One question I frequently get asked at reenactments is “is that the really the way beer was made in the 1770’s?” For the most part, the answer is “yes” but there are some very necessary exceptions. Not all “Colonial Beers” are good and some of the methods used in the 18th Century were unsafe by …
Continue reading “Basic Colonial Brewing #15 — Necessary Anachronisms in Colonial Brewing”
Many aficionados of Jane Austen will tell you about Spruce Beer in England but spruce trees are not native to Britain, and spruce beer, cannot be produced locally. Spruce beer in only exists as an imported product. There are several distinct traditions of spruce beer. The ‘North American tradition’ of Spruce Beer (which I brew) …
Known as “Britain’s wonkiest pub”, the Crooked House was a pub in South Staffordshire, England with a truly unique appear appearance. Because of 19th-century mining subsidence, one side of the building is approximately 4 feet lower than the other causing all sorts of optical illusions inside the building. This is a pub where you might …
When reenacting or acting as a historical interpreter, its good to have a few historical dates and stories to share. This series will publish a few. August 16, 1777 Battle of Bennington The Battle of Bennington took place in Walloomsac, New York, about 10 miles from its namesake Bennington, Vermont. The American force was primarily …
Continue reading “Historical Tidbits — Battle of Bennington”
When reenacting or acting as a historical interpreter, its good to have a few historical dates and stories to share. This series will publish a few. August 16, 1787 – BATTLE OF CAMDEN: Despite the proliferation of dysentery among his men, General Horatio Gates engaged General Charles Cornwallis’s army at Camden, SC. The American Army …
The acquisition of indentured servants and slaves began with the earliest days of the settling of America. Before 1680, the most common form of bound labor was the white indentured servant. Up to two-thirds of the English migrants who came to Virginia between 1630 and 1680 arrived in servile status. In return for the cost …
In order to get the new US Constitution ratified, many compromises were required. Because of this, although they supported the effort, several of the delegates did not place their signatures on the document. Some chose to leave before the conclusion of the convention, but three notable men fought to the end but ultimately refused to …
First off, put some lubricant on your stone. You need to use a lubricant when sharpening your tools because doing it dry will generate enough heat that it will actually warp the blade. Typically, you should use mineral oil as a lubricating agent because it can effectively reduce the heat produced by friction, but if …
When George Washington choose his uniform, he could have literally chosen any color scheme, so why buff (tan) and blue. The choice was not arbitrary. The Whig party in England (not to be confused with Andrew Jacksons divisive party in the 1830’s) had been standing against the abuses of the crown since 1688. Their rallying …
In the 8th Century BCE, King Hammurabi of Babylon codified the death penalty for 25 different crimes. The death penalty was also part of the 7th Century BCE Draconian Code of Athens and the 5th Century BCE Roman Law of the Twelve Tablets. Death sentences were carried out by such means as crucifixion, drowning, beating …
Continue reading “Judicial Death Penalties have always been Instruments of Terror.”
Michael Carver -- Historical Interpreter/Reenactor 