[MR] Medieval industrial workshop

[Terry L. Neill]

>When hydrated, it is washing soda.

The top layer of lye/fat soap after it's cured is supposedly composed of 
washing soda.  One is supposed to scrape it off before using the soap.


>It would be cool to have an SCA workshop on medieval industrial chemistry, 
>eh?  First we make charcoal and pitch in a fire pit.  Then, we use the
>charcoal to calcine some lime and burn some salt.  Then, we make whitewash, 
>cement, and lye.  Then, we add sand to soda and make glass, mix lye with 
>fat and make soap, mix sand and lime to make cement, etc....


The Longship Company has a 3-day event in June every year (this year June 
22, 23 and 24) in St Mary's county, Maryland called Camp Fenby.  Your idea 
of a workshop on medieval industry is close to what we do.

Over the years, we have made charcoal, dyed fabric, pit fired pottery, made 
crucibals for casting, built an Anglo-Saxon tiny house and practiced 
thatching, etc.  Also such crafts as blacksmithing, silversmithing, 
woodworking, wax carving, casting, tablet weaving, nalbinding, felting, loom 
making, history of costume, etc.

This year we hope to add cheese making and soap making to the list.

Your ideas above would fit right in!  If you're interested, you can contact 
me off-line, or go to "groups.yahoo.com" and ask to join the Camp Fenby 
list.

Regards!

  - Anarra/Terry
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