ANST - Feathers (WAS: Re: Ostrich plumes)

[Gail P. Taylor]

I have another feather question:

When my feathers get wet, they pretty much are wrecked (this is why on rainy
days, I go around with a "plucked" hat, or wearing a pre-drowned feather).  How
does one go about dying something that's wrecked by liquids?  Are the dyes
alcohol based...and feathers don't mind this?  Or do the dyers simply know how
to re-fluff wetted feathers?

Inquiring Light Fighter wants to Know!  ;)

Isobel Hadleigh

Mike C. Baker wrote:

> Our learned and estimable collector of knowledge, Stefan,
> asked:
>
> > How else were feathers used in period?
>
> One method in which they were used was in the creation of
> symbols of rank and privilege.  In the British Isles, the
> "tugen" was a feathered cloak made of the unplucked
> but somehow preserved skins of the ducks which dwelt
> upon one specific lake.  The natural feather coloration
> was blue-black, no dye was required for the feathers
> themselves.
>
> Such cloaks were restricted as the right and privilege of
> the most advanced of the bards, filidh and ollave as they
> are named in the ancient Irish forms.  However, many of
> our SCA membership will have seen a recent example in
> use for dramatic purposes.  Recalling the _Merlin_
> mini-series, think upon the cloak worn by Sam Neill's
> portrayal of the eponymous character.
>
> While there are those who fault most aspects of modern
> theatrical works, be assured that for once they got
> something _very_ right.  The Merlin of Britain, the Taliesin
> of Wales: these would certainly have been accepted as
> wearers of the tugen.
>
> At least, such is what I have learnt in my bardic researches.
>
> Mike C. Baker
> SCA: Amr ibn Majid al-Bakri al-Amra (Steppes, Ansteorra)
> "Other": Kihe Blackeagle (the Dreamsinger Bard)
> My opinions are my own -- who else would want them?
> e-mail: kihe at ticnet.com OR kihe at rocketmail.com
>
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