Anyway, several things leapt out at me as being historically innaccurate, (I know, I know..."just a few???" ) and I thought that just for fun, I'd propose a contest.

Here's the rules:

1) The cover is Museum Replicas, Catalog #63. Assume that we're looking at a medieval (1200-1400) English midwinter or 12th Night feasting scene.

2) The object is to identify as many glaring errors as you can. None of the ones I'm looking for have anything to do with clothing, jewelry or tableware- they're all wearing costumes and let's just leave it at that. Whomever can identify the most errors first wins a prize, provided by me.

HINTS:
*I found 10 errors: 8 are food related, 1 is etiquette-related, and 1 is "decor" related.

*The boys are especially likely to notice the etiquette-related error.

*Artsy types are likely to notice the decor error.

From a reenactment standpoint, exercises like this are a fun way to help us refine our eye and get us into the habit of noticing the details.

It will be fun to see what you guys come up with- have fun! Oh, and AM- you can't play- you're a ringer!

Gwen

Maybe you missed the part about a PRIZE???

Don't be spoilsports- come on and play!!

Making the assumption that this is a winter feast...

1. The use of fresh fruit in the dead of winter.

2. The fresh onions in the dead of winter.

3. Why are the nobles seated with the peasants?

4. Is Hank portraying a sailor (earring)?

5. Why a Victorian tapestry on the mantle?

6. Turkey on the table?

7. No "shared dishes"?

8. Green and black olives stuffed with pimento?

9. Modern grapes on the table?

10. No bread trenchers.

E-mail me to let me know what I missed.

------------------
Robert Coleman, Jr.
The Noble Companie and Order of St. Maurice
Those who beat their swords into plowshares end up plowing for those who don't.

I was too busy looking for the foolish thing. It got buried under a ton of junk mail and other paper. *grimace*

The cover is just WRONG.

Is it turkey or are those actually chickens? I squinted until I almost lost my sight trying to determine if it was a turkey or a chicken.

I don't think anyone has a napkin.

I see a lot of elbows on the table (this could be a modern etiquette thing)

quote:

---

Originally posted by Fire Stryker:
Sorry Gwen, I think Robert has the vast majority if not all of the things. Table settings and costumes not withstanding.

The cover is just WRONG.

---

Don't get me started on all of the damned-near "nekkid wimmen" on the cover! Not a veil, wimple or barbette in the lot, and only two women wearing chemises!

Food errors:

• 1) Grapes are out of season in the winter
  
• 2) Spring onions are out of season in the winter
  
• 3 & 4) Fresh oranges and lemons are unknown in England 1200-1400. The apples are actually OK for winter, as they'll keep for several months if packed in straw and kept in a cool place like a root cellar.
  
• 5) Pimentos (in the olives) are of the capascum pepper family and as such are unknown in England 1200-1400
  
• 6) Preserved stuffed green olives are unknown in England 1200-1400
  
• 7) Turkey is a New World bird and won’t be introduced into England until the 1590’s

  Decor error:
  

• 1) Tapestry on the wall is a copy of one of the “Knights of the Round Table” series done by one of the founders of the Pre-Raphaelite Movement, William Morris.
  

The only food that was missed were the cranberries, which are a New World food.

I'm going to give Robert the full prize because he pointed out that they should be eating from bread trenchers and sharing dishes. HOWEVER, there is one huge, glaring and ugly error which noone has gotten yet. A runner up prize to the person who gets it!

The interesting thing about the scene relates to the aforementioned tapestry, which is from about 1896. Willam Morris and Edward Burne-Jones were 2 of the founding members of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, a group of British artists and writers who rebelled against the industrialization of art. The Brotherhood produced paintings, tapestries, tiles, poetry, books, music, etc. ***in the medieval style***. This particular panel--"Preparation for Departure"-- is one of a series based on the Legend of the Holy Grail and was produced in Morris' tapestry shop. The men and women wear Victorian interpretations of what would have been worn in a medieval legend. I saw the originals at the Met 2 years ago in a special exhibit on the works of Burne-Jones, which was *awesome*.

So, while the scene is *wrong* as Jenn points out, it is perfectly in keeping with the spirit of the tapestry which presides over the table.

Crazy, ain't it?

I think in the original post, we knew that costumes were off limits.

TB indicated the mixing of social classes.

1. Using fighting daggers as a food conveyance. The same error made in the movie Excalibur.

"Put that thing down...you don't know where it's been!"

"You'll put your eye out with that thing!"

------------------
Robert Coleman, Jr.
The Noble Companie and Order of St. Maurice
Those who beat their swords into plowshares end up plowing for those who don't.

To me, they are the most ridiculous part of the picture.

Good work Templar Bob! You get the prize AND the runner up prize!!

It was a contest to see how many things folks could find wrong with the cover. Gwen gave the things elements she was looking for and the winner received a prize.

Watch this space, I'll probably do things like this again in the future.

They arrived in yesterday's mail. Love the coif (the accessories are what make the kit)!
BTW, (pardon my ignorance), what is a "forte"?

Checked the Historic Site----now I know! Does it work on Roast Pork?

Forte Powder is an ingredient in both of the sauces (Rape' and Pynnonade) I posted a few days ago.

I even use Forte powder in a modern raisin spice cookie I make- gives them a tiny edge to counterpoint the sweetness of the raisins.

Cubebs (a spice component of Forte powder) rock!!!

Enjoy!