The Biggins Family Handbook
Compiled in 1994-1995
by
James and Elspeth Biggins
PUBLISHED BY THE CENTER FOR XVIth CENTURY STUDIES
(In 1995 there was no official Center for...)
This edition 2006 is decidedly unofficial, and it will cost you
$2.00 same as in towne.)
The Biggins Family Handbook
Reconstructed.
Due to popular demand (OK it was really only one person who was really annoyingly persistent.), Pappy, Scrappy, Uncle Hugz, Almost, Really, Truly, Maybe, and a host (and guests) of Biggins have been consulted and re-created the original with some additions and only a little editing.
Have fun with it.
Please feel free to copy, duplicate, illustrate, edit, criticize, improve, and amend, etc. this text to your heart's delight.
If you sell any or all of it, please donate a reasonable percentage of the gross income
(I bet you thought we'd miss that one.) to the unofficial or official Biggins.
Each page has a "bigginning" and an ende. They only seem endless because well it's boring.
Support your local Renaissance Faires as much as you can. Promote the fun by volunteering, joining Friends of Faire or the local equivalent, study, learn, share, swear in more Biggins, and when you are ready Pay Your Dues by becoming an Official Biggins, a member of the Center for Sixteenth Century Studies. See How to Join for details.
Love,
yr Pappy 1/19/2006 Huntington Beach, CA.
Guidelines
Rule #1:
There are no rules; we have guidelines.
Guideline #1:
This is all voluntary. If it stops being fun, either make it fun again or stop doing it for as long as you wish. Re'creation = rec'reation. We're playing!! faire.
Guideline #2:
Remember to keep myth and reality as separate as needed. Example: promises made in character do not apply to the outside world except when specifically made with regard to the mundane life, and vice versa.
Guideline #3:
Authenticity: We have an overall goal of approaching historical accuracy and authenticity, but no timetable to get there. Practice your speech and character and interaction when you can. Avoid glaring anachronisms and be tolerant of others! Share what you've learned.
Guideline #4:
Inasmuch as we are a recreation of an imaginary extended family and friends, neighbors, tradesmen, customers, clergy, nobles, royals, and others, there's room here for everyone who's not hurtful or harmful Diversity is fun!
Guideline #5:
There are no mandatory meetings, but those who aren't around are subject to noting, gossip, and speculation, both idle and active, such as: Oh, he's got the pox (again)"; "She's with childe"; or "They're on pilgrimage to ".
Guideline #6:
There is no Guideline #6.
Guideline #7:
Round out your character with a personal history. Include historical events and other faire elements when you feel that it is appropriate. Don't worry overmuch if the stories don't match closely. (Can I tell the fable of the elephant now? No, dear...)Stories can change with time. Characters need not be eternally and internally consistent.
Guideline #8:
Attachment to our recreation does not exclude active participation in any other group. (Except the Irish? No dear, that's OK too.)
Guideline #9:
Just as a "real" family, we're not all expected to get along all of the time. Please be polite to each other in public. (Or we'll send you to your room without ale!)
Guideline 10 (2006):
When the glove is up or the Faire is open, be in character as the host's rules require. Be mundane discretely.
The shortest version of the Biggins family history:
William and Daisy Biggins of St. Swithin's, near Oxford, had lots of children among whom are True Thomas, a bard, Violet Ticklebottom, a widowed seamstress and milliner, Windy Jim Biggins, a brewer of meade and ale, and several others as yet unidentified. Jim Biggins married Elspeth Carter and they have accumulated a herd of fynne kids: his, hers, theirs, and others. The collective Carter and Biggins clan have landed in Chipping-Under-Oakwood for the market and the Queen's progress. Of course, they attend other markets, too.
Abstract:
The Biggins Family: A Typical Extended Family in the England of Elizabeth I. Journal...Of The Center for XVIth Century Studies, Vol. 3, Issue 1 (Jan. 1986).
The first study (Pilsner, 1938) of the records of Chipping-Under-Oakwood revealed the presence of an extended family at the yearly market over a number of years. The Biggins' family was quite large, even for the day, and was apparently involved in the brewing of mead and ale products, and had interests in the related industries of bee keeping, cooperage, barley cultivation, malting, draying, innkeeping, and law enforcement. Recent discoveries of town records thought lost, as well as several personal journals reveal an interesting saga of social and economic rise and fall of a rural family in Tudor England.
The first records of the Biggins' are found inOxford, where William Biggins married Daisy 0'..., who was possibly of mixed Irish-Scottish ancestry. William was a millwright who dabbled in many of the country arts and crafts of the day such as bee keeping and brewing. Church records at the parishchurchofSt. SwithinsnearOxfordrecord a marriage in 1546 and subsequent births of children (Albert, James, Thomas, Violet, and possibly several others). The parish records are incomplete. Daisy was educated well above her station and several sources record that she aided local grammar school students including the sons of the local nobility. Her view was first documented in McGuffey (1940) that all children should be educated and cared for, has led to her nomination by that researcher and several others as the original "Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe". Certainly the image of a woman of more than middle years surrounded by many children, her own and others, inOxford, does provide a colorful image for speculation.
Of the Biggins children, the least is known about Albert. Robinson's studies of the family Bible (at Ashmolean Museum, the journals of Charles and William, and an early collection of short stories by Dickens written centuries later and only partially extant (Tales of Old Oxford, C. Dickens, 1836), have lead to speculation that Albert was mentally challenged and kept confined. The date of the journal entry (1599) was many years after the fact (probably 1552 or 3) when it was first recorded that "Albert wore kept safe in ye closset until he wore better." Given the dysentery epidemic in the area of that year, it is possible Albert was a victim. Tax records show he survived, but no further information is available at this time.
Likewise, little is known about the third son, Robert. His christening is noted in the parish register, and his attendance at the local grammar school is one of the few nearly-completed records extant..He is believed to be the "sonne who went for a bard to be" in the ~, although it is unknown how Robert Biggins became "True-Thomas". Details of his marriage(s), his offspring Harmony, and his later years may be found in My Song- is True: A Bard's Lyfe (Flatte and Sound, 1986).
The first female offspring of William and Daisy (although others may be surmised from other sources) was christened Violet at the same parish church as her older brothers. Educated and a skilled seamstress, she used her inheritance, after the death of her husband, a Mr. Ticklebottom, to establish a successful business as a seamstress and milliner. Forsyth, in his pioneering work Who Stitched the Biggins? (1975), credited Violet with a keen wit, a sharp tongue, and a love of puzzles. He has suggested that it was for Mrs. Ticklebottom that the puzzle "can you make me a cambric shirt/without no seams or needlework?" was posed, although whether it refers to a love of ornamentation or a love of riddles is unknown. Little else is known of her life. After her death (cause unknown, date approx. 1645) this venerable clothier was commemorated with a stained glass window depicting violets in full bloom at the small church where she was christened.
Recently, a scrap of parchment was discovered in the 19th volume of the parish records which clearly came from volume 16, originally. It establishes the existence of a second Biggins daughter, Mistress Kathryn Pagewell. Apparently known to her family as "Kat", she was away some years and returned to her family with a son, Kirkwilling, and a daughter Pokesmuch. Further research is called for.
Most is known concerning the second son of William and Daisy, who was christened James at the same parish church as his brothers and sister. Although he was claimed to be a "sonne and perfect childe", later in life it is believed that he was kicked under a pew at his younger brother's christening and nicknamed "Windy Jim" either for excessive garrulousness or the effects of dysentery.
A brewer by trade, Jim was apparently liked and respected enough to be elected to the town council several times. Whether he was a good and effective alderman is unknown. The scant surviving records are full of seemingly self-serving references such as "when I was inLondon", "when my cousine were Mayor of Stratford", "my kinsman on the council atTaunton", etc. Lest it be suggested that the absence from home of many of his children imply an unpleasant nature of Biggins as pater familia, it should be noted that most of his children returned from time to time under seemingly cordial conditions hence the sobriquet Pappy.
As marriages and less formal liaisons are concerned, several are known. Apparently in the latter years of his life he referred to all of his spouses and most of his children, natural and adopted, as "my fynne wives" and "those kids who follow this olde goat". The exception being Elspeth, who was his wife at the time of Queen Elizabeth's famous progress thorough Chipping-Under-Oakwood in 1595. Biggins' journal specifically mentions that Elspeth was at his side when he was "awarded a Royale favour for service to her majestie".
Please note the gracious sovereign was so pleased at her enthusiastic greeting in the town that nearly every townsman received something, and that there was such a trade in counterfeit favors that special ordinances were passed to suppress and punish the practice. Gaylord, in his monograph "Proud of a Chipping Medal" (Oxford, 1937), has tried to claim that several phrases such as "big frog in a small pond" and "a hollow bladder makes the loudest sound" may have stemmed from references by the Queen denoting bumpkins overly proud of small honors. Walter Raleigh's journal records a comment by the Queen concerning a "puffed up toadie" at the presentation of municipal honors in Chipping-Under-Oakwood. Biggins' journal records that he too heard the comment after presenting flowers to the Queen, but claimed the comment was addressed to the mayor's cousin, an "officious little climber".
Of all the spouses of James Biggins, most is known about Elspeth nee Carter. In spite of their descriptive surname, the Carter's of Chipping- Under-Oakwood were at this time noted potters, especially Elspeth and her brother Peter. Although talented, Peter chaffed under parental discipline as a childe and went to sea, returning as an adult with a vast knowledge of foreign ceramic styles, notable skill with his hands, and a lovely lady. According to James' journal, sister Elspeth was also manually skilled in massage, and possessed a great skill with the potter's wheel. Several of her works have survived in theVictoriaandAlbertMuseum. Elspeth is also believed to be handy in the kitchen. (James' journal mentioned that "she wore a fyne figure of a woman. She could cooke.")
The collective children of James and Elspeth known at this time are:
Faith, daughter of James, mother unknown (don't tell Elspeth). She is the eldest and went on a pilgrimage toJerusalem. She appears only briefly in extant records but is believed to have been extraordinarily lovely and deeply religious.
A son, possibly named James, mother unknown, is believed to have left home early to fight in the continuous battles on the continent.
Trueson or Trueman Biggins, son of James and some strumpet (easy, Elspeth), also left home at an early age, but, possibly inspired by the example of Peter Carter, he went to sea. Taking the nom de guerre Tristan Wolfe, he rose to master of the privateer Erin's Revenge,returning frequently to his family as repairs and fortunes allowed. Notably handsome and charming, he was the subject of several lewd and bawdy ballads, fought several duels, and is believed to have retired in his later years toLondonwhere he is known to have mastered at a successful fencing school.
Hope, a daughter, mother unknown (crikey, Jim, din't ya know any of 'em?), was during her lifetime the subject of many rumors. A striking beauty, she was accused of dancing "in a lewd manner" in a tavern in foreign dress (possibly from sister Faith?), reviving ancient religion, and consorting with the devil. Given the relatively lax witch-hunting in the area and her father's influence, she was acquitted unstained and lived to an old age, having outlived several older husbands and countless lovers.
Little is known of Andrew Biggins, possibly a ward of James. There is an obscure record of an Andrina Biggins. Whether they were twins or the town record is confused is uncertain. Certainly, a young man who dressed as his own imaginary sister would have been remarkable. That his family called him Thumper from the way he kicked the bed is documented in an essay found in the parish catacombs entitled Vecci Fauna Sexu,author unknown.
Most is known of Chastity Biggins, the daughter of James and Elspeth (?) She was a notably strong character possibly providing father's friend William Shakespeare with an inspiration for Kate in Taming of the Shrew.On the other hand, she was much more of a rounded person than the literary Kate, being noted for her education, wit, and charity and business acumen. She also gained a reputation as a healer of animals.
Heather Rose Biggins is a bit of a mystery. There are no records of her early days, but by 1594 tax records and census list her as a daughter in the household of James and Elspeth. In his journal, there is a scribbled note by James, bemoaning an expenditure for henna and noting "blonde is the color of my love's true hair" (in as much as the famous song does not read like that, it is assumed that James was tired or befuddled.)
Daughter Flora left the household of James and Elspeth to be a companion to the daughters of the local lord. Afforded the opportunity of a good education, Flora became noted as a poet, diarist, and scholar, receiving dispensation to attend lectures at bothCambridgeandOxford. It is suspected that some of her works are still extant under masculine authors' names.
Patience Biggins, the only documented daughter of James and Elspeth, was as lovely as her sisters with "hair like honey in sunshine and eyes like a doe in moonlight" (poem in Dickens's Tales of Olde Oxford). She is known to have been tall, active, and possessing the ornery spirit of all the Biggins women. It is believed that she led many a man (be he young or olde, no matter the station) a merry dance until she married for love, after establishing her own fortune as did sister Chastity, although the source of neither fortune is known (only hinted).
Little is known of the other Biggins' children except:
The daughter of True Thomas, named Harmony. An excellent singer, she attracted the attentions of the wastrel son of Lord Finchley. When the drunken attentions grew tiresome, she is known to have insulted him and then fenced him to a draw (or bested him in some accounts) with fencing skill learned perhaps from cousin Tristan Wolfe. Other accounts document her extraordinary life.
If you should have any questions regarding the research done on this fascinating Tudor family, please feel free to contact either "Windy Jim" or Elspeth, in care of James "Pappy" Bonser (714) 841-71221 or Lura "Scrappy" Spencer at the same no.
We will be preparing an address and phone list, but no one will be listed without prior permission.
updated1/17/2006
Addenda
1. The Biggins Oath and Greetings
2. The Name Game
3. How to Construct a Biggins girl
4. How to make a biggins
5. The true and accurate (sort of) real History of the Clan Biggins.
6. .A treasury of Familiar Sources aka What are they talking about?
7. The Blue Zipper
1. The Biggins Oath and Greetings
Gather candidates and witnesses.
"Raise your hand and repeat after me:"
I want to be a Biggins.
"Congratulations. Welcome to the family. I hope you are not disappointed."
Intone: Now you have taken the Biggins oath.
Are you elevated, brought down or both?
Bob you are named, and Bob you shall be
; until a Faire Name sets you free.
First you need to know the Biggins' Motto: If you can't keep it in your pants, keep it in the family.
And our public motto: all are welcome.
2. The Name Game
1. All new Biggins are dubbed "Bob" with the following words or any others you choose: Now you have taken the biggins' oath.
2. You can A. name yourself.
B. form a committee of friends.
C. ask Pappy or any other Biggins for a name (which may take a long time).
3. What are suitable names? Almost anything.
There are ironic names like fun-loving Chastity or impatient Patience.
There are clear warnings like Mayhem and classics like Clio and Harmony.
There are English plants and animals like Violet and Walnut and Oak and Stone. Some mundanes given names are most excellent Faire names such as our much-missed Peter Carter or the actor Crispin Glover. The Carter clan are mostly named for spices like Cinnamon and Ginger. Humorous ones are popular say Really Biggins and Truly Biggins and Maybe Biggins. We have no gems as yet.
4. Warning 1. Your faire name should probably be something which could be shouted loudly to get your attention in front of your mom or the vicar.
5. It may take a long time to get a faire name.
6. As in real families, you may have the same name as someone else.
As in real families, you can fuss about it.
As in real families, you may have more than one name and a nickname.
7. These are for fun and not meant to be cruel or permanent.
4. How to make a biggins by Scrappy Biggins 1/2006
1 yard of cloth 44- 45 inches wide makes 8 biggins (caps).
1 piece 9" by 22 inches makes one cap.
Turn one long edge under ? inch then 1/4 inch again to form the front edge of the cap.
Fold in half to make a rectangle (almost a square).
Stitch the side without the tube to form the rear seam with ? inch overlap "seam allowance").
Put a safety pin through the end of one yard of ribbon or string or cable cord.
Thread the cord through the tube. Tie knots in each end then remove the safety pin.
Recommended: put a few stitches through the middle of the tie and the back of the biggins.
Customize it with stitchery, crewel work, black work, etc. and wear it proudly.
5. The true and accurate (sort of) real History of the Clan Biggins
The Real, True and Exact Historye of the Founding of the Biggins Family with complete Annotations as remembered by pappy Biggins
Some time ago in what may or may not have been May 1993, Charlie Allen, Michelle Phillips, some unnamed co-conspirators and I manned the membership table for Friends of the Faire under whatever name we had that year at the street edge of our garden on the hill next to the Ale Stand which may have been number three at that time. A stunning brunette young lady named Allison Green stopped to learn about the Faire and Friends. She chatted for quite a while as Charlie and I tried not to giggle while we dug toe divots.
A gaggle of pirates and rogues and such gathered and Allison stepped over to flirt.
When she batted her eyelashes and dropped her shoulder in a Carmen-esque move at one-too-many young men, I bellowed, "Daughter!" in my best disapproving parent voice. Allison pirouetted a half-turn, lowered her bare, tanned shoulder and retorted," Father" in what I can only describe as a sultry, sexy voice.
Charlie and I broke up...laughing. We weren't dating or anything like that.
Later Allison came over and said, "I don't have a dad at faire. Want to be my dad?"
Wee, I did not (she used the wrong noun), but I couldn't refuse this beauty anything.
I replied, "Yes." Charlie volunteered to be an uncle, and by the end of the next weekend, I had a wife Elspeth Biggins, played by Sue Koches, several daughters, such as Faith (Allison), Patience (Beth Muldoon) and others several sons, a name Biggins (from Scott Shaw's cap in the Comedia, a sister, Violet Ticklebottom, portrayed under protest by Karen Bristow (now Adams) and others.
By the fall at the Crossroads Fair inOrange we had grown. A number of us gathered around a picnic table now known to the faithful as the one true table and agreed that we were having fun and doing some good so we would continue as we were, a loose conglomeration from many walks of faire life with no dues, no meetings, no elections and no officers.
After 13 years there are thousands who have taken the oath and survived the dreaded Blue Zipper, and so it goes.
I would greatly appreciate anyone who was there to send me their impressions and anyone who wasn't there to tell me what they heard.
6. A treasury of Familiar Sources aka: What are they talking about?
Any ren faire act that ever was. (No you can't know. You weren't at Agoura!)
Monty Python, Charles Dickens
Abbott and Costello, Laurel and Hardy, George Carlin, Bill Cosby
The complete works of Shakespeare, Shakespeare's Insults, Bawdy Shakespeare
The Complete Works of Shakespeare, abridged
The Princess Bride
Shakespeare in Love
Any bad, dumb and/or dirty joke you ever heard
Lost Country Life by Dorothy Hartley
Dr. Seuss, Terry Pratchet, Lord of the Rings, C. S. Lewis, A. A. Milne and Pooh
The Biggins Handbook
The stories the olde faire fartes tell...
And finally Do Not Be Embarrassed. Ask a Biggins. It's oral history after all.
I can't tell you. It is a secret.
• Additional BigginsArtifacts and Traditions to be discussed elsewhere:
Fair Favors Relics of the One True Table. Biggins caps
SOAK kazoos, N.A.S.T.Y. meetings, Pink and Blue Ball
12 Night Parties, St. Patrick's Day Crawls, (After) Halloween Party
pot lucks, Favorites, Ask Pappy
The Biggins Fresh Dung newsletter,The Biggins Manifesto, FOBs