Outside Links Related to Blackshires

Organizations

		The Guild of Saint Michael St. Michael's Guild is an affiliation of six military reenactment organizations and an Academie of Military Science. The Guild exists to present a united effort to entertain and educate the public at the Southern California Renaissance Pleasure Faire. Each of the seven groups within St. Michael's Guild have a different focus on renaissance military reenactment and together create the look and feel of a real military camp from England's renaissance. Check out the pages on English Reenactmemt Blackshires is one of the member-groups within the Guild and represents the main force of the English infantry in the regiment.
		The Army of O'Neill The Army of O'Neill is an Irish reenactment group that is a member of the Guild of Saint Michael. This group focuses on Hugh O'Neill and his fellow Irishmen during the period leading up to the Irish Rebellion of 1598.
		The Border Horse The Border Horse is a reenactment group portraying light calvary from lowland Scotland. The Border Horse or reivers operated around the lands joining Scotland and England.
		The Guild of Saint Ives St. Ives Historical Society is California not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting an interest in the lifestyles, arts, and crafts of the Renaissance era and an awareness of how our history shapes the people we are today. They seek to make history come alive by making it personal, rather than a recitation of dates and famous personages. Like St. Michael's Guild, St. Ives is also a guild at the Southern California Renaissance Pleasure Faire. Their focus at the Faire is to recreate the middle class townsfolk of the Faire villiage.
		The Queen's Court The Queen's Court is the collection of performers and reenactors specializing in recreating Queen Elizabeth's court at various faires in Southern California, including the Southern California Renaissance Pleasure Faire.
		Lively Arts History Association Walter and Sheila Nelson organize educational and entertaining events in a variety of time periods and themes. They are often looking for quality performers and educators to assist them in their efforts.
		Bankeside Schole of Defense The Bankeside Schole of Defense is an historical stage combat school, located in Southern California, that is dedicated to the study of European swordsmanship with an emphasis on Italian 16th century rapier fighting. We train in regular classes using replica weapons and techniques learned from existing 16th century manuals to further our knowledge and expertise in this almost forgotten art.

Renaissance Fairs and Reenactment Venues

		Southern California Renaissance Pleasure Faire The Renaissance Pleasure Faire has long been considered our main event for the year. Preparing for, and participating in this eight-weekend event occupies our attention from January through the end of June each year.
		Rileys Farm Located in Oak Glen, California, Riley's Farm is a real working farm where families can go to pick fruit, enjoy a day in the country, and gain a glimpse of life in a variety of time periods. The Rileys are avid Living History enthusiasts who love to host reenactment and total-emersion events. Blackshires organizes a "Renaissance Military Campaign" at Riley's Farm each year. Blackshire's Campaigns are total-emersion reenactment events where particpants strive to stay in character and period camp lifestyle for the entire weekend - day and night. The Military Campaign is a private event, but the public is invited to wander through the camps and visit with the soldiers and camp followers.
		Age of Chivalry Renaissance Faire The Age of Chivalry Renaissance Faire is an annual event held in Las Vegas, NV. Reenactment groups throughout the nation come to participate at this event. This faire also hosts a Celtic music festival.
		San Diego Renaissance Faire The San Diego Renaissance Faire is an event held in September by the Creative History Center for the Perfoming Arts.

Information Resources

		Faires.com A Self-proclaimed extensive guide to Renaissance Faires, Medieval Festivals, and Olde English Reenactments around the world.
		Elizabethan Jewelry A basic overview of jewelry among the various social classes.
		Marc Carlson's Homepage at TU A "Work in Progress" site that contains "World History According to Marc Carlson". There is a wealth of information available on the site that you will undoubtedly find useful. Please double check the information available here with primary and secondary information sources before you take it as gospel, though. Some special topics of interest may include his Historical Coinage, Measurements of the Middle Ages, Origin of the Names for the Days of the Week, Elizabethan English, and " Making Stuff" (mostly leather work) pages.
		Renaissance, the Elizabethan World A Reenactor's guide to many things Renaissance from an SCA perspective. Here you can find a downloadable Compendium of Common Knowledge, as well as guides to Heraldry, and Sumptuary Statutes.
		The Renaissance Tailor This site is a wealth of information about 16th and 17th century clothing. It lacks many of the illustrations that it needs, but don't let that stop you from visiting and learning from the information they have to share.
		RenFaire.com This site is a resource for everything renfaire. It is not a site for a specific faire, but rather a reference for all faires and particpants.
		Academy of European Medieval Martial Arts This site has a wealth of resources concerning European fighting styles. Much of the knowledge at this site is still applicable to Renaissance weapons fighting.
		Elizabethan Costume History and Technique An online resource for Elizabethan England's clothing and jewelry styles by class.
		Military Pages Listed below are links to web pages that have specific information concerning pike units during the time of Elizabeth I. The Military of the Day The Elizabethan Trayned Bandes The London Trained Bands: 1572 to 1647

Vendors

		Lundegaard Armoury Some of the swords and knives are accurate enough for Blackshires members. Their rapiers are generally more ornate than most, but still within the range of what is acceptable for a wealthy character.
		Museum Replicas Museum Replicas is a popular source for weapons among reenactment groups. They carry a fairly wide variety of swords, daggers, accessories, as well as some armour. Their weapons have been proven to hold up well in reenactment battles due to their soft-temper. Highly tempered blades may hold an edge better, but tend to shatter when hit hard or repeatedly.
		Salmander Armoury Jim Hrisoulas is a world-renouned bladesmith. His blades are considered by many to be the very best you can buy. If you are looking for a real sword - I mean a real sword - this is the place to look. If you want a sword for reenactment battles, tell him - he can put a softer temper on the blade so that it will stand up to more of the abuse that reenacters dole out.
		Starfire Swords Limited Starfire broadswords hold up to a lot of abuse because their blades are dense and heavy. They are not the highest quality, and the designs are simplistic, but if you are looking for a sturdy, "basher" broadsword, this site is as good as any.
		The Sword and the Stone Tony Swatton and Jody Sampson are famous arms and armour makers whos work has appeared in numerous top-budget movies. They can create the highest quality fantasy and historical weapons and armour.
		Valentine Armory Valentine Armouries has been carefully hand crafting historically accurate, custom fitted replica armours for over 21 years. Not only does this site contain weapons and armor, but also period clothing and tents.