Blackwork is embroidery that was used to decorate the clothes that the people work in the middle ages. It was used on the undershirts and chemises. Blackwork is in a repetitive pattern and it looks nice on front and back. It was done during the 16th and 17th centuries. Catherine of Spain took the embroidery "blackwork" to England on bedcovers and other things. The people of England copied the blackwork from the bedcovers and garments. Blackwork got its name because it was done with silk thread on linen. It could not only be done in black, but be done in gold, blue, green, red and yellow.

What I have made is a unicorn in "gold" thread. It will hang off of my Dad's belt as a favor for Father's Day. I did not use linen because I am just starting to do blackwork, instead I used Aida cloth. I did not use silk thread because my mother would not let me use it, instead I used cotton thread.

Bibliography
Reader's Digest Complete Guide to Needlework. 1979, p. 56.
Ashelford, Jane. The Art of Dress-Clothes and Society 1500-1914. 1996, pp 20-27. 
Zimmerman, Jane. The Art of English Blackwork.  1996, pp 1-3.

Note: Dictated by m'Lady Gwynhaver to her mother, Sibeal inghean Mhurchadha.

A Land Called Thunder Mountain by Marius Connor O'Connaught

    A time ago, short for some, long for most, I came to a land, a land called Thunder Mountain. In this place, I have seen much and have met many, all who are beyond compare, but I did not yet know why they name this land Thunder Mountain.
    The households, the sounds of thunder as the fighters hit their opponents with weapons as large as mountains, and the arguing, just as loud and massive. These, I believed, are why this land was called Thunder Mountain. 
    As the years went on, those households disappeared. For a time, the weapons fell silent and , fortunately, so did the arguments.
    I was left once again with that question I entered this land with, until I stood back, watched, listened. I then heart the thunder of each heart in this land as big as a mountain for all who share the Dream and all who wish to know that Dream. 
    Because of their hearts, I love this land, a land called Thunder Mountain.

Page 14              The Thunderbolt, A&S Issue, July XXXV