Batavia library goes medieval
The meeting room of the Batavia Public Library became a stop along a time travel journey Saturday.
Members of the Fox Valley Chapter of the Society for Creative Anachronism presented a historical overview of the Middle Ages through displays and demonstrations of medieval fighting and dance. There was also a lecture on the "Black Death," or the bubonic fever pandemic that occurred in the 1300s.
The event was held in conjunction with "One Book, One Batavia 2008," and featured the mid-14th century European settings of the "Doomsday Book," the 2008 One Book selection.
The ladies wore gowns representative of the times, the lords were in full battle gear with armor and helmets that weighed up to 20 pounds.
"Our members study any art or science of the Middle Ages, which can be between 600 and 1600," said Dori Becker of Batavia. She is the group's chronicler and a circulation clerk for the Batavia library.
Bearded Jim McAdams of Aurora, who is the group's exchequer, or treasurer, said he concentrates on the age of chivalry and honor.
"I've always been interested in history," he said. "You can learn certain things by reading, but you learn more by experiencing it."
McAdams has been a member of the local group for six years, and a member of the national Society for Creative Anachronism for 10 years. He experiences life in the Middle Ages with the national group through a yearly two-week, August camping trip in Slippery Rock, Pa.
"You sleep in tents and your shower is whatever water you can pour over your head," he explained. "When you get back, you appreciate air-conditioning and flush toilets more than you'd ever believe. But it's fun and I enjoy it."
"The society encourages a broad spectrum of activity," said his wife, Lynne McAdams. They met as members of the society. "It's like an adult show-and-tell. We don't require gender-based activities and we want children to learn. Sharing can encourage learning."
Dressed in a kirtle, an English garment worn by ladies between 1380 and the late 1500s, Lynne was demonstrating how to make wool fabric. She made her gown from a blend of cotton and linen.
Nita Lewis of Kenosha, Wis., was displaying herbs and spices which she said could be found in the garden or spice chest of Elizabethan homes. She was wearing a 12th century style gown with silk sleeves, and a wimple, or fitted hood.
"I call it medieval sunscreen," she said of the wimple.
"These herbs and spices could be used to flavor foods, or they could be used as medicine or for perfuming," she said of her display.
"Cinnamon, cloves and citrus fruit were locked up, they were status symbols," she explained. "It took at least six months to get them from the Middle East."
The Fox Valley Chapter of the Society for Creative Anachronism meets the third Tuesday of the month at the Aurora Community Center.
For information, call (630) 750-0965 or visit www.foxvale.org. For information on the national society, visit www.sca.org.