I finally started a blog after much poking and prodding by friends. In this blog I will share my interests in the SCA, medieval Poland, costuming, fiber arts, scribal arts, etc. and anything else I feel appropriate.
The outfit in my avatar is based on drawings by a 19th century artist, Jan Matejko. Jan is regarded as THE Polish historical artist in Poland. At the time Jan was painting, Poland was going through a time of crisis and upheaval. Jan was involved for a time in a underground movement.
At this time you will not find Poland on a map. It was partition in three stages in 1794-95 between Russia, Prussia and Austria and officially ceased to exist. Except in the hearts of her people!
Jan also collected historical dress of Poland. Jan also did effigy sketches of clothing from the crypts Polish churches. He used these and other research to develop beautiful color plates of dress worn in Poland. www.kismeta.com/diGrasse/Matejko/1200Country.jpg will take you to a plate with the example upon which I based my dress.
Resources/references on Middle Ages Poland are hard to come by. One book I have not seen is now on the "lost" list at the Library of Congress. In my opinion, Matejko is the best source there is right nowfor anyone trying to study this period in Poland. NOTE - I have found two of his figures in other books. One a carving on a Romanesque church and the other painted on a glass tankard celebrating the Hat Maker's Guild, and I can't see glaring differences.
