Take heart, all ye who have interest in the Tudor and Stuart periods. Laura Crockett of the School for Scoundrels offers the historical romance author some long-awaited research tools. Laura, who has taught the language of Shakespeare and who is a performer, writer and living history enthusiast affiliated with the Society of Creative Anachronism, has written a book called TRIPPINGLY ON THE TONGUE: A BOOK OF INSTRUCTION FOR SPEAKING EARLY MODERN ENGLISH and also offers a book and video package covering RENAISSANCE DANCE AND ENGLISH COUNTRY DANCES.

Taking you step by step through the quagmire of Early Modern English, TRIPPINGLY ON THE TONGUE will prove invaluable to authors who seek authenticity in their dialogue. Crockett's book covers all elements of speech and provides easy to understand, step-by-step examples for such things as tenses and verbs. Never again will you wonder if your heroine shalt (rather than wilt). Tricky word play is explained clearly, as in the reasons for choosing "thou criest or he crieth," as opposed to "thou cried'st." Sentence structure and syntax is presented, along with a period glossary. See you what bounty awaits thy pen...

churl: a peasant; an ill bred or rude person

cozener: a cheater, deceiver

forewith: immediately, right away

rouse: a full draught of liquor; a drinking bout

Uds (17c only): a form of the name of God, used in expletives as a substitute of God.

In addition, Ms. Crockett intersperses her text with historical nuggets. For example, she writes: "As for your station in life, the more educated you are (in re-enactment) the more vocabulary you'll have. Plus, you will have a familiarity with languages such as Latin, French and Classical Greek. A good education, however, does not necessarily mean you are of the nobility or have lots of money. During the Renaissance and early Baroque period, there was a great deal of fluctuation in status; a new emerging middle class with a Protestant clergy placed great store in their children receiving a solid education. New professions in the arts, writers for the theater, theater operators, actors and composers of operas and ballets, plus those who worked in the fashion business, tailors, glove makers, etc., needed to know how to speak to their educated clientele."

An even more shadowy area of research are dances of the day. Oh, you can generally glean a few authentic dance names, sometimes even pick up a step or two associated with Country Dancing, but until now, the whole area of period dance had been related to the half light. With Ms. Crockett's video and book set, these dances are brought into full spectrum. Using dances taken from John Playford's 1651 manuscripts, costumed dancers go through such traditional dances as: "Merry, Merry Milk Maids," "Sellenger's Round," "Newcastle" and "Stingo or The Oyle of Barly." Parts of the dance are explained, such as honors, sets, turns, slipping steps and rounds. The accompanying book is illustrated in detail, defining the movements seen on the videotape. A slow, or learning, tempo is employed on both the video and additional audiotape, so that one may absorb the steps fully before dancing them at full speed. The dances presented contain just about every step which needs to be mastered. There are also lessons in etiquette, demonstrations on hat removal, invitations to dance and making the bow. Using these tapes, you will not only get a handle on English country dances, but you'll be able to authentically lead your story people through their steps and know at just what points risque conversation would have been possible.

Trippingly on the Tongue sells for $15.99; the dance set (book/video/audio) sells for $49.99, but can be purchased separately. To order or for further information, call Chivalry Sports at 1-800-730-5464.

Recommended Title:

• TRIPPINGLY ON THE TONGUE: A BOOK OF INSTRUCTION FOR SPEAKING EARLY MODERN ENGLISH by Tom Laura Crockett