#Coppergate woman

[kaelula-sungwis]

norm by James Drury Via Flickr: Cast portrait ‘Coppergate Woman’ Strobist Info: Single Godox ad200 pro in medium Octabox, camera right. Feathered and fired into large silver reflector below subject

[windermeresimblr]

Get Dressed With: Kolfinna

This is something of a spiritual successor to my Paper Dolls series--something of an O.C. outfit reference sheet and a fun little walk-through of historical clothing.

Character Notes and Color Palette

Kolfinna The Dreamer is a woman of some status, as she's the granddaughter of a jarl on her father's side and a Scottish (Dal Riada) king on her mother's. However, due to events beyond her control, which will be explained later, she's living as a "poor relation" in her foster-father's hall, and therefore has to have a more modest and practical wardrobe. (She's called "The Dreamer" not for any mystical reason, but because her head is very often in the clouds...for reasons that will, again, be explained later.)

Her color palette leans more towards blues and greens, with the occasional pop of purple and yellow.

Undressed

We begin with Kolfinna in the altogether, with her hair still dressed for bed. As you can see, she's of average build, with no particular distinguishing marks or characteristics.

Underwear and Sleepwear

For underwear, Kolfinna wears a breast-band and very short braies, supplemented with sewn woolen hose.

On top of these, she wears a long-sleeved, knee-length linen shirt.

Everyday Outfit(s)

Over her undergarments, Kolfinna wears a plain floor-length woolen serk and simple leather shoes.

On top of the serk, she can wear a floor-length wool hangerock (also known as a smokkr or apron-dress). The hangerock is optional, so if she's working or doesn't expect to be "seen" by visitors, she can get away with just wearing her serk.

At this point, regardless of her outfit choices, she's combed out her braids.

For casual everyday wear, she dons a Dublin hood (also known as a Coppergate hood or Jorvik hood) over her loose hair.

Formalwear

To show off, Kolfinna breaks out a fancier, pleated serk, and wears a special indigo-dyed hangerock, as well as a long, triangular shawl. Additionally, she wears her hair in a long and elaborate braid.

Outerwear

When the weather gets cold, Kolfinna layers an extra serk under her "main" serk, with a higher neckline and longer sleeves.

She then switches out the Dublin hood for a hooded cloak, and adds a fur collar if the weather is cold enough.

Credits (In No Particular Order)

Pose and "Dublin Hood" by @danjaley | Serk and hangerock in beta by me | Braies by @sweetdevil-sims | Hosen by @oneeuromutt | Shoes by EAXIS (University Life) | Shawl by Ersch (not linking due to broken links) | Cape by SilFantasy | Shirt by @blackyssims2and3zoo | Fur collar by @murfeelee | Patterns by @simlicious (honestly--just get everything!) | "Under-Kirtle" by Sheep_Plushi

[yorkcalling]

Review: The Coppergate Woman at York Theatre Royal

Review: The Coppergate Woman at York Theatre Royal

[lykania-ribe]

With the next wave of imported glass came a growing dominance of the relatively simple aesthetic of these imported beads. The value of beads went beyond their aesthetics, as they were used to secure goods and services. The Hedeby Harbor Purse beads just as likely belonged to a man as a woman and the beads contained in the purse were more likely meant for trade than fashion. Beads changed hands via trade, looting, and inheritance. Some beads arrived from as far as Asia via Arab traders along the Volga River. Beads found at the Coppergate excavation in York included glass, jet, and cowrie shell beads from the Red Sea. Once in circulation, beads could remain there for generations. Other beads were passed on as heirloom beads.

[tuscanwalker]

York - August 27

Walking into the centre of town last night, I ran into no less than three Ghost Tours/Walks. Apparently they are very popular here and I heard one guide claim that York is the most haunted place in Britain. He cited the example of the mass suicide by fire of the city’s entire Jewish population (150) when they were trapped in Clifford’s tower by an anti-Semitic mob in 1190. I must admit that I am a bit unsure of how I feel about visiting a city that seems to be at least as popular with the dead as with the living.

This reminds me that York has closed off most of its historic center to cars during the daytime. Similar closures have been occurring across Europe for several years (e.g. Madrid, Prague, Florence) with only residents and some delivery vehicles permitted. This makes the streets much more tourist friendly and is just one more reason that I would never have a rental car in any major European urban centre. Getting around is easier and cheaper on foot or by public transport (which is quick and convenient in most places). Any time that I am travelling through a city by car and stopping for a couple of days, I usually park it in frustration and retrieve it when I leave the city. Ask my wife what fun I was in Granada with a car (“honest honey, I am absolutely sure the car will fit down that narrow street without getting stuck”, as usual, she was right) or ask my brother Don about driving with me in Florence (“never thought I’d see a woman with bigger balls than my baby brother”)

Anyway, I started today with a trip to the Jorvik (Viking name for York) Museum at a archeological site in the city centre called Coppergate. I made a reservation yesterday and was quite smug while I walked by a line of about 100 people and straight in the door. The museum is basically a Disney style ride (think Ghost House or Pirates of the Caribbean) through a reconstruction of the excavated area. Just like the Magic Kingdom, you ride in gondola-like cars on overhead tracks that take you through buildings and streets populated by animated people and animals. In this case however, there is a little more fact and a little less fantasy. Only once you have completed this orientation/education are you guided through the actual artifact galleries. Besides being good fun (particularly for the kids), it really helps to place all the “stuff” in context in an easily understandable manner. The twelve year old in me just wanted to go back and ride through again (I actually found a door labelled toilets that allowed me to do this and I still feel a bit guilty).

This brings me to my second travel tip of the day. For major sites that are likely to be crowded, I always make a reservation if possible. While people will argue that this ruins the fun and spontaneity of a vacation, so does spending 3 hours in the hot sun/rain waiting to go up the Eiffel Tower or four hours in a line for the Uffizi Gallery in Florence. I have done both when younger and even dumber than I am today. Now, I/we usually pick a “must see” and make an early morning reservation on a day that I know I will be in that city. This can also allow you enjoy some parts of the site essentially on your own. Then I leave the rest of the day more flexible so that I/we can our impulses. Alternatively, I buy a pass that covers many of the sites that I want to see, allows in/out privileges and allows you to bypass many of the lineups (Paris is probably the best of these). Always keep in mind that your most valuable resources on a very expensive vacation are time and energy! Don’t waste either of them standing in lines if you can avoid it.

After Jorvik I did a lot of wandering around and made a second visit to York Minster (you avoid the long lineup and it’s free if you keep your ticket). The people watching was fun, but a little claustrphobic on a holiday weekend. I then went to the York Castle Museum. It is housed in two old prison buildings located where York Castle once stood, one for criminals (bottom floor) and debtors (top floor) and the other for women (who were originally housed in the former, and burned at the stake for capital offences in the 18th century). The criminal section was also used to hold criminals awaiting transportation to the Americas and Australia. It was pretty fantastic for a small regional museum. It included regal reconstructions of Georgian and Victorian rooms and streets (think Ft Edmonton but indoors), a great section on the Great War and a captivating section on the prisons.

Anyway, that is pretty much my day in York. Tomorrow I am off to Durham for a day before heading to Humshaugh on Tuesday where I will start my walk.

[yorkcalling]

Yorkshire Actress Kate Hampson Joins Community Cast Of The Coppergate Woman

Yorkshire Actress Kate Hampson Joins Community Cast Of The Coppergate Woman

Discovered in a shallow pit by the river Foss, the remains of an unknown woman are displayed in a glass case in JORVIK Viking Centre in York. She is The Coppergate Woman – and she will be brought back to life in York Theatre Royal’s latest stunning community production.  Weaving Viking legends with the stories of modern-day York people, this epic new play draws on Norse myths and legends and…

[yorkcalling]

The Coppergate Woman Comes To York This Summer

The Coppergate Woman Comes To York This Summer

York Theatre Royal presents The Coppergate Woman Written by Maureen Lennon Directed by Juliet Forster and John R. Wilkinson York Theatre Royal, 30 July – 6 August Discovered in a shallow pit by the river Foss, the remains of an unknown woman are displayed in a glass case in JORVIK Viking Centre in York. She is The Coppergate Woman – and she is being brought back to life in modern-day York…

[yorkcalling]

York Theatre Royal Announces Rumours and Rebels Season

York Theatre Royal Announces Rumours and Rebels Season

Two legendary York characters, Guy Fawkes and the Coppergate Woman, come to life in the Rumours and Rebels season as York Theatre Royal spotlights characters who resist, rebel and stand up to injustice, corruption and persecution. David Reed’s explosive new comedy is about York’s most infamous rebel Guy Fawkes.The Coppergate Woman moves among the people of York, a goddess resisting the havoc…