wanted to go – were happy to take her, and bess was lovely saying that being happy was the important thing, so off she went. SHe loved the still room, worked hard [i think] and really liked making salves. So a def positive there I love having her happily telling me what they had done. She was a bit preteen in the evenings – i guess getting to the age where we just aren’t cool to be with! but she was fab at getting my dinner and washing everyones dinner stuff – her kentwell family jobs.

BB found she liked pottage, and red lentil peasen, mostly. but she loved barnschool. they did some fab things – beetle dissection, watched a pigeon dissection, learnt her tudor numbers to 100, got her certificate for signing her name with quill pen and gen had a great time there.

then she adored the pottery, party because she loves pottery, and partly due to the fab potter who guided, befriended and coached her. thankyou v much cicely . because bb is better having eaten, we made sure she had stuff to eat in the privy place, and are still working out what to do instead of evening dinner, but as dh likes getting changed at the tent he can cook pasta there and bring back, and she also liked cereal. she loved it she enjoyed being in the play for the gentry [king arthur] a herb on the cart for the midsummer solstice festival and playinh 6 mens merrells with various people