MISCELLANEOUS

Medieval Hunter Education

Boone County, Arkansas, U.S.A., April 29 - May 1, 2010

Members of the Bramble Schoole of Defence (three of whom belong to St. Hubert's Rangers) provided educational presentations on medieval hunting and falconry for the Grand Opening of the Ozark Medieval Fortress in Boone County Arkansas. The Ozark Medieval Fortress is a massive 20 year project to erect a 13th century medieval castle in the United States using period materials and techniques. Guedelon Castle (it's sister venture in Burgundy, France -- directed by the same entrepreneur, Michel Guyot) is a similar 25 year undertaking that began in 1997. http://www.guedelon.fr/

Encamped in the woods along the trail between the wooden motte and bailey and the on-site quarry, the Bramblers presented information on 13th - 14th century falconry, hunting, and swordplay. Highlights included:

Falconry equipment (perch, lures, etc.) made to the specifications in Frederick II of Hohenstaufen's 13th century masterpiece "The Art of Falconry."
Medieval hunting equipment display including a ferret, a red tailed hawk, crossbows, boar spears, longbows, hunting horns, etc.
Period swordplay demonstrations based on the 14th century Johannes Liechtenauer long-sword tradition.

With 4 of the 5 adults having taken one or more animals using medieval weapons and techniques, the presentations enjoyed an unprecedented level of credibility.

From left to right: Josh Wever, Philippe the Ferret, Eleanor Crawford, Randall Henson, Steven Roe, Scott Crawford, Richard Swinney, and Gaston the Red Tailed Hawk.

Reenactor Fest

Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A., February 5-7, 2010

Reenactor Fest is a unique event open to reenactors from all cultures and time periods. My wife, Sandi, and I attended this year for the first time, along with some dear friends. While there I had the pleasure of meeting fellow Ranger, Arthur de Haas, in person for the first time, along with his wonderful family.

A highlight for me was meeting Jason Salkey, who played 'chosen man' Rifleman Harris in the Sharpes series of movies. SHR's own Richard Rutherford-Moore was the military advisor on those films. Jason credited Richard with teaching him how to accurately portray a member of the 95th, and he had nothing but great things to say about Richard. In addition to being a talented actor, we found Jason to be a wonderful and generous guy.

Paul Wilburn

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A Wonderful Gift!

Madame du Pont, from the Kingdom of An Tir, in The Society for Creative Anachronism, sent me a wonderful St. Hubert's Rangers silk banner as a surprise gift. She had recently learned how to make silk banners and she said that she was inspired by our device. Her generosity is very much appreciated. Thank you Madame du Pont.

Paul Wilburn