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.