Hello, Excelsior! This shall be a fun place to share knowledge and resources! My favourite topics will be generally found along the warhorse/cavalry bend, but all topics excite! Am reading Mallory and Duby(_A History of Private Life_) at the moment, and pick up and put down Steven's _Medieval Romance_ as schedule permits. Am hot on the trail on Andrew Ayton's book about 14th century warfare. Look forward to continuing the Ivanhoe discussion and any other! Johanna

Johanna, you find everything so easily! As you know, my areas of medieval specialties are: the Crusades; knighthood; the Arthurian mythos (esp. Mallory); IVANHOE, Richard Lionheart, and some magick & alchemical stuff. SO let's go! Amy 2

Amy/Johanna, still trying to get used to the format- so bear with me. What about Bois-Guilbert and Ivanhoe, portryals in the movie.

Excuse my ignorance, Johanna, but Steven who? (I love reading Medieval romances)

Suzanne, any medieval romances you'd particularly recommend? I admit, I'm partial to Sir Walter Scott's IVANHOE and THE TALISMAN; as far as source material, Mallory is my guy.

hi! Do I need to introduce myself again? I kind of like this format, and it'll be fun to use it again! I cannot promise to be a regular, as I'm kind of busy elsewhere, and I'm just about to go off on vacation, but I'll be looking in with interest. Just for the record, I'm a history addict, interested in herbalism, archaelogy, past landscapes, art, and many other things....

Hey Suzanne! It's actually by John Stevens, it's a discussion of the genre principally with reference to narrative fiction witten in the medieval times. A romance is first a tale. There are lot's of passages in old english and old french, but it helps me understand the times that I adore. So, A chapter here, a page there. ; ) Johanna

Thanks Johanna! Actually, I love ALL things Medieval and/or Celtic; books, movies, music, etc. Amy, I'm not exactly sure if it's a romance but I just started reading "Bard: The Osyssey of the Irish" by Morgan Llywelyn and it's wonderful. I agree with you about Ivanhoe. It's fantastic. And the movie was great, too. Ciaran Hinds as Brian de Bois Guilbert was incredible. Best part of the whole movie, IMHO. :-)

Welcome, Caroline! Glad to see you made it over here. Suzanne, you will find many other C. Hinds fans (we refer to our activity as "drooling") on this Board. So drool away!

Hi! I've long been interested in Medieval English, from Henry I-Richard III. I came to it from my studies of music history. While it's not my field, I will try to keep up with all of you. I especially like very well researched historical fiction. Any suggestions?

Rosemary Sutcliff for historically accurate Arthurian stuff (6th century); THE TALISMAN & IVANHOE - Sir Walter Scott. MISTS OF AVALON - Marion Zimmer Bradley.

would someone help me please?

Roy: How may I help you? (I can only offer cyber solutions; counseling is extra). amy

As well as a general interest in the period, I love the literature (Mallory, Dante and Chauncer particularly) and the ballads. The Pre-Raphaelite recreation and interpretation of medievalism is also fascinating - Rossetti, Burne-Jones, Morris and Siddal. The Victorian revival of interest, partially inspired by works such as Scott's Ivanhoe and other romanticists such as Hugo, is a great cultural phenomena.

What would you suggest as enlivening topics for this conference, Elena?

Hiya Elena! We seem to have an almost eerie amount in common! I too dearly love Mallory & Chaucer, Scott & Hugo!! Did you by any chance catch the recent A&E showing of IVANHOE? I really enjoyed it, though I wouldn't say it was particularly faithful to the book. The other thing that fascinates about the Middle Ages is knighthood -- its rules & Code of Cortes. That's why I love Mallory's take on Arthur the best -- he emphasizes the warrior part of the warrior/monk. Welcome to this Board!

Hello. I am currently studying Medieval History at University. I am currently working on an assignment about the changes in marriage laws and customs and how canon law affected it. It's fascinating and at times hilarious stuff. Since I first saw the 80's Ivanhoe with Anthony Andrews and Sam Neil I have been decidedly hooked on the period. I am also interested in all things Arthurian.

Nice to see you dropping by... Welcome!

hi people, this is my first time in the medieval conference....anyway, thought i'd branch out a bit!

and as your new, poetry hostessing self!

yeah, thanks for the help wer. now i don't know where to begin! *smile* kinda like moving into a new house. and how are you this fine evening?

somewhat tired...and you?

kinda charged up (from know some things *wink*)

good girl...*happy face*

(not saying that those things made me elated or anything) *tongue hanging out and tail wagging*

wait, that didn't come out right...wasn't being sarcastic. ok, here: it was rather unnerving, but i'm ok with it now. better?

I think so, 'cause you sound better...*wink*

hey, if it's what is wanted, then...who am i to stand in the way (as if i would)

(you did read your juno mail, right?)

nope...not today... I guess this means I should, huh?

uh-huh, cuz i think you're missin' what i'm saying sweetie *grin*

I gots an idea, but you right, I'm missin' the specifics!!!

read it, quick, hurry....i gotta go soon...

ok, i gotta hit the sack. (we had the usual 4th picnic and i ate too much-as usual). wer, email me. talk to you later!

(sigh) poor, dead conference (it is a shame)

It is one of my favorite things to read about. Perhaps I should give it more time and effort. Don't kill it!!!

well nick... stop lamenting and post here once in awhile!!! (nice to see your name in print here again)

Well, pump it up. There must be some medeivalists out there.

...thinking....(also have Geo to pump and CF's Birthday extravaganza is in 2 days)...may have to wait till the week end...

Man, http://www.firth.com (or http://www.colingfirth.com take your pick) will be partyin' down!

Did we ever...*grin* Excellent timing for your Screwed Drool topic...!

Did y'all get wild and crazy?

Hmmmm....something medieval in Drool, I suppose.

Terry, I think you need to check, but you'd have to change from telnetting to Windows. Actually, since his agent was informed of our "party" and there was always the chance of his lurking, we were rather more subdued than we were for Gi's bridal shower on 72. That got down right suggestive, as was appropriate in such circumstances. (I wonder how many ladies have learned html programming just to be able to post things for him and for other Drooleur enjoyment. Must be a pretty good number... Elena, HOTPig would fit right into medieval and drool at the same time, I think!

Terry, since we are on the subject (of our Lancelot AKA Colin Firth), a big thank you for starting cf.com last year. You are appreciated! Grazie mille di cuore!

I prefer to think of him as Galahad. Betray his best friend and King and cause the round table to disintegrate? Nevah! I think of him (ODB) as pure of heart and mind, despite his making the terrible "P" movie! Hi, Moon!

Why don't y'all organize a chat with Colin Firth on firth.com sometime?

We have tossed that question around many times and have always come to the conslusion that he is a very private person who is not comfortable with doing anonymous conversations with unknown fans. When the ladies of Drool went to London to see him in a play last year, he was the very essence of kindness and patience, and many otherwise level-headed Firthians came away with a thrill of a life time. They will be back to London after the first of the year to relive the event. However, I think that is as close as he will get to know all of us.