Battle, Battle of Largs, Hebrides, heraldry, King Alexander III of Scotland (1241-1286), King Haakon of Norway, King James II of England, King James VII of Scotland, Largs, medieval Scotland, national emblem, Norway, order of knighthood, Order of the Thistle, Scotland, St Andrew, thistle
Explaining the establishment of "The Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle” in 1687, this article from the Western Argus first discusses the medieval adoption of the thistle as Scotland’s national emblem. This it dates to the Battle of Largs fought between the Scottish army of Alexander III and the Norwegian army of King Haakon IV in 1263. In an ongoing battle over the territory of the Hebrides, King Haakon of Norway landed on Scottish shores and planned a night attack on the Scottish camp. However, one of his horsemen stepped on a thistle and cried out in pain, giving them away. The article suggests that the Scots adopted the thistle as their national emblem in remembrance of the Battle of Largs. It then links this to the thistle as the emblem of “The Order of the Thistle”, an order of knighthood founded by King James II of England (also King James VII of Scotland) in 1687. The article incorrectly identifies the King of Scotland at the time of the Battle of Largs as Alexander II. King Alexander II had died and was succeeded by his young son, Alexander III, in 1249. Alexander III assumed full powers in 1259 and ruled until his own death in 1286. For more on Alexander III, see Norman H. Reid, ‘Alexander III (1241–1286)’, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004; online edn, Oct 2009 [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/323, accessed 18 Dec 2010]
Alan Lechte - horsebreeder, colt, horse-racing, â€œMedieval Knightâ€, Melbourne, Messrs. William Inglis and Sonâ€™s, racehorse, racehorse lineage, racehorse names, racehorse sale, yearling
In this article concerning the sale of a yearling racehorse in Melbourne, the sire is identified as a horse named â€œMedieval Knightâ€. The colt was offered for sale by Alan Lechte in Messrs William Inglis and Sonâ€™s yearling catalogue in 1939. When bidding reached 300 guineas, Mr Inglis informed buyers that the breeder expected a price of 1000 guineas, or he was prepared to race the horse himself.
Novel Industry. Australia â€“ Land of the Harp.
Agincourt, cello, Crecy, export, gut, Hampton Court, harp, Henry VIII, lute, medieval craft, medieval production, music strings, musical instrument, sheep, tennis racquet, violin
In this Western Mail article about Britainâ€™s export of five million yards of musical instrument strings each year, Australia is identified as the top destination for harp strings. In contrast, the article singles out South Africa as preferring fretted instruments and New Zealand the cello. The article goes on to explain that while modern strings could be made from gut, silk, steel or metal wire, the making of strings was a craftsmanâ€™s job dating from the gut strings of medieval instruments, weaponry and recreational equipment: â€˜As far as gut goes, the British tradition runs back to the medieval lute, the bows used at Crecy and Agincourt, and the racquet with which Henry VIII played â€œrealâ€ tennis at Hampton Courtâ€™. Following a definition of â€œgutâ€ as the strong membranes from the insides of sheep and a comment on the skill of British craftsmen in making strings for unusual as well as standard musical instruments, the focus returns to the harp at the end of the article. It suggests that making harp strings was a particularly difficult job because a harp has six octaves, and each string has to be chosen separately.
Cathedral, corsage, Finucane, Higgins, Keoghâ€™s Hall, medieval style, medieval design, organ, St Maryâ€™s Cathedral, Tasmania, wedding dress, wedding, gown
This article from the wedding column of the Western Mail gives an account of the wedding of Josephine Higgins and Kevin Finucane at St Maryâ€™s Cathedral on 6 January 1930. The brideâ€™s dress is described as a picture frock of soft white satin, with a corsage â€œcut along medieval linesâ€, long sleeves and a diamante ornament on the waist. The skirt was ankle-length and embossed with pearl flowers, and she also wore a tulle veil with a circle of silver leaves and orange buds. The reception was held at Keoghâ€™s Hall before the bride and groom left for their future home in Tasmania.
The World Overseas: â€˜A Relic of Other Daysâ€™
Archbishop, cathedral, festival, horseracing, jockey, Italy, medieval festival, medieval games, Siena, Tuscany
Included in this Western Mail Supplement page of pictures from around the world, Image 6 shows a festive horserace running through the marketplace in Siena, Italy. The caption describes the festival as a â€˜relic from other daysâ€™; the last surviving remnant of medieval games that had taken place in Tuscany. It adds that jockeys and mounts still received the traditional Archbishopâ€™s blessing at the cathedral before the race.
Banners at the SCA College Challenge - St. Basil vs. St. Lazarus
banner, banners, banner-making, flag, St. Basil, St. Lazarus, Saint Lazarus, Saint Basil, University of Western Australia, UWA, Murdoch University, SCA, Society for Creative Anachronism, Kingdom of Lochac, recreation, re-creation, tourney, tournament, black swan, medieval art, medieval craft, art, craft
Image of hand-made centrally supported one-sided banners at the Society for Creative Anachronism's College Challenge between St. Basil (UWA) and St. Lazarus (Murdoch University). The event was held on the 19th of December, 2010 at the UWA campus. About the Society for Creative Anachronism and the Kingdom of Lochac (the Australian and New Zealand regional branch of the SCA): The Society for Creative Anachronism is an international organisation which focuses on the study and 're-creation' of Medieval and Early Modern cultures and their histories before the seventeenth century. As the prime example of a 'living history' group, members of the SCA aim to re-create the past through applying elements of historical knowledge to a practical engagement with Medieval and Early Modern crafts, martial arts, science, metalwork and cooking (for example). The Society was created by graduates of the University of Berkley in California in the 1960s and has since branched out to include 19 kingdoms, with over 30,000 members in locations across the globe. The Kingdom of Lochac is the regional branch of the Society for Creative Anachronism for individuals living in Australia and New Zealand. Information regarding the College of St. Basil the Great can be found at http://lochac.sca.org/basil/index.php?page=home
Image made available with the permission of the participants.
Hand-made Banners at the SCA College Challenge - St. Basil vs. St. Lazarus
banner, banners, flag, flags, Saint Basil, St. Basil, Saint Lazarus, St. Lazarus, castle, medieval castle, black swan, SCA, Society for Creative Anacrhonism, re-creation, recreation, tourney, tournament, medieval art, medieval craft, art, craft, banner making, UWA, University of Western Australia, Murdoch University, Kingdom of Lochac
Banners flying at the Society for Creative Anachronism's College Challenge between St. Basil (UWA) and St. Lazarus (Murdoch University). The banners bear the crests/emblems of the competing colleges. In Perth, Western Australia, St. Basil and St. Lazarus are the only two chapters of the SCA which are based at colleges. The event was held at the UWA Campus on the 19th December 2010. About the Society for Creative Anachronism and the Kingdom of Lochac (the Australian and New Zealand regional branch of the SCA): The Society for Creative Anachronism is an international organisation which focuses on the study and 're-creation' of Medieval and Early Modern cultures and their histories before the seventeenth century. As the prime example of a 'living history' group, members of the SCA aim to re-create the past through applying elements of historical knowledge to a practical engagement with Medieval and Early Modern crafts, martial arts, science, metalwork and cooking (for example). The Society was created by graduates of the University of Berkley in California in the 1960s and has since branched out to include 19 kingdoms, with over 30,000 members in locations across the globe. The Kingdom of Lochac is the regional branch of the Society for Creative Anachronism for individuals living in Australia and New Zealand. Information regarding the College of St. Basil the Great can be found at http://lochac.sca.org/basil/index.php?page=home
Armoured SCA Member at the SCA College Challenge - St. Basil vs. St. Lazarus
SCA, Society for Creative Anachronism, Kingdom of Lochac, St. Basil, Saint Basil, Saint Lazarus, St. Lazarus, kettle hat, armour, armoury, knight, knighthood, chivalry, armour making, UWA, University for Western Australia, Murdoch University, medieval armour, fourteenth century, 14th century, tournament, tourney, battle, medieval craft, craft, metalwork
Member of the SCA in fourteenth-century inspired armour complete with 'kettle hat.' He is dressed to participate in the Society for Creative Anachronism's College Challenge tournament between St. Basil (UWA) and St. Lazarus (Murdoch University), held on the 19th December at the UWA campus. About the Society for Creative Anachronism and the Kingdom of Lochac (the Australian and New Zealand regional branch of the SCA): The Society for Creative Anachronism is an international organisation which focuses on the study and 're-creation' of Medieval and Early Modern cultures and their histories before the seventeenth century. As the prime example of a 'living history' group, members of the SCA aim to re-create the past through applying elements of historical knowledge to a practical engagement with Medieval and Early Modern crafts, martial arts, science, metalwork and cooking (for example). The Society was created by graduates of the University of Berkley in California in the 1960s and has since branched out to include 19 kingdoms, with over 30,000 members in locations across the globe. The Kingdom of Lochac is the regional branch of the Society for Creative Anachronism for individuals living in Australia and New Zealand. Information regarding the College of St. Basil the Great can be found at http://lochac.sca.org/basil/index.php?page=home (one of only two chapters of the SCA in Perth WA which is based at a college)