The Barony of Ayreton, in the Middle Kingdom, invites you to join us for a day of Scribal artistry and Brewing science.

Site is WET, must present valid state issued ID if you are 21+ and wish to be able to sample the Beverages throughout the day.

See below for our Class offerings

Visit our Website at http://midrealm.org/ayreton/monkslife/index.html

General Schedule of the day

Class Descriptions

Scribal Classes

• The Perfect Scroll Case and How to Make It – The Honorable Lady Elaine Ladd

A sewing tutorial on how to make scroll cases that will be used and welcomed by all scribes.


• Creating Calligraphy Cadels – The Honrable Lady Heather Marie Hall

A class in creating and embellishing the ornate capital letters used throughout medieval calligraphy.


• Beginning Illumination for the Complete Klutz – Lady Byrgithe Muller

There's a wonderful secret that opens the door to instant success for brand new scribes, and this is it: tracing is entirely period! You don't have to be an artist to create beautiful illuminated initials. Even your very first painting would be a welcome donation to the barony's scroll blank collection.


• Beginning Calligraphy for the Complete Klutz - Lady Byrgithe Muller

Do you look at beautiful scrolls and wish you were able to make those pretty letters... but your handwriting is atrocious? The great news is that calligraphy is closer to playing with LEGOs than fine art! If you can stack building blocks, you CAN do calligraphy. $10 beginner kits, or just come and try out a loaner pen.


• The Golden Ratio: What is it, and why do I care? - The Honorable Lady Roana Aldinoch

Learn what the Golden Ratio means to the medieval mind. Then, learn to lay out your illuminated pages like a medieval monk, using the Golden Ratio as your guide.

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• Scribal Hacks: A panel discussion/demonstration – Dame Jocelyn of Lutterworth

Repurposing, making it cheaper and making do to complete your scribal toolbox.


• Excruciatingly Basic Calligraphy – Baron Wilhelm Michalik

Think you can't do calligraphy? Whether you're a true beginner or an illuminator who wishes to broaden your skills to include the calligraphy side of the equation, there's something for you in this class. Together we'll shed the apprehension that holds you back from this half of the scribal arts. I will help you break down the Gothic hand to basic components, and give you the tools with which to develop further.


• Unorthodocs, what really makes a scroll – Lord Brynn Herleifsson

A discussion of the tradition and hard requirements of scrolls in the Midrealm and a slideshow of 'alternative' and unusual scrolls.


• Playing with Gold Leaf – The Honorable Lord Justice McArtain

Setup, making gesso, and making the gold stick and shine.


• Blinging up Your Scrolls – Lady Saraswati man Ikkam

An introduction (make and take) to jewel shading. The step by step of painting lifelike pearls, jewels and other blingtastic items.

Brewing Classes

• Your First Brew Day - The Honorable Lord Aethelwulf of Dover

Equipment needed to make your first batch of brew for extract brewing with a discussion about the upgrade to full grain brewing.


• A Simple Starter Hard Cider – Sgt. Gareth Ostwestly

What you need to make a simple hard cider. Handout included.


• Homebrewed Soda Pop: An Easy Intro to the World of Brewing. – Baroness Gianetta Andreini da Vicenza

Making your own soda pop is easy, fun, inexpensive, and quick. We'll cover the basics, taste some sample brews, and talk about historical context and how non-alcoholic brews could be used in an SCA feast context. Handout included.

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• Cordials in period: a round table discussion – Baroness Nadezda ze Zastrizl

Let's get together and discuss things we've tried, things that we've worked on, things that have failed, and share some recipes and samples. I will have copies of what I have learned along the way, including history of cordial making, to share as well as some recipes of my own and some samples to get things rolling.


• This History of Hops – The Honorable Lady Roana Aldinoch

Explore the path of the ubiquitous hops. Where were they used, when, by whom, and why. We'll explore the use and cultivation of hops, their natural growing environments, and how all of that affected their use in beer in Medieval times.


• Women in Brewing History – Baroness Jane the Tall



• Bring Your Best - Baron Henry of Exeter

A roundtable discussion and an opportunity to share what you have been making and get feedback from your fellow brewers and vintners.

Monastic Life Classes

• Introduction to the Rule of Benedict and Monastic Life – Abot Johann von Metten




• From the Desert to the Cloister – Abot Johann von Metten

A look at the genus of monastic life during the early and high middle ages.