Ercc Glaison: glasses

This is one of the weirdest and yet coolest projects I have done. I have been wanted period looking glasses for a long time. It really was the last hurdle to fully adopting a period persona. I have a prescription which doesn't work well with contact so that was never a viable option for me. Making period glasses has been on my list and now it begins.

I had made a visit to the eye doctor. My vision was worse and I would be needing new glasses. yeah! Why yeah you might ask? Well, if I get new glasses that means I can chop up my old ones. I know the prescription isn't the best, but they are "trash" now and I can play.

I sketched out the image you see below based on some period images and some extant bone glasses found. Sorry, no references, no time right now.

I drew out the following and cut it out.

After cutting it out I took the following picture to see if that was the right "look" I wanted.

Yes, yes it is!

Paper pattern, transfered to carboard, transfered to quarter inch thick oack plank. I cut out the pieces using a power scroll saw. I know, not period. Don't care right now. In a rush!

After rough shap was cut out I cliped them togther to see if the look was moving along OK.

Yes, yes it is!

Now some detail carving begins. I took out the carving chisels and did the finish work.

I popped out the lenses from the modern glasses and put them next to the medieval frames to make sure they would fit.

Placing the lenses on top of the wood frames I sketched a rough line of where the lensens would need to be ground down to.

At this point I realized that it was very important to mark the lenses. Since they would both be cut into perfect circles I neede to know not only left from right, but also top from bottom. I have an astigmatism and the lens would only work to correct my vision if it were used in the proper position and for the proper eye. After marking them with painter's tape I used a grinder bring the lenses down to the proper shape and size.

From the back of the lense I carved a shallow ridge which would allow the lens to set into it.

After setting the lense in place I took a piece of hemp cord soaked in "hide glue" (modern white glue) and used it to pack the ridge. It served to fill in the groove and hold the lens in place. After a night drying the lenses were firmly in place.

Lenses glued on and frames ready for test. Some more detail carving and cleaning up. While I am pressed for time I didn't want to spend too much time on this. Even if I had a ton more time I'm not sure how much more I would have done. I wanted a rough "rustic" look since these were lenses for a friar and shouldn't be too fancy. Practical and functional... that is all.

Shaping done. Carving done. Drilling done and ready for pinning together. I drilled a 1/8th inch hold to pin the frame together.

I cut the following "washers" from a copper plate. I drilled the 1/8th inch hole and then cut it to the right "washer" shape using tin snips.

I used copper washers and a brass rivet to join the two pieces together. Careful peening allowed for a very snugh joint which holds nicely. I have seen images of a jointed set of eye glasses. That never made sense. I planned on faking it and simpy gluing the two halves together. Glad I didn't. As I try and put the glasses on and adjust them I see why it was rivetted. The joint acutally helps adjust and position the glasses on one's face. Hard to explain, but VERY key to usability. If you are making a pair, don't cut corners. Rivet the joint snuggly, but not so tight that the tow pieces can't move.

Peened. Done. Ready for ear pieces.

The ear pieces are simply a hemp cord like the ones used for mounting the lenses. The loop goes around earch ear. I open the frame up, put it on and then pinch them closed. This allows for a snug fit without pulling uncomfortably on the ears. I haven't worn these for more than an hour at a time yet, but so far I LOVE THEM!

Here is a template which can be used if you are interested in making your own glasses. The black and white squares are for scale reference. Each square is .25 inches.

What:

There is a living history experiment in the making.

This coming July I plan to attend the biggest SCA event of the year. I will be attending the Pennsic War in Pennsylvania. There are thousands of other anachronists who attend the annual event as well. The varieties of personas that will be displayed are almost as vast as the number of people who attend. I've been in the SCA for over 10 years and this year I decided to try something new to add a little bit more depth and flavor to the experience.

I am working on a very small kit of things to bring and I plan on attending the War as a Franciscan friar from the 13^th century. I plan on only bringing items which are proper period items constructed in a period manner. Technically speaking, friars did not have any property of their own. Whey then set out on a pilgrimage they would travel in small groups and one member of the group would have community property (belonging to the church) which they could all use. That collection of items might include things such as quills, ink, parchment and personal hygiene products. Since I am the only friar that I know I have constructed the following back story which I shall use on my trip.

Who:

My Name is Brother Matthew. I was once known as Ercc Glaison or simply Ercc (pronounced Eric). I lived a long and sinful life of various inappropriate indulgencies in various regions. At one point I found myself donning the grey wool of a friar with the less than wholesome intention of misleading people and by doing so relieve them of any moneys that they saw fit to allow me to relieve them of. I robbed, conned and stole whenever I could. Shortly after donning the robes of the order I felt a change in my life. I felt less than whole even after my acquisitions were successful. I reached a point in my life when I desired to understand more of why I was put on this earth. There had to be more to it. As I had already donned the robes of the order I began seeking out knowledge of my true brothers. While doing so I found a new life. I shed all my worldly possessions and fled from my sinful ways. I sought redemption and when I found it I sought to repay the many debts that I accumulated. My life has changed since I donned the grey wool of the Friars Minor. I hope that it shall continue to change on my pilgrimage back to my homeland of Hibernia.

Why:

Number one question I get when I inform people of my decision to make this trip is: "Why?" That is a long and complicated question although it has been posed to me as a simple single word question. I decided to capture a response to that question here so that I can simply refer inquirers to this information.

Here are some of my reasons:

· Listening: While I am an anachronist, I am also a struggling Christian. I am not a Catholic, although I play one on the weekends. I have always loved the saying that goes something like this: The man who refuses to listen when you scream will often struggle to hear when you whisper. I feel that my life has always been too cluttered. Years ago life may have been simpler. I don't know for sure. All I know is that now I often feel that I am too busy to simply sit and listen for the whispers of God. I have long desired to set aside such a time to allow myself to listen. For that reason I will shed EVERYTHING modern and focus on what I would have focused on in the 13^th century, as a friar. I will serve silently and listen.

· Service: My life has too long been made up of tasks which revolve around servicing my own needs and desires. I hope that by devoting a week of service to others it may spark a desire to continue down such a path when I return home. Life is too short to live it for oneself and I'm hoping that this week will help me change my focus in life.

· Inspiration: By my actions and my complete immersion into the "role" I hope that, in passing even, I inspire one person. If my actions, service and sacrifice serve as an inspiration for one other person to take a bigger step towards authenticity, service or faith I will be contented.

· Shoes: I love to go barefoot. I always have. The reason I often give most people is that simply "I hate shoes". That is correct, but there is more. This may sound corny so I won't admit it in person, but is closer to the truth that simply "I hate shoes". When a child sleeps on his father's chest he might notice that he can hear his father's heart or feel his father's breathing. I think that the earth is a gift from God and when you make physical contact with it, you can hear it breathing. Sometimes when I walk through the woods (barefoot) I stop and simply touch a tree. If you focus your thoughts you can feel the life in the tree. In some strange way I have always loved the closeness I feel to the earth when I am barefoot. I feel constrained and filtered when I have to wear shoes like a music lover might feel if forced to wear ear plugs his whole life. Yes, walking on rocks and hard earth hurts. Yes my feet get toughened up, but it still hurts. I don't exactly know why Brother Francis chose to go without shoes most of his devoted life. I sometimes wonder if he felt closer to God by doing so. I do.

Personal Inventory:
- Grey wool robe & hood, rope belt and cross