Thank you for that valuable piece of information Dave. I've mentioned the grey/red squirrel from Russia to some but they've looked at me as though I'm sadly lacking brain cells and usually replied 'No, no, no, they didn't have grey squirrels until after America was discovered and they are tree rats ...

Just a few of my many suppliers.

https://www.naturtuche.de/index.php

http://www.thesilkroute.co.uk/section.p ... tural_silk

http://www.macculloch-wallis.co.uk/category.aspx/Wools

http://www.fabricuk.com/fabrics.php?fabric_type=235

http://www.beyondfrance.co.uk/

I'm studying the Derbyshire gentry during the Wars of the Roses and making the guidons (small standard) and badges that represented them. I do have information on Zouche and his standard and badges. John Zouche, sone and heir of the Lord Zouche. Parted black and purpure; a silver eagle with a label,...

Sally and Merlon, thank you both for your help in this query. My own opinion was that tawny is colour but it is always worth getting other opinions. I'm very grateful chaps

On a similar discussion somewhere else I was told Tawny is not the colour but the fabric, Tawny was later to be referred to as the colour in a modern context and that any book on the history of textiles should give me further answers. I have several books on textiles and clothing and non mention the...

What about these? 'RO, 970. THE KING'S COOK. Warrant to the Great Wardrobe to deliver Pero le Doulx, "cook for our mouth," a tawny cloth gown, &c. Greenwich, 2 Dec. 3 Hen. VIII. ..' 'six pages in cloakes of oreng-tawny velvet,' 'pages; of tawny medley for their "watching clothing....

I have found this reference; Found described as BLACK, BLUE, CHINA, COLOURED, CUT, DOUBLE, DUTCH, DYED, ENGLISH, FOREIGN, GENOA, GREEN, imported from EAST INDIA, MANCHESTER, newest of all, one-pile, out of grain, PAINTED, PLAIN, PRINTED, of every breadth, PLAIN, PURPLE, PURPLE - IN GRAIN, RED, RICH,...

Hi. I'm looking for any references of Tawny being associated as a type of fabric not just a colour.

Captain Reech has been doing a lot of hard work on the allotment in all weathers and has achieved growing some bloody good veg. Next year when he's improved the soil we're hoping that the crops will be greater.

Well done darling

Cheers John. That's where I got most of the photos for my library from and a couple off some Eastern European sites.

Thank you.

I used a good thick dog chew on my Saxon shield many years ago, the only problem was we had a dog then and she thought I made her a new toy (one way to get it looking battered before you have your first battle). May I copy the images you posted as reference please? I'm trying to build up a library o...

I suppose it would be more comfortable to pick up and not strain the wrist so much than a bar going straight across. Looks like I'll have to sacrifice some of my dog chews

Thanks. It looks like twisted rawhide? I've seen one with an iron handle. The photo here could also be rawhide.

Something similar to this photo. Not sure about a long strap to carry it over your back, I may put that on the next one.

Heavy. It came from an oak kitchen table.

Thanks Fox. Took a few days and I had to work in the garden, praying it wouldn't rain. Fairly battlefield proof but weighs a bloody ton.

It may be a good start if I can get another table top : )

The dimensions are roughly 44"x 27", big enough to crouch behind. The 'box' construction on this was made by cutting three pieces of wood and glue and peg together (I've seen them carved out mostly), three layers of linen soaked in a pva/water solution which I thought was more convenient t...

After eagerly following Craig's pavise construction on Facebook I felt myself passionately inspired to produce one myself. Hungarian Black Army.

From personal experience (being an archer since I was 14) you can get long hair caught in the bow string. It happened many times when I was younger partaking in field archery on a slightly breezy day. I was at the rebellious age and didn't like my hair tied back but I learnt my lesson with a compoun...

Was there any earlier reference to oranges? I've looked at the petty custom account 1480-81 Imports and I've found examples of large amounts being imported but I'm interested in finding when they where originally introduced and what they were used for.

Sadly I've only been to three reenactment markets and saw lots of pretty clothes but not much in lower class garments but at the time I had little chance to stop and chat to anyone. I've been making historical clothing for nearly fourteen years, started out clothing myself and my children in saxon k...

Ah! right. I see what you mean, found a reference to Diaper it in Tudor brickwork after sifting through a multitude of bloomin 'nappies'. I've seen that pattern in silk but can't remember where from. I'll check out my suppliers see if they come up with anything.

Also known as noil. Try Silk Road Textile merchants,

http://www.srfabrics.com/index.html

Silk Route,

http://www.thesilkroute.co.uk/naturals.html