HELP!
I know that this is meant to be Canty Faire part 2, soon, I promise. In the meantime, I got carried away in my peerly niceness now that I have a courtesy award (yes, the end days are nigh) and volunteered myself to write an introductory piece for the St Ursulans' mag. On sitting down to write it, the following came out. On the one hand, it made ME laugh, but on the other hand I am not sure if it's the least bit useful or else too full of in-jokes and not speaking to a crowd of 17 and 18 year olds.
After meeting many dear cyber-stalkers recently (hi chaps!) I need to pick your brains and ask for feedback. And don't think that I'm looking for "Oh so witty, Duchess dear .." don't need praise, need to know what I've missed and what's too obscure. OK, maybe a teeny compliment on my spelling ...
Many, many, many thanks, I wish the snot would leave my brain so I could think again ...
SCA FAQ for St Ursulans
1. What is the SCA?
The SCA is the Society for Creative Anachronism. It is a recreational group focussed on recreating aspects of life before 1600.
For the most part, members research and construct clothing, weaponry and other items from the Middle Ages and Renaissance, with Europe being the centre of our attentions. For most of the Middle Ages, the Middle East and North Africa were such important trade partners with Europe (and everyone invaded everyone else so frequently) that there is no border drawn between modern Europe and these territories. Some members also dabble in Roman reconstruction, whereas others prefer Eastern (Chinese, Japanese, Mongolian).
We have a broad range of activities ranging from fighting with practice swords, through costuming, brewing, cooking, dancing, singing and music to textile, equestrian and academic research. Our official events are conducted in period clothing (called garb) and are a cross between a giant dress-up party and a huge game of Pretend.
The SCA was started by a group of medieval history students in Berkeley in 1966 and now has over 30,000 paying members world-wide, with an estimated 60,000 more participants. While the College of St Ursula is for Sydney Uni students, SCA members come from all walks of life and across all age groups, with a lot of family participants.
2. Hang on, I thought you were a Sydney University club?
Well, we are. The College of St Ursula is a registered SU club that is affiliated to the Australian and International SCA. Our fees are much cheaper and our first responsibilities are to the university, but aside from that we interact pretty freely with the local SCA branches, especially the Barony of Rowany (Sydney region).
3. Sounds a bit hippy, doesn’t it?
Yeah, you’ve busted us. The founding crew were all a bunch of unreconstructed hippies who went on to do things like write best-selling fantasy novels and found IT companies. To this day there are an awful lot of caring Californianisms in the governing documents of the organisation.
But we’ve managed to survive over 40 years, so it’s hippy mixed with practicality. We try not to talk about modern politics, and there is a Society-wide injunction against official religious positions (you can believe whatever you like, we just don’t care). Best of all, tie-dye, patchouli and overt hugging by strangers are all frowned upon.
4. So what do you actually do?
Medieval stuff. We dress up in period garb for official events and spend our time there doing everything from singing and feasting on medieval food to hitting each other in the (armoured) head with sticks. It’s totally up to you.
At our (ungarbed) meetings, we sit around and plan cunning new things and projects and share research and tell tales of what we’ve been up to. Basically it’s a social-club meets craft-group meets martial art meets Lord of the Rings. And yeah, it will come as no surprise to learn that those Berkeley hippies were all Tolkien freaks, too. But you’re welcome to embrace whichever bits take your fancy and ignore the rest, just no elf ears or orc masks.
There are several camping events each year where people stay on site wearing garb the whole time. The biggest of these is Rowany Festival, which is held over the Easter holiday. Around 1000 people usually attend.
5. So would I be a serf?
No. The basic assumption is that everyone is of noble birth, and so the Society prides itself on treating everyone with courtesy. You’re free to dress up as a serf if you like, but you will be treated as a noble who is slumming it.
The nobility concept extends throughout the game. Local groups are usually headed up by Barons and Baronesses, and there are Kings and Queens for each Kingdom. In addition, there are many people who have contributed a great deal to the game over the years that we call peers, although it’s more common that members will hold a simple Award of Arms, known as armigers.
6. Royalty, peers, armigers – WTF?
Remember, Californian hippies. We didn’t make this shit up, we inherited it (long story, ask someone old over a glass of mead sometime). They wanted to have a system of titles and hierarchies that were appropriately medieval. Being American and it being the 60s, they skimped somewhat on their research and got a lot of things backwards in those early days. Despite the fact that most people in the SCA (including the original set) do things to a much higher standard these days, we keep the early kookiness since most of those guys are still alive and just a little bit scary when it comes to traditions.
On the whole, having the royalty and nobility structure adds to the fun of the game. Royalty can hand out awards to people who have added greatly to the Society, and the courts are often very good theatre. Plus it’s an easy way to identify people who have been around for a while and who know what they’re on about.
7. Does this all cost a lot?
Not necessarily. You can, of course, spend a small fortune, but there’s an emphasis on learning to make your own and being self-sufficient. Skills are freely taught and shared, with loaner gear available for newbies.
Hell, now we sound Amish ...
8. Does it take up a lot of time?
Like any hobby, you can spend as much or as little time on it as you feel you want to. We usually encourage students to keep their involvement reasonably low-key – uni costs too much to not pass everything first go – but the SCA provides an easy place to kick back and relax when it’s all getting a bit stressful.
9. What’s with the kooky names?
Er, yes. One of the things that we like to do is invent medieval personae who have real-sounding names, and then we use those names at events. Seriously, how many times do we have to mention the hippies? They were all a bunch of mad-keen role-players, too, but they were and are very sweet.
On the positive side, this is a really good way to launch into some serious medieval study as you look for a name and description that suits you and is authentic. Plus it makes it very easy to remember that you’re at an event and not accidentally launch into a discussion on the recent current affairs.
10. Are you sure you’re not just a bunch of rejects from Nerds FC?
Absolutely. In fact one of the recent presidents of the club is IN the current season. In all seriousness, we do have more than our fair share of trainspotters and geeks, but that’s because we provide a warm, interesting and supportive environment for everyone.
We also have actors, writers, lawyers, architects, accountants, illustrators and teachers abungo. Some of our members wonder what the hell they’re doing here (the writer has never ONCE played D&D, yet has a comprehensive library of medieval textiles), but we all find areas that capture our interest and expand our knowledge of the world and our own abilities.
11. Do I have to be a wench?
No. Women have access to all parts of SCA participation and all levels of power. So if you want to be an axe-wielding maniac who runs the treasury of the group, go wild. And if you want to wear a cleavage-enhancing frock, feel free, but be aware that you will drop crumbs down there until you get the hang of things.
The SCA has policies on equality across all groups, so really, you’re the only person who can limit your participation. That said, there are a lot more men than women who fight at the moment, but things are slowly changing there.
12. Will I meet girls/boys?
That we can promise you. Of all descriptions and persuasions if you head to one of the bigger events such as Rowany Festival. Whether you like any of them is another question entirely, but you will make friends. The biggest upside of this is that, as an international group, there is often a free sofa available when you travel overseas, just use the SCA connect-a-traveller network before you set off.
13. Is it all just a cover for ‘adult activities’?
Every now and then you will meet someone who tries to convince you the SCA is all about getting your kit off. Take a close look at these people and ask yourself: does it seem likely that they regularly get any?
While we’re perfectly happy for you to get your kit off with whomever you may choose, that’s your business. We’re a family-oriented club, there are kids about, and horses!
14. Do I really have to talk like a Shakespearean actor?
No. But we do ask that you not discuss modern (we call them mundane) topics at events. Most people spoke a fairly standard English in the Middle Ages, and it’s the same in the SCA. If you speak perfect Middle or Elizabethan English, feel free to show it off, but be prepared for some blank glances. Oh, and the people who speak with accents in the group? They’re actually foreign imports, we’ve got quite a few.
15. Are you all a little mad?
Yes, but if you can’t be mad at Uni, when can you be? As for the older members, it’s less mad than spending every Sunday at golf.
After meeting many dear cyber-stalkers recently (hi chaps!) I need to pick your brains and ask for feedback. And don't think that I'm looking for "Oh so witty, Duchess dear .." don't need praise, need to know what I've missed and what's too obscure. OK, maybe a teeny compliment on my spelling ...
Many, many, many thanks, I wish the snot would leave my brain so I could think again ...
SCA FAQ for St Ursulans
1. What is the SCA?
The SCA is the Society for Creative Anachronism. It is a recreational group focussed on recreating aspects of life before 1600.
For the most part, members research and construct clothing, weaponry and other items from the Middle Ages and Renaissance, with Europe being the centre of our attentions. For most of the Middle Ages, the Middle East and North Africa were such important trade partners with Europe (and everyone invaded everyone else so frequently) that there is no border drawn between modern Europe and these territories. Some members also dabble in Roman reconstruction, whereas others prefer Eastern (Chinese, Japanese, Mongolian).
We have a broad range of activities ranging from fighting with practice swords, through costuming, brewing, cooking, dancing, singing and music to textile, equestrian and academic research. Our official events are conducted in period clothing (called garb) and are a cross between a giant dress-up party and a huge game of Pretend.
The SCA was started by a group of medieval history students in Berkeley in 1966 and now has over 30,000 paying members world-wide, with an estimated 60,000 more participants. While the College of St Ursula is for Sydney Uni students, SCA members come from all walks of life and across all age groups, with a lot of family participants.
2. Hang on, I thought you were a Sydney University club?
Well, we are. The College of St Ursula is a registered SU club that is affiliated to the Australian and International SCA. Our fees are much cheaper and our first responsibilities are to the university, but aside from that we interact pretty freely with the local SCA branches, especially the Barony of Rowany (Sydney region).
3. Sounds a bit hippy, doesn’t it?
Yeah, you’ve busted us. The founding crew were all a bunch of unreconstructed hippies who went on to do things like write best-selling fantasy novels and found IT companies. To this day there are an awful lot of caring Californianisms in the governing documents of the organisation.
But we’ve managed to survive over 40 years, so it’s hippy mixed with practicality. We try not to talk about modern politics, and there is a Society-wide injunction against official religious positions (you can believe whatever you like, we just don’t care). Best of all, tie-dye, patchouli and overt hugging by strangers are all frowned upon.
4. So what do you actually do?
Medieval stuff. We dress up in period garb for official events and spend our time there doing everything from singing and feasting on medieval food to hitting each other in the (armoured) head with sticks. It’s totally up to you.
At our (ungarbed) meetings, we sit around and plan cunning new things and projects and share research and tell tales of what we’ve been up to. Basically it’s a social-club meets craft-group meets martial art meets Lord of the Rings. And yeah, it will come as no surprise to learn that those Berkeley hippies were all Tolkien freaks, too. But you’re welcome to embrace whichever bits take your fancy and ignore the rest, just no elf ears or orc masks.
There are several camping events each year where people stay on site wearing garb the whole time. The biggest of these is Rowany Festival, which is held over the Easter holiday. Around 1000 people usually attend.
5. So would I be a serf?
No. The basic assumption is that everyone is of noble birth, and so the Society prides itself on treating everyone with courtesy. You’re free to dress up as a serf if you like, but you will be treated as a noble who is slumming it.
The nobility concept extends throughout the game. Local groups are usually headed up by Barons and Baronesses, and there are Kings and Queens for each Kingdom. In addition, there are many people who have contributed a great deal to the game over the years that we call peers, although it’s more common that members will hold a simple Award of Arms, known as armigers.
6. Royalty, peers, armigers – WTF?
Remember, Californian hippies. We didn’t make this shit up, we inherited it (long story, ask someone old over a glass of mead sometime). They wanted to have a system of titles and hierarchies that were appropriately medieval. Being American and it being the 60s, they skimped somewhat on their research and got a lot of things backwards in those early days. Despite the fact that most people in the SCA (including the original set) do things to a much higher standard these days, we keep the early kookiness since most of those guys are still alive and just a little bit scary when it comes to traditions.
On the whole, having the royalty and nobility structure adds to the fun of the game. Royalty can hand out awards to people who have added greatly to the Society, and the courts are often very good theatre. Plus it’s an easy way to identify people who have been around for a while and who know what they’re on about.
7. Does this all cost a lot?
Not necessarily. You can, of course, spend a small fortune, but there’s an emphasis on learning to make your own and being self-sufficient. Skills are freely taught and shared, with loaner gear available for newbies.
Hell, now we sound Amish ...
8. Does it take up a lot of time?
Like any hobby, you can spend as much or as little time on it as you feel you want to. We usually encourage students to keep their involvement reasonably low-key – uni costs too much to not pass everything first go – but the SCA provides an easy place to kick back and relax when it’s all getting a bit stressful.
9. What’s with the kooky names?
Er, yes. One of the things that we like to do is invent medieval personae who have real-sounding names, and then we use those names at events. Seriously, how many times do we have to mention the hippies? They were all a bunch of mad-keen role-players, too, but they were and are very sweet.
On the positive side, this is a really good way to launch into some serious medieval study as you look for a name and description that suits you and is authentic. Plus it makes it very easy to remember that you’re at an event and not accidentally launch into a discussion on the recent current affairs.
10. Are you sure you’re not just a bunch of rejects from Nerds FC?
Absolutely. In fact one of the recent presidents of the club is IN the current season. In all seriousness, we do have more than our fair share of trainspotters and geeks, but that’s because we provide a warm, interesting and supportive environment for everyone.
We also have actors, writers, lawyers, architects, accountants, illustrators and teachers abungo. Some of our members wonder what the hell they’re doing here (the writer has never ONCE played D&D, yet has a comprehensive library of medieval textiles), but we all find areas that capture our interest and expand our knowledge of the world and our own abilities.
11. Do I have to be a wench?
No. Women have access to all parts of SCA participation and all levels of power. So if you want to be an axe-wielding maniac who runs the treasury of the group, go wild. And if you want to wear a cleavage-enhancing frock, feel free, but be aware that you will drop crumbs down there until you get the hang of things.
The SCA has policies on equality across all groups, so really, you’re the only person who can limit your participation. That said, there are a lot more men than women who fight at the moment, but things are slowly changing there.
12. Will I meet girls/boys?
That we can promise you. Of all descriptions and persuasions if you head to one of the bigger events such as Rowany Festival. Whether you like any of them is another question entirely, but you will make friends. The biggest upside of this is that, as an international group, there is often a free sofa available when you travel overseas, just use the SCA connect-a-traveller network before you set off.
13. Is it all just a cover for ‘adult activities’?
Every now and then you will meet someone who tries to convince you the SCA is all about getting your kit off. Take a close look at these people and ask yourself: does it seem likely that they regularly get any?
While we’re perfectly happy for you to get your kit off with whomever you may choose, that’s your business. We’re a family-oriented club, there are kids about, and horses!
14. Do I really have to talk like a Shakespearean actor?
No. But we do ask that you not discuss modern (we call them mundane) topics at events. Most people spoke a fairly standard English in the Middle Ages, and it’s the same in the SCA. If you speak perfect Middle or Elizabethan English, feel free to show it off, but be prepared for some blank glances. Oh, and the people who speak with accents in the group? They’re actually foreign imports, we’ve got quite a few.
15. Are you all a little mad?
Yes, but if you can’t be mad at Uni, when can you be? As for the older members, it’s less mad than spending every Sunday at golf.
posted by Miss D at 1:22 am
10 Comments:
I'd rearrange "there are a lot more men than women who fight at the moment" so that it doesn't appear to be saying "there is a huge gender imbalance in the SCA as a whole", which is a possible interpretation if you're just skimming and looking for the bad news. Most non-SCA medjeeval groups DO have a lot more men than women, so someone who has a passing familiarity with them may not read this sentence carefully and come away thinking it's a ten-Thorfinns-for-every-girl sort of club.
Apart from that: bravo! Should do very nicely, I expect.
Question 10...the first sentence...is a bit confusing. Which club? St Ursula's, Rowany or Nerds FC? Maybe a bit of clarification.
Otherwise, brilliant article your excellency.
Nesta (St Floz)
best description of our form of craziness I've read so far...
Do you mind if I link to this when people ask me what the SCA is/does? (would mostly be Home edders)
Concise and doesn't take itself too seriously - should go down well :)
Having once been a wide-eyed proto-ursulan having to explain this club I'd joined to my parents, though, there are a couple of sentences that I'd suggest thinking about a bit more:
In section 3: Best of all, tie-dye, patchouli and overt hugging by strangers are all frowned upon. I think this may be a little biased to your own outlook on the world *g*. I don't know that it'd mean as much to neophyte Ursulans without your background. Plus, well, Mouse and tie-dye seem to be irretrievably linked, and I'm rather glad we have her around.
In section 6:we keep the early kookiness since most of those guys are still alive and just a little bit scary when it comes to traditions again I don't think this would mean much to newbies, and it makes it sound a bit like you feel you need to apologise for specific people rather than for the zetgeist, as it were.
In section 13 there are kids about, and horses felt a bit pointed, and perhaps not the right level of innuendo for this kind of introductory article. I'd suggest leaving is at We're a family-oriented club.
Other than those three comments, I definitely liked the article as a whole. Kudos for putting in the 'Do I have to be a wench' section.
So Berkeley in New South Wales? Or Gloucestershire, Illinois, Virginia, Missouri, Ontario, or California?
Just because some of us know, doesn't mean the newbies will. You may want to mention that it was the University of California, Berkeley.
I think autumnheart might be right about the innuendo. I think the last university student to understand innuendo, smut or the concept of sex either graduated or (more likely) dropped out some time in the mid-1990s. Since then, they've all had to be full-time virgins so they could get their degrees finished before the money ran out.
I think it sounds great. I agree with autumnheart, lose some of the more knowing comments. Yards above the heads it will go, metres.
Maybe something about how easy it is to give it a go without spending too much (this may be in other parts of the document, so feel free to ignore me at will). Perhaps an extra sentence in qn 7 about how showing up to the first event requires nothing but making an attempt at basic garb, which can be loaned out, so they can get a feel for it without having to commit money (that always makes a student's heart beat faster. That and the mention of free food).
And your spelling is really quite excellent, Your Grace.
I'd leave the kids and horses bit just as it is; it never hurts to mention kids explicitly, and modern students are nowhere near as virginal as Bat seems to think.
Other innuendo can be tampered with as you prefer.
I agree with some of the other suggested mods to in-isms but, on the whole, it has a nice, light and yet sophisticated tone, which I reckon you want to keep.
Thamks, chaps, all very helpful, as was Ms G in her private lengthy post. Will go off and edit tomorrow night and send to the lovely Amelie who will no doubt web the final.
K, feel free to link people here for the moment, but let them know when the slightly less dodgy pudate goes out (sometime ...)
Nesta, club is St Ursula, and you should see Paddy after Nerds FC have finished with him ... less hair, more scary ...
Seraph, good point, and Unpronouncable (HEE!), also good point.
You are all terribly clever and helpful. I am in need of much sleep ...
Glad to keep you amused Miss D. When did you have that free 5 minutes for chocie cake?
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