I'd read Tolkien and Lewis by the age of 13. One of my friends, whom I met in summer camp also liked Tolkien and had many suggestions as to books to follow Tolkien's work.
Then she invited me to a feast. She said she'd bring me a costume. On the way to the feast at a local college we nearly ran down a man that looked so Viking, so real, I thought Oden himself had climbed in the van. He carried a double bladed axe unshielthed at his side. His hair was flaxen and his beard neatly braided into a fork, as well as having long braids of wonderfully historical looking hair that flowed past his shoulders. His name was Gart, and he scared the willies out of me. His costume was perfect. His accent was Brooklyn!
When we attended the feast I was introduced to mead. Yes, Gart made sure that I passed that course - Mead 101 - and that I met the handsomest man there by sitting me at his table as though I were of his family. What was the man's name? heh...Talieson, of course. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]
In those days, the accents and words spoken were usually the best attempt at Middle English as fairly well schooled people can affect. At least they knew some older sayings, and bandied them about as they reveled into the night. The costume, that dance, the speach! Merely saying hello and introducing yourself was a new experience. Their names were Welsh, and Scottish and Viking and German...and they were interesting. Each person had a coat of arms, or a losenge, a persona from a specific period in time, a family crest and motto, vassals and squires and knights, all gathered together at the great table to discuss battle and sport.
I was smitten. Since then I've participated in Medieval Restoration on a grander scale, with more specific time periods in mind. I like things the old fashion way, like Tolkien was said to feel. I'd rather make my beer and soap than buy it...
And now I wish I was camping. Dang it. Actually, you cen see the group I used to work with at:
MSR
and these brave souls joust:
jousting page
I wish I had the time to volunteer my services but alas i work long hours these days. They're a fun bunch. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]
[img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]
[ October 02, 2002: Message edited by: Tirned Tinnu ]