More on Aethelflaed
So, after my first two attempts at Aethelflaed, I had a fascinating day with my reenactor friend Vara, talking about the garments and decorations of the period, and she showed me this photo of her daughter riding astride, but in a modern riding dress inspired by early medieval garments.
Rowanne is apparently intrigued by what I’m doing, and has given permission for me to put this picture up, showing her and her horse Lola!
I also had a chance to do a sketch of a woman in profile, wearing the right sort of veil, complete with a fillet, with the added suggestion that Aethelflaed should be wearing a bright white veil, since that would be a sign of wealth and authority, and that sleeves would have been all in one with the dress.
So, I’ve had a bit more to work with, and had another go.
This is better, I like the straighter back, and the dress covering the horse’s rump. But my goodness, if you compare her with Rowanne and Lola, she’s much too long in the body. I need to shorten her somewhat.
Furthermore, I think the horse has got too tame – back to the cross-eyed one staring out at the viewer!
But then, I think, I might be able to start playing around with placing her on the background and choosing colours for her. Which, my goodness, will be About Time!
It’s surprising how short the body is in real life – I was quite surprised going back from your design to the photograph. But how useful it is to have those real life dimensions.
If you’re intending to make the embroidery design somewhat medieval, rather than going for photographic realism, then a longer body would not be out of place. Look at mounted figures in the Bayeux Tapestry, etc. Usually very long-bodied to increase elegance and importance.
Nice to see this happening. Interesting two comments above – Iwonder where you will go…
Don’t forget that horses were smaller back then. There was work done by researchers using saddlery from the same era as the Bayeaux Tapestry and the horses were small. So maybe your rider is about right.
So interesting to have this real life reference. And surprising how long it takes to organise the design of these things. Definitely looking forward to seeing this one develop.