Jib

I believe some of the Dutch colonies were pretty rowdy and attracted a colorful cast of visitors. The Dutch also went to the far East which could earn them rich cargos.

Who ever said you can't learn from the past sure didn't pay attention.

I suppose this begs the question of "need" vs. "want". Perhaps the average person wanted to appear in the lates fashion but could not either do to cost, location or availabiltiy.

But it would be safe to assume that some one might pull buttons off an old doublet/ waistcoat and sew them on a new one? What about mis-matched items? Wearing 2 differnt boots, stockings, gloves?

What about cobbled together clothes? As you all mentioned clothes do fall apart but people of that time period didn't throw much out. I know they often made felt of ruined cloth. Re pairing garments over and over is possible too? So conjecture might show us that you could find "bits" of English Civil War era garb being worn by the poor, old, and the very rural at the time of the Restoration? No motive here, just a question.

First let me state, this is not to justify grab at the faire, my pirate kit, or the reasons why pirate fans wear what they do. No justification, just a question/ idea. Background: I'm watching "Napoleon Dynamite" and I say to my sister-in-law, "Wow this movie is set in the 1980's. Listen to the music and look at the fashion." She replies, "Nope it is supposed to be current. It just shows how certain parts of the USA haven't caught up with today." I don't know how well this translates in Europe but we have folks today who still wear "mullets" and acid wash jeans. They believe they are at the height of fashion. In my beloved MN we often see them at the State Fair or watching Nascar. Big hair on women is still the norm in certain parts of the States and is worn with pride. While growing up in the Midwest in the 70's and 80's I knew a fellow who still put grease in his hair like he did in the 50"s (and his son did too!) Now let's turn the clock back to the time frame we all know and love. Imagine a small island with a tiny plantation. A place where contact from Europe or the rest of the colonies is limited. Wouldn't it seem possible that they would wear older fashions or often out dated styles? Couldn't we concieve that time might pass these people by and they cobble together a style from an ealier time and wear it proudly? Maybe they even used out dated weapons and techniques? A place where local artists might not document the fashion (or is it possible that this type of documentation is only doe in large population centers)??? Time and distance. Rural vs. Urban. Isolation vs. contact. Parts of the world might have had different styles based on location and less on time frame. Oh and did I mention that this has nothing to do with the justication of my kit or any one elses? It's a conjecture open to debate. I request your historical replies...

One concept I am trying to get my head around is the idea of people or strict religious conviction doing things of incredible brutality. I can imagine people claiming to be these pious god fearing children of Christ and then going wild on wild murderous rampages. How they can seperate personal actions from tenets, scripture, doctrine is amazing. ...And it still happens today. Godly and ungodly all in one human.

GAOP= Wealth and value of plunder. Okay that makes sense. Most of the rich prizes were taken in the Indian Ocean?

But I did go to Ireland. I do take on the role of a Pirate for the Minnesota Ren Festival. So maybe you can do both and not pretend?

Gang I'm completely serious when I have posted that travel to Ireland is not some "Epic" journey. You CAN do it on a retail workers salery. I am not a rich pyrate and I have gone 4 times. I have gone 3 time with Marshall Fields Travel group out of Minneapolis. These are short weekends but you see a TON and get a very personalized tour staying often 4 or 5 star hotels. The first time I backpacked and stayed at Student Hostels. Easy, cheap, and you don't have to be a student (infact I think kids under 16 might be free at many locations if traveling with an adult). Ireland is enjoying growth with the EU. Don't just wish, do! You will be glad you did. I might go again next year if the price is right. This year it was under $1K per person for the flight, hotel, moter coach, event locations, and 2 meals a day cooked by a Chef!

Seems odd that this era wasn't called "The Golden Age" since the cargos of treasure were much larger. Why is the GAOP called such?

How about John Knox and his Scottish Kirk? He was a devotee to Calvin I believe. Seems that Cromwell attracted all likes of odd creatures.

What do you think about the Ergot posioning that is rumored to have helped the witch hunts in Salem?

When a eye is lost it's eay enough to just wear a patch. But what about glass eyes? When did they firs appear?

I noticed that the Fest has not updated the web site. Don't let that stop you if you plan to attend. There will be a fantasy pirate encampment too (hosted by the crew of the Blue Gryphon).

How about witchcraft? Did the puritans take the role of zealot they are often pictured as? I know witch hunts happend in Europe well before the hunts in New England.

Lasst summer at Bristol I captured the ship in the kids play area with the help of about 30 children!

Pyrates of Portobello will be preforming at the Siouxland Ren Fest in June of 2006. A same fest with a big heart that takes on the role of Shrewsbury in 1575. Check out the web site at www.siouxlandrenfest.com

I read an interesting play called "The Clearing" which was based at about the time Cromwell took hold of Ireland and required the native peoples to settle west of the river Shannon. It mentioned that many Irish (including a large number of clergy) were sent to West Indies for either refusing to leave or as prisoners. I don't know about the truth to it but it creates an interesting visage. It's a good play too!

I've heard that Irish and Scots were often called "Red Legs" because they sun burned so easily. I've also heard that scalping came from Ireland and the Native American thought it was magic and started to preform it.

I suppose much of my knowledge comes from popular fiction and films. The concept of stern "Solomon Kane" or the Salem Witch Trials. Cotton Mather and his brethern. I suppose these are more fantastic than true images of the Puritan. I know they had some clothing requirements, but how about diet? Did they drink beer or wine? I wonder if many of them fled to the Spanish Main after the restoration?

So I guess they are "extinct".

THis could prove to be a very nice exhibit! Bristol always does things very upscale!

The group I go with goes off season in Feb/ early March. The weather is cold and often it rains but it is much nicer than the weather back home in MN.

I'm Back! Had a great time. Spent most of it in and around Droghede. We did take a day trip up to Belfast which was amazing but not what I thought it would be. My personal high Light was drinking Purcheen in the Branigan Woolen Mill. A type of Irish moon shine! Rummy: my wife is the keeper of the sacred digital camera so it might be a while but I'll see what I can do! I might go again next year.