Echna's Celtic Re-Enacting Bibliography

I am quite willing to lend out books or papers that I have, as long as they're returned in a reasonable amount of time. The one exception is the paper by Mistress Lughbec ni Eion. She specifically requested that I not distribute it to other people.

• Clothing and Weaving
• Natural Dyeing and Leatherwork
• Tablet Weaving or Card Weaving
• Irish Law or History
• Celtic Culture
• Celtic Mythology and Spirituality
• Celtic Art
• Assorted Crafts and Cooking
• Meadmaking and Cordials
• Dover Series Books
• SCA Books and Publications
• Periodicals, Magazines, Journals, and Other Articles

Clothing and Weaving

• Prehistoric Textiles : The Development of Cloth in the Neolithic and Bronze Ages
  E. J. W. Barber / Paperback / Published 1991
  A college-level textbook for anyone interested in any sort of fiber crafts (sewing, spinning, weaving, felting, etc). Barber traces the origins of various techniques through Europe, Egypt, and parts of Asia and the Middle East.

• Women's Work : The First 20,000 Years
  Elizabeth Wayland Barber / Hardcover / Published 1994
  This isn't nearly as long nor as detailed as the Barber's "Prehistoric Textiles", however, there is quite a bit of information in this work not covered by that textbook, and it is presented in much more entertaining commentary. This book has some information on how to extrapolate and refine theories from research evidence.

• The Development of Costume
  Naomi Tarrant / Paperback / Published 1994
  Very few books can be useful to more than one time period or region of historical costuming research. This volume is one that is. The book starts out with a short discussion of skin garments, works through early peplos or bog-style dresses, and continues through the various centuries to modern clothing. It touches upon fabric weaving styles, various types of fabrics, stitches and alternative fastenings, cutting methods, differences between male and female clothing, ect. There is no in-depth coverage of any one particular topic, but the varied nuggets of information would be of use to many different re-enactors based in general European or Early American cultures. I would suggest this book as an invaluable starting place for new garb makers.

• Dress in Anglo-Saxon England
  Gale R. Owen-Crocker. I have several chapters (introduction, 5th-6th century for female and male clothing, clothing construction, bibliography) in one spiral bound volume. Again, like the Danish book, this is most useful to show what neighboring cultures wore to extrapolate what Irish clothing looked like.

• Dress in Ireland
  Mairead Dunlevy
  I have the first two chapters and the definitions/bibliography in one spiral bound volume. Also bound in the same volume are several chapters from "Old Irish and Highland Dress" by H. F. McClintock. Both these works are the core of information that most re-enactors use to design authentic Irish garb.

• On the Manners and Customs of the Ancient Irish
  Eugene O'Curry
  Lectures from Volumes I and III - Dress and Ornaments. This is a collection of Victorian university lectures by Proff. Eugene O'Curry. He translated sagas and myths and religious manuscripts, examined artwork and archaeological remains, and otherwise used reputable sources to write a series of lectures for his classes. I collected all the lectures revolving around clothing and personal adornment in one spiral-bound volume. This is one of the few Victorian sources that is reputable.

• Medieval Finds from Excavations in London #4: Textiles and Clothing 1150-1450
  Crowfoot, Pritchard, and Staniland
  This is one of those "In every costuming expert's library" books, unfortunately it is out of print. I have the complete text spiral bound. Wrong period, and wrong island, but, there is useful information even for my research - spinning, weaving and sewing techniques, information on different fiber types, pictoral examples of different stitches, etc.

• Embroiderers (Medieval Craftsmen)
  Kay Staniland / Paperback / Published 1991
  While it covers styles well outside our period, this is still a good resource for information on period needlepoint techniques. It's also filled with gorgeous photographs with detailed close-ups and explanations of how each stitch was accomplished. This is a great book for inspiration on how elaborate designs can be crafted from a few simple stitch choices.

• 101 Needlepoint Stitches and How to Use Them
  Hope Hanley
  This is a thoroughly modern book on needlepoint, but, every once in a while I find it useful for how to decorate my garb. Endless lines of herringbone or blanket stitches get boring after a while.

Natural Dyeing and Leatherwork

• Traditional Scottish Dyes
  Jean Fraser / Paperback / Published 1998
  A modern book with information that can be used for period dyeing. It recommends thoroughly modern mordants (dye color fixatives) though there is some reference to ammonia (period by way of urine) and alum (which may or may not have been early period, but, was at least medieval). It discusses various native and imported plants, traditional ways to dye with them, and how to get specific color variations. Includes bits of folklore about the plants and dyes, regional customs, etc.

• The Art and Craft of Natural Dyeing : Traditional Recipes for Modern Use
  Author: J. N. Liles / Paperback / Published 1990
  This is considered one of the "must-have" books for SCA and other historical dyers. Detailed sources of dyes, how to color different fibers (with a special focus on plant fibers), and modern ways to achieve a period look. Written by a 1750's pre-Revolutionary War British/American military re-enactor, so, some of the dyes refer to North American plants and minerals. However, there is plenty of information for the Medieval dyer as well. The author also has a strong Chemistry background, so much of the science behind the dyes are explained.

• The Make-It-Yourself Shoe Book
  Christine Lewis Clark
  This is an excellent reference detailing how to make footwear without depending on complicated professional equipment. It was written back in the 1970's, and shows how to make sandals, moccasins, shoes, and boots out of leather. Discusses equipment, materials, soling, stylistic choices, etc. Of invaluable use to working out how to make period shoes by understanding how to make footwear in general. It's out of print, but somewhat easy to find through used book sources.

• Ancient Danish Textiles from Bogs and Burials
  Margrethe Hald
  I own the whole book spiral bound in 3 volumes. If there was a work like this on Celtic clothing, there would be *no* garb questions, but, there's not. However, much information is useful to Irish clothing of the same time, and the book covers every element of period leather and fiber crafts, from spinning and weaving to examples of how various garments from various times were sewn together, to what the shoes and leather clothes looked like. It is technically still available from the publisher (National Museum of Denmark), however, I find it impossible to actually GET.

• Primitive Shoes
  Margrethe Hald
  One chapter, about 4 or 5 pages, about traditional Irish pampooties and other types of leather shoes. This is spiral bound with the text to one chapter in the book "Gold Over the Furze" (a collection of journal articles) with the chosen article "Traditional Dyestuffs in Ireland" by Brid Mahon. This is the best source of re-enactor information on dye plants used in Iron Age and Medieval Ireland. A concise article packed with loads of information, this is a common bibliographic reference in books on Irish clothing and dyeing.

Tablet Weaving or Card Weaving

• The Techniques of Tablet Weaving
  Peter Collingwood / Paperback / Published 1996
  This is a wonderful book that teaches how to tablet weave, as well as providing a hisorical perspective of how tablet weaving was used both as a part of the fabric-weaving process, and to create straps utilized in a variety of ways.

• Cardweaving
  Candace Crockett / Paperback / Published 1991
  Little history, very detailed teaching instructions. The best book to learn from. Has some patterns, shows examples of modifying basic patterns to create new ones.

• "Card Weaving or Tablet Weaving"
  Russell Graff / Spiral-bound / Published 1986
  Basic instructions, no historical information, but, 53 separate patterns! Black and white photos of what each pattern should look like. Many have a suitably "period" look

Irish Law or History

• Sex & Marriage in Ancient Ireland
  Patrick C. Power / Paperback / 1993
  This mini paperback breaks down the Brehon laws detailing relationships between men and women and children, the laws of fosterage, marriage and divorce, cross-cultural relationships, etc. Very comprehensive for its tiny size.

• Early Medieval Ireland 400-1200 (Longman History of Ireland)
  Daibhi O Croinin, et al / Paperback / Published 1995
  A basic history of Ireland during the 400's to 1200's. Covers all the major cultural and political events (St. Patrick and Christianity, Viking Invasions, Norman Invasions, etc). The hardcover version recently went out of print.

• Cattle Lords and Clansmen : The Social Structure of Early Ireland
  Nerys Thomas Patterson / Paperback / Published 1994
  A fantastic book on the history and legal ideas in early and middle medieval Ireland, based on research into the Brehon laws, legends, and surviving records. A perfect guide for people looking to model their groups after the original ways. Every concept and definition presented is thoroughly documented (or, it's explained why not)!

• An Age of Tyrants : Britain and the Britons, A.D 400-600
  Christopher A. Snyder / Paperback / Published 1998
  Covers the Britons, British Celts, and Anglo-Saxon invaders during the time just after the collapse of the Roman Empire (and its withdrawl from Britain). Includes information on Gaul and Rome's occupation of Continental Celtic areas. This book attempts to measure the actual "degeneration" of British culture, law, and politics during this time. It suggests the idea that much of it was simply reversion to earlier, equally effective ways, rather than a real loss.

Celtic Culture

• The World of the Celts
  Simon James / Hardcover / 1993
  The leader of our group calls this the "Idiot's Guide To Being Celtic", because it covers all the most basic questions new re-enactors ask about Irish history and culture. Once you've read it you have enough education in the basics to advance to the more complex topics in other books.

• Barbarian Warriors : Saxons, Vikings, Normans
  Dan Shadrake, et al / Hardcover / Published 1997
  This book covers the dress, tactics, temperament, and equipment of fighting men in Britain from the Roman occupation to Norman times. It has an entire chapter dedicated to Irish and Picts. One of the things that makes this book so valuable is that it's crammed with full color pictures of hardcore re-enactors who have constructed equipment from the time period ranging from shoes and tunics to helmets and swords.

• Rome's Enemies : Gallic and British Celts (Men-At-Arms, No 158)
  Peter Wilcox / Paperback / 1985
  This is one of the Osprey Publishing Men-At-Arms books. They're short books dedicated to covering specific time periods in military history among different cultures. This one is dedicated to the Celts of Britain and Gaul, who were the neighbors of and influential towards the Irish Celts. It starts with a timeline of Celtic history, works through various positions in society, and expands into the weapons, armor, and accoutrements of the Celtic Warrior. There are several color plates in the center of the book showing warriors from different regions and time periods.

• Arthur and the Anglo-Saxon Wars (Men at Arms, No 154)
  David Nicolle, Angus McBride (Illustrator) / Paperback / 1984
  Similar to the above book, but, it covers the cultural setting of the historical figure King Arthur is based on. It presents the time period we re-create and highlights the differences between the Romano-Britons, Welsh, Irish, Picts, and Saxons both in text and color plates. Includes a detailed discussion of the weapons and armor in use at this time.

• Rome's Enemies : Germans and Dacians (Men at Arms Series, Vol 129)
  Peter Wilcox / Paperback / 1984
  Again, similar to the other Men-At-Arms books, but, it covers the movement of the Germanic tribes through Europe and Britain before and during our period. This is my source for my only bit of information about the Wends, the Germanic-Slavic tribe who formed part of the Anglo-Saxon settlement of Britain, and the origin of my person's father. Has some good bits of information on 5th Century Anglo-Saxon and Continental Germanics.

• The Archeology of Early Medieval Ireland
  Nancy Edwards
  Chapter 5 - Craft, Exchange, and Culture. This covers period pottery, wood products and tools, leather goods, clothing, bone/antler/horn, metal-working, glass and beads, and stone. This is spiral bound into the same volume as "A Social History of Ancient Ireland" by P.W. Joyce. Volume II, chapters XXII (Dress and Personal Adornment) and XXVI (Trades and Industries Connected With Clothing). This covers hygiene, clothing, accessories, and details about clothing production such as spinning, weaving, and dyeing.

• Women of the Celts
  Jean Markale / Paperback / Published 1986
  Okay, this is sort of a tricky book, but, I got it for free...it was written by one of those feminists with an agenda, which was that the Celts were shiny and happy and loved and respected women, and isn't it so terrible that men are inhibiting women in modern society? However, alot of the information about women in the book is fairly incorrect, from what I've been told by others more in the know. If you don't mind wading past the women's studies tone of the book, it can be quite...interesting to read, regardless.

Celtic Mythology and Spirituality

• The Tain
  Thomas Kinsella (Translator), Louis Le Brocquy (Illustrator) / Paperback / Published 1983
  This is the story of one of the most famous Irish warriors - Cu Chullain, the great cattle raid, and all the legends that surround it. Druids, Gods, heros, and warriors in an epic struggle for life, fortune, glory, and honor. This edition is not a re-telling but a translation of the original texts containing the myths.

• Celtic Myths and Legends (Myths of the World)
  Charles Squire / Hardcover / Published 1994
  This is a collection of Irish and British-Celtic myths, how they compare to other cultural myth cycles, and how they eventually developed into the Arthurian legends. A very interesting book, with lovely color artwork. It's written to be very readable - it is a collection of stories rather than a dry historical work. There is plenty of factual information to learn from this volume.

• Celtic Christian Spirituality : An Anthology of Medieval and Modern Sources
  Oliver Davies (Editor), Fiona Bowie (Editor) / Paperback / Published 1995
  I'm not playing an Irish pagan within my group, instead I'm the token Christian. This is my first attempt at finding a book that would help me portray a period Christian. It doesn't provide all the information I need, but, is interesting nonetheless. Has a bit of a 'New Age/Christian' tone to it. While most of the prayers are "post-period" for me, there are some really nice ones that can be adapted to any occasion.I t includes translations of stories, prayers, letters, and other religious writings from the earliest days of Christianity in Ireland to today.

• Pagan Celtic Britain
  Anne Ross / Paperback / Published 1997
  This book breaks down the various types of Celtic deities recorded in the British Isles and Ireland, how they are inter-related, regional variations, specific archetypes etc. There are seperate chapters on the Horned God archetype, the Warrior God, Goddesses, Animals, ect. This is a must-have book for anyone interested in the druidic elements of Celtic culture.

• Celtic Goddesses: Warriors, Virgins, and Mothers
  Miranda Green / Hardcover / Published 1996
  A frank, thorough, and refreshingly agendaless book covering the various mythical women of Celtic legend (both divine and mortal) combined with extrapolated theories on real womens' positions in society based on their mythical counterparts. It's NOT another "New Age" or "Women's Studies" manual determined to show Celtic women as full equals to men in ancient times. I'm not even an armchair anthropologist, so, I don't know how sound the author's theories are, but, she tends to be fairly well-respected in the related circles.

Celtic Art

• Celtic Art: The Mechanics of Construction
  George Bain / Paperback / Published 1973
  This "artist's notebook"-style book is a great source of secondary and tertiary Celtic art, and is probably as close to an original source as any non-scholar/non-traveller will ever get to! Have you ever wondered where those stock Bull, Boar, and Horse images you may have seen endlessly repeated on merchants' item after merchants' item actually CAME from? Just check page 113! This is not an organized book with easy-to-look-up references. I marked mine with sticky notes for the best pages!

• Celtic Art: Symbols and Imagery
  Miranda Green / Paperback / Published 1997 This book studies the Celtic culture by way of the art it left behind, reconstructing bits of the cultural history, mythology, social structure, all through art. A reference for Irish, British, and Continental Celts. Pagan and Christian artwork pictured and analyzed. Gorgeous color photos on nearly every page.

• Celtic Art and Design
  Iain Zaczek
  This is an oversized book with color plates and text information on famous examples of Celtic art from a wide range of media (illuminations, chalices, weapons, accessories, etc) and time periods (prehistoric through Iron Age, Viking Age, and later). Full-color museum photograph plates of these items.

• The Celtic Art Source Book
  Courtney Davis / Paperback / Published 1989
  Discourse on some of the most recognizable symbols of "Celtic" line art, as well as black-and-white and full-color examples, as drawn and colored by the author. Some are exact reproductions, others interpretive examples. I find this book most useful as a color guide for filling in stencil patterns and line art from the various Dover Publishing books. It is a pretty book on its own merits.

• Early Celtic Art
  Ruth and Vincent Megaw
  A lovely book with black-and-white pictures and line drawings of Iron Age Celtic artwork, in Ireland and Britain. Pre and Post Roman styles. This whole work is spiral bound into a single volume with a few chapters from "Costume and Fashion" by Herbert Norris. "The Celtic Age", "The Celts of Ireland", "History of Silk From the Earliest Times to A.D. 1600", and "The Britons of the Dark Ages". I did NOT copy the chapter on Roman clothing, which I should have done!

• The Book of Kells : An Illustrated Introduction to the Manuscript in Trinity College Dublin
  Bernard Meehan / Paperback / Published 1998
  The "Book of Kells" is an Irish illuminated manuscript that dates back to sometime around the eighth century AD/CE. Examining the figures in this work provides a wealth of pictoral evidence about Celtic culture, including the clothing.

• Celtic Body Art
  Aileen Marron / Paperback / Published 1999
  I enjoyed the book as far as the basic suggestions went, and the six transfers that were included with the book were very useful. It would have been vastly improved had there been more information on where to buy body-art supplies (temporary tattoo paint, henna, woad, etc) BESIDES through the author's company. Also, I found the ice-cream pastel colors and rebelliously trendy models a bit overdone as far as basic book design. For pure "information", the book is decent, at best.

Assorted Crafts and Cooking

• The Land of Milk and Honey : The Story of Traditional Irish Food and Drink
  Brid Mahon / Paperback / Published 1998
  This is a discourse (without recipes) of how the Irish cooked their food throughout various periods in their past. There is information on the Bánbhianna (white meats) - dairy products the Celts were so fond of, as well as techniques for pit boiling meats. Very interesting from a historical perspective, with discussions on the variety of foods eaten.

• Natural Baskets : Create over 20 Unique Baskets With Materials Gathered in Gardens, Fields, and Woods
  Maryanne Gillooly(Editor), et al / Paperback / Published 1992
  A basic book on how to weave a variety of baskets (from tiny pine needle baskets to large vine styles) with an assortment of materials. This is not a period resource, but, it teaches what you need to know to make baskets in the first place.

• "Ireland's Traditional Crafts"
  David Shaw-Smith / Paperback / Published 1984
  Description to be added later.

• "Bone, Antler, Ivory & Horn"
  Arthur MacGregor
  I have all but one or two chapters from this book copied into one spiral bound volume. This is a fantastic book that shows all sorts of accessories and household items made from the title materials. There's even an example of how a single antler would be cut up to make various smaller items. The book has no (few?) photographs, but the line drawings in it are very detailed and useful.
• "The Poolbeg Book of Traditional Irish Cooking" by Biddy White Lennon. I have the complete text copied of this rather interesting book. It's not a period cookbook, but it contains modern recipes based on plants, meats, and shellfish available during various periods in Irish history (from the earliest primitive natives to high medieval times). It combines cooking and history in one enjoyable volume.

Meadmaking and Cordials

• Brewing Mead: Wassail! In Mazers of Mead
  Robert Gayre / Paperback / Published 1986
  This was the first serious book on brewing and meadmaking that I purchased, and it's a lovely book. It includes a complete history of mead, ale, and beer, and modern and ancient recipes to reproduce these drinks. Very informative, and one of the must-have books of meadmakers everywhere.

• First Steps in Winemaking : A Complete Month-By-Month Guide to Winemaking (Including the Production of Cider, Perry and Mead) in Your Own Home
  Cyril J. J. Berry / Paperback / Published 1994
  I do not own this book, or know anything about it. However, it is one of the books I will be purchasing in the next few months as I get involved with making cordials and mead.

• How To Make Quality Liqueurs & Cordials at Home
  Brent T Huesers / Unknown Binding / Published 1994
  This is a pamphlet describing how to reproduce 10 of the most popular liqueurs and cordials used in modern drink mixing. The introductary information is useful for anyone wanting to make cordials using fruits or herbs, pure extracts, and spices.

• Classic Liqueurs: The Art of Making and Cooking with Liqueurs
  Cheryl Long and Heather Kibbey / Culinary Arts, Ltd. / Published 1992
  This is thin but information-packed book. Includes chapters on both fruit and non-fruit liqueurs (brewed tea, coffee, and cream cordials, spice cordials, etc), the basics of liqueur-making, and ways to serve or cook with liqueurs. Also information on how to make liqueurs that taste like name-brand mixers. This is a better single reference than the "How To Make Quality Liqueurs and Cordials at Home", though each has seperate information and differing recipes than the other.

• "Guidelines to Practical Winemaking" by Julius H. Fessler. This came with an inexpensive winemaking "kit" I bought my husband years ago. It has a mead recipe or two in it.

Dover Clip Art Books

• Celtic Designs and Motifs (Dover Design Library)
  Courtney Davis / Paperback / 1991
  103 illustrations of spirals, step and key patterns, interlacing and knotwork, and zoomorphic animal images designed to be used as borders, triangles, circles, corners, or featured images. Useful for metalworking, leather, wood carving or burning, embroidery, weaving patterns, graphics, etc.

• 159 Celtic Designs (Dover Pictorial Archive)
  Amy L. Lusebrink / Paperback / Published 1993
  Somewhat more detailed images than the Courtney Davis book mentioned above, but, basically a companion or alternate collection of Celtic images. Useful for metalworking, leather, wood carving or burning, embroidery, weaving patterns, graphics, etc.

• Celtic Animals Charted Designs (Dover Needlework Series)
  Ina Kliffen / Paperback / 1996
  43 zoomorphic and biomorphic images of Celtic-style animals charted out (with recommended thread or yarn colors) for counted cross stitch, needlepoint, knitting, crochet, card or tablet weaving, or other charted methods. Animals (regular bodies and interlaced) only.

• Celtic Charted Designs (Dover Needlework Series)
  Co Spinhoven / Paperback / Published 1989
  386 spirals, step and key patterns, interlacing and knotwork, and zoomorphic animals and people. No thread color charts. Useful for for counted cross stitch, needlepoint, knitting, crochet, card or tablet weaving, or other charted methods. This book also has a simple system of showing how the images evolve into each other from one shape to another. This starts with the simplest of check patterns and works through to the end of the book with human and animal figures.

• Celtic Cut & Use Stencils : 61 Full-Size Stencils Printed on Durable Stencil Paper
  C. O. Spinhoven / Paperback / Published 1992
  This is a great book if you want a wide selection of stencil patterns that are very inexpensive. The low price has a drawback - you have to cut the stencils out yourself, and you have to preserve each one. There are a handful of large figures, including a mounted man, a peacock, and different interlaced men. Then, there are knotwork border stencils, and knotwork and interlaced animal stencils. Finally, there is a set of spiral shapes that can be manipulated to make a variety of triskelles and other spirals. The stencil borders are designed to be interchangable with each other for the widest possible range of applications. They can be used for home decorating if you choose.

• Celtic Borders Laser-Cut Plastic Stencils
  Spinhoven, Co Spinhoven / Accessory / Published 1995
  Four plastic stencil images of short knotwork that can be repeated as many times as needed to create decorative borders. Only one of the images looks "early" enough for my time period (interlocking spirals), but, all four are perfect for Christian Period, Viking Age, and later!

• Celtic Motifs : Laser-Cut Plastic Stencils
  Charlene Tarbox / Paperback / Published 1997
  Eight plastic stencil images of Celtic animals. There are two dog images (full-body dog and a knotwork pair), two bird images (full-body raven/crow, and a knotwork pair), one full-body horse (winged?), one full-body boar, one lion's head, and one twisty "S" shape that could be anything from a snake to intertwined ducks! As with the laser cut borders, they're just past period for the time I'm involved with, but, they're perfect for Christian Period, Viking Age and later. I used the horse stencil on some items because I could not find a suitable stencil anywhere else. I would suggest this set for anyone looking for Celtic totemic motifs, or who re-enacts in the appropriate time periods.

Odds and Ends

• The Smallest Slavonic Nation
  Gerald Stone
  This is most likely not of interest to anyone but me, but, hey...why not list it? It's a post-period history of Lusatia or Sorbia, the home of a Germanic-Slavic people known as the Wends. This is a source of persona research for me, as my father will be of Wendish extraction (part of the Anglo-Saxon settlement of Britain).
• Call of the Wood Pigeon
  Richard Roche
  This is a children's book that was written in both Gaelic and English, about a monastery in pre-Viking Ireland. Could be useful for providing gaelic terms for some things. It's only a few pages long. This is spiral bound into the same volume as the complete "The Vision of Mac Conglinne" by Kuno Meyer - a direct translation of an epic Old Irish tale.

SCA Books and Publications

• "The Known World Handbook". The introductory guide to being a participant in the SCA.
• "The Fighters' Guide". Information on fighting bouts and battles in the SCA. Includes "The Marshalls' Handbook", which is information on running bouts and battles.
• "The Chiurgeons' Handbook". Information on patching people up who've been fighting, in the SCA :).
• The Kingdom Seneschals' Handbook. Information on managing the paperwork of the SCA.
• "A Book Of Bibliographies For the Arts and Sciences in the Current Middle Ages" by Elizabeth Bennett. Recommended books in a wide variety of art or science categories. Perfect starting work to bring to the library for Inter-Library Loan requests!
• "Rules For Submissions of the College of Arms of the SCA". How to submit a device or badge :). Pretty basic.
• "Forward into the Past" An Introductary Guide to the SCA. One of the many pamphlets on how to get started, including some basic garb and equipment tips.
• "A Miscellany" (8th Edition) by Cariadoc and Elizabeth. A collection of articles by a famous SCA member, covering everything from recipes to researching and maintaining a persona, and constructing various types of equipment.
• "Early Period #3" by David and Rebecca Wendelken. A homemade early period re-enacting newsletter from the late 80's. Long out of print. This issue covers mostly Norse and Roman personas, with directions on making a Celtic Peanut Shield, Norse names and garb, Roman breads and sandals, natural dyes, how to make a Sutton Hoo Cithara (early lyre), etc.
• Papers on various craft topics (wool spinning, silk spinning, Irish clothing, making a hair net, naalbinding directions, etc)
  • "On Critical Research and Documentation" by Mistress Nicolaa de Bracton. Web document.
  • "On The Writing of Articles in the SCA" by Mistress Nicolaa de Bracton. Web document.
  • "Netting for Hairnets" by Mistress Nicolaa de Bracton. Pennsic class handout.
  • "Early Period Clothing Styles" by Ragnheithr visakona Thorbjarndottir. Web document.
  • "Mid to Late Period Garments of the Irish Nobility" by Mistress Lughbec ni Eion. Research paper with accompanying illustrations and pictures.
  • "Early Irish Costume" by Aeruin ni hEarain al conamara bho (Pat Pierce). Tournaments Illustrated article.
  • "The Theory and Practice of Rennaisance Celtic Costume" by Mairghread-Ros FitzGarret. Tournaments Illustrated article.
  • "Pennsic Desperation Garb letter" by Ann Riley. Color photocopy of personal correspondance with fabric samples and watercolor sketches of several basic types of Celtic clothing (the original, with the fabric scraps taped to it, appears to be missing).
  • "Lesson in Naalbinding: Scarves, Wimples, and More" by Larry Schmitt. Stapled booklet.
  • "Lessons in Naalbinding: Border Embellishments" by Larry Schmitt. Stapled booklet.
  • "Lessons in Naalbinding: Mittens, Mitten, Mittens" by Larry Schmitt. Stapled booklet.
• Back issues of "The Compleat Anachronist"
  • #4 - Indoor Games
  • #14 - Costuming to a "T"
  • #16 - A Compleat Herbal
  • #20 - Barbarian Cultures
  • #27 - Herbs II
  • #36 - Early Scandinavian Culture
  • #53 - Cosmetics
  • #57 - A Viking Miscellania
  • #59 - Women's Garb in Northern Europe (450 - 1000 CE)
  • #60 - Alcoholic Drinks of the Middle Ages
  • #75 - Vestarios: Clothing of the Eastern Roman Empire
  • #87 - Spinning with a Medieval Twist
  • #98 - The Lord Chateleyn's Men

Periodicals, Magazines, Journals, and Other Articles

• "A Chieftain's Costume: New Light on an Old Grave Find from West Norway" by Magnus Bente. Photocopy from a NESAT report.
• "The Analyses of the Textiles from Evebo/Eide, Gloppen, Norway" by Inger Raknes Pedersen. Photocopy from a NESAT report.
• "A Reappraisal of the Archeological Evidence for Weaving in Ireland in the Early Christian Period" by Brian Hodkinson. Photocopy from the Ulster Journal of Archeology. This discusses the theory that warp-weighted looms may not have been as common in Ireland as people usually credit them to be.
• "Lagore Crannog: An Irish Royal Residence of the 7th to 10th centuries AD" by Hugh Hencken. This is a journal publication from the 1950 edition of the Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy in the department of Celtic Studies. Covers a complete dig of an artificial island (crannog) that was established just before the Viking Age. Covers every element of the goods and materials producted on the island, excepting the actual dwelling (which seems to have been burned down several times).