Monday, February 17

Mail Packet '14


Open Call to ALL Reenactors, 
Historians and Creative Writers!

The Royal Navy reenacting group that represents HMS Acasta will be attending the Jane Austen Festival in July of this year. One of the things that I'd like to be able to do is deliver a 'mail packet' full of letters to the various Acasta members. This is a project that I have undertaken in the past with other groups with awesome results.

This is where YOU come in!

Anyone who would like to submit a period correct letter to add to the packet is encouraged to do so! We'd love to have your contribution, however large or small! Anything added to the packet will help to enhance the historical experience for not only the Acastas who receive them, but for the public who will attend the Festival as well.



At last year's event, the Mail Packet was a huge hit with the Acastas and the public alike. Mr. Midshipman Raley delivered the packet to the Captain about mid-day on Saturday and the letters were passed out.

Some examples of things that we got as part of the project:

The Doctor got a secret coded message from Sir Joseph Blaine with the Admiralty. Obviously from a Patrick O'Brian fan.

Lt. Tumbusch got a notice from the Dutch East India Company letting him know that his stock was now worthless.

Rev. Mr. Griswold got a letter letting him know of the death of one of his parishioners.

Mr. Raley got a letter from his 'mother' back home written a professional author of nautical historical fiction.

A letter arrived for the Purser from a mysterious wife and children he claimed to know nothing of.

Capt. Freymann got a letter from a father in England looking for news of the location of his two sons.

Need some ideas for what to write? Try one of these:

Letter from a friend or colleague back home. 
(But none from 'family' this year if you please, last year we had to leave a letter out because Mr. Raley got TWO letters from his 'mother')
A bill or request for payment.
An overdue payment of debt.
A letter carrying news of the war(s)

Or, use the link below to see some other types of period letters:

The Complete Letter Writer...

Wondering what a period letter looks like? Here are some beautiful examples:

http://www.bathpostalmuseum.co.uk/john-palmer/

Contact me to find out where to send your finished letter… or questions, or for any other additional information.

Finshed letters will need to be to ME by the end of June so that they can find their way into the Mail Packet!

Don't know WHO to write to? Here's the lot of Acastas who are usually to be found at the festival:

So pick up your pen and paper and get writing, and HAVE FUN!

5 comments:

  1. Oh, its great idea! Pity that I'm not a good writer

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  2. Didn't do it last year. Might this year, if I can think of anything to write about. (Bearing in mind my reenactment unit focuses on historical events of about three years earlier, so any of that news would be old hat indeed!)

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  3. Good Doctor, what dates can you suggest writers aim for?

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  4. Ah yes, an excellent question. As it will roughly be July of 1814, you ought to date things prior to that.

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  5. Good Sir, Please forgive my forwardness . It has come to my concern for our dear captain I write. know you will honor this confidence as a man of medicine comforts me tis only the captains well being I seek.The matter at had is when at shore he awoke suddenly as I be stoking the fire he cried out who is this I replied tis only meself sir he seemed sore afraid and did not stir again. It was not this which had me concerned but later upon the day he was heard to say he encounted the angel of death I did not wish to pry sir . but seek your assurance he need be reminded he will be God willing with us a jolly long spell . tis his concern only I write in confidence mr.mcardle yer hmbl servant

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