Hearken, good gentles!
The noble pursuit of Arts and Sciences ever flourishes within our Society, and much merriment is afoot. A wondrous array of classes and divers activities are being prepared, all for the delight and enrichment of the populace.
Come one, come all, to learn, to craft, and to share in the joy of knowledge and skill, that our hall may ring with laughter, wisdom, and fellowship!
GNW Arts & Science Officer is Mirgahez Kamara Skleraina
GNW A&S Competitions
The Great Northern Arts & Sciences War is back for another year. VIVAT!
The Great Northern A&S War is seeking entries from you that are flavoured by the elements – Earth–Fire–Air–Water.
Be they created by them, created with them or created about them, come and share your joy and hard work with us.
Each person will be counted as one entry however that entry can be made up of as many pieces as you choose.
There will be a great Arts & Sciences display during the event where event goers can view your creations and you can share your knowledge and seek guidance from those who know things (and let’s face it – geek out together) before voting commences.
How will you be judged, I hear you ask?
Each event goer will be given tokens to vote for those who they deem worthy of the favourites category and of the most impressive category.
There will be 3 rounds for each category of apprentice (used the skill less than 2years) scholar (used the skill more than 2 but less than 5 years) and professor (used the skill more than 5 years).
Competition details
Theme – The Elements (earth, fire, air, water)
Round 1 – Crowd Favourite
Round 2 – Most impressive use of research and skills
Categories for each round:
- Apprentice (used skill less than 2 years)
- Scholar (used skill more than 2 years but less than 5 years)
- Professor (used skill more than 5 years)
Arts & Sciences Classes
Good gentles, take heed!
The A&S Officer has been busily at work, weaving together a tapestry of wondrous classes and divers activities for thy delight. Below is the timetable for A&S classes (subject to minor changes to accommodate needs of the Crown).
Saturday timetable
| Start time | Class | Teacher | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11am | Tablet Weaving for Beginners | Caitlin | Queens of Threads stall |
| 12pm | LUNCH | ||
| 1pm | Youth Fingerloop Braiding | Lady Phaedra de Courcelles and Grace | A&S Tent 1 |
| 1pm | Voice Heraldry Comp | Maestra Gabriella Borromei | List Fields 1 & 2 |
| 2pm | A&S Comp – Laurel Prize style | A&S Tents | |
| 4pm | Needle Woven Bowl (not the soup variety) | Maestra Gabriella Borromei | A&S Tent 1 |
| 4pm | Sew a Viking Age Headwear | Caitlin | Queens of Threads stall |
Sunday timetable
| Start time | Class | Teacher | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10am | Introduction to Elizabethan double loop edging in gold | Mistress/Baroness Jessica Wynter of Fearn Abbey | A&S Tent 1 |
| 10am | Basic Bellydance | Lady Callieach Dhe ODuinn | A&S Tent 2 |
| 11am | Basic Geometric diapering | THL Adeline de Montfort | A&S Tent 1 |
| 11am | Introduction to beginner glass bead making | Lord Thorbjorn Bjarnylr | A&S Tent 2 (or workshop) |
| 12pm | Fashions on the Field (during Lunch) | List Field 1 | |
| 1pm | Understanding tablet weaving patterns | Lady Phaedra de Courcelles | A&S Tent 1 |
| 2pm | Clay Celtic Knots | Lady Phaedra de Courcelles | A&S Tent 1 |
| 3pm | Sew a Coif/non-padded arming cap | Caitlin | Queens of Threads stall |
| 3pm | Sbandieratori – Italian Flag Throwing | Lady Ann Elk | List Field 2 |
Class Details
Below are details of the Arts & Science classes on offer (if provided by the teacher).
Tablet Weaving for Beginners
All classes are taught in a calm and relaxed manner. If you have tried tablet weaving previously and struggled, this class has been designed by a neurodivergent person who struggled with tablet weaving! This foundation class will give you the structure for good simple bands. The base class is free however kits are available to follow up with.
Cost: None
Supplied by teacher: All supplied by teacher
Participant to bring: Nothing (suggest you bring a chair)
Youth Fingerloop Braiding
Learn how to make fingerloop cord! Great for making lacing cord and largesse for award tokens for the crown.Suitable for ages 6ish and up (younger children will need a adult helper).
Cost: None
Supplies: Yarn supplied by teacher
Participant to bring: Nothing
Needle Woven bowl – not the soup variety
Attendees will learn a brief history of raffia from the Raffia Palm and how it was used in period. This is a hands on class and attendees will make/start a small bowl to take away. Limited to 10 participants.
Cost: None
Supplied by teacher: Raffia and needle will be supplied at no cost
Participant to bring: Nothing
Sew a Viking Age Headwear
All classes are taught in a calm and relaxed manner.Viking Age Headwear – choose from a Dublin or Jorvik hood and a Pillbox hat. We will construct the majority of the piece in class and you will finish up in your own time.
Cost: $5 – $20
Supplied by teacher: Kits available for purchase which include all materials required. Basic sewing equipment available.
Participant to bring: Hand sewing implements are beneficial but basic supplies are provided in class. Bring a chair.
Introduction to Elizabethan double loop edging in gold
A brief introduction to the process of Elizabethan double loop gold edging with a demonstration on how to create this simple but sumptuous embroidery style. I will include some examples from history (in books) as well as a sample piece I am working on. I will create a very simple piece from start to finish as part of the class.
Cost: None
Supplied by teacher: Gold cord of around 50cm per student
Participant to bring: If participants wish to create a piece for themselves they will need a piece of white, even weave linen, black silk or cotton embroidery thread, scissors, needles as well as a large eyed darning needle for the gold cord.
Basic Bellydance
A fun way to move that feast from Saturday night whilst getting in touch with your inner goddess/god. A brief history of bellydance and and some very basic moves of bellydance set to vibrant middle eastern music
(If you have any knee, hip or pelvic floor problems this class is not for you. Also this is very basic moves class, strictly for anyone who has not experienced bellydance before.)
Limited to ten participants only please
Cost: None
Supplied by teacher: None
Participant to bring: Bring your favourite long scarf or short light shawl to tie around your hips wear loose comfortable clothing.
Basic Geometric diapering
Hands on class so please bring paints , rulers , pencils etc if you have them . If you don’t please contact me and I will arrange loaner kit . There will be notes provided for the class .
Cost: None
Supplied by teacher: Notes and loaner kit if requested .
Participant to bring: Gouache, ruler, pencil , eraser, brushes – if you need a loaner kit please ask
Introduction to beginner glass bead making
Come and make your 1st or 50th glass bead. Simple monochrome beads will be the focus. Depending on numbers we might get to some basic polychrome beads.
Cost: None
Supplied by teacher: Everything needed for the class will be supplied.
Participant to bring: Nothing
Understanding tablet weaving patterns
So you’ve done a beginners intro to tablet weaving class, and now you want to make this cool pattern but just can’t get it right. You followed all the instructions but its coming out a mangled mess instead of something recognisable. Sound familiar?
Let me help you understand S and Z (sorcery!), threading diagrams and turning sequences and how these all work together to make a pattern.
Note: this isn’t a “how to weave” class. However feel free to bring along a project you are having trouble with and I’ll see if I can help.
Cost: None
Supplied by teacher: Class notes and grid paper.
Participant to bring: Optional – pattern diagrams you want to try.
Clay Celtic Knots
Try your hand at creating different styles of celtic knots in air-dry clay. This class is suitable for all ages!
Cost: Gold coin
Supplied by teacher: Clay and design ideas provided.
Participant to bring: None
Sew a coif (non padded arming cap)
All classes are taught in a calm and relaxed manner.
Sew a Coif (non padded arming cap) – choose a colour and hand sew a coif in either a medium or large size. (note- padded cap is potentially an option).
Cost: $25
Supplied by teacher: Kits available in size M or L and include all materials required. Basic sewing equipment available.
Participant to bring: Hand sewing implements are beneficial but basic supplies are provided in class. Bring a chair.
Sbandieratori – Italian Flag Throwing
Not a class so much as an opportunity to learn along with us as we attempt to conquer this activity!
Cost: None
Supplied by teacher: None
Participant to bring: None