[Ansteorra] Suitable breathing armor

[Stefan li Rous]

>>>> The best alternative to linen and probably a superior product for
>>>> durability, is hemp. Though it is much harder to find and  
>>>> consequently much
>>>> more expensive.
>>>>
>>>> Haraldr

I believe the restrictions on growing hemp in the US also contribute  
to it's much higher cost here. Rather ironic that the Declaration of  
Independence or perhaps it was the U.S. Constitution are written on  
hemp paper.

While "canvas" today tends to mean cotton canvas, in period canvas was  
made of hemp. The name "canvas" points toward this. cannabis -> canvas.

It is a very durable fabric. Among other things, hemp cloth is more  
resistant to mildew than cotton canvas. I looked at making my pavilion  
with hemp canvas. The extra expense isn't too bad for a small item,  
but you need a large quantity of cloth for most pavilions.

For more info on hemp cloth, and some sources, see this file in the  
TEXTILE-ARTS section of the Florilegium:

hemp-cloth-msg    (28K)  1/26/08    Cloth and clothing made with hemp  
fibers.

Stefan
--------
THLord Stefan li Rous    Barony of Bryn Gwlad    Kingdom of Ansteorra
    Mark S. Harris           Austin, Texas          StefanliRous at austin.rr.com
**** See Stefan's Florilegium files at:  http://www.florilegium.org ****