Comments for Medieval Living

Comment on Medieval Wheels by Scott

Scott — Sat, 19 Mar 2011 04:36:26 +0000

That’s an interesting observation. I think we’ve all seen the two different style of wheels – with spokes and with planks – but I guess I never realized the purpose of the two styles. Your explanation does makes sense. Thanks for your input!

Comment on Medieval Wheels by Goedjn

Goedjn — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 18:14:40 +0000

My understanding is that there were two different types of wheel, depending on how heavy what you were hauling was, and what century you were in. The biggest difference between a medieval spoked wheel and a modern one is that the medieval ones didn’t have a one piece metal tire, heated and then shrunk tight, but rather a bunch of metal “shoes” that bound the sections of the rim together. For extremely heavy loads, a solid wheel was constructed by cutting a plank in half, splitting one half lengthwise,
and joining the narrow planks on either side of the wider center plank, by cutting two curved dovetail notches across the face of all three planks and driving splines into them. (and, I think, pegging the joint) I don’t know why they were always three planks, but that’s apparently the case.

Comment on We Are In Need of a Mortising Machine! by Scott

Scott — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 20:29:37 +0000

I would love to have something like what you’re describing! However, I will take what I can get! Actually, I’ve just purchased a 1/2 horsepower version that wil have to do . . . it’s all my meager budget will allow. I think it will be sufficient for now. But hey, if you don’t mind paying the shipping costs for your Victorian version, I’d be glad to have it.

Comment on We Are In Need of a Mortising Machine! by Tony Millar

Tony Millar — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 10:07:41 +0000

Forget the modern lightweight machines, what my father has is a victorian (era) chisel morticer converted to shaft drive, that takes all the modern hollow square chisels, 240v single phase, (which is quite academic). This machine will work continually for at least a generation without major maintenance, and then some, as I am living proof of this. This machine weighs something liked 400 to 500 lbs with a decent lever and counter weight. Photos, dunno, with my computer literacy, your lucky to get this.

Comment on An Evening With David Andrews by Scott

Scott — Sat, 23 Oct 2010 17:55:30 +0000

Well thank you for stopping by!!! Actually, I have only come across one other SCAdian homeschool family – on the west coast. I agree that there should probably be more SCA homeschoolers . . . maybe it’s an idea that just hasn’t been encouraged. The thoughts of forming some SCA-based homeschool groups would probably be well received.

Comment on An Evening With David Andrews by feebeeglee

feebeeglee — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 23:28:58 +0000

I just found this blog by googling “society for creative anachronism” and homeschooling, or some such similar phrase, and I’m delighted to have done so! I’m homeschooling my six kids, and very interested in the SCA and living medievally. I used to be in the SCA but that was over 20 years ago. I’m just now restarting – and this time I’m much more authenticity-minded.

I’m surprised there isn’t a larger SCA homeschooling community, online if not locally. Is there one that I just haven’t discovered?

I’m in Oklahoma. If you’re ever over this way, shoot us a line!

Comment on Technology Rant & Rave by Scott

Scott — Sat, 25 Sep 2010 03:15:12 +0000

I agree completely – we do live in a throwaway society! I don’t expect everyone to become a “Renaissance Man”, where they are capable of making everything they need. I do think it would be prudent to be able to maintain the basics of one’s home and the things that are in it. I will never be a computer repair person . . . it’s all I can do to plug it all together to make it work – but I don’t need a computer in order to survive either. Thanks for responding to my post!

Comment on Technology Rant & Rave by Angiportus

Angiportus — Sat, 25 Sep 2010 00:36:48 +0000

Oh, entirely. I did not have the advantage of homeschooling, but I did spend some years in a machine shop, and there learned to do many things for myself that most folks can’t, it seems…culminating in 4 little trebuchets. And the wooden one was made with pegs not screws. Okay, it isn’t timber framing but it works. Recently I got to help a high school physics class build theirs. All passed, but as soon as the class was done, the teacher wound up with a roomful of nondescript trebs that the kids had just abandoned. And he couldn’t dump them all on me, I don’t have room.
It just shows to go you what a throwaway society this is…and people get treated the same way unless they are in a posiiton of power. And part of this is the idea that you don’t fix something or build it but go buy one that someone else designed, that might not even be the best for you. It’s all a big ploy to sell stuff rather than make a better world for all. Oh, don’t get me started. Not everyone has the time, the strength or the room to do a whole lot of things for themselves, but learning even one ought to help.
Cellphones? Pppppptttt. Maybe it should be like drinking, you don’t get to do it till you are 21. But a lot of folks over 21 abuse the privilege, yapping away on the bus about subjects best left unyapped. I’m not a people person so I am not really the one to talk much about this. But you have made some good points. I look forward to the arrival of your treb[s].

Comment on Technology Rant & Rave by Scott

Scott — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 21:26:52 +0000

Thanks for crossposting my rant . . . I just think that our country is in such deep distress because we don’t know how to do things for ourselves. It’s time we learn.

Comment on Technology Rant & Rave by angela

angela — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 19:11:05 +0000

I posted a link to your article on my blog. http://canterburycottageherbals.blogspot.com/2010/09/detrimental-effects-of-technology.html
Such a well written and timely post, thank you!