The Forester’s Tale Challenge

Whan that Aprille with his shoures soote,
The droghte of March hath perced to the roote,
…
And smale foweles maken melodye,
That slepen al the nyght with open ye,
So priketh hem Natúre in hir corages,
Thanne longen folk to goon on pilgrimages,
…
And specially, from every shires ende
Of Engelond, to Caunterbury they wende,

The Canterbury Tales: General Prologue
lines 1-2, 9-12, 15-16

Or, in a modern English interpretation,

When in April the sweet showers fall
And pierce the drought of March to the root, and all
…
And the small fowl are making melody
That sleep away the night with open eye
(So nature pricks them and their heart engages)
Then people long to go on pilgrimages
…
And specially, from every shire’s end
Of England, down to Canterbury they wend

Translated into Modern English by Nevill Coghill

While the Kingdom of Atlantia Royal Forestry Guild is working to move away from an Anglo-centric focus, the description of the yeoman forester from the Canterbury Tales was an important part of the inspiration for the guild! With than in mind, I (Elias de Birton) am sponsoring a challenge for the month of April themed around the pilgrimage of the Canterbury Tales.

While inspired by the Canterbury Tales, this challenge is not limited to those with English personas or personas that might have gone on pilgrimage! It is also not limited to members of the Kingdom of Atlantia Royal Forestry Guild.

There are three different ways to participate:

1. Walk 90 miles (the length of the pilgrimage route from Southwark, in London, to Canterbury) over the course of April (or at least try to walk more than you normally would!). This does not need to be done in garb! Step-counters may be used to track mileage as you walk for tasks throughout the day, but since some other activities may be counted as “steps” (knitting with a smart watch on, for example), please be aware of this and try to get as an accurate a count as possible! Apps like “Map My Walk” can be very helpful for determining the distance of your favorite routes. Posts asking for mileage updates will be made weekly on the Kingdom of Atlantia Royal Forestry Guild facebook page, or weekly totals can be emailed to atlantiaforesters[at]gmail.com.
2. Take a photo in garb on a pathway through a natural (or not obviously modern) landscape for the Hurst and Horn. The photo should be taken in April, and must be submitted to atlantiaforesters[at]gmail.com with model and photographer release forms. Some information about your persona and where they might be going would be a great addition!
3. Create an item your persona might carry on a pilgrimage or other long journey, or write a story or song they might perform for their fellow travelers to pass the time. To enter in this way, you must submit your work for inclusion in the Hurst and Horn by emailing it to atlantiaforesters[at]gmail.com with the appropriate release forms. Documentation preferred, but not required! You may research, plan, and gather materials before April, but the piece should be created during the month of April.

All participants will receive a small token.

To express interested in participating, please fill out this Google form by March 26th. Completing this form does not obligate you to participate (life happens), but this information will be used to estimate token numbers and to follow up with you in late April.