Diane,
Thank you for putting the history in order.
I am fumbling around, looking for information about riding and
costuming. You know how it goes. Research leads to more research. I
find myself in interesting side researches, too. That's how I made a
golfing outfit and learned to decorate a Bustle Hat as wells as, an
Edwardian hat, made from scratch. Fun things that I never thought I'd
do. That's how I found and joined this costume list-curiosity.
I'd love to see photos of your saddles and your clothing. I am so
impressed! SCA with all its rich fabrics and equestrian games is
fascinating. What brand of saddle do you use for SCA?
Do you know Kate from PA? She does SCA, as well.
Susan (NJ)
"Slow down. The trail is the thing, not the end of the trail. Travel
too fast and you miss all you are traveling for". - "Ride the Dark
Trail" by Louis L'Amour
On Mar 6, 2006, at 10:28 PM, Diane Maynard wrote:
I am going to attempt to put in short version a very long
subject------First
of all, the Victorian idea of modesty is just that---Victorian. Most
periods before this time frame did not have the "modesty" that we
refer to
and women (and Ladies) that rode and controlled their own horse would
ride
astride. Women that were traveling but, did not "Ride" would travel by
Pillion saddle. This is a saddle that sits the rider totally side
ways on
the horse with a platform under the feet. There are numerous
references,
paintings, and tapestries that depict this style of travel for women.
When
traveling like this, there is usually a groom to lead and control the
horse
that the woman is on top of. By the 16 th century, Catherine de Medici
began to ride "Side-Saddle" for hunting. She actually took her
husband's
hunting saddle and threw her leg over the front horn. By doing this,
she
was actually still facing forward while both legs were on the same
side.
Elizabeth I copied her style and also rode "side-saddle". There is
what is
considered one of Elizabeth I 's side saddles in one of the London
museums.
Although considered quite an accomplished rider and well verse in
hunting,
when doing a parade or any public display, Queen Elizabeth I was
normally
being led to insure nothing could happen to endanger her. There are
also
accounts of Queen Elizabeth I wearing her Farthingale and that they
were so
large as to dwarf the mount she was riding. There are numerous
portraits of
Ladies and Queens riding astride through the 17 th century. It is not
until
the Victorian time frame that it becomes extremely improper for a Lady
to
ride astride.
Why ride side saddle? Clothes. One can wear a skirt with a much
smaller
circumference if they are riding side saddle. To make a skirt that
looks
good and covers the rider's leg when riding astride takes a minimum of
7
yards. I can make a side saddle skirt in 4 yards.
In case no one can tell----I find the history of the side saddle
fascinating
and I also ride side-saddle. I also used to give jumping demos
side-saddle
and I ride the SCA Equestrian games side saddle. I have run rings,
hit
quintains, etc. all in my side saddle and wearing my full Elizabethan
gowns
(and won). I currently own two modern jumping side saddles and one
1846
antique western side saddle that I bought from the family it was
originally
made for.
Sorry----my post got longer than I anticipated,
Diane
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