Strange find in the woods

On one of thier journeys of discovery into the Bodstonian backcountry, James Forrester and Adahy come across, what for James is a strange object. Adahy explains to James that it is a  Totempole and, he not knowing to which tribe it belonged, could have several reasons for being placed where it is.
Among them, it could be a welcome sign  showing the border of a tribes territory or a housepost, the carvings,  a sort of heraldry,   telling the story of the family or tribe who owned it.

James wonders why it has been abandoned and Adahy explains that the tribe/Family may have moved, taking the Pole would have been too much effort.
James  makes a sketch of the Totempole and the friends continue thier journey of discovery.

Bodstonian Anthem - "The Flashing Blade"

Penned by Ebenezah Bladewell in 1717 to mark the 1st year of Bodstonias independance from the mainland.

Interested parties can listen to the Anthem HERE sung by the Bodstonian Folks choir, instrumentation by the Folks Orchestra.

Bodstonian Dress (Working Women - Maids)

General Appearance
Maids, (Or Abigails) especially household Maids,  those that lived and worked within the larger houses are expected to have a clean, tidy and orderly appearance. The Maids that worked front of house ie, likely to be seen by visitors, are dressed in a uniform colour, each large house having it´s own colour "code". Maids that work back of house, the kitchens etc wear a similar dress style to the maids front of house but a colour code is not necessary..in fact they are likely to end up with the cast offs from the front of house Maids.
Large pleated dresses, broad Aprons and longsleeve chemise, under which a plain corset gives the body shape.
Their clothes are paid for and supplied by the Housekeeper (who receives her Budget from the Master of the house) but the upkeep, the cleaning and any necessary repairs are the responsibility of each Maid.
Make up is frowned upon although some powder on the face for front of house to create an all over unblemished complexion is acceptable.
Perfumes except lavender oil or similar, is not worn.

Here we see a Maid in typical dress. The hair is combed and pinned up under her bonnet, the complexion plain but fresh. She wears a large cotton Apron and a vanity cloth around her neck.
Under her skirts she wears an Enhancer (Bum roll) a sausage of material strapped around the waist to enhance the rear protusion of the dress.This and the lace fringed bonnet means she is more than likely a ladys personal maid.



An Enhancer (Bumroll)










Hats
Mostly maids wear cotton bonnets in plain colours such as white or plain pastels. A ribbon, which can be of a different colour, is used to tighten the bonnet or alternatively, small ribbons around the sides serve the same purpose.








Shoes
The style is similar to those worn by the middle and upper classes but much plainer. They are generally made of hard wearing polished leather and for front of house Maids a buckle may be added.
Cotton socks in plain colours are also worn.






Duties and "Ranks"
If a household can only afford one servant then this is likely to be a female one. Her responsibilities will include; cooking, cleaning, gardening, tending the animals, looking after the children and helping in the shop if one is run by the family.
In larger households the Maids are more specialised.
The lowest ranks of maids are the rear of house Maids,  laundry and kitchen maids. These are under direct control of the cook. As previously stated, they wore more or the less the same style of clothing as the other maids but a general colour scheme is not deemed important.
The next in order are the Nursery and wetnurse who care for the Mistresses children.
Also on this level of hiearchy are the house and chambermaids ("Spiderbrushers" due to their cleaning duties) who; mend, make beds, tidy, polish, wash and clean, sweep, make and clean fires, carry water and empty chamber pots.
One or two of these have the Titel of Parlour maid, which means they serve food and drink  at mealtimes.
The top of the pile are the cook and  the ladies Maid, who looks after the mistress of the house, her dressing, makeup and sometimes acts as a go between and messenger on her mistresses behalf.
At the top is  the Housekeeper, who has access to a set of house keys, has a household budget and keeps the household accounts.  She also has the power to hire, fire and punish the other maids.

The Housekeepr with he set of Keys, the Cook and a Parlour Maid. Note both the Housekeeper and the Parlour Maid wear woolen Vanity cloths..an indication that it´s the colder part of the year.

Laundry and House Maids

Melanie and her Maids

Bodstonian Dress (Aristocratic women)

General appearance.

The ideal Bodstonian woman has hair that is black, brown, or blond, the last is deemed particularly fashionable. Red hair is considered unfashionable and generally dyed a different.

Her hair is of wavy or curly texture. Her forehead is high, the hair being kept pushed back.

Generally the hair is kept covered, especially in Public

Wigs are not worn unless due to age or some medical condition they are necessary.

Her cheeks plump and rosy, and her skin  white. Fashionable eye colors include black, chestnut, or blue; eyebrows were divided (ie no monobrows. Her lips are small, with a slightly larger bottom lip creating a rosebud effect, soft, and red. 

Makeup

Makeup is not intended to look natural, it is, to use a phrase taken from the indigenous in´dians, referred to as warpaint. It is more used to declare a social status than for direct beauty.
Women and men show their respectability and class through white skin, and heavy makeup is considered more respectable than naturally light skin.
Cosmetics also have practical aims – their use create what was considered an attractive face, and they can hide the effects of age, blemishes, disease, or sun.

The Evening Gown.  Features back pleats hanging loosely from the neckline. A fitted bodice hold the front of the gown closely to the figure.

The House Gown features back pleats sewn in place to fit closely to the body, and then released into the skirt which can be draped in various ways.

For riding a  tailored jacket like a man's coat is worn,  with a high-necked shirt, a waistcoat, a petticoat, and a hat. Alternatively, the jacket and a false waistcoat-front might be a made as a single garment,  or a simpler riding jacket and petticoat (without waistcoat) can be worn.

The Night Gown or smock, has a low neckline and elbow-length sleeves which are full  Drawers  are not worn.
Strapless stays which still are cut high at the armpit,  encourage a woman to stand with her shoulders slightly back, a fashionable posture. The fashionable shape is a rather conical torso, with large hips. The waist is not particularly small. Stays are usually laced snugly, but comfortably; only those interested in extreme fashions laced tightly.
Free-hanging pockets are tied around the waist and were accessed through pocket slits in the side-seams of the gown or petticoat.
Woolen or quilted waistcoats are worn over the stays or corset and under the gown for warmth, as are petticoats quilted with wool batting, especially in the cold periods of the year.



Shoes
Shoes have high, curved heels and are made of fabric or leather, sometimes decorated with separate shoe buckles.  These are either polished metal, usually in silver. Indoors flat soled shoes made of soft leather are worn.



Hats.
Hats fall into mainly two types, the Tricorn or the bonnet, The Tricorns are made from Felt, usually coloured and trimmed with silk. The bonnets are of coloured cotton.

Here we see Melanie, Symphonie and Harmonie..3 of Bostonians young Belles.

Melanie wears Riding costume complete with matching blue felt Tricorn
Symphonie wears a house gown, again with a matching bonnet
Harmonie wears full "Battledress" and has topped off the creation with a feather hair ornament

(Now that was a lot of work...I accidently deleted the original post!!!!!!)