From the Desk of the Coustillier

Hi all,

Renie has been doing some footwork and an event that she participated at a few weeks ago may result in two things:

1. An event site for a living history encampment/event
2. Insurance

I have to say that item 2 is a huge deal.

Bob's contacted the site owners, and it was a positive contact. Only issue is that since the days are getting darker earlier, Bob and I can't review the site during the weekdays, as by the time we got to the site, it'd be dark, and with the approaching holidays, it'd be difficult. Bob suggested a weekend, but they are having too major events there and then it's Thanksgiving. So we'll be waiting until after the turn of the year.

But this could be the opening we've been waiting for. Keep your collective fingers crossed.

Cheers,

Jenn

Updated Web Site

Hi All,

Well Morgan finally prompted Jenn into kicking in full throttle on the web site redesign. Something about advertising on Craig's list and it being akin to having people show up at your house when you haven't had a chance to clean it in a year. So she's updated a lot of it. There's still a few pages under construction, but it's almost "complete".

I think Kit Guidelines, Equestrian, and part two of the Ordinances are the only things remaining.

So far the response is favorable.

http://www.wolfeargent.com

Bob

In Memorium

Today is a solemn day. As I look at the skies overhead, the clouds are painted in a leaden tones. Quite a stark contrast from six years ago.

We would like to take a moment to remember those who passed at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and the passengers of Flight 93 and a moment to say a prayer for everyone who was touched by that day.

Pax

Saturday at the Higgins

From the Desk of the Coustillier:

Hey all, this past Saturday (September 1, 2007), a few of us managed to get to the Higgins for a regular presentation. Next year I will remember to take into account major holi-daze to avoid future rows. I thought I had canceled this year, but apparently I either neglected to state the days we'd be available or it was ignored. Not so next year.

We arrived at the museum at around 9:30 am. Andy and Renie arrived about 10 minutes after we did. With nary a birthday party in sight, we were able to take our time and set up the stage in a relaxed fashion. Peter arrived around 10 am. So we had four people on stage who presented to a small group of patrons.

Bob had his newly updated armet for the show. This helmet has never looked better. Patrick Thaden did a wonderful job. The orb and the wavy armed star washer looked fantastic. It was especially nice to see it again after being in Texas for four months.

Jeffrey arrived with a student film crew from WPI for the video taping of "the medieval Knight" as an update to the info kiosks at the Higgins. After the show, we adjourned to Dodge Park up the street from the museum. There we met Bill, who had been scouting out places to shoot video.

I have to say that this had a bit of "barely contained chaos" about it, which as a logistics officer who herds cats monthly, made me a bit squirrelly as I like to have a plan going into things. But everything seemed to turn out okay. We hope to see the footage at some point in the near future. I was up on the hill guarding the unused equipment and deterring "visitors" from getting too close to the shoot. Though one local resident, a lovely lady who sings in the Old Sturbridge Village choir, did manage to slip down the hill to talk to Jeffrey about another potential shoot location. So, it was taken amiss.

Pike drill was the first order of the day, one of the WPI students ended up in earlier kit to act as an archer to fill in the numbers a little. Bob was "armed" and did the troop review. Next they concentrated on archers, though we'll see how this works since I'm not sure any of the bows were strung; then handgonners; and finally they disarmed Bob and went on a march over a stone bridge. Cutting room floor perhaps is the bridge scene. The houpland that Bob was given would not have been my first choice. He has a much lovelier brocade long gown or his short riding gown, but we were not prepared for that scenario -- remember that "contained" chaos I mentioned earlier?-- hopefully we'll get better shots later. These are mostly "atmospheric" shots.

There are still more dates for getting footage proposed. I sent an email out last week. There are a few folks who stated that they would not be available and that their September was pretty booked. So we know who they are. We still have folks that we have not heard from.

Dates that are proposed.

September 9 (Sunday)
September 16 (Sunday)
September 22-23 (Sat & Sun: Saturday is the charity joust weekend In Keene NH- though I get the impression that this may not work for the IQP team. Too many bystanders)
September 30 (Sunday)

So if you haven't responded before now, please let us know your availability.

We already know that Alex, Andy, and Morgan won't be available for some dates, and that Phil and Renie have already expressed which dates that they will be available.

As soon as I get more details for Jeffrey, I will send them out.

I think that just about covers it.

Please check the calendar on this page. Next official HIGGINS PRESENTATION is: OCT 6.

August Drill & Grill

All in all, I'd say that the day went very well. We pretty much did everything we could do with pikes; learning to maneuver, marching with the pikes leveled (or in "charge"), moving in awedge formation, and practicing advancing, kneeling, and having an archer shoot over the pike line, then stand, and charge into contact.

I was mounted on Normandie, my very game horse, and we accompanied the formation throughout the drill. I managed an hour in the saddle before
my ankle finally wore out; hard to believe it's taken almost 9 months to get back to where I was before my riding accident last November. It was the first time I didn't wear most of my armour,because of the gusts of wind, the horses were spooky, so I needed to have more leg contact than was possible in a modern saddle with leg armour, for control.

Drilling on dusty earth can make you thirsty, and hungry, so after an hour and half, we packed up and headed for the house for the "Grill".

The menu consisted of:

• caboches (cabbage pottage: boiled cabbage, leeks, onions, and spices in a beef broth)
• steyks of beef in a red wine marinade (Delmonico steaks)
• spiced mushrooms
• Onion, egg, and cheese tort
• Bread
  
• Grapes
• Belgian Ale

The grill was great and people stayed till past ten, and a good time was had, by all. The only thing in the least disappointing
is we only had 6 people in total in attendance, out of a membership of 14+.

Hopefully we'll have a better turn out at the next drill and grill.

Chef de Chambre
Hudson NH 2007

July Drill Photos

Just a quick note. Morgan sent us some drill photos from July 21. You can find them on the Wolfe Argent Flick'r account.

Higgins Presentation: August

It was a great day at the Higgins on Saturday. We had a good turn out from the membership including our second meeting with our newest member who is very enthusiastic about her participation. It was also a pleasure meeting her mother.

For a beautiful day, the museum was quite busy. Our first show was a bit shaky, but improved swiftly as we adapted our material to the level of a very youthful audience. It was nearly a full auditorium. Parents and children alike were quite enthusiastic; asking questions and actually being allowed to touch objects that they normally would not have the chance to touch.

While the second show was better, the audience was smaller.

Afterward we caught up with Jeffrey Forgeng and there will be some exciting stuff happening in the next few months.

Thanks to: Peter, Renie, Morgan, Phil, and Katie for coming out on Saturday. Your efforts are appreciated.

Living History Presence on September 22, 2007

Bob and I have been asked to help judge a joust by Jeremy. This joust will take place on September 22. We will be allowed to set up a living history presence on the site.

The location of the joust will be in Keene NH at a facility called Miracles in Motion. There's 14 acres of land, and an indoor arena where the joust is supposed to take place.

Bob and I want to drive up and check it out. The photos are deceiving so I have no idea how big this facility really is and we want to find out how the organizers are going to prep the site so that we have a good place for the display and aren't next to the parking lot.

They are going to allow camping and are welcoming the display. We need to answer some questions and then start planning so that everything goes off like clock-work.

It's a charity event.

July 22 Joust Practice After Action Report

As many in the group know, Bob and I have been asked to help judge a charity joust in Keene NH on September 22. We're awaiting final details on what Wolfe Argent members might be doing, since have no word on camping and campfires for a potential LH display. We'll keep y'all posted as word is delivered.

For those who wanted to know how the practice went:

Bob and I arrived a little after 4pm and caught up with Jeremy. He was in the process of grooming Dobbyn (his mount) and showing a newbie (I think) how to groom and tend to the horse. Once Dobbyn was caparisoned and saddled, with a nice Carmargue (French Cowboy saddle), he was led out to the field where the barrier and counters were set up.

There were quite a few people there who were to act as ground crew. I'm not sure how many of them were new to the concept. Some seemed to be veterans, others not so much, but everyone was eager to help out.

Bob helped Jeremy armour up and another group helped Nikki while the horses were being warmed up. Once they were set, Nikki mounted up and Jeremy prepared to mount. We had our first minor issue; the saddle rolled. He said that "Yeah, I know I should have checked it first". It happens to us all. I held the bridle while another woman helped correct the saddle and then Jeremy tightened the girth, and he was ready to go.

They did a few passes down the barrier without lances and helmets.

Bob and I took positions at the "50 yard line" on opposite sides of the barrier to get a feel for where the point of lance on shield contact would occur. Our job was to give points for lance touch, break, or miss. We were also keeping our eyes on things in regard to where the "ball boy" was. This was a nice young man whose job was to gather the broken foam or balsa after each pass, not unlike the fellows at a Wimbledon match.

The rest of the people broke into the ground crew. Three people on each end of the barrier to take lances, hand lances, help with fractious mounts, and to communicate with the jouster. This is where the second issue came into play. One team seemed to be veteran, calm and organized, the other novice and it was with this team that things got a little hairy and sometimes a bit scary. To their credit, they were nice and enthusiastic people willing to help, but it seemed very chaotic at that end as they all tried to do the same job and they all talked over one another. And more attention was given to the rider at the far end of the barrier than what might be happening within the lanes as the "ball boy" collected broken pieces of foam and balsa. I had to shout several times that the "list was NOT clear". It finally took. Even though things are exciting, we have to be aware of the entire environment. I think toward the end they finally got it together with the help of Melinda who took over as the head squire and guided them when they needed it, though at times they still tended to talk at once, which can be confusing to the jouster when they need one voice to tell them what's going on at the far end.

The lance passes started off with foam tips and graduated to balsa. The last two passes were executed with balsa and HE rubber coronels and they caught and produced nice breaks.

All in all, it was an interesting, and we think a good experience. We had a few ideas that we passed on regarding the crew mechanics. Our goal was to give advice when we thought it was warranted. Hopefully people didn't think we were too stand-offish. Bob and I took what we were doing very seriously.

The next practice is August 25 (Saturday). Any Wolfe Argent members who would actually like to participate in the actual joust as ground crew should probably come to that practice.

From the Desk of the Coustillier

On Saturday afternoon around 2pm, members of the company gathered at the maison de Reed. We had assembled a fine group of people and foodstuffs for the Wolfe Argent "Drill-n-Grill". We greeted a new member who donned one of my gowns to brave the warm July sun to participate. We appreciate Katherine traveling quite a distance to visit.

Once all the members arrived and kitted up, we got into the conveyances and made the journey to the site of the drill, Living Legends Farm. This gave us access to a large sand ring to indoctrinate the horses and a potential trail if the day went well enough to head out into the "wilds".

Disembarking, we quickly separated into work details to make the most of the time we had alloted. Alex and I went and collected the horses, and when we returned, broke into two grooming details; Renie and I groomed and saddled Phantom and Alex and Morgan worked with Normandie.

This was Phantom's second exposure to a group of armoured and armed people. I was, unfortunately, the only person not in kit for this exercise. However, there is a method to my madness; I wanted to make sure that nothing hindered my riding abilities should Phantom spook for any reason.

Once we were ready, Phantom and I headed out. I wanted to be mounted and ready to go before the armoured "horde" joined us. Renie came out and stood at Phantom's head and held the reins and my off-side stirrup. This was HUGE. Why? Because Phantom had never really had a person stand at her head with helmet, maille, and brightly colored clothing before; she took it all in stride without a flinch.

I mounted and headed for the far side of the ring as the rest joined me in the ring. Phantom's ears were forward and her eyes rivoted on the mass of silver, clothed in a riot of color, bearing long, poles that ended in metal.

As soon as the Chef de Chambre was mounted on Normandie, I gave Phantom her head and she decided to head over to see "what was what".

In less than 10 minutes, Phantom was following the pikemen; allowed them to get close, and could stand next to their formation. After about a half hour, we rode out of the ring into a much larger area with a slight hill.

Normandie got a little fractious, but the Chef de Chambre was in control. After about 10 minutes he had to dismount because of his ankle (previous riding injury) and switched places with Alex.

Pieter (Sgt. at arms), continued to drill the troops. He asked if he could have the group of pikemen approach Phantom from the flank; I agreed. Phantom watched as they approached. Her ears were forward, her eyes fixed, she didn't even twitch and they got to be about 3 feet from me. I was so proud of her. I legged her in a tight circle around them as they did an about face and she didn't mind at all.

We were hoping to go out on the trial into the hills behind the facility, but I felt that Phantom had accomplished a lot, and with horses, you always want to end on a good note.

So we adjourned. The horses received a lot of gingersnaps for their participation. Everyone packed up and we headed back to the house for some much needed foodstuffs.

Fortunately in the time before everyone showed up, Bob and I had done the prep work for the feast. Onions, cabbage, green onions, leeks, mushrooms and marinade were all prepared. So as soon as we got in, the cooking commenced.

The wine marinated Beef went on the grill; the cabbage and leeks went into the broth, and mushrooms were joined with onions and spices.

The menu for the evening consisted of food prepared and seasoned according to 14th and 15th century recipes.

• Marinated Beef (Delmonico steaks in a Medieval wine marinade grilled)
• Cabbage and Leek potage (cabbage and leeks boiled in beef broth with spices)
• Mushrooms with diced onions and spices
• Brautwerst on the grill
• Boule bread and rolls
• Imported German beer
• Sparkling Grape juice (non-alcohol choice)
  
• Asparagus with Saffron (prepped, but we didn't actually cook it ; we had A LOT of food)
• We also had seafood, but again we had so much that we didn't actually prepare it.

Thanks go out to:

• Once again, a great big thanks goes out to the Sherri and Mark and the rest of the Connors family for the use of the riding ring and open area, and to the other boarders for being supportive and indulgent.
• Rachel for taking pictures and helping me with the dishes afterwards. You didn't have to, but I really appreciate it.
  
• Katie for traveling a great distance to meet strange new people and for taking part in the drill in the warm sun, we look forward to seeing you again. Hopefully you can stay for dinner next time.
  
• Alex for being an apt student in the equestrian arts and being the primary weapons transporter; Trucks rock.
  
• Pieter for bringing his kit and wearing his helmet. ;) , oh, and the beer and braut
  
• Renie for bringing horse treats and acting as my valet at the beginning of the drill; for bringing lots of bread, and being an enabler by supplying cat "drugs" (Mishka thanks you for the catnip!)
• Morgan for helping get Normandie ready; by the next drill we're hoping to get out on the trail.
  

We wrapped everything up around 10:45 pm. Members quite literally put in a full day.

Bob and I enjoyed having everyone there and know that without you all, this wouldn't have been the success that we feel it was. We missed the members that couldn't make it and hope that next time we'll see you.

Thanks everyone!

Jenn
Coustillier/Archer/Medieval Cook/Logistics Officer/Jenn of All Trades except the oldest. ;)

Keene NH Joust Sept 22 2007

We are currently in discussion with a local jouster about a joust coming up on September 22, 2007. Bob and I have been asked to judge and we've offered up a living history encampment for this charity event.

As more details become available, we'll fill you in.

From the desk of Jenn.

From the Desk of the Chef de Chambre

This is the first blog entry. Jenn felt that this might be a good way to communicate after action reports of group activities. So without further adieu...

First of all, I'd like to extend our thanks to Sherri Connors and the Connors family for allowing us to use the barn facilities for our drill yesterday.

Those of you who attended our first mixed drill yesterday know we had a pretty good day with Norm and Phantom, and in doing our drill entirely 'en Français' for the first time. Phant actually went up to Renie and sniffed her maille and lipped it, which is a huge step forward for her, while Norm was as accepting of everything as he always is.

We have a light schedule for July, with our Higgins Saturday being the weekend after the 4th of July. The idea was put forth of having a company meeting, which is a good idea as always, and so I thought we would have a "Drill and Grill", with as many members attending as humanly possible, as well as extending an invite to Nevilles company. The idea would be to have a "costumed" and armoured drill at the barn, beginning in the ring, going out into the barnyard, then the pasture, and if we are still doing okay at that point, going a bit up the dirt road on the property. Afterward, a meeting at our house, with everybody bringing a little meat or the like for the grill, and having a meeting afterward. I'm looking at the third full weekend in July - the second week after the Higgins - SATURDAY, JULY 21st

I'd like to see a good turnout for this, instead of just the 5-6 'usual suspects', as it is a sort of daytrip field event, until we can get insurance squared away so we can have a proper event. It is also *vital* to get *both* the company horses up and running as proper reenactment horses, and I need people at the barn in kit from time to time to accomplish this, not to mention to get me into armour. If you don't have all of your kit, I don't care, if your kit isn't all up to snuff, I don't care, we need a good mix of anybody willing to hoist a halberd or pike, and learn the drill (which everyone should know, regardless of role). I envision this taking no more than 2-3 hours for the drill, followed by a liesurly barbecue and meeting.

Jenn has put some photos up on the net in our Flikr account of the Drill, including of Alex on Norm with the company pennon after my ankle gave out - he did pretty well for a person who has only ridden for his fifth or sixth time.

So, I look forward to seeing everyone in July.

Cheers,

Bob