Middle Ages Magazine

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Byzantines? warning!!!!!!!
Who?
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Hear YE!
WHO’S WEARING HEAR YE!
WHAT?
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aRTIST appreciation
dEFENDER
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CONTENTS
Elainor of Acquitane
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14
kING cAPTURED
ROBIN HOOD
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hERO IN SHEEP’S CLOTHING OR
mS. lOVETTE’S MOCKERY OF THE CROWN
TAILOR SHOP

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BYZANTINES? WHO?

It all began in 330 when the Roman Emperor moved

the capital from beloved Rome to Byzantium, and

hence began the Byzantine Empire. Due to its loca-

tion at the entrance of the Black Sea, Byzantine had

both sea and land trade routes in their grasp, from Roman Emperor Constantine

west and east Asia. This created a beautiful mix of

eastern and western culture in the empire. They

picked the perfect location to defend from invaders Thus, came Heraclius who ruled from 610 CE
due to the Balkan Mountains protecting them. As you to 641 CE. Forced to take upon the burdens of
know, the most important factor when running an his predecessor, Heraclius revamped the mili-
empire is location, location, location.
tary power and paid for it by eradicating cor-
However, once the Roman Emperor Constantine
ruption within his circle and heavily increasing
passed on May 22, 337 AD, Emperor Justinian came taxes. He also created more money, literally,
to power, ruling the empire from 527 to 565, and by putting less gold into coins, and creating
conquering Italy and Southern Spain with strategic more coins in quantity. However, these efforts
e and ruthless prowess. All this for Justinian’s vision of were to no avail as wars with Arabic and Slavic
a restoration of Roman glory under his rule. During forces wound the empire profusely, and reduces
his rule, Justinian extended the Byzantine Empire
the territory once claimed by Byzantine armies
in all directions; North to the Danube, into the east drastically. Now, with his back against the wall,
through Asia, Syria and Palestine, and into the west Heraclius needed to do something big, some-
into Egypt, North Africa, Italy, and Southern Spain. thing that could bring more soldiers into the
However, with all this new land, Byzantine was
fight whilst keeping costs low. Therefore, Hera-
never a stable empire as it made many enemies who clius implemented the theme system of govern-
regularly knocked on their door. Persian, Slav, Arabic, ing. Land was granted to farmers for the cost
and Turkish armies weakened the Byzantine Empire in of those farmers providing soldiers to the army.
integrity, and with the lacking revenues that Justinian Each district of land was known as a theme and
was constantly worrying about, he was struggling to this system allowed him to remain in power of
keep up with military expenses. Upon his passing as Asia (Minor). These soldiers were also more ef-
of November 14th, 565AD, a new emperor was to fective because they had skin in the game; their
be crowned.
own land was always on the line.

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WARNING

THE PLAGUE STRIKES

Hear Ye, Hear Ye
Beware of The Pestilence!
If you or a loved one are suffering the pestilence it may be from an imbalance of the
four humours: Black bile, yellow bile, blood and phlegm. Make sure to contact a doctor
right away to schedule a proper blood- letting to rebalance those humours!
Other possible treatments include:
Rubbing herbs or onions on the boils
Drinking Arsenic, Mercury or Vinegar
Purifying the air of the home by burning herbs
Remember the pestilence is dangerous and many have fallen victim. Don’t be next!

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Who’s Wearing What
Byzantine Style
Raphael’s Gospel
8 Marks
Gold and jeweled Circlet from Raphael’s Gospel
with a design inspired by the crown of thrones
from the bible itself.

Chariot

12 Marks

An elegant Sideless Circuit from Chariot,
featuring an U-shaped cut at the hem and
gold embroidered floral pattern, a very bold
choice as opposed to an opaque Circuit.

PROMISEDLAND

10 Marks

A lavender embroidered figure-fitting gown
from PROMISEDLAND, emphasizing the
high status of the lady in the colours chosen. A
gown fit for such a fashionable lady.

SPINAE

3 Marks

Gold beaded elastic hairties from SPINAE

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Hear Ye Hear Ye
Pick the wrong clothes to get out of the bed,
The king demands “Off with your head!

Ladies, you’re going to have to dress
according to the position of your
fathers and husbands from now on.
Also, make sure to not wear veils above
twelve pence in value if you’re the wife
or daughter of a servant. Remember,
showing class is the new trend, and
you know we have to be on trend, that
might as well be another law.
Furs are now exclusive to the women
of knights and they have a rental above
200 marks per year. That’s right, flaunt
the fur ladies, be proud of your title.
However, don’t be too proud. Make
sure not to wear gold clothes or sable
fur, or velvet, or satin, or ermine. You
got linen and cotton, what more could
a lady require?

Now if you’re the lady of a labourer, oh boy, you have even
less options, but don’t worry, Squire is here to inform you
of what is and is not ok. Make sure to not wear any clothes
that look or are expensive. If it looks nice, it’s not for you.
Absolutely no garments decorated with silver, that’s a
death sentence for your social standing.
Now, ladies of all classes, remember, Gold and purple silk
is only for the royal family and if it’s imported by a for-
eigner or by a Lombard, it is strictly forbidden. Keep the
royal family a family, no outsiders allowed, just how God
intended.
Do make sure that your man never wears shoes with
spikes or points that are longer than 2 inches. It would be
a shame if that were the reason for his decapitation.

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This Week in :

ARTIST APPRECIATION

Vie et Miracles de Saint Amand, painted by Saint Boudemond is present this week in Artist
Appreciation. It portrays Saint-Amand after 1150, sitting with Saint Baudremon inscribing a
scroll seated in golden chairs, signifying their importance in the eyes of God. Though not having
the Divine Right of Royalty, the golden glow around the heads of the saints signifies their love of
God and God’s love for them, how they glow in his eyes. A truly magnificent Christian piece.

The piece also illustrates the dress of our time, with missionary bishop Saint Amand wearing a
dalmatic and chasuble over his alb. Saint Baudremon wears a modest and simple tunic, empha-
sizing his humility as a man of God.

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KING RICHARDS I
CAPTURED !?!?

After our knights defeat on
their crusades to take back
the holy lands at the hands
of Saladin, our beloved
King Richard I Lionheart
was captured on his way
home. His ship flung off
the coast of Venice and he
was captured by the Duke
of Leopold before being
given and ransomed by the
German emperor Henry
VI. With a huge ransom
of 150,000 marks paid, our
King is on his way home.
Let us rejoice and pray that
our king makes it home
safely.

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Februrary 1194

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ELEANOR

OF AQUITAINE

Interview by Christina

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How prepared were you to become Queen
of England? It seems like quite the whirl
wind to go from Queen of France to Queen
of England in less than two years.

Today we are sitting with one of the most It definitely was, after King Louis VII and I had
powerful and wealthiest women of or separated I regained possession of Aquitaine
time, Eleanor of Aquitaine. Daughter of and had to fight off his attempts to marry me
William X, Duke of Aquitaine, you grew up to some high-ranking French nobleman. I be-
highly educated before becoming queen lieve it was two months after we separated that
of France and then queen of England, I married the then Count of Anjou and Duke of
your son is also one of our heroes King Normandy, Henry. It was exciting that not even
Richard I Lionheart. two years later after the passing of King Stephan,
Let’s talk a bit about your childhood. It is that we ascended to the throne.
told that you had quite the active lifestyle It seems fair to say that you and King Henry II
and were quite the avid horsewomen. had a more successful marriage but a private
As my father was Duke of Aquitaine and I one, any secrets you would like to share?
was made his presumptive heir at age 5, my
father was persistent in making sure I was Well, we did have eight kids. Need I say more?
ready for life at court. He was sure I was well Any pet peeves?
versed in literature, philosophy, and languag- Well, not long after we separated a couple of my
es. As a girl I did very much enjoy an active sons got me involved in a plan to overthrow their
life and was the avid horsewomen, I miss be- father. King Henry II did not take kindly to this
ing able to ride my horse freely in the warm and locked me up for quite a few years, 1173 to
1189 to be exact.
Your first marriage was with King Louis VII, What are you most proud of?
it seems you did a lot of traveling together, As a mother it makes me so happy to see my
leading the second crusade. children succeed. Watching Richard become
We very much enjoyed seeing the holy land, after his father passed was an especially proud
so very few women have had the opportunity moment and I am so excited to see him come
to do something usually considered a male home from the third crusade.
domain. Those two years flew by seeing the
sights. Unfortunately, the traveling really One final question for you. What is
highlighted our differences and we annulled your biggest Complaint?
our marriage in 1152. He was so unhappy he It’s so bloody cold here in the North! It took a
didn’t get a male heir, as if it’s my fault. woman from south to invent the built-in fire
place, they are now all the rage you know. Every-
one who is anyone must have one.
Thank you so much for talking with me
Eleanor of Aquitaine.

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New Movie:

ROBIN HOOD

GET THE LOOK
Robin Hood

We see our main Robin Hood ready to fight for our
Holy Land in his beautifully crafted chainmail armour,

cloak and sword at his side.

Lady Marian

Our leading Lady Marian is seen here dressing
very provocitivly with her hair unveiled as a

married women, but you can also see her smock
peeking out from her long gown. We can also see
she is following the latest trends with a gown that

has fasteners, allowing us to see her waist.

King John

Here we have the Bad King John seated on his throne.
We can see his positon through the finery of his

clothes, with the embroidered fabrics used to make his
tunic.

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Sir Godfrey

We see one of our villians Sir Godfrey dressed in
his battle regalia. We can see his status as a high
noble through his expensive
chainmail armor and fine tunic and cloak.

King Richard

Here we see King Richard the Lionheart rushing into
battle. We see him wearing his helmet with a crown
showing his title as king, as well as his embroidered
red tunic and chainmail underneath.

Eleanor of Aquitaine

We see Eleanor of Aquitaine is wearing a veil with
a circlet showing her status as wealthy and married.
She is also wearing a gown and cloak with extensive
embroidery befitting of her title.

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