1570's Inspiration

1570's is when Countess Margaret was a lady in wait to the Queen, so I want to have something lovely in this decade.

I love this hair piece, so I can't wait to make a lovely cap and wear it!

Here is a close up of the cap, gosh don't you wish we

could get the back of the portrait?

The Queen herself in a lovely altered gown in green. It has my thoughts racing! French Styled Gown, I am sure that there is also a kirtle under this gown, and I am thinking to find something in green, or I am sure I have something in my Stash(tm)!

Onto the English Fitted Gowns~

I love this effigy and I really want to make sleeve caps like this

More later!

Ciao

Faire Season 2012~ Persona Information!

Margaret Clifford, Countess of Cumberland (the real one!)

My Name is Margaret Clifford and I was born Margaret Russell, I was born July 7, 1560. I was was born in Exeter, England to Francis Russell, 2nd Earl of Bedford & Margaret St. John. I really don't remember my Mother who died when I was 2 years of age. While I do have an older sister Anne, my Father did not know what a 2 year old child, so he sent me to live with is his Sister Alice Elmers in Lilford, Northamptonshire. I grew to 7 years within the loving home of my Aunt, I had a happy childhood, although I did miss my Aunt and her family when my Father brought me home to Bedford. I then studied with my older sister Anne, what a good girls of standing should; embroidery, reading and writing, dancing. We were also taught to play musical instruments and accompany ourselves with the music of our times. We also knew how to ride horses, and I even owned a peregrine hawk. I became part of Queen Elizabeth I's Court as a Lady in Waiting for Her Majesty, where my father intened me to find a good husband. I met my future Husband, his name was George Clifford, 3rd Earl of Cumberland. We had her Majesty's permission to wed and we did when I was 17, on 24 Jun 1577, St. Mary Overies, Southwark, England. Unfortuneately, Geroge was not my true love nor was I his, and he cheated with several ladies. I, after giving him 3 children, my 2 sons Francis (1584-1589) and Robert (1585-1591), who died before reaching majority, and my joy Anne, could not longer bore his wandering attentions and in 1591 I left him. I took our daughter with me and we were made welcome with my Sister Anne, whom had married the Earl of Warwick and was now widowed, in Austin Friars.

I should have known George would not make my life easy, since I left him, he 11 hours before his own demise on 30 Oct 1605, he decided to change his will and cut his lawful heir his own daughter from his will and gave all of his estates to his brother Francis and his heirs male the family estatesand monies to his brothers. I was resolute that my daughter would in fact inheirit her fathers holdings. On 12 Oct 1607, Anne and myself were denied entrance to to Skipton Castle. I spent the rest of my life working to obtain for my daughter's rightful inheritance.

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I guess I should state I am not new to the Faire circuits, I have been part of the Ren Faires since 1975, as a patron and I began working faires in the capacity of an Interpretor for the Deaf, from 1987 to 1997.

This is a new chapter as I am happily gearing up to work with the St. George Guild

and I am creating a gown or 2 so that I can have fun and look the part.

I purchased some awesome fabric from England during our visit at the Original Re-enactment Market or TORM. I was at a place called "Chateliane", and they do not have a website so I can't show you anything, which is a pity, so here is a photo of the fabric, I have 2 meters and I know I can make sleeves and a Forepart of this material. I am also going to pearl this during the winter months. I have Dove grey velveteen that will be the gown portion. I am going to make this gown in the 1570's look,

I am also making an English Fitted Gown. I will be using Tudor Tailor's pattern and I will have to find out what colors I can use, but I am thining of making a Kirtle in Gold or Gray damask and the Gown in either Green or Black.