Thank you for writing in. I thought your comment to very interesting. Sharing what we are doing gives us all of us some insights on what we could be doing. The link about Anglo-Saxon embroidery has reassured me both that my under-tunic is correctly cut, and that I may use some circular or knotted designs to decorate it correctly. I really like the site. I am so glad you enjoyed it. You mentioned jewelry. I'm still working on several questions. Did Irish women actually wear large amounts of gold? Did they actually wear large globes formed of gold - hollow ones, an inch to three inches in diameter - in their hair? The only book I ever found the balls in was.”A Social History of Ancient Ireland", the larger version written about 1900. Many books of that time were based and poor research and in general not taken to be a good resource. I have read the book. It has footnotes. You need to ask Master Finnican because he has done extensive research on Irish dress. If it is real he should have found something. The book talks about Gold jewelry and backs it up the mention of gold jewelry in the records and the great number of gold object found in the Dublin Museum. In the Book of the Dun Cow the fairy king Labraid is described as having " an apple (ubuill dir) at the end of his hair and Cuculainn is described as having "spheres (cuache) of gold at his tow ears into which is hair was gathered." The Da Derga describes Eochaid Feidleach as seeing a lady with her hair in two tresses each plaited into four locks with gold balls on the end of each. There are e a number of golden balls found at the National Museum. These are direct items, of course. I find the manners and behavior to be much more fun as an expression of my persona. Most especially, the importance of generous hosting, breaking bread, and giving gifts. I do the same. Gift giving was very important to the early periods. When Master Lloyd was king he gave a magficent bracelet to a master of arms and the Master of Arms was upset because if you are given a gift and you cannot give something back you must work out your debt. There was a famous Skald that came home from viking and found that his wife had received a gift for him. A handsome large shield. The account said he was very angry because now instead of resting he would need to write a praise piece about the person and the Skald didn't like him. I always give guest gifts. I am offended if I give a Baron or a Baroness a guest gift and they do not acknowledge that I have done so. There was a Baroness of Welsh origin who acted like I was giving her tribute when I gave her guest gift. I was so offended I never went back to her area. Culture makes a persona. When one passes a person who is clearly wearing a noble's circlet or crown - say, walking about the encampment - is greeting them with a title only polite - or is a curtsy or bow of recognition in passing sufficiently polite. First I would like to comment that not all bows are period for any ones persona. The deep curtsy is not what early peoples did. I don't have the chapters form the Social History book but it went into detail on how early Irish showed respect. I remember something of interest. Because in Early Ireland people sat on the ground a person would show respect by rising up a knee. How much you did would indicate the rank of the person. In general a simple bending of the head is good enough. You are supposed to recognize the individual because at one time they were the symbol, the living embodiment of a people and kingdom. As such if you are in a 10 foot distance from them you are suppose to acknowledge their presence. They on the other man are not required to acknowledge yours. It is nice if they give you a nod but never has been required. The 10 foot rule was applied in Atenveldt and carried on in Ansteorra . The original rule did not (as far as I know) apply to landed or court Baron and Baroness. By the way, bowing to the throne in the SCA dates back to a Middle King Faelin?? who just wanted to be a good one boy so he made everyone bow to the throne not him. I do not know if has ever been an historical practice. Willow _____________________________________________________________ Click to find great rates on medical insurance, save big, shop here http://track.juno.com/s/lc?u=http://tagline.untd.us/fc/Ioyw6iifSXsjl1wjZwaxDKPeAvzVfbbOXz2xtlnLuHp2Qf9NIEZiJj/