After many years happily camping in a bell wedge, one Canterbury Faire I woke up knowing I was suddenly no longer able to continue sleeping on the ground. Having since upgraded to a 14' round pavilion, I now need to furnish and decorate it in a manner that befits my persona, and aspirations of comfort.
It is worth noting that I tend towards 'playing house' when I go camping in the SCA, rather than being 'on campaign'. Although my tent is filled with collapsible furniture, they are all items that are more likely to be seen in a period home that in a period tent. Here is a short tour of my tent filmed at Canterbury Faire, in January 2021.
There is not a whole lot on this page yet, but this is a long term project, and I will add new items as they get made. I will also add mundane items I have purchased, but modified to make them look more suitable to a pre-seventeenth century environment.
Bedding
Completed: January 2022, for Canterbury Faire
Inspiration: a range of period images, but particularly these laced pillow slips.
Operation Blanket Statement was undertaken to eliminate the glaringly modern bedding I had used in previous years. This upgrade consisted of three pillows and a bedspread.
The bedspread was a gift from a friend many years ago in response to my early research into medieval bedding. I did not want to take a cream bedcover camping, so I dyed it burgundy to work in with the colours inside my tent. Unfortunately the colour makes the diagonal checked pattern a little more difficult to discern. I also added a gold trim around the edge to echo a couple of my favourite period sources to complete the item.
Below the bedspread, is a bolster pillow that is the full width of the bed, which was made by cobbling together two inexpensive pillows. I also made a linen pillowcase to fit it.
The next layer, as seen in several period sources, is a checked pillow case. As I was unable to find a suitable replica, I made this one by drawing my chosen checked design onto a standard cotton pillowcase with a fabric pen (or 6). After being ironed thoroughly, it is fairly wash-proof, but I'm glad I only use it for a few days each year.
On the top is a brocade pillow with a linen slip sewn in place. To create the smaller size, I simply sewed the pillow bag to the dimensions I wanted, and made square corners to replicate the shape seen in period images. The brocade cover was then sewn to fit. The linen slip is a simple tube that can be removed for washing by undoing the lacing on one end. It works well, but I should probably make more of them.
Verdict: When combined with my black, fur coverlet (and wool blankets) on the wooden bedframe, it makes for a very functional, and very period styled bed. Definitely an improvement.
Lavabo - Wash Station
Completed: January 2021, for Canterbury Faire
Inspiration: several self supporting lavabo, both extant examples and period images.
The purpose of this construction was not only to provide convenient handwashing, but also to allow discrete storage of mundane necessaries and show off my (heraldic) arms.
Materials & Equipment: 1 sheet of exterior, 12mm plywood, dressed knotty pine in the desired widths, jigsaw, tablesaw, mitre saw, dremel, sandpaper & block, hand drill, screwdriver, two locks, wood stain and rags.
The back and sides of this are joined together with piano hinges. The front pieces slot into place using bed rail connectors. The shelves are held in place with a variety of supports and brackets, each selected to be invisible (or close to) from the outside.
I am always looking for new ways to display my heraldry at events, and this seemed like perfect opportunity to do something a little out of the ordinary, but in line with period practice.
Verdict: it does need a fairly flat piece of ground for easy erection, but is really quite secure once fully set up. The ability to wash my hands on a whim was delightful and didn't diminish over the course of the event. I hope to commission a metal tank to replace the plastic one I am currently using.
Collapsible Shelf
Completed: January 2018, for Canterbury Faire
Inspiration: an image in the Germanisches Nationalmuseum, Nürnberg.
The purpose of this shelf was two-fold: to facilitate better event-long organisation by containing my feast gear and to give me a place to hang my hand towel for more convenient hand washing. Although an unlikely pairing, it proved to be not uncommon in period artwork.
This shelf is not constructed using period techniques. It is very much in the "quick and dirty", "prototype" and "lets attach as many pieces to one another as we can to stop them getting lost between Faires" school of manufacture. Additionally, I have not seen any evidence of this type of shelving in period tent imagery. However, since I tend towards "playing house" rather than "being on campaign" at Faire, it seemed reasonable to add this shelf to my tent.
Materials & Equipment: dressed knotty pine in the desired width, jigsaw, coping saw, sandpaper & block, hand drill and drill press (thanks to Adrian for use of the latter).
The disassembled picture gives a pretty good idea of the pieces and how three of them are attached by hinges that allow it to be stored flat. The right side of the shelf sits on a block, and is held in place by a nail that just slots into a pre-drilled hole in both pieces. The back of the shelf sits on the shelf, so it can't flop back past 90 degrees. The whole thing gets suspended from the top of my tent's perimeter poles and lashed to them using calico tape.
Verdict: a bit tricky to put up (apologies for the near concussion Christian), but then really quite secure. Displaying my pewter was so helpful in maintaining track of my feast gear that my long lost St Jude spoon (not seen in over 4 years) also found its way home. I call that a success!
Collapsible Trestle Table
Completed: October 2015
Inspiration: a range of extant tables
This table project served several purposes - to replace my dining table, acquire a camping table, and also provide an opportunity to have some quality shed-time with my father.
The table and replica bench are cut from one sheet of plywood. While not my preferred material, it made the project affordable. On the up side, it means that I don't feel too bad about taking the dining suite camping, or it getting the odd ding and scrape as the pieces are packed and/or assembled.
For packing purposes, the table is designed to break down into flat pieces. To prevent warping between events, it is kept fully assembled as my everyday dining table.
Heraldic Standard
Completed: October 2009, for the Feast of Sir Percival
This standard is one of six that were completed as part of a cohesive venue decoration plan for the Feast of Sir Percival - a limited focus, high gothic event.
The budget for the decorations was small, and targetted to best hide aspects of hall, while also evoking the heraldic splendour of the Middle Ages. Consequently, the fabric forming the base of the standard is an inexpensive cotton twill (edged with a small rolled hem) and the acrylic paint was purchased, at very little cost, from a paint recycling/repurposing warehouse. Hence the somewhat muted colours. The outlining and shading of the charges was completed using a permanent 'vivid' marker. All six standards are double sided.
For my standard (pictured above), the Tower of Southron Gaard is at the hoist, then the firebomb of Hous Amberherthe. The eagle and fleur de lys are from my heraldry, while the laurel wreath is used to acknowledge my inclusion in the Order of the Laurel.
Collapsible Bench
Completed: November 2000, Reannag Fhara's St Jude's Encampment
Inspiration: the works of Master Charles Oakley and a selection of period images.
Constructed from readily available pine, this bench is also made in such a way as to be completely collapsible. When broken down it takes up very little space and is quite light and convenient to transport - more so than my director's chair.
This woodworking project was inspired by a category in the Baronial Arts and Sciences Championship – Camping Furniture. The design and construction are based on several period images and a couple of SCA articles, including one by Master Charles Oakley. I found it to be a whole lot of fun to make - especially the mortice and tenon joints. You can get a good idea of the basic pieces from the photo of the partially collapsed bench.
A second replica bench has since been made, and both were painted green to not only match the dining table but also hide the different woods used.