My friend Julie phoned today to catch up and told me about her getting involved with the SCA (Society of Creative Anachronism). Her persona is Juliana D'Aragon. she's new at this and hasn't made any clothes of her own yet (using loaners). This is fascinating for me and I am dying to get involved. The Barony I'd be joining would be the Barony of Ruantallon but I don't know if there is a Canton near where I live yet that could make for more local involvement. I am going to enquire though. What cheezes me is that I thought my husband would be into it too because he's always reading books like that (time of chivalry and knights etc) and he used to fence when he was in high school. But he's flat out not interested. This could be a fun pastime where I could use my spinning too! Hee hee I know some of you are into renaissance and medieval faires etc and was wondering who was part of the SCA organization and who you are when not a mundane?

-- Anonymous, July 31, 2002

Answers

We have a few friends in SCA but Keith and I don't participate. My costuming interests are more of the fantasy medieval type, I'd never pass muster by the "Period Police". :)

-- Anonymous, July 31, 2002

Yeah, I got into it with an SCA Clothes-Nazi one time back when I was considering joining (and before I realized I didn't have enough time for it). She was disparaging Renn Faire garb and I said "Oh -- machine woven, that material you're wearing, isn't it? And say, they didn't have that analine dye for another good 400 years! You sewed it by HAND, didn't you?"

I wonder why she got mad? Was it something I said? (bats eyes)

Aside from which, I ain't wearing no steenken dresses and sweltering in the heat! I think I may be too much of a GDI to get along with the SCA. Well, portions of the SCA, anyhoo. When I was in high school they were still handing out the school dress code, which specified that girls skirts and dresses should be neatly pressed, and that boys were not allowed to wear dungarees to school. As it was, my mother insisted that I wear dress pants to school, but not blue jeans. Can you imagine that anymore? Blue jeans are the American costume!

A friend of mine could not get her husband to wear costume to a Renn Faire. It was all she could do to get him to GO the first time. Before the day was out, he was saying "What can we wear when we come next year?" Have you dragged your hubby off to any Renn Faires to see if that helps? Her husband is now the Master of Arms of their Shire, and rides in the jousts as well as competing at Penzec -- I think in armed combat as well as in archery.

They were going to go to the Borgia Feast a couple years back. I was disappointed that they didn't, because I gave her all kinds of useful advice on poisons to use. (the Borgia Feast doesn't really poison people, it consists of registering at the beginning how you are going to poison, what you are going to use, etc., and you are not allowed to just poison the entire dish that you bring and 'kill' everyone, you have to be more creative about it and take that into consideration)

-- Anonymous, August 01, 2002

Not to mention that many guys just plain should not be seen in tights . . . nope, ain't gonna wear them long handles. . . they look rather constrictive in areas where I need some room to spread out :^).

I know zilch about this, but it seems pretty cool. Historical methods of dress and customs must take a lot of personal interest just in research time / practice alone; the participants must be very dedicated in finding the time to do this. Just as long these people remember that this is supposed to be FUN, and not a chance to rip into other participants, as Julie F.mentioned above. Then it just gets old fast.

Have at it Alison. Or is it tally ho ? :^)

-- Anonymous, August 01, 2002

I am trying to come up with a name for my persona as we speak. My friend Julie has run into none of this negativity but part of the fun is to try and be as historically accurate as you can. One woman in the Baroncy here is actually a lady knight and takes part in combat etc. I think problems arise from a select few believing themselves superior or from a canton or baroncy's attitude, not the entire org. Then again, I haven't been yet. My friend and I have cooked up that we are cousins. Her father had me accompany her from 13th century Scotland to Aragon to rejoin Queen Sancha's (where her mother originated) court to avoid the unpleantries of Scotland during its war torn poverty stricken years. Once there and taking part in the life at this pro feminine court, we met our wealthy gentlemen husbands, we granted our freedom from Queen Sanch's court to marry and then began families of our own (julie has a little girl and I have my boys). Our husband were called to go on Crusade where mine died a violent but noble death at the hands of the Saracens, while Juliana's husband has managed to get back home with riches for his adoring wife. Thus, we have the freedom of marriage, widowhood and wealth to enable us to travel and meet fellow gentles in other lands and take part in feasts etc. Now I just need a good Scottish lassie's name!!!! the research is making me go cross eyed. If we actually get our shop up and running I will have no time for these pleasurable pursuits but I have always loved playing make believe so all is not in vain.

-- Anonymous, August 01, 2002

Alison, I have several Celtic baby name books at home. I could look up some names for you. Do you want something similar to Alison or something completely different? I've always been partial to the name Aine (pronounced awn-yuh). Sorcha is a good one too, I think that it translates to something like bright and shining. I also have a book of Scottish sirnames if you need a last name too.

-- Anonymous, August 01, 2002

Here's a website that might help you out with a name. Celtic Names of the British Isles BTW, if you say you're from Clan MacBean I can send you some clan history :-)

-- Anonymous, August 01, 2002

Oooh thanks Sherri. It would need to be Scottish Celtic not Irish or Manx. I haven't found a name that makes me go..Ooh! I must be that name. Nothing too fancy but I love the authentic looking names some people have. There is one hereabouts that goes by dama Enna Bonetrader. How cool is that one? Must be Norse or something. I'm not of clan McBean. My real granfather was a Poole from Dunure, Ayrshire. Apparently we aren't part of a clan. Which sucks. thanks for that link! I am going there right away!

-- Anonymous, August 01, 2002