Getting Started in Backyard Beekeeping

An introduction to the exciting hobby of beekeeping.  You will learn bee basics, what equipment you will need and what the year in the life of a hobby beekeeper looks like. 

This information will be presented in a class to be held at the Royal University of the Midrealm on February 20, 2010 hosted by the Marche of Alderford, http://masque2010.alderford.org/index.html.

The Beekeepers Charter

Extract from the Rectitudines Singularum Personarum written in A.D. 1000.  Translation by F.S. Scott of the University of Sheffield

The beekeeper, if he has a taxable stock of bees, is to give as rent from it whatever is the custom of the area.  With us it is the custom for him to pay 5 sesters of honey as rent.  In some areas a greater rent is required.  Moreover at certain times of the year he is to be employed on various duties at his lord’s pleasure, particularly boon-ploughing, boon-reaping and mowing.  And if he has good land he is to have a horse which he may provide for the lord’s service or else lead himself, whichever is ordered.  And he is to do various similar duties as is fitting.  I am not able to enumerate them all.  When he meets with death, his lord is to take charge of what he leaves, except for any freehold property that may be amongst it.