The information you speak of was forwared to RUM and I also have a copy for myself in my files. I will try and locate it if you like. Catrin
>From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >Reply-To: [email protected] >To: [email protected] >Subject: [SCA_Coursing] Feast of the Borzoi >Date: Sun, 2 Jan 2005 05:21:55 -0600 > >from memory here... I haven't found my "manual" yet with all the >references. I know I gave a copy of it to HL Catrin Skynith to send in >to the SCA for library use... > >The feast of the Borzoi starts off in the Grand Hall when the >Huntsmaster of the Royal Court of the Czar is escorted into the Grand >Hall with two Huntsment on either side. With the sounds of horns, the >Sire is brought into the hall, escorted by the Kennel Master, and led by >the finest leather collar wiht wolffur lining (ornately decorated) and >leash. He announces to court the name of the sire, his sires' parents >and grandparents. This is followed by the sires accomplishments, all the >while the sire is walked around the great hall for all to admire. Then >the sire is led to a special couch, just for Borzoi (no humans are >allowed on this couch as decreed by the first Czar of Russia). > >With the announcement of horns again, the highest lady in court, dressed >in full corssets, would announce the arrival of the bitch. She was often >honored by the escort of the Czarina or the Princess (who wanted to show >off the bitch). The bitch had her own special collar, more ornately >decorated with the finest of jewels. Often this collar was made of the >finest tapestries with the finest fur linings. Her leash was made of >gold. Her name, parents, etc... and accomplishments were announced >before she too was led to the couch to lie down beside the Sire. > >Finally, the much anticipated announcment of the arrival of the puppies. >Each one is carried into the Grand Hall by very well dressed kennel >helpers. Each carried on top of a burgundy silk pillow. Each puppy would >be gone over individually by the Czar, Huntsmaster, and Kennel Master. >Those found not "absolutely perfect" were (quote from the book) >"mercilessly killed". If a member of the immediate royal family had a >soft spot for one such puppy, they could be spoken for and allowed as a >mere pet, but it was not often. Puppies were then allowed to play in >the Grand Hall while the Feast of the Borzoi started. The Borzoi, no >matter the age, were allowed to go anywhere they chose, and should they >want a morsel of food, were never denied (even by the Czar). > >After the feast was enjoyed, the Czar would choose one puppy and present >it to a member of court. Usualy it was the highest member of court, but >often it was to a favoured member (who by the act of being given a puppy >was just elevated 10X in court status). > >The Borzoi were then ceremoniously escorted out of the Grand Hall before >the rest of the court "called it a night". > >The tradition was started by the first Tsar of Russia and continued on >to the last Czar of Russia. > >THe book I read this from, name escapes me right now, was wrote by a >member of the Royal Family of Romanoff, along with several writings of >Walztoff, who was the Kennel Master of Perchino, the great kennel of the >Archduke Romanoff, the Czar's brother. The same book included the story >of Mitzka, the black Borzoi bitch who belonged to Prince Nicholai >Romanoff, who was murdered by Razputin. It told of the story, as told by >the Royal Family from generation to generation, how the Borzoi came to >be. Much tradition even went into the telling of the story, and every >member of the immediate royal family was to know the story by heart so >they could pass it down word for word. > >Jennifer and the "Half Tailed Pack" > ~CBD Therapy Dogs~ >Its amazing how one being can change the course of your life forever... >http://community.webtv.net/CBDTherapyDogs/doc >http://www.GRR-Adopt.org > _________________________________________________________________ Is your PC infected? Get a FREE online computer virus scan from McAfee� Security. http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963 Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SCA_Coursing/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
