When we decided to suit up for Renn Fair last year, I just knew that I simply had to have a leather headband. After some initial non productive Googling, I came across happy couple Harold and Susan of the Inner Bailey.?Sure, they've made costumes for glitzy projects like Spamalot and 300, but they hand-craft costumes and accessories for the average Faire-goer like myself as well.

I was a bit worried that with just three weeks before the Faire, my headband would not arrive in time. Susan explained that late summer time is far and away their busiest period of the year (the height of the Faire season), and that while she and Harold would certainly do their best to get my leather out to me as soon as they could, no promises could be made.

While I was a bit depressed that I'd most likely be receiving the headband after the Faire, Susan's phone demeanor was so polite and understanding that I couldn't stay bummed for long. Then guess what happened?! I received this amazing email just scant days after the bad news breaking:

Unto the Lord Jim Sanders,
Warm Greetings and Glad Tidings ~

His Majesty's blue-liveried messenger has been furnished a hot meal, a fresh mount, and bade Godspeed on his journey to your Shire. With hard riding and barring misadventure, your parcel shall arrive 2 to 3 days hence.

Jim, we found an open slot of time, in which to make your headband a few days earlier than we quoted. We hope that it arrives in time for your event!

Thanks again for your order ~ it was a pleasure doing business with you, and we hope to hear from you again sometime.

Harold & Susan

Talk about phenomenal customer service! I donned the headband and can personally testify that the quality is top notch–and the price was extremely reasonable, which is key for those of us who are only occassionally weekend warriors/wenches.

If you need leather armor, bracers or a sword belt (and really, who doesn't?), the Inner Bailey is without a doubt the place to turn to.

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Posted on September 1, 2008

A leather hair tie, like the one I wore to this years Renaissance Faire, fit right it. It's just the kind of crafty thing sold in many of the fine shops but I was fortunate enough to spend way less on mine at a weird tourist trap called the Tepee in Cooperstown.

Though it's traditionally more native American than anything to do with the Middle Ages, you'll find that when you go to the Faire, there's a hodge podge of various eras and ideas that are acceptable to wear and often some things that should be out of place (like maybe fur pants, devil horns, and angel wings) are actually perfect.

And I might even wear this accessory in my daily life too…

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Posted on September 1, 2008

Winning award for the most almost literal brew name, Dragonslayer Imperial Stout from the Middle Ages Brewery in Syracuse is so powerful in taste and alcohol content (9.5%) that it could probably slay or at least knock out a small dragon. In these times, make it a grown man and we have one quickly head spinning night on our hands.

The taste is hard to describe, they say “Strong, chocolaty and aggressively hopped with finest English hops.” Though I myself can never detect “chocolatey” as being actually “chocolately” but I agree that it's aggressive and strong – one of those beer that make people shrink back after the first taste as say “wow”.

It's also good, which doesn't always go hand in hand with those more aggressive brews. More of a sipping beer than the kind you down a tankard of, we all agreed that it was very tasty once you get over the initial shock.

Middle Ages Brewery is a small company that upholds the tradition of brewing in small batches like it was done back in the Middle Ages. I picked up Dragonslayer at Whole Food's impressive beer room, and hope to try more from them like Blackheart Stout, Wizard's Winter Ale, and Wailing Wench.

Their art work reminds me of new D&D manuals – aka highly diverse (for example this one is actaully pretty nice – probably the reason I picked it up) and often weird (the wizard is exactly like the odd D&D ones) or just bad (the wailing wench has got to be a girlfriend, right?), but don't let it discourage you from trying what's inside.

I am also very intrigued by the brewery description: Step through the main door, and you'll find yourself in a stone-lined castle hallway complete with a life-size suit of armor. And would love to take the tour some day.

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Posted on September 1, 2008

Grilled onions, thick slices of pickles, mustard, extra lettuce and special sauce slathered on both buns?spelled yummy to me, but to the people at the clean but divey Blue 9 Burger in the East Village it also spells “medieval” (complete with a little knight next to the item on the menu). Not exactly sure about the reasoning behind the name, but it could be because the mustard seed was a very popular spice during the middle ages, both in coOKing and as a way to fight off colds.

While it's not the best burger I've personally had in the city (as you know I, like many, give the honors to the Shake Shake) but it's nothing to sneeze at either. The patty, while a little unsubstantial was nicely grilled, and the ingredients tasted really fresh. It's drawn comparisons to In and Out from my friends (and other experts like A Hamburger Today and the Village Voice) and I almost agree.

The medieval style, which was a great combo of tangy and sweet with the mustard and grilled onions is similar to the beloved California chain's “animal style” option. The only problem I had was a dry bun and I am not one to judge on a single visit, so I'll give them the benefit of the doubt that that will not always be the case when I am craving a burger on third avenue.

They can be proud of their excellent fries, that I wish I could have had a few more of, but let's face it, a burger for lunch is bad enough health wise, better to just purloin a few from a friend. Service was quick and the price was right (a five dollar lunch is always ok with me).

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Posted on September 1, 2008

Not only was Mr Wenceslaus Hollar one of the foremost engravers of his time, and his depiction of London before the great fire invaluable, but he also bit of awesomeness called Women's Fashions of the 17th Century.

This work was not commissioned, (as far as I can find in my not so thorough research) he just had a fascination with women's fashion and because of him we have an idea of what the finest threads were back then. It was hundreds of years later, in the 19th century when magazine finally began depicting drawings of the latest styles.

This site has sixteen of these great illustrations for you viewing pleasure, reprinted from English Costume: Tudor and Stuart by Dion Clayton Calthrop.

Boldly wikipedia claims ” No one that ever lived has been able to represent fur, or shells, or a butterfly's wing as he has done.”

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Posted on September 1, 2008