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{{Populace
|photo = [[Image:Jane Milford.jpg|200px]]
|photocaption = Jane Milford at Dancing Fox, 2016
|location = Barony of Iron Bog
|status = Active
|opid = 4906
|device = [[Image:In pale three urchins statant azure.jpg|200px]]
|devicecaption = In pale three urchins statant azure
|awards = {{AoA}} {{Terpsichore}} {{Maunche}} {{OSR}}
{{IB OSC}} {{IB OSG}}
|offices = {{FnMarshal}}
}}
 
== Persona ==
Pronouns: Both mundanely and in personna: she/her
 
Jane Milford (used to be Jane of Milford), because I could only make early garb.  Well, I can *still* make only early garb, but my nice garb is late period, which is great since that's when my research is from too!
 
The persona biography is wonderfully complicated... just like me!
 
Jane was born in France, where she and her sister Christianna were daughters of a merchant.  They were both educated in reading, writing, music, dance, and a bit of business.  Christianna was more into the business end of things, while Jane was a bit more lady like.  But, she was anything but prissy!  She was courted by a gentleman, who (sadly) met his demise far too quickly. 
Nervous that her sister was going to fail due to despair, Christianna paid for Jane to go to England, where she set her up with merchant friends of their fathers.
 
Once in England, Jane started a new life.  One filled with courtiers who taught her the art of the rapier (cadetted to Don Justinian Timagenes: 2000 – 2008; cadetted to Don Garrick the Mapmaker: 2014 – Present).  She was able to use her upbringing to make a name for herself and maintain her lifestyle, with a a little help from her sister and her friends - until she finally became a lady and was able to support herself.
 
== Research Introduction ==
My research focus falls into three categories:
 
1. Medicine: 16th & 17th century English medications and plague cures... (ask me about the puppy soap cure (16th Century France) and the chicken butt cure (16th - 17th century England) And, remember, just because the medicines were thought to work then, does not mean you should try them out now!
 
2. Research:  An integral part of the SCA.  We encourage people to try new things, and if they like it to research and learn about it.  But, ‘research’ as an art form is not often taught.  So, people – myself included, initially – sort of bump around in the dark until things start coming together. 
 
3. Dance: Mid-17th century English Country Dances and how they relate to SCA period. This research has been set aside.  The notes can be found [here]: http://forgotten-novella.webs.com/ecdresearch.htm.  If you are interested in reading it, feel free.  If you are interested in continuing it - feel free - BUT, please remember to credit me for my research.  If you need information on how to properly credit a source, feel free to contact me, or attend my 'So You Have Found What You Want to Research - Now What?' class.
 


See [[Template_talk:Populace]] for full suggested contents.
'''Medicine'''


{{Populace
My medical focus is on *medicine*, specifically the change in medical thought from Nicholas Flamel (circa 1450) through the end of period. I enjoy re-creating medicines as explained in military and academic documents, although I have not (yet) gone so far as to experiment with surgical theories.  Military and academic medicine different dramatically from domestic medicine and theory (home remedies), and at this point the difference between the theories was widening.  Domestic medicine relied on easily available ingredients that produced results.  Results, at this time, can be simply defined as symptom relief. Academic, or scholarly, medicine of the time used a combination of different sciences at the time, along with more difficult to procure ingredients.  Said sciences included astrology/astromony (which were both how Heavenly bodies moved and how they affected life on earth, and the words themselves were often interchangeable). Military medicine was a middle ground between domestic medicine and academic medicine. Depending on where and whom they served, the physician or surgeon may have been academically trained or apprenticed to someone who was.
|photo = [[Image:Photo needed.jpg|200px]]
 
|photocaption = Caption Needed
[[Image:Plague Doctor.jpg|200px]]
|location =
 
|status =
''Jane Milford as a Plague Doctor''
|device = [[Image:Device needed.jpg|200px]]
 
|devicecaption = Heraldry Needed
I said all that to explain this - I am not an herbalist... not even theoretically.  While herbs were certainly used in military and academic medical recipes, other ingredients were used, such as opium mercury, suphur, and iron shavings.  These ingredients make it difficult for me to reproduce the medicines used with SCA period, because modern law enforcement will have a problem with it.  Not might, will.  So, I am more of a theorist – and considering how much and how quickly medical theories were changing at the time, there is plenty to research. 
|awards =
 
|offices =
I won’t get into the entirety of the changes here – this is not the place.  But, if you want to read more about these changes, feel free to follow my blog, which will keep you up to date on what I’m researching at any given time.  My blog can be found here: saltatiomedica.wordpress.com
}}
 
If you are interested in doing your own history of medicine research (in late period/Europe), I highly suggest that you read the following secondary sources to give you a good overview.  From there, you can find what /where/when you want to focus:
 
Boeser, Knut. (1996) The Elixirs of Nostradamus. Moyer & Bell. London.
 
Haggard, Howard (1933) Mystery, Magic, and Medicine. Doubleday, Doran, and Company. New York.
 
Pare, Ambroise. (translated 1982) On Monsters and Marvels. University of Chicago Press. Chicago.
 
Rawcliffe, Carole. (1999) Medicine & Society in Later Medieval England.  Sandpiper. London.
 
Wilson, FP. (1923) The Plague in Shakespeare’s London. Oxford Paperbacks.  Great Britain.
 
 
'''Research'''
 
I teach two levels of research: Beginner and Advanced. The beginner classes are for the extreme beginner.  They know that they want to research something, but don’t know where to go from there.  I teach the research method that I have used in mundane academia as well as SCA academic pursuits.  I also give an overview on levels of sources, types of sources, where to find sources, etc.  The advanced classes are typically named ‘Taking Your Research from SCA to Academia’ or some variation therein, focus on precisely that – giving advanced SCA scholars the stepping stones to bring their research into academia, and give them tips to surviving in academia, since it is very different than the SCA.
 
 
'''Awards Given for Research'''
 
1st Place: Strange Category – Dancing Fox
Research: 10 Things You Never Knew About Late Period Medicine – February 2011
 
A&S Championship of the Barony of Bhakail
Dance Research (Origins of Playford Dances) – December 2008
 
1st Place: Art of Love Category
Publication: Dance at Your Renaissance Wedding – October 2008 (Published in Renaissance Magazine)
 
1st Place: Art of Love Category – Dancing Fox
Research: Origins of Playford Dances – February 2008
 
1st Place: Art of Love Category – Dancing Fox
Research: Origins of Playford Dances – February 2007


== Introduction ==


My research focuses on the sociology of English Country Dancing, specifically in how music, fashion, nutrition and medicine (with some social graces and politics) would have affected the dancing done by the noble/esquire classes in England, circa 1651. Although that is technically outside of the mandated SCA period, it is when the book(s) 'The [English] Dancing Master' started being published by John Playford, or 'Johnny'/'Johnny P.' as casually referred to by some SCA dance masters. Recently, the Lovelace Manuscript has given us an earlier peek into what English Country Dancing may have looked like as early as 25 years before the publication of the first edition of The [English] Dancing Master. This manuscript includes several dances also published by Playford, as well as several 'new' ones.
'''Dance'''


My original research, 'Origins of Playford Dance', traced back several popular English Country Dances through literary references.  
From 1998 – 2009, my research focused on the sociology of English Country Dancing, specifically in how music, fashion, nutrition and medicine (with some social graces and politics) would have affected the dancing done by the noble/esquire classes in England, circa 1651. Although Playford and the books he published, are from outside of the mandated SCA period, the dances were mentioned in earlier literature as dances, and the tunes were published earlier as well.


In short: On November 7, 1650, a man named John Playford registered The English Dancing Master: OR Plaine and easie Rules for the Dancing of Country Dances, with the Tune to each Dance. John was a stationer (publisher) in London and already known for his “political tracts, miscellaneous non-musical works, music theory, lessons for various instruments, collections of songs, and psalms.” (1)  
In short: On November 7, 1650, a man named John Playford registered The English Dancing Master: OR Plaine and easie Rules for the Dancing of Country Dances, with the Tune to each Dance. John was a stationer (publisher) in London and already known for his “political tracts, miscellaneous non-musical works, music theory, lessons for various instruments, collections of songs, and psalms.” (1)  
On March 19, 1651, the book was “printed by Thomas Harper, to be sold by John Playford, at his shop at the Inner Temple neere the Church doore”. (2) Between 1651 and 1728, 18 editions of ‘The [English] Dancing Master’ were published. John Playford has been credited for publishing the first seven editions; his son, Henry Playford has been credited for publishing the next four, and John Young has been credited for publishing the final six. Between the 3 of them, they are credited for publishing over 6,000 dances – including variations, duplications, tunes, and songs.  
On March 19, 1651, the book was “printed by Thomas Harper, to be sold by John Playford, at his shop at the Inner Temple neere the Church doore”. (2) Between 1651 and 1728, 18 editions of ‘The [English] Dancing Master’ were published. John Playford has been credited for publishing the first seven editions; his son, Henry Playford has been credited for publishing the next four, and John Young has been credited for publishing the final six. Between the 3 of them, they are credited for publishing over 6,000 dances – including variations, duplications, tunes, and songs.  


Although it is understood that the dances that were published, in The [English] Dancing Master, are not necessarily the original dances, dances with the same name have been documented from within SCA period. Therefore, it can be concluded that the dances documented within SCA period evolved into the dances published in The [English] Dancing Master.  
Although it is understood that the dances that were published, in The [English] Dancing Master, are not necessarily the original dances, dances with the same name have been documented from within SCA period. Therefore, it can be concluded that the dances documented within SCA period evolved into the dances published in The [English] Dancing Master.  
Dances that were traced back to 1603 (death of Elizabeth I ) or before, include:


Dances that were traced back to 1603 (death of Elizabeth I) or before, include:
''The Cushion Dance'' - which first appeared in The Dancing Master: Edition 7 (1686) - to 1603, where the dance is called for in Thomas Heywood's play, 'A Woman Killed with Kindness'.


The Cushion Dance - which first appeared in The Dancing Master: Edition 7 (1686) - to 1603, where the dance is called for in Thomas Heywood's play, 'A Woman Killed with Kindness'.
''Greensleeves'' - which first appeared in The Dancing Master: Edition 7 (1686) - to 1596, where the dance is railed against in Thomas Nashe's 'Have With You Saffron-Waldon'.  
Greensleeves - which first appeared in The Dancing Master: Edition 7 (1686) - to 1596, where the dance is railed against in Thomas Nashe's 'Have With You Saffron-Waldon'.  
Sellenger's Round - which first appeared in The Dancing Master: Edition 3B (1663)- to Ireland in the 1530s. Apparently, it was the house dance at St. Ledger's palace in Ireland, where it was so popular that it was brought to England and danced there as well.
(Note: To be fair, Sellenger's Round may have appeared first in the 3A edition (1657), however I have yet to find a copy to verify that one way or the other.)


Talk to me sometime to hear about the others!
''Sellenger's Round'' - which first appeared in The Dancing Master: Edition 3A (1657)- to Ireland in the 1530s. Apparently, it was the house dance at St. Ledger's palace in Ireland, where it was so popular that it was brought to England and danced there as well.  
 
As for the sociology parts that I'm currently researching, my focus is medicine and is starting to be music.
 
My medical focus is on *medicine*, post 1500. That is, focusing on curing diseases - primarily with elements, elixers, and tonics such as mercury, turpentine, sulpher, and opium to name a few. In addition to some popular herbal remedies (like tobacco), and studying astrology, astronomy, geomancy, alternative medical theories and the occult (in England) from 1500 - 1800. (The 18th century English & US medicine is my mundane practice.)


Works Cited for Dance Portion:
1. de Rocheforte, Fidelico. (n.d) John Playford, a Brief Biography. Letter of Dance - Volume 3 (Issues 17-24). Retrieved January 4, 2006, from  http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/lod/vol3/playford_bib.html
1. de Rocheforte, Fidelico. (n.d) John Playford, a Brief Biography. Letter of Dance - Volume 3 (Issues 17-24). Retrieved January 4, 2006, from  http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/lod/vol3/playford_bib.html
2. Playford, John. (March 19, 1651) The English Dancing Master. Images Online.  
2. Playford, John. (March 19, 1651) The English Dancing Master. Images Online.  
Retrieved January 4, 2006 from http://www.imagesonline.bl.uk/britishlibrary/controller/subjectidsearch?id=8099&startid=32378&width=4&height=2&idx=1
Retrieved January 4, 2006 from http://www.imagesonline.bl.uk/britishlibrary/controller/subjectidsearch?id=8099&startid=32378&width=4&height=2&idx=1
   
   
---
-------------
 


'''Awards'''
'''Awards'''
  03/28/2009  Companion of the Manche
*06/10/2017  Order of the Silver Rapier
  09/30/2000  Award of Arms  
*03/28/2009  Companion of the Maunche
  11/23/2002  Companion of Terpsichore  
*09/30/2000  Award of Arms  
  09/23/2006  Companion of the Sable Compass (Iron Bog)
*11/23/2002  Companion of Terpsichore  
  05/30/2008  Companion of the Sable Gauntlet (Iron Bog)
*09/23/2006  Companion of the Sable Compass (Iron Bog)
*05/30/2008  Companion of the Sable Gauntlet (Iron Bog)


== Persona ==
== Offices & Positions ==
Fencing Marshal at Large (2002 – Present)


Jane Milford used to be Jane of Milford, because I could only make early garb.  Well, I can *still* make only early garb, but my nice garb is late period, which is great since that's when my research is from too!


The persona biography is wonderfully complicated... just like me!
==Practices==


Jane was born in France, where she and her sister Christianna were daughters of a merchant.  They were both schooled in reading, writing, music, dance, and a bit of business.  Christianna was more into the business end of things, while Jane was a bit more lady like.  But, she was anything but prissy!  She was courted by a gentleman, who (sadly) met his demise far to quickly. 
''Fencing''


Nervous that her sister was going to fail due to despair, Christianna paid for Jane to go to England, where she set her up with merchant friends of their fathers.
Active fencer, instructor, and marshal at large in Settmour Swamp (2014-2020)


Once in England, Jane started a new life.  One filled with courtiers who taught her the art of the rapier.  She was able to use her upbringing to make a name for herself and maintain her lifestyle, with a a litle help from her sister and her friends - until she finally became a lady and was able to support herself.
Acting marshal in charge of Iron Bog practice (2007 – 2008)
Deputy marshal of Iron Bog practice (2002 – 2008)


== Offices & Positions ==
''Dance''
Teaching 17th Century English Country Dancing (Playford), 17th Century Italian (Caroso & Negri), 16th Century French (Arbeau), and 16th Century English (Gresley) to members and non-members of the SCA.
*co-teaching means that I taught partnered with THL Justinian Timagenes.


1998 - 2000 - Dance Master: Rusted Woodlands
* Canton of Black Icorndall (Media, PA) (2007,  2009)
2002 - 2004 - Co-Dance Master: Carillion (with THL Don Justinian Timagenes)
* Canton of Forestgate – co-teaching (Central NJ) (2004 – 2004)
2002 - 2008 - Co-Dance Master: Iron Bog (with THL Don Justinian Timagenes)
* Barony of Iron Bog – co-teaching (Southern NJ) (2002 2008)
2008 - 2009 - Dance Master: Fred (this was the nickname for the Canton within the Barony of Bhakail.  The Dance Master of the Barony of Bhakail during this time - and for years before - was Dafydd Cyhoeddwr)
* Shire of Rusted Woodlands – (Northern NJ) (1998 – 2000)


== Event Staff ==
== Event Staff ==


Dance Deputy: Beginning Track Coordinator (2009)
"Pennsic"
Dance Deputy: Evening Coordinator (2009)
 
http://pennsicdance.aands.org
“Youth Dance Coordinator” (2016)
“Youth Dance Coordinator” (2015)
“Dancing with the Pennsic Stars” – Expert (2014)
''Taught Dance and Medical Classes'' (2010, 2011)
''Taught Dance Classes'' (2006 - 2011)
''Dance Deputy: Beginning Track Coordinator'' (2009)
''Dance Deputy: Evening Coordinator'' (2009)
''Active Marshal at Large''  (2006 & 2007)
 
 
"Known World Dance Symposium"


Known World Dance Symposium – Hamilton, ON, Canada – July 2009
''Room-mate & Transportation Coordinator / Instructor''
International Event (200 people on avg)
Known World Dance Symposium – Kingdom of Ealdormere/Hamilton, ON, Canada – July 2009
 Basic English Country Dances
 I - Talians for the English
 Origins of Playford Dance Round Table (2 hours)
http://www.kwdsvii.org/KWDSVIIClasses.html
http://www.kwdsvii.org/KWDSVIIClasses.html


Temple University – Philadelphia, PA – 2007
Co-Taught Masters Degree Students with Edward Buehler
 Period Movement and Spatial Awareness


Bhakail Yule Event – Philadelphia, PA – December 2006
SAMPLING OF OTHER EVENTS
Local Event (100 people) / Co-Taught with Edward Buehler
''Instructor'': Northpass's Dance Academy (2008, 2011)
 Evening Ball
 
o 17th Century English Dance & 15th Century Italian Dance
''Evening Ball Dance Mistress'': Bhakail Yule Event – Philadelphia, PA – December 2006
(Co-Taught )


Wheaton Village Millville, NJ September 2006
''Dance Mistress'': Kingdom Crusades Kingdom of Atlantia/Havre de Grace, MD October 2005
Open to the Public Event: Italian Arts and Culture From the Medieval Times to the Renaissance
(Co-Taught )
 Italian Renaissance Wedding Performance
o Co-Taught 15th Century Italian Dance with Edward Buehler
o Played ‘Lucretia’, the woman who was getting married (play)


Kingdom Crusades – Havre de Grace, MD – October 2005
''Dance Mistress'': Iron Bog's Love & War - Moorestown, NJ - October 2005
Inter-Regional Event (350 people on avg) / Co-Taught with Edward Buehler
(Co-Taught )
 Afternoon Dance Classes – 17th Century English; 16th Century French
 Evening Ball - 17th Century English; 16th Century French


St. Martins Day Event – Ferrell, NJ – November 2002
''Dance Mistress'': Bellringers: Carillion's 19th Barionial Birthday/Brick, NJ - January 2003
Local Event (100 people) / Co-Taught with Edward Buehler
(Co-Taught )
 Evening Ball – 17th Century English Dances


Fencer
''Dance Mistress'': Iron Bog's St. Martins Day Celebration – Ferrell, NJ – November 2002
Marshal at Large  (2002 – Present)
(Co-Taught )
 Marshal at Large at Pennsic (2006 & 2007)


Positions Held: Acting marshal in charge of local practice (2007 – 2008)
Deputy marshal of local practice (2002 – 2008)


'''Outside SCA, but Related'''


PRACTICES
“Presented at Thomas Jefferson University’s History of Medicine Lecture Series”
London Plague of 1603: A Country of Turmoil
Philadelphia, PA – 2013


Teaching 17th Century English Country Dancing (Playford), 17th Century Italian (Caroso & Negri), 16th Century French (Arbeau), and 16th Century English (Gresley) to members and non-members of the SCA.
''Dance at Your Renaissance Wedding'' (May 2008) Published in: Renaissance Magazine: Bridal Issue.
 Canton of Feroagg Dhuibe (Media, PA) (2007,  2009)
 Canton of Forestgate – co-teaching (Central NJ) (2004 – 2004)
 Barony of Iron Bog – co-teaching (Southern NJ)         (2002 – 2008)
 Shire of Rusted Woodlands – (Northern NJ) (1998 – 2000)


== Projects & Publications ==
''Taught Graduate Opera Students Period Movement & Spatial Awareness'' with Edward Buehler
*Name of Project/Publication, Other info, mm/dd/yyyy
Temple University – Philadelphia, PA – 2007
*List in Chronological order, oldest to newest
2 Day Seminar
 
''Actress for Public Event: Italian Arts and Culture From the Medieval Times to the Renaissance''
Wheaton Village – Millville, NJ – September 2006
* Italian Renaissance Wedding Performance (female lead)
*  Co-Taught 15th Century Italian Dance with Edward Buehler


== More Information ==
== More Information ==


'''Class List'''
“Classes Frequently Taught 2001 – 2010; 2011 - Present”


Beginning English Country Dance
''Beginning English Country Dance''
An introduction to simple English Country Dances for beginners.   
An introduction to simple English Country Dances for beginners.   
Type of Class: Practical  
Type of Class: Practical  
Dance Level: Beginner
Dance Level: Beginner
Source Materials: The [English] Dancing Master – John Playford, 1651, 1652, 1657


Fashion and Dance in English Country Dancing
''Fashion and Dance in English Country Dancing''
Explains how dance is affected by the clothes that would have been worn in the mid 17th century.
Explains how dance is affected by the clothes that would have been worn in the mid 17th century.
Type of Class: Lecture
Type of Class: Lecture


I-Talians for the English
''I-Talians for the English''
An introduction to early Italian dances taught in simple English terms.  
An introduction to early Italian dances taught in simple English terms.  
Type of Class: Practical
Type of Class: Practical
Dance Level: Beginner
Dance Level: Beginner
Source Materials: Joy & Jealousy; Courtly Dance of the Renaissance: A New Translation and Edition of the “Nobilta di Dame” (1600) – Fabritio Caroso, Julia Sutton


No Stalking: How Not to be Weird Rude or Creepy on the Dance Floor  
''No Stalking: How Not to be Weird Rude or Creepy on the Dance Floor''
(Renamed from: How Not to Be Weird, Rude or Creepy and How to Handle Those Who Are /  Flirting & Flourishing in English Country Dance)
Insertion of modern rules of etiquette into historical dance, and how to cope with and guide those who are.  
Insertion of modern rules of etiquette into historical dance, and how to cope with and guide those who are.  
Type of Class: Lecture
Type of Class: Lecture
Dance Level: Beginner
Dance Level: Beginner
Source Materials:  Experiences (personal and those of other dancers/teachers)


Origins of Playford Dance
''Origins of Playford Dance''Class discusses dances from several editions of John/Henry Playford’s [English] Dancing Master books, and traces them backwards in time, through literary references.  
Class discusses dances from several editions of John/Henry Playford’s [English] Dancing Master books, and traces them backwards in time, through literary references.  
Type of C
Type of Class: Lecture
Class: Lecture


Overview of Late Period English Medicine
''Overview of Late Period English Medicine'' (Taught 2011 – Present)
Discusses popular medicine used in late period England.
Discusses popular medicine used in late period England.
Type of Class: Lecture
Type of Class: Lecture


Who Was That Playford Fellow Anyway?
''Who Was That Playford Fellow Anyway?''
Discusses John Playford, the man, and how he fits into the history of London, England.  
Discusses John Playford, the man, and how he fits into the history of London, England.  
Type of Class: Lecture
Type of Class: Lecture
'''Other Stuff'''
Mapped Dance practices on Google Maps, as recreation of the Dancer/Musician Compendium website (2017ish)
Co-designed and ran SCA Memorial Website and Facebook page. Society-wide. (2014-2018)
Created the Dancer / Musician Compendium website so that travelling dancers/musicians could get together/meet up. Society-wide. (2012ish)
----

Latest revision as of 17:03, 20 July 2021

Photo
Jane Milford.jpg
Jane Milford at Dancing Fox, 2016
Information
Resides: Barony of Iron Bog
Status: Active
Awards: Order of Precedence
Heraldry
In pale three urchins statant azure.jpg
In pale three urchins statant azure
Award & Office Badges
Award of Arms Terpsichore Companion of the Order of the Maunche Companion of the Order of the Silver Rapier

Order of the Sable Compass Order of the Sable Gauntlet
Fencing Marshal

Persona

Pronouns: Both mundanely and in personna: she/her

Jane Milford (used to be Jane of Milford), because I could only make early garb. Well, I can *still* make only early garb, but my nice garb is late period, which is great since that's when my research is from too!

The persona biography is wonderfully complicated... just like me!

Jane was born in France, where she and her sister Christianna were daughters of a merchant. They were both educated in reading, writing, music, dance, and a bit of business. Christianna was more into the business end of things, while Jane was a bit more lady like. But, she was anything but prissy! She was courted by a gentleman, who (sadly) met his demise far too quickly. Nervous that her sister was going to fail due to despair, Christianna paid for Jane to go to England, where she set her up with merchant friends of their fathers.

Once in England, Jane started a new life. One filled with courtiers who taught her the art of the rapier (cadetted to Don Justinian Timagenes: 2000 – 2008; cadetted to Don Garrick the Mapmaker: 2014 – Present). She was able to use her upbringing to make a name for herself and maintain her lifestyle, with a a little help from her sister and her friends - until she finally became a lady and was able to support herself.

Research Introduction

My research focus falls into three categories:

1. Medicine: 16th & 17th century English medications and plague cures... (ask me about the puppy soap cure (16th Century France) and the chicken butt cure (16th - 17th century England) And, remember, just because the medicines were thought to work then, does not mean you should try them out now!

2. Research: An integral part of the SCA. We encourage people to try new things, and if they like it to research and learn about it. But, ‘research’ as an art form is not often taught. So, people – myself included, initially – sort of bump around in the dark until things start coming together.

3. Dance: Mid-17th century English Country Dances and how they relate to SCA period. This research has been set aside. The notes can be found [here]: http://forgotten-novella.webs.com/ecdresearch.htm. If you are interested in reading it, feel free. If you are interested in continuing it - feel free - BUT, please remember to credit me for my research. If you need information on how to properly credit a source, feel free to contact me, or attend my 'So You Have Found What You Want to Research - Now What?' class.


Medicine

My medical focus is on *medicine*, specifically the change in medical thought from Nicholas Flamel (circa 1450) through the end of period. I enjoy re-creating medicines as explained in military and academic documents, although I have not (yet) gone so far as to experiment with surgical theories. Military and academic medicine different dramatically from domestic medicine and theory (home remedies), and at this point the difference between the theories was widening. Domestic medicine relied on easily available ingredients that produced results. Results, at this time, can be simply defined as symptom relief. Academic, or scholarly, medicine of the time used a combination of different sciences at the time, along with more difficult to procure ingredients. Said sciences included astrology/astromony (which were both how Heavenly bodies moved and how they affected life on earth, and the words themselves were often interchangeable). Military medicine was a middle ground between domestic medicine and academic medicine. Depending on where and whom they served, the physician or surgeon may have been academically trained or apprenticed to someone who was.

Plague Doctor.jpg

Jane Milford as a Plague Doctor

I said all that to explain this - I am not an herbalist... not even theoretically. While herbs were certainly used in military and academic medical recipes, other ingredients were used, such as opium mercury, suphur, and iron shavings. These ingredients make it difficult for me to reproduce the medicines used with SCA period, because modern law enforcement will have a problem with it. Not might, will. So, I am more of a theorist – and considering how much and how quickly medical theories were changing at the time, there is plenty to research.

I won’t get into the entirety of the changes here – this is not the place. But, if you want to read more about these changes, feel free to follow my blog, which will keep you up to date on what I’m researching at any given time. My blog can be found here: saltatiomedica.wordpress.com

If you are interested in doing your own history of medicine research (in late period/Europe), I highly suggest that you read the following secondary sources to give you a good overview. From there, you can find what /where/when you want to focus:

Boeser, Knut. (1996) The Elixirs of Nostradamus. Moyer & Bell. London.

Haggard, Howard (1933) Mystery, Magic, and Medicine. Doubleday, Doran, and Company. New York.

Pare, Ambroise. (translated 1982) On Monsters and Marvels. University of Chicago Press. Chicago.

Rawcliffe, Carole. (1999) Medicine & Society in Later Medieval England. Sandpiper. London.

Wilson, FP. (1923) The Plague in Shakespeare’s London. Oxford Paperbacks. Great Britain.


Research

I teach two levels of research: Beginner and Advanced. The beginner classes are for the extreme beginner. They know that they want to research something, but don’t know where to go from there. I teach the research method that I have used in mundane academia as well as SCA academic pursuits. I also give an overview on levels of sources, types of sources, where to find sources, etc. The advanced classes are typically named ‘Taking Your Research from SCA to Academia’ or some variation therein, focus on precisely that – giving advanced SCA scholars the stepping stones to bring their research into academia, and give them tips to surviving in academia, since it is very different than the SCA.


Awards Given for Research

1st Place: Strange Category – Dancing Fox Research: 10 Things You Never Knew About Late Period Medicine – February 2011

A&S Championship of the Barony of Bhakail Dance Research (Origins of Playford Dances) – December 2008

1st Place: Art of Love Category Publication: Dance at Your Renaissance Wedding – October 2008 (Published in Renaissance Magazine)

1st Place: Art of Love Category – Dancing Fox Research: Origins of Playford Dances – February 2008

1st Place: Art of Love Category – Dancing Fox Research: Origins of Playford Dances – February 2007


Dance

From 1998 – 2009, my research focused on the sociology of English Country Dancing, specifically in how music, fashion, nutrition and medicine (with some social graces and politics) would have affected the dancing done by the noble/esquire classes in England, circa 1651. Although Playford and the books he published, are from outside of the mandated SCA period, the dances were mentioned in earlier literature as dances, and the tunes were published earlier as well.

In short: On November 7, 1650, a man named John Playford registered The English Dancing Master: OR Plaine and easie Rules for the Dancing of Country Dances, with the Tune to each Dance. John was a stationer (publisher) in London and already known for his “political tracts, miscellaneous non-musical works, music theory, lessons for various instruments, collections of songs, and psalms.” (1) On March 19, 1651, the book was “printed by Thomas Harper, to be sold by John Playford, at his shop at the Inner Temple neere the Church doore”. (2) Between 1651 and 1728, 18 editions of ‘The [English] Dancing Master’ were published. John Playford has been credited for publishing the first seven editions; his son, Henry Playford has been credited for publishing the next four, and John Young has been credited for publishing the final six. Between the 3 of them, they are credited for publishing over 6,000 dances – including variations, duplications, tunes, and songs.

Although it is understood that the dances that were published, in The [English] Dancing Master, are not necessarily the original dances, dances with the same name have been documented from within SCA period. Therefore, it can be concluded that the dances documented within SCA period evolved into the dances published in The [English] Dancing Master. Dances that were traced back to 1603 (death of Elizabeth I ) or before, include:

The Cushion Dance - which first appeared in The Dancing Master: Edition 7 (1686) - to 1603, where the dance is called for in Thomas Heywood's play, 'A Woman Killed with Kindness'.

Greensleeves - which first appeared in The Dancing Master: Edition 7 (1686) - to 1596, where the dance is railed against in Thomas Nashe's 'Have With You Saffron-Waldon'.

Sellenger's Round - which first appeared in The Dancing Master: Edition 3A (1657)- to Ireland in the 1530s. Apparently, it was the house dance at St. Ledger's palace in Ireland, where it was so popular that it was brought to England and danced there as well.

Works Cited for Dance Portion: 1. de Rocheforte, Fidelico. (n.d) John Playford, a Brief Biography. Letter of Dance - Volume 3 (Issues 17-24). Retrieved January 4, 2006, from http://www.pbm.com/~lindahl/lod/vol3/playford_bib.html 2. Playford, John. (March 19, 1651) The English Dancing Master. Images Online. Retrieved January 4, 2006 from http://www.imagesonline.bl.uk/britishlibrary/controller/subjectidsearch?id=8099&startid=32378&width=4&height=2&idx=1


Awards

  • 06/10/2017 Order of the Silver Rapier
  • 03/28/2009 Companion of the Maunche
  • 09/30/2000 Award of Arms
  • 11/23/2002 Companion of Terpsichore
  • 09/23/2006 Companion of the Sable Compass (Iron Bog)
  • 05/30/2008 Companion of the Sable Gauntlet (Iron Bog)

Offices & Positions

Fencing Marshal at Large (2002 – Present)


Practices

Fencing

Active fencer, instructor, and marshal at large in Settmour Swamp (2014-2020)

Acting marshal in charge of Iron Bog practice (2007 – 2008) Deputy marshal of Iron Bog practice (2002 – 2008)

Dance Teaching 17th Century English Country Dancing (Playford), 17th Century Italian (Caroso & Negri), 16th Century French (Arbeau), and 16th Century English (Gresley) to members and non-members of the SCA.

  • co-teaching means that I taught partnered with THL Justinian Timagenes.
  • Canton of Black Icorndall (Media, PA) (2007, 2009)
  • Canton of Forestgate – co-teaching (Central NJ) (2004 – 2004)
  • Barony of Iron Bog – co-teaching (Southern NJ) (2002 – 2008)
  • Shire of Rusted Woodlands – (Northern NJ) (1998 – 2000)

Event Staff

"Pennsic"

“Youth Dance Coordinator” (2016) “Youth Dance Coordinator” (2015) “Dancing with the Pennsic Stars” – Expert (2014) Taught Dance and Medical Classes (2010, 2011) Taught Dance Classes (2006 - 2011) Dance Deputy: Beginning Track Coordinator (2009) Dance Deputy: Evening Coordinator (2009) Active Marshal at Large (2006 & 2007)


"Known World Dance Symposium"

Room-mate & Transportation Coordinator / Instructor Known World Dance Symposium – Kingdom of Ealdormere/Hamilton, ON, Canada – July 2009 http://www.kwdsvii.org/KWDSVIIClasses.html


SAMPLING OF OTHER EVENTS Instructor: Northpass's Dance Academy (2008, 2011)

Evening Ball Dance Mistress: Bhakail Yule Event – Philadelphia, PA – December 2006 (Co-Taught )

Dance Mistress: Kingdom Crusades – Kingdom of Atlantia/Havre de Grace, MD – October 2005 (Co-Taught )

Dance Mistress: Iron Bog's Love & War - Moorestown, NJ - October 2005 (Co-Taught )

Dance Mistress: Bellringers: Carillion's 19th Barionial Birthday/Brick, NJ - January 2003 (Co-Taught )

Dance Mistress: Iron Bog's St. Martins Day Celebration – Ferrell, NJ – November 2002 (Co-Taught )


Outside SCA, but Related

“Presented at Thomas Jefferson University’s History of Medicine Lecture Series” London Plague of 1603: A Country of Turmoil Philadelphia, PA – 2013

Dance at Your Renaissance Wedding (May 2008) Published in: Renaissance Magazine: Bridal Issue.

Taught Graduate Opera Students Period Movement & Spatial Awareness with Edward Buehler Temple University – Philadelphia, PA – 2007 2 Day Seminar

Actress for Public Event: Italian Arts and Culture From the Medieval Times to the Renaissance Wheaton Village – Millville, NJ – September 2006

  • Italian Renaissance Wedding Performance (female lead)
  • Co-Taught 15th Century Italian Dance with Edward Buehler

More Information

“Classes Frequently Taught 2001 – 2010; 2011 - Present”

Beginning English Country Dance An introduction to simple English Country Dances for beginners. Type of Class: Practical Dance Level: Beginner

Fashion and Dance in English Country Dancing Explains how dance is affected by the clothes that would have been worn in the mid 17th century. Type of Class: Lecture

I-Talians for the English An introduction to early Italian dances taught in simple English terms. Type of Class: Practical Dance Level: Beginner

No Stalking: How Not to be Weird Rude or Creepy on the Dance Floor Insertion of modern rules of etiquette into historical dance, and how to cope with and guide those who are. Type of Class: Lecture Dance Level: Beginner

Origins of Playford DanceClass discusses dances from several editions of John/Henry Playford’s [English] Dancing Master books, and traces them backwards in time, through literary references. Type of C Class: Lecture

Overview of Late Period English Medicine (Taught 2011 – Present) Discusses popular medicine used in late period England. Type of Class: Lecture

Who Was That Playford Fellow Anyway? Discusses John Playford, the man, and how he fits into the history of London, England. Type of Class: Lecture

Other Stuff

Mapped Dance practices on Google Maps, as recreation of the Dancer/Musician Compendium website (2017ish)

Co-designed and ran SCA Memorial Website and Facebook page. Society-wide. (2014-2018)

Created the Dancer / Musician Compendium website so that travelling dancers/musicians could get together/meet up. Society-wide. (2012ish)