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Post by Sir Didymous LaRoth on May 18, 2012 20:53:03 GMT -5
So, Sir Didymous, my primary persona is portrayed as being highly educated, puffed up, slightly ridiculous at times, ill tempered and with a demeanor modeled loosely on King Edward I. Kael Mac Fergus is a bit more brutish and less educated, some what well off (though the wars with England have affected his trade relations with the lowlands) and most certainly not chivalrous (knighthood in general was not recognized in the highlands in his era).
Now I'm building a renaissance kit for a lower merchant class Scotsman from the early 1600's. The kit is going together rather quickly, but I'm not sure how to handle the portrayal. I was considering someone a bit more friendly this time, and maybe even polite.
Any input would be appreciated.
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Post by Frere Reynald de Pensax on May 23, 2012 0:40:23 GMT -5
An intriguing topic this one; and one I've been giving some thought to. At the moment I'm writing a book on the Combat of the Thirty, and part of my text is devoted to class distinctions and attitudes in the 14th century: how they had evolved by this date and how they differed in England from France. After the Black Death, the feudal aristocracy had to re-evaluate their place in society because previously their wealth and status was based upon land tenure. However, with a drastically diminished population, the income from land rents declined, and the hitherto aloof aristocracy had to learn business skills from the merchant classes. It wasn't long before the latter began to take advantage of this situation to social climb; and like the Paston family of Norfolk, within a couple of generations they were entering the ranks of the aristocracy themselves. By the Elizabethan period, a good business head was essential for even the highest ranks of society, and customs duties and trading monopolies were a vital part of the income of the aristocracy, so the merchant classes were not so much looked down upon as they had been in, say the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. Sir Anthony Babington who was hanged drawn and quartered for treason for plotting to murder Queen Elizabeth I in favour of Mary Stuart was a merchant. I think, therefore, that your idea of making your new character a friendly sort is perfectly plausible, because he would be secure in the knowledge that his acumen was prized by all levels of society, and was nothing to be looked-down-upon. He would also need to be able to make friends and contacts in the business community because he wouldn't have the privilege of gaining a monopoly from the Crown. I think he would also be family orientated because he would be aware that his children would need not only to continue the family business, but to build upon it, and hopefully make good marriages into the ranks of the gentry, or even higher.
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Post by Christellia Wellsworth on Mar 17, 2014 20:48:34 GMT -5
I will be back to continue this subject when I have it wrote out in words. Just who is Christ Ella Wellsworth?
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