[Ansteorra] need source for real lye soap

[Stefan li Rous]

On May 7, 2010, at 8:54 AM, kris hoffman wrote:
> 
> If anyone wants to go the real true blue route and use lye from the remains of burning wood, I have tons of it :)  Just let me know before I clean the pit out again!!
> 
> Cheers!
> Mirabelis

Is this ash from soft or hard woods?  Apparently there is a preference for lye/soapmaking although I don't remember which right now. I would bet on hardwood ash being preferred.

Has anyone done any research on the period uses for wood ash?  Here's your source of actual material and it might make a good article. I'd be interested in such an article for the Florilegium. I believe they were used for cleaning. I assume because of the lye they and water would create and the abrasiveness of using the wet ashes to rub with.  Would work on armor, although it wouldn't work too well on clothes, at least I don't think it would.

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 ****