This section is for giving hints on the ways of life for a typical Westerlundishman, information that doesn’t necessarily fit in anywhere else.

  Us and Them

  The majority of folk don’t go in for journeys.  The majority are bound to the lands they work.  Travel to their mootplace may happen weekly; visiting the nearest borough is a memorable event.   Most never leave their shire.  Excepting pilgrimage, trading or war, the perils of travel are too great.

  The average Erlundishman best knows his neighbors, whose parents were also his parents’ neighbors.  Everyone in a village or hundred knows just about everyone else by sight, and quite a number are related in some fashion.  In good times, they build social ties, and they rely on each other in times of crisis.  For many, the thought of being outcast from their community is unbearable.

As a result, outsiders are quickly noticed, and mistrusted.  After all, they could be spies, bandits, criminals on the run, or plague-carriers.  Churchmen are often as not trusted if not necessarily warmly welcomed.  Harpers and such gain more of a welcome, for they promise entertainment and gossip. 

 Attitude 

  Life is hard for the Erlundish.  As in all lands, most people grumble at their taxes, at their lords, at the weather, and at their neighbors; many are ambitious and aspire to greater things.  In every shire and nearly every hundred there are the greedy, the niggardly, those whose joy lies in cheating their fellows.

  But as a rule, faithful service brings satisfaction.  Though he grumbles at the giving, the baker is truly proud of a well-made loaf the thegn takes from him.  What’s more, reputation is everything – the respect of neighbors not only earns him business and aid, it gives him a store of oathworthies to support his claims in court. 

  Most everybody is beholden to someone greater in station.  To have no lord for protection would strike fear into most Erlundish; the lords protect and govern the common folks, who in turn take care of the nobles – and a certain level of respect is afforded each to the other. Order is important, and folk do their part to maintain that order, by helping to hunt down lawbreakers, by respecting, feeding and following their leaders, and by adhering to the standards of conduct held by society. Everyone knows their place in society, which affords both peace of mind and security, and though many seek to better their positions, most are in large measure content with their lot. 

  Food

     Drinks

There are any number of variations, but here are the most common beverages (in approximate order of cost)

Water is imbibed as necessary, but since contamination is a common threat, alcoholic drinks are much preferred.  Only ascetics and the poorest of poor drink water exclusively.

Ale is a common (sometimes the principal) drink made by fermenting barley or other grain.  It has a shelf-life of less than a week before it goes off.  Typically has 4-6% alcohol content.

Beer is more bitter than ale, but it can hold up for considerably longer, depending on how it is stored.  It is uncommon, since hops are rare in Brighland.  may have half the alcohol of ale, but may have more.

Bragot is a mixture of ale and honey, flavored with herbs. 2-3% alcohol.

Milk is rarely used outside of ceremonial occasions and for medicinal purposes; it’s mostly used for butter and cooking.

Cider, also called applewine, is very sweet and, at 15% to18% alcohol, very potent.  Other fruits may be added to the mix, and cider may be used to sweeten ale or wine.

Mead is made of fermented honey.  Because of its relative scarcity and sweet taste, mead is a drink of status, served by the rich and generous. Usually carries 10% alcohol.

Wine is mostly imported, although the Nyst Valley is known for wine production.  It is a rather expensive, noble beverage, and is served to the rich by the rich.  Wine is sometimes watered-down to sell more cheaply.  Alcohol can run up to 20%, although the 8-12 range is much more typical; outside of the Nyst most Erlundish wine can't manage more than 4%.  

For other ideas, look at the following site:

http://www.regia.org/brewing.htm

http://www.shu.ac.uk/schools/cs/teaching/sle/Book/drinkgloss.htm

http://www.regia.org/food.htm

  Meals

  For most people and most days, people take two meals; dinner is just after  midday , and supper is in the evening (usually after the Hour of Brison, or the 18^th hour of the day).  On some holy days and at other times a dawn meal may be taken.  The very poor and very pious may make due with only one meal in a day.

As would be expected, Erlundish meals vary depending on the status and wealth of the household.  In poorer homes and most monasteries, porridge, soup or stews along with bread and cheese would make up a typical meal.  In noble homes and wealthier abbeys, meals are served in two or more sendings (courses).  Bread, butter or soft cheese, and meat in some form (baked in a pie or stewed being common) would be the first course, followed by a course of fish and vegetables.  Baked fruits and sweetened breads are then served for dessert.

Feasts are naturally more elaborate, with more food and finer ingredients.

  For other ideas, look a the following sites:

http://www.regia.org/food.htm

http://www.regia.org/feasting.htm

Clothes

  Long-sleeved tunics, falling more or less to the knees and belted at the waist are the most common fashion for males. The attire of the rich adds a linen under-tunic with fitted sleeves, and may include a hem that nearly brushes the ground.  Beneath the tunic were close-fitting woolen trousers, sometimes wrapped with leather to protect the calves; beneath the trousers the man wears a linen loincloth or short breeches.  In Westerlund more than Midlund, the fashion is turning towards fuller trousers, cross-gartered to the knees. Ankle-high leather boots are the typical footwear.  Cloaks are typically a large rectangle or triangle of wool or leather, clasped at one (usually right) shoulder (In Midlund, half-circle cloaks are increasingly common). Head coverings include hoods, leather or wool Phrygian-style caps, or furred caps (in cold weather), but are not frequently worn.  Men wear their hair past their ears to past their shoulders (close-cropped hair is only for thralls and Anjervans).

    Women

  Women’s garb begins with a linen (or wool for poorer folk) shift (called a kirtle), and fine wool stockings. Over this is a long woolen gown.  Rich and poor alike wear vivid colors (blue, yellow, green and violet being the most common dyes taken from the landscape), although wealth allows more intricate patterns and ornamentation. Cloaks are in the manner of men’s, thought often of finer wool.  Ankle boots, dyed and (for the wealthy) stamp-ornamented are standard.

  Women, particularly young maidens, wear their hair long and loose; plaited or bound in head-nets or caps are also common.

  The clothes of the poor are cut more simply, allowing them more freedom of movement.

Thralls wear whatever their masters provide, from cast-off tunics to sacks; in the heat of summer a loincloth or a worn shift may be all the adornment a thrall gets.

  For other ideas, look a the following sites:  

http://www.octavia.net/9thclife/Clothing.htm

http://www.adamastor.za.org/chronicler/stormtidings/archive/garb/saxongarb.html

   Weapons and Armor

  Most thegns will have some war weapon – a sword if they have one, a spear or axe if they don’t – with them as they travel about the shire; it is a sign of status and obligation.  However, few wear body armor except under the threat of imminent combat.  Armor is heavy and bulky, and the warrior who wears a coat of mail all the time will be worn out when an attack does come.  Add this to the fact that many citizen-warriors don’t even possess more than a shield and a leather cap, and it comes as no surprise the gleam of mail is noteworthy to a farmer.  A group of men riding up in battle dress will raise an alarm in the nearest burh or village.

http://www.regia.org/listings.htm

Rings, particularly gold rings, are more than simple adornment; they show a bond to a higher authority.  A warrior who impresses his dryhten may be awarded with a ring as a sign of his lord’s faith.  The ring also symbolizes the warrior’s oath of support for the dryhten, representing the truth and honor of the pledge and the man who made it; many warriors will swear future oaths on the ring.  To have a dryhten demand the ring back is a humiliating dishonor from which some never recover.

 Men of the cloth have a reputation for truthfulness, nonviolence and being above secular concerns.  Being human, most fall short in some respect or another, but in general, a traveling brother can expect hospitality and fair treatment, even in warring lands.  Few would do injury to a clergyman for fear of Dominus’ wrath – and the retaliation of the Communa and all faithful.