Profile in Excellence Vicky Binns

Vicky Binns of Aquerna Fabricae
Special thanks to the National Trust.-VB

One of the greatest pleasures I receive from Modern Medievalist Community page on Facebook, has been the number of people I have met and become friends with. People who, in any other time frame other than now, I would not have had the pleasure of talking to. My series "Profiles in Excellence" is my way of paying back those wonderfully talented and generous people. Vicky Binns  is one such person. I find in this new millennium, it is becoming harder, and harder to find  someone who is genuinely nice, and honest. Vicky Binns is both. On top of that, she has been very generous with her time, explaining clothing designs to a man who knows little of fashion from the XIV and XV Centuries.

Some of you who follow this blog have seen her handiwork, in a previous post about her Fiancee' Matthew Bayley. I thought then as I do now, Vicky Binns deserved her own profile. I approached her with the idea and the resulting conversation is the basis of this posting.

XV Century Houppelande as made by Vicky Binns of  Aquerna Fabricae
Inspired by the 1430's Ghent Altar Piece.
Special thanks to Cardiff Castle Staff for the opportunity
to take photos on the grounds.-VB

Q: Vicky Binns where are you from?

A:  I’m a 23 year old Historical Costumier from a town called Chesham in the county of Buckinghamshire, England, UK. Chesham has a very multi-cultural population, particularly Pakistani, Indian, Polish and Chinese, which has had a significant influence on my lifestyle, tastes and inspiration.

Secondary view of XV Century Houppelande made by Vicky Binns
of Aquerna Fabricae. Inspired by the 1430's Ghent Altar Piece.
Special thanks to the Greyfriar's House and Staff.-VB

Q: What are your qualifications? Did you go to design/art school?

A: I have a 2:1 BA in Historical Archaeology from the University of York, UK, with the ambition to take an MA in Conservation and specialize in Textiles eventually. The ultimate dream would be to preserve and conserve textiles somewhere like the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Snowshill Collection or the Pitt Rivers Museum! I come from a matriarchal bloodline of seamstresses, knitters, crocheters and bobbin lace makers. Textile craft has been a foundation for my career, both taught and self-taught.

Q: Explain the name of your business please.

A: The name of my business is Aquerna Fabricae, which in Latin literally means “Squirrel Makings”. I have a love for Squirrels – especially the native British red squirrel! It seems apt that just as red squirrels are a species being conserved to save it, the ethic behind my textile skills is the aim to pass on and conserve something for future generations.

Photo by Stewart E. of the Guardian.

Q: What was it that attracted you to medieval reenactment, and how did you translate those experiences into clothing manufacturing?

A: My immersion into medieval re-enactment started with a silver smithing and enamelling after-school club. The club leaders were members of a medieval display group and spoke of weekends camping at Castles and sword fighting... how could I resist?

Every year we’d join in the Battle of Tewkesbury as Lancastrian troops. Here I encountered my fiancé Matthew for the first time as a Yorkist and we hit it off exactly three years ago! As it happens he’s an armourer, bronze caster and jeweller.

Late XV Century Paletot. White on White Damask, Red Silk Velvet, with Yellow/Gold
Applique Letters, with Gold Fringe Trim.
Motto: Crom Mabo! Crom Forever.

Post-university jobs were scarce for UK graduates. With the encouragement of an already self employed Matt, family and the Princes Trust Enterprise Scheme I moved to live with him in Worcester, Midlands, launching Aquerna Fabricae.

Handmade White Chaperon of fine Hainsworth Wool, with
Leafy dagging.

I wanted historical costume being produced to a high standard. I’d already seen Kats Hats trade and flourish making renowned medieval headdresses, and that gave me courage.

Ghent Altarpiece Inspired Burgundian Houppelande Gown. Every object in the photo
has been manufactured by Aquerna Fabricae in conjunction with Bayley Heritage Castings.
The dress, the belt/girdle/the purse.

I am constantly inspired by and aspiring to reenactors like Caroline Blake and her Mum Anne. They research and reproduce their clothing to the point that they grow plants for dyeing in the garden, hand spin, naturally dye embroidery threads, research, making the costumes and hand embroider them. It’s a lifetime’s devotion!

1430's Ghent Altarpiece. This is a detail shot
of the Erythraean Sibyl.

Q: How long does it take for you to take a commission from design to finished product?

A: Anywhere from two weeks to a year; every commission is different which I love! I take plenty of time to research and let ideas evolve. The design and patterning stage is key. I don’t always have the opportunity to do fittings on the actual customers though, some of my clients are in the US who found me through Etsy. Their responses have been positive so far, so I must be doing something right. All of this can take just as long as the actual final production of the garment.

Hand embroidered wide girdle; black silk covering, couched gold work embroidery with red and green silk thread, quality freshwater pearls and red silk applique.

Q: How close to historical tailoring models do you use? Meaning do you hand stitch everything or do you machine stitch those portions of a garment that will not be seen?

A: Most of the time my clients have a budget limit, so I tend to machine the unseen and hand stitch the seen. However I can completely hand stitch. There’s something about taking techniques back to their roots that is infinitely personal. No two people hand stitch exactly the same way and it feels like a little fingerprint of my soul every time.

Once upon a time... 

Q: What type of material do you use in your clothing? Do you try to keep as period as possible. (You and I know that Cotton or Fustian was available in the XV Century. However it was expensive.) So... Do you use Linens or Flax Cloth, Wool? Please tell of your efforts to use period material...

A: I use 100% wool's, linens and silks from traders – for reliability, accuracy and sustainability. They ‘hang’ in a very particular manner (just take a look at effigies) and are more comfortable than synthetics for large gowns and cotes. The linens come from Ireland and Germany and I get British wool. British sheep farmers have suffered from our recent harsh winter snows. To me it’s about supporting the present local economy, just as much as being true to the past.

Of course it’s not always possible to get all-natural damasks and brocades, Sometimes the pattern of a fabric takes priority, so I do occasionally use synthetics and linen-cotton mixes. Been looking for true silk velvet too – usually at least 100% silk pile, adding that sumptuous authenticity to an outfit!

Girdle made by Aquerna Fabricae and Bayley Heritage Castings.
Worn by Lady Kyle at the 2013 Arundel Historical Tournament
at Arundel Castle.
(c) Stephen Moss.

Q: Simply because I know you and Matthew, I know you have combined forces somewhat and he makes belt fittings, closures and purse frames for you and your clients. Briefly describe the business relationship and the research both of you put in to creating a product.

A: Sometimes a client’s request is simply a variant on an already existing product. However if more is involved we work like Sherlock and Watson. Matt is Sherlock; mentally sharp and efficient at research, so although we both do a lot of research individually he usually spots the gems. He does most of the artistic drawing. I’m Watson, handling the domestic side, sorting the presentation for faires, keeping us on the straight and narrow and on target for time.

Custom Girdle made by Aquerna Fabricae with eyelet and belt fittings by
Bayley Heritage Castings.

There’s no real boss (although I can be bossy) and we have learnt that there’s rarely a right or wrong way, simply some methods are more efficient than others! If things don’t go to plan we make a cup of tea (or coffee), eat some cake and go back to the drawing board.

Research-wise we collect and share from a variety of sources, even if they don’t seem initially relevant. Sometimes it’s a chat with a fellow crafts person or experimental reenactor. If there is a trader with better suited skills, we point in their direction. Most importantly we’re honest about it – if we genuinely don’t know, we freely admit it. After all, there is so much that remains a mystery about medieval history to us and that for many is part of its appeal.

Vicky Binns and Fiancee' Mathew Bayley
of Aquerna Fabricae and Bayley Heritage Castings respectively
(c) Zoey Smith.

For a more detailed explanation of the above photo: Late fourteenth to early fifteenth century, working middle class dress: Vicky (left) is wearing a cote in madder red wool lined with linen from English effigies (linen kirtle and chemise underneath), a narrow girdle, white linen apron, head coif, neckerchief and silver necklace; Matthew (right) is wearing a parti-colour wool coat with a wide belt, fairly fitted hose, felted wool cap with a leather men's purse in hand.

I would once more like to thank Vicky Binns for her patience and most of her time. This has been a lovely romp through another person's hard earned knowledge and expertise. I wish all the best for Vicky and Matthew with their upcoming nuptials.

Aquerna Fabricae can be found at:

https://www.facebook.com/Aquerna.Fabricae

Bayley Heritage Castings can be found at:

https://www.facebook.com/Bayley.Heritage.Castings

Portrait in Excellence Stephen Moss-Photographer!

Arundel Historic Joust. Jan Gradon of Team "Holy Roman Empire" trades a blow with Marc Hamel of Team "France"

Stephen Moss is a friend of mine. We met via Facebook over a year ago through mutual friends. I admired his work for several years, and it was a wonderful treat to meet him through the internet. It is rare to meet a gentleman in this day and time; but another friend told me that, "Nice people have a way of showing up." So to that extent Moss just popped up on my feed, and I have been enjoying his work ever since. His being my friend cuts no special favors. I made him go through the ten question tradition here at Modern Medievalist, and true to form, he graciously went along with it. Below is the result of our conversation. Thank you Stephen for the access to your photo's, and most of all, your time!

SPECIAL EDITORIAL NOTE: All of the pictures used in this article have been used with the expressed permission of Stephen Moss. Please respect his work, and his copyright.

Lady Kyle Van Dolah, with her Hawk at Arundel Historic Joust.
.

Q: Where are you from?

A: Staffordshire, Moorlands-UK.

Q: What sparked your interest in all things Medieval?

A: School and being a long time member of EH (English Heritage) I just feel comfortable about being around the medieval periods.

Arundel Castle, and the Historical and History Based Encampment for the Jousters at The Arundel Historic Joust-2013

Q: How long have you been a part of the medieval reenactment scene/world?

A: Actually a short time. I have been actively a part of it for four years.

Q: How long have you been a photographer?

A: For 25 years. I actually got the bug 37 years ago!

Mark Caple "Team England" in his High Gothic German Inspired Harness, being escorted by the lovely
Lady Emma Pearn.

 Q: Were you or have you been a participant in medieval events?

A: No. I am constantly asked to go into the field. But I love taking photographs and I don't think I can if I am in costume.

Q: What keeps you coming back for more?

A: To me most of the events I go to are like live theater, color, humor, and pure entertainment. Also every event produced a new set of pictures.

Team members from England, The Holy Roman Empire, France and Burgundy gather in the Lists.

Q: Have you ever thought about producing or shooting a video of the events you attend?

A: Yes I have a camera that takes HD pictures, but at the moment I am still very much into photographs. I might experiment with it at a lesser or smaller event.

Q: What has been your biggest let down in shooting?

A: Event set ups, poor access for press or photographers and authenticity of portrayals.

Q: What has been your most surprising reward?

A: For me when a reenactor thanks me for taking the time to cover their event or that my photographs bring a realism to their work/hobby.

Dominic Sewell-Winner of the 2012 Arundel Historic Joust
and Knight Marshal
for the 2013 event.

The Lords and Ladies of the Arundel Historic Joust
Hosted by Arundel Castle.

One of the most important things a Knight could profess, was his love.
Stacy Evans-Tournament Director and Competitor asking
Kyle Van Dolah for her hand
in marriage.

Andreas Wenzel demonstrating a Knight was expected to be more than just
a fighting man. They were judged by their poetry, ability to dance,
and sing. Their courtly behavior was as important as their
ability to fight.

One of the many gates and unexpected vistas to be found at
Arundel Castle.

I would like to thank Stephen Moss for his patience and his willingness to share his work with me and by way of extension, you my readers. Stephen is in the midst of reorganizing his presence upon the web. For the near future, if you are interested in his photographs, he ask that you contact him via his Facebook page.

His Facebook Address is:

https://www.facebook.com/stephen.moss.186

For videos of the Historic Arundel Joust:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGyrFyKaRS0

The World Famous Arundel International Tournament at Historic Arundel Castle!

Dominic Sewell -( Team England) mounted on his horse Briar.

From the 2012 Event.

One of the principles I have set for my Modern Medievalist blog is sharing people and groups who are dedicating their time, efforts and even large segments of their lives to presenting as close as possible an authentic representation of a time, or of an event, and or their research into clothing and armour. It is easy for the general public to view something over the internet or watch a video on YouTube. It is oftentimes hard for them to grasp the years of scholarly work, and effort it takes to create such portrayals...

Arundel Castle interior shot, of the Motte and Quadrangle.
Kent, England.

To this end I have been fortunate to spend the last several weeks speaking to the Arundel Jousting Event Coordinators. This has been one of nicest long-distance conversations I have had in a long time. The following interview took place in starts and stops over the month of June and part of July. I can only hope you receive as much satisfaction reading their replies as I did.-The Arundel International Joust will take place from Tuesday the 23rd through Sunday the 28th of July.

Q: What are the principles behind the Arundel International Joust and how long did it take to create it?

A:  The principles behind the founding of the tournament was a desire to create, as close as possible, a 15th Century Tournament with real prizes. Arundel brings teams from around the world to compete against each other, embodying the knightly virtues of horsemanship, sportsmanship, prowess in the field, and chivalry.

Q: How long of a prep time do you have to prepare for the tournament?

A: We have a year to prepare the tournament. As soon as this year's event finishes we will have meetings to discuss how best to grow and add to the tournament. During the year we finalize the competitors, horses, ground crew and schedule. The tournament has been growing steadily of the the past few years, which means the prep work has been growing right along with it. Luckily we have a great group of experienced people with whom we can rely on, otherwise we would not be able to get everything done.

Steve Gagnon-(Team France) Exchanging blows with Wouter Nicolai-(Team Holy Roman Empire)

from the 2012 event.

Q: How many International Jousters will participate in this years event?

A:This year we have six international jousters and two from England. Marcus Hamel and Steve Gagnon are from Quebec and will joust for Team France. Andreas Wenzel from Germany and Jan Gradon from Poland will joust for the Holy Roman Empire. Ben van Koert and Wouter Nicolai are from Holland and will joust for Team Burgundy. Stacy Evans and Mark Caple will joust for Team England, and Dominic Sewell will be the Knight Marshal as he won last years, individual Champion's competition.

Closest to the camera, Steve Gagnon and Marcus Hamel from Quebec Canada

Jousting for Team France.

We think it is important that each jouster represent their home country or region. This is important as it instills in the Jousters a bit of national pride; which only increases the level of competition. It also helps the visitors realize that this is a real tournament and real competition.

Q: Does the Arundel International Joust have the support of the 18th Duke and Earl Marshall?

A: Arundel Castle is an amazing venue for the tournament. The grounds themselves are beautiful, and it is such a privilege to be able to joust in the shadow of the castle itself. One of the things we never get tired of is coming out of of our tents in the morning and seeing the castle directly in front of us. It adds a touch of realism to the tournament like few other locations could.

Since Arundel is their family home, the Duke and Duchess believe that whatever is associated with the castle should be of the highest standard. We have worked closely with the family and Brian McDonald the estate's manager for the past seven years, in order to build the Arundel International Tournament into the largest jousting event in England.

Wouter Nicolai-(Team Holy Roman Empire) and Steve Gagnon-(Team France)

Exchanging lance strikes at the 2012 event. Same strike as the one pictured earlier, by a different angle.

Q: what is the experience level of the competitors?

A: There is a wide range of experience. Some of the jousters have been jousting for three years while some have been jousting for fifteen years. Most of the competitors learned through reenactment groups and such groups as Destrier and HEI. We would say though, that all started jousting because of a love of history.

Q: Besides the jousters from England, do you know who provides their competitors armour?

A: Arundel International Tournament is a competition, not a group. As such we do not provide any armour or equipment for the competitors. Each jouster commissions his own armour from various craftsmen from around the world. This ensures their armour is properly fitted and of a quality that will ensure the safety of the competitors.

Q: What does a jouster need or how does one go about becoming a participant in the Arundel International tournament?

A: Participation in the joust is by personal invitation by Stacy Evans the Director of the Tournament. Some of the major criteria is their ability to ride and joust at a high level. This involves their skill on horseback and lance control. In addition to this, attitude plays a large part. This tournament is a week long, and involves the competitors living and working with each other to make the tournament a success. While some of the competitors are personally known, others come to the tournament from other competitors. These men have spent years honing their skills on horseback, learning the skills of jousting, and gathering the necessary equipment. Most have started out at ground crew and have worked their way to the top.

Director of the tournament Stacy Evans-(Team England) Passing off a used lance to his ground crew

at the 2012 event.

The aim of the Arundel International Tournament is to, as closely as possible, recreate an authentic 15th Century Tournament. For a whole week, the castle grounds are filled with top competitors, judges, ladies, tents, and horses. The men are attempting to live the Chivalric Ideal of a True Knight-(To be judged by the ladies.) while the camp has a real sense of camaraderie, and friendly competition about it. There is no other Tournament of its kind in England.

Heraldic Inspired Collar awarded to Individual Jousters of the
Arundel International Joust.
As made by
Gemmeus Historical Jewelry.

Team Prizes awarded to the participants of the

Arundel International Joust.

Al made by

Gemmeus Historical Jewelry.

I would like to thank Stacy Evans and the Arundel International Tournament management team for this opportunity to speak to them about their event.-Thank you very much for your time and effort.

DS Baker.

Here are is a link to their Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/ArundelInternationalTournament

YouTube video links showing the opening of the 2012 Tournament and the participants, and jousters.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzdLTmhkaSc

This video shows Stacy Evan vs Steve Gagnon jousting against each other 2012 Event.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCwX5s9EJUk

Here is a link, to the official Arundel Castle Visitors site.

http://www.arundelcastle.org/_pages/03_visitor_info.htm

Barrie Burr of Australia, Heraldic Artist.

The Coat of Arms and Badges of
Barrie Burr of Australia

I have a good friend who lives in Australia by the name of Barrie Burr. He is one of the forerunners to a new wave in Heraldry. I have watched Mr. Burr's work progress over the past several years, from something that was a bit stiff, to a new lively sense of captured motion and color.

Heraldry in whatever form it takes is a modern interpretation of a time when it was important to be seen across a battlefield, and for those who could not read or write, to be able at a glance recognize a particular person.

There are those today who, practice heraldry in its original forms. They use vellum, shell gold, and custom made paints from pigments which they have hand ground, and mixed. It is an exacting art form, which is oftentimes passed down from one master to another. I think those who practice this form of Heraldry have always been few in numbers. However in today's world, there seems to be an ever increasing demand for heraldry and or heraldic based art.

So what does a person do who has a desire to create Heraldic art but not the years either available or the desire to spend years in an Art School? They teach themselves. Barrie Burr has done just that. There is an entire world of Clip Art Heraldry out there. Most of it not good, but it is improving, and some artists are really taking it to the next level. Then there are quite literally the Legions of Heralds who represent the SCA world, and they use both hand painted work and electronic generated work. So the demand is there, and to that end; the Modern Medieval world is very much alive and kicking when it comes to Heraldry. To explore this growing world of digital heraldic art, I sat down with my friend Barrie Burr and had a short conversation...

The Coat of Arms and Badges of
Peter Latta of Australia

Q:Where is the Burr family name from?

A:From all of the research that I have done, “Burr” seems to be difficult to establish from where the name originates. Some say it’s from Anglo-Saxon times meaning “one from the fort or castle” Others suggest the name is even older than that. So who knows for sure! Due to different languages spoken, words meaning the same thing were possibly (more likely) to have been pronounced differently and so when spelling the word, it could/would take on different appearances. My particular line/s of Burr all predominately came from Bedfordshire for the past 300 hundred years with one notable coming from Lincolnshire. Either way, Burr is very common in the UK.

Q:What age where you when you fell in love with Heraldry?

A:Being an Englishman, I had always been aware of Heraldry.....having grown up around Woburn Abbey, the seat of the Dukes of Bedford. It was not until 1987 that my interest started to grow in it when I purchased my “family coat of arms” from a bucket shop in Belfast. I then started asking questions of my mother about our family history. She wrote down what information that she could and gave me certain documents to keep. Those documents are now within the family members in the UK. Then suddenly, in 1999, I was given an old computer to play with and I started messing about with shapes to create what resembled a coat of arms. Have been doing it ever since.

The Coat of Arms, and Badges of
Travis Smith of the USA

Q:Today there is a strong sense of "Branding" with business' and personalities. What is your take on it, in regards to Modern Heraldry?

A:As heraldry is long established and represents some sort of “legitimacy” or sense of “belonging”, perhaps a business that comes up with a “heraldic” style of company logo is trying to say “look at me”, as if to say that “I am established, I come from good stock and I want to be here for some time”. That says a lot about the strength of heraldry and its continued use in the world today.

Q:Do you think your years of involvement with the International and British Racing have given you a different perspective on Heraldry.

The Coat of Arms of Brian Jeffs
Of the USA

A:Both are very colorful, and very similar in that jousting/tournaments and motor racing are noisy and spectacular to watch. Well established civic Coats of Arms are also used to adorn modern day race driver’s helmets to show where they are from. If any thing, Heraldry has given me a different perspective of how the color scheme works on a race car, and does that design work in getting the sponsors name or logo “out there”. I have seen some really bad color schemes and logos on race cars....like dark red lettering on dark blue background

Q:Is it fun, creating art for yourself and your friends?

A:I find it very rewarding to sit down to do a coat of arms for some one weather I designed the arms or not, with the end result being my work is appreciated and liked. Not always the case though. But that’s life.

XIV Century Style, Funerary Effigy
David Baker of
The USA.

Heraldic Badge by Barrie Burr

Norman Kite Shield of the Arms of DS Baker
of the USA.

Barrie Burr can currently be reached at:

barrie.burr.9@facebook.com

Matthew Bayley Portrait in Excellence.

(c) Billy Mark Clutterbuck 

One of the wonderful things about the internet is, you can develop relationships with people you have never actually met in person. A little bit of self disclosure here, I met my wife, and mother of my daughter 13 years ago on the internet before there was such things as on-line dating services. With that being said, I have known of Matthew Bayley for quite some time, and it has been my honor and pleasure to be his friend.

I met him like I have met some many fine folks, through a friend of a friend association on Facebook. That was at least five years ago. I am and have always been a fan of his efforts. Whether it is Armour, Belts, Buckles, Purses or Castings, each of his pieces has shown a finished quality that a great deal of artisans around the world never attain. Matthew's world is undergoing a bit of a change in location at the moment, and I was very grateful that he was able to spare some time and speak with me. Here is our interview:

(c) Matt Black Armour

Q: Who is Matthew Bayley?

A: I’m an Armourer and Bronzesmith from England. I was born and live in the city of Worcester, as a city it is steeped in history and the county itself is full of medieval buildings and churches and museums. I grew up with two artistic parents who both encouraged me to indulge my interests so from a very young age I was drawing, painting and model making. By seven years old I was casting metal soldiers in the shed and by my early teens was even helping my dad build historic furniture.

(c) Pat Patrick

Q: How old were you when you realized that being a "knight" or Man-at-Arms, was no longer a childhood obsession?

A: It took me a while to get there, I had always loved knights in armour of course and I used to see medieval tournament groups on TV when I was small (this was in the days of bucket helms and string mail) and thought i’d love to do it, I filled my sketch pad with drawings of knights but never imagined that I might be doing the same thing some day.

When I was 11 a work colleague of my mother was involved in English Civil War re-enactment and so I was taken by my parents to watch, I was naturally hooked and started shortly after. It took a while but by the time I was 20 I’d joined a medieval group as a simple foot soldier and the medieval era became my favorite period!

Q: You went to a design school. What was the name of that school and what was the first medieval anything you designed during that time period.

A: I attended two art colleges, the first was the Art and design center of Worcester College of Technology where I studied 3D design. I benefited from two good tutors while I was there: Mike Blundell who often despaired of my historical craft leanings but was encouraging never the less, and Chris Lisney who was a part time tutor but most importantly he was also a blacksmith!

It was in his forge that I made my first and only sword, a small Falchion. Shortly after with the help of my dad and some bellows from some reenactment friends I had built my first living history forge!

By the time I was studying for my degree at Hereford I had to concentrate on artistic ironwork so my historical work was mostly put to one side, but I still snuck the occasional project into the workshops there and continued doing historic forge work in my spare time.

(c) Christine Pearn

 Q: I have seen bits and pieces of Armour that you have made. Have you made a complete harness-a complete Cap-a-Pie Harness?

A:To this day I have still not made a full harness, for some years I made armour part time, as my main income was from a company making armours in resin for the film industry and live role play this meant I was just taking on small projects on the side.

I am now working on recreating the armour of Robert Lord Hungerford for a client here in England, It’s a challenging project and we’re incorporating details from a few other English sources as the client wanted to see if some unusual armour features actually work, we’re taking a bit of a risk but I like that.

Armour Pictures 

(c) Matt Black Armour

Q: From what I have seen you are or were heavily involved in the War of the Roses Reenactment Community in England.-Do they keep you motivated to create new work?

A: I’m still involved in Wars of the Roses reenactment and enjoy a battle sometimes, I've also fought in tournaments which are certainly more physically demanding than a battle.

(c) Pat Patrick

I think my real motivation has to be firstly from my clients who give me some good challenges with the projects they bring and secondly seeing other armourers work. There are so many armourers across the world producing great work and this is a spur to push my work to new heights.

(c) Stephen Moss Photography

Q: Tell us about the entire range of work that you produce.

A: I've been running Matt Black Armour for about 5 years full time now, I had the intention of producing simple munitions armour for reenactors and found myself being approached by Jousters and people wanting some pretty exacting details so I find myself taking on a limited number of projects each year that allow me to concentrate on details. I now have a client for whom I am making a Cuirass in medium carbon steel, with a velvet covering and gilded fittings, I know it will look gorgeous when done but I know I’ll be too scared to watch it being used.

Cloth Covered Breastplate.

(c) Matt Black Armour

Back in early 2011 my Dad and I created Bayley Heritage Castings, a small foundry reproducing historical costume accessories, originally we were just going to make fittings but it expanded into crafting complete belts, and even some casting in precious metals. I offer a plating service for our products too so we've made gilt bronze jewelery and high status girdles, in fact my partner Vicky has her own company Aquerna Fabricae and working with her we have produced fabric covered girdles using gilded fittings and mounts.


I was accused by one of my black smithing tutors of being a closet silversmith, I guess he just saw something that I didn't at the time!

Gilt Bronze Rings by Bayley Heritage Castings

(c) Bayley Heritage Castings

Gold and Peridot Ring by Bayley Heritage Castings

(c) Bayley Heritage Castings

Boar Badges For Richard III Supporters

Gold, Silver, and Bronze by Bayley Heritage Castings.

(c) Bayley Heritage Castings.

Q:Have you ever had a desire to Joust.

A: I would love to joust, I've had a few riding lessons in the past and ridden some horses used for jousting, I thoroughly enjoy just being around horses. Unfortunately with my work and other commitments I really couldn't devote the time and money required to bring my horsemanship up to scratch but I can still dream.

Q: Where do you expect be with your business in the future?

A: I've found being an Armourer full time to be a struggle, especially when no two jobs are the same, you learn as you go and sometimes it’s a hard lesson but I've found a good balance.

I think I can safely say that the castings business has changed things dramatically, It started small but brings in plenty of work alongside my armouring. If and when I move into other periods though I know I’m going to need an extra pair of hands to keep up!

* Editorial note: It should be annotated that Matthew Bayley and his fiancee' Vicky Binns have entered into a commercial partnership. Binns is the owner/operator of Aquerna Fabricae. She makes Dresses, Girdles, Purses, Belts, and Hats. The following photographs demonstrate how both of their remarkable talents have blended seamlessly together.

Clothing, and armour pictured were created by these two talented people.

The Girdle/Belts were made by Aquerna Fabricae with the metal parts being cast by Bayley Heritage Casting.

Belts by Aquerna Fabricae and Bayley Heritage Castings.

(c) Aquerna Fabricae & Bayley Heritage Castings.

(c) Aquerna Fabricae

(c) Aquerna Fabricae

"A commissioned gown in black on black damask with black faux fur collar and sleeve cuffs. Green damask under gown, front laced kirtle (visible lacing), silk neckerchief and headdress created by myself (Vicky Binns). Wide red leather girdle with hand cast bronze buckle, chape, grommets and studs hand crafted by Bayley Heritage Castings. Custom bronze ring frame purse, with black linen and silk pile velvet, decorated with hand made cotton Turk head tassels and a glass beaded drawstring opening was hand crafted by both Aquerna Fabricae and Bayley Heritage Castings in collaboration."

Q: Tell us something about you, that you think no one would suspect...

A: Some people who know me via social networking may be aware that I like to find time to spend in the kitchen, I love to bake cakes be it a big layered sponge or my Tennessee whiskey chocolate brownies.
I also love to make sushi, I've met people who've been on courses and ask how I do it! There’s something so cool about a neatly done Uramaki (inside out sushi roll) especially if it’s filled with Tempura Prawn or Katsu Chicken.

(c) Matthew Bayley

(c) Matthew Bayley

I would like to thank Matthew Bayley and Vicky Binns for their patience whilst waiting for this interview to come out. Thank you both for your willingness to give of your time, and to so generously share your efforts.

Matthew Bayley's Associated Web Sites:

Matt Black Armour

https://www.facebook.com/mattblackarmour?fref=ts

http://bayleyheritagecastings.co.uk/

Vicky Binns:

http://aquerna-fabricae.moonfruit.com/

https://www.facebook.com/Aquerna.Fabricae

Taking a little break.

Due to life and circumstances, I will be placing Modern Medievalist on hold for a bit. I have some personal issues that need to be addressed. Hopefully this won't be as long as a break as the last one.

Thank you for your consideration.

DS Baker