Home >> Hobbies >> Other Hobbies

How to Put Up a French Double Bell Wedge

The French double bell wedge tent is an ancient form of portable shelter. The design was used from the Medieval ages through the Colonial era in the New World. This is a great tent for re-enactors, living history docents or SCA members. The French double bell wedge relies on guy lines to keep its shape, and only has three poles. With the ability to lift both sides and create awnings, it can be kept cool and airy or buttoned up to withstand heavy weather.

Things You'll Need

Tent
Ridge pole
Two upright poles
Rope
Stakes
Hatchet
Two people
Four auxiliary poles

Instructions

- 1
  Stretch the tent out flat. It will look like a giant oval. Once you have it smooth, peg the bottom edge, stretching as you go to keep it taut. Fold the mud flap under to the inside as you peg.
- 2
  Lift up the tent from inside and insert one of the upright poles through the drilled hole in the end of the ridgepole and through the grommet in the top of the tent. Hold this upright and still while the other person stretches out the guy lines and pounds in the stakes with the blunt end of the hatchet.
- 3
  Repeat with the second upright. Once both poles are up and the tent is up, walk around it and tighten guy lines until the tent is taut. At this point you can use two auxiliary poles to stretch out the side into a fly for shade and shelter. Both sides of a French double bell wedge can be lifted, allowing room to sit and socialize or just for airflow.

Other Hobbies