Setting the Damon Free
I have lately been working like mad on all of my 14th Century English studies, first and foremost being my latest Canterbury Tale. I might mean that literally. In addition to studying specific details that apply to the current character portrait, I've also been getting more in-depth with the day-to-day details of life in Richard II's England.
I've got a pretty good grasp on the money and economic system in London, but I'm trying to find out how it converts into French economy, and the exchange rate of some of the more common trading countries. (Afterthought: isn't this the kind of thing people write a thesis on?)
I've sadly determined that the name "Damon of Scarborough" would be nice, if I were peasantry, but being the second son of a baron, at the end of the 14th century, I should be using a family name at this point. Need to find one that matches my traditional naming patterns...
I've also tried to determine exactly what style of which materials that Damon would wear to indicate his exact social standing, without breaking the era's sumptuary rules. And, Damon being Damon, he's trying to push the edges of that to appear more prosperous than he really is. It's all about that social ladder.
I've been researching and collecting maps of England, and London specifically, to keep my own charts. I've even started overlaying historical landmarks onto Google Earth, so I can keep track of where Damon should be at any given time. FYI, locating the 7 (or 8) gates of London on a MODERN map is interesting...
Gradually, as I keep going in my studies, my New Road pieces will be more and more assimilated into the daily culture of the time period. Between the New Road projects, and the novels I've working on/planning that take place in the same time, I'm getting a decent perspective of seeing things through Damon's eyes.
All in all, good progress. Keep an eye out for my next character portrait at Winter AS 2013, and then, I start working on my first Tale.
Bones?
I've got a pretty good grasp on the money and economic system in London, but I'm trying to find out how it converts into French economy, and the exchange rate of some of the more common trading countries. (Afterthought: isn't this the kind of thing people write a thesis on?)
I've sadly determined that the name "Damon of Scarborough" would be nice, if I were peasantry, but being the second son of a baron, at the end of the 14th century, I should be using a family name at this point. Need to find one that matches my traditional naming patterns...
I've also tried to determine exactly what style of which materials that Damon would wear to indicate his exact social standing, without breaking the era's sumptuary rules. And, Damon being Damon, he's trying to push the edges of that to appear more prosperous than he really is. It's all about that social ladder.
I've been researching and collecting maps of England, and London specifically, to keep my own charts. I've even started overlaying historical landmarks onto Google Earth, so I can keep track of where Damon should be at any given time. FYI, locating the 7 (or 8) gates of London on a MODERN map is interesting...
Gradually, as I keep going in my studies, my New Road pieces will be more and more assimilated into the daily culture of the time period. Between the New Road projects, and the novels I've working on/planning that take place in the same time, I'm getting a decent perspective of seeing things through Damon's eyes.
All in all, good progress. Keep an eye out for my next character portrait at Winter AS 2013, and then, I start working on my first Tale.
Bones?