SCA - Society for Creative Anachronism - LIVE THE DREAM!

[zorgon]

SCA - Society for Creative Anachronism - LIVE THE DREAM!

FINALLY someone made a really great film about what we do in the SCA. Our Guild motto has always been "We Live the Dream"

The thing about the SCA is we tend to leave the Mundane World behind  No computers, no cell phones and too busy DOING and EXPERIENCING to take picture (I have come to regret that and we have remedied that now that digital makes it free)

So save for some cell phone clips, a hand full of documentaries and short home movies mostly of the fighters, there isn't a lot of good photos out there. Besides flash cameras are forbidden at night (breaks the mood especially for the dancers)

Well now you can see the Dream first hand

And ArMap  take the time to watch THESE

SCA-Caid-intro video by Raiya Corsiglia



SCA-THE DREAM video by Raiya Corsiglia

[zorgon]

[The Seeker]

  I like it. Had the thought that we need to take good vids of the Ren fairs everywhere and add them in; most people just don't understand how much fun they really are...

Seeker

[Amaterasu]

I like it. Had the thought that we need to take good vids of the Ren fairs everywhere and add them in; most people just don't understand how much fun they really are...

Seeker

When I was very much younger, I loved going to Ren fairs!  I would still love to go but...  Money, You know...  LOL!

[Irene]

I like it. Had the thought that we need to take good vids of the Ren fairs everywhere and add them in; most people just don't understand how much fun they really are...

Seeker

I go to the one near me just for the grilled turkey legs.

Nom nom nom.

Plus I think it's funny walking around and eating a turkey leg like it's a medieval feast. No manners required.

I also enjoy the jousting, although one reenactor has a Medicine Hat Paint, which isn't really authentic. Beautiful horse just the same though.

[Littleenki]

Our ren fair has been through a lot of changes, and now resembles more of a festival for vendors with a dozen or so small shows mixed in. Its main goals are earning potential for vendors and performers, and its lost a bit of its randomness and charm, but still fun to go to and see the great performances by very skilled actors with some very real weapons and armor.

What is cool is that it is at the museum of natural history in Tampa, and kids can go there as well as the ren fair and get a two part treat for the young mind from both sides of history..very good.

When I went as a young man, they thought nothing of me and my hand made 2 handed sword and chainmail, both as real as it gets, but with a dullness to the sword of course to prevent stupid people from running their fingers down it...dont ask how I learned that...lol

Now anything pointy or sharp, or remotely resembling a weapon is disallowed for obvious reasons, tankards of Guinness and pointy objects dont mix well.

This was all a progression of playing RPG's as a boy and young man, and I do believe it made me a better person to listen to the older folks tell stories of their experiences, and how they made connections between medieval peoples and modern ones.

All in all, good times once a year, and some cold Guinness and that turkey leg Irene mentioned..mm mm goood!

Cheers!
Le

[ArMaP]

In Portugal we have several medieval fairs, usually done near or in really medieval areas of villages or castles, but it's more a tourist grabbing thing than role playing.

[zorgon]

In Portugal we have several medieval fairs, usually done near or in really medieval areas of villages or castles, but it's more a tourist grabbing thing than role playing.

Same here we have Renaissance Faires that are basically for tourists and families. At those you RE CREATE a persona from history and act out the role. We have done many Ren faires here. The public gets to see what we do from 9 am to 6pm... After that its our time

Also we get a few extra days because setup is on a tuesday and public is open fri to sun

But our local fair was taken over by an evil fat woman   and she turned it into a glorified flea market with no control  then added rock bands for evening concerts which literally destroyed the ambiance. And at 800.00 a both for merchants  We stopped going


But the SCA events are different  You CREATE a persona that could have lived in a certain time period you choose... then you live that person...  ideally if you were time dropped into your chosen time frame you would fit right in

This is how Zorgon was born.   Zorgon (also spelled Zargon) was a general of Uthor Pendragon in an old obscure King Arthur story. I spent 4 years documenting the name to submit to the SCA   LOL only to find someone else already had and it was approved instantly     So Zorgon of Shalott was born

We have created quite an extensive history combining an old online game (before the internet) and the Arturian tales (via Tennisons poems)  and even incorporated the official Royal history of England (particularly Wales)

It could be said that our group even appears in the official history books

We did this so well that we got the attention of the head of the Grand Priory of Knights Templar in Wales  and even have permissions from Buckingham Palace to use some of their history

So Zorgon of Shalott is very real   I even have mail from Clark County Admin delivered by the post office addressed to King Zorgon

[zorgon]

In Portugal we have several medieval fairs,

YOU are technically in the Kingdom of Drachenwalt    however it appears that Portugal has not yet established an official chapter.  Romania, Croatia, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates and Kuwait and Iraq already have

So YOU could start one  

Drachenwalt is very active  in fact they were here in Arizona for the last war and invited us to party with them. (they also won most of the battles )

There website is here

http://www.drachenwald.sca.org/drupal/

[Irene]

Any billets for Prussian royalty?

I'm a descendant of the House of Hohenzollern.

(Technically, I could probably slide in under Romania.)

[zorgon]

Our ren fair has been through a lot of changes, and now resembles more of a festival for vendors with a dozen or so small shows mixed in. Its main goals are earning potential for vendors and performers, and its lost a bit of its randomness and charm, but still fun to go to and see the great performances by very skilled actors with some very real weapons and armor.

Ren faires are good and bad  it depends on the organizers and how dedicated they are to keeping it what we call "period' The one in Vegas allows Star Wars costumes for crying out loud

What is cool is that it is at the museum of natural history in Tampa, and kids can go there as well as the ren fair and get a two part treat for the young mind from both sides of history..very good.

Okay so I assume then you are in Florida   That puts you in the Kingdom of Trimaris, Barony of Wyvernwoode, Hillsborough Co.

https://www.trimaris.org/localcontacts-grouplist

When I went as a young man, they thought nothing of me and my hand made 2 handed sword and chainmail, both as real as it gets, but with a dullness to the sword of course to prevent stupid people from running their fingers down it...don't ask how I learned that...lol

I KNOW how you learned that All ours are sharp   In fact kids at our events are all armed with knives   Never had a problem in 50 years... Most fairs still allow us to carry swords  just need to need peace tied. At SCA events it usually a no brainer to leave the weapons at your camp when drinking   but again... the only injuries from weapons at events are on the battle fields

Now anything pointy or sharp, or remotely resembling a weapon is disallowed for obvious reasons, tankards of Guinness and pointy objects dont mix well.

Dang gubment LOL  its our RIGHT to bear arms

This was all a progression of playing RPG's as a boy and young man, and I do believe it made me a better person to listen to the older folks tell stories of their experiences, and how they made connections between medieval peoples and modern ones.

Mine too  we took RPG into Reality  The only issue I have is the lack of funds to rebuild the guild We last were active in 2004 when we lost three key people to heart attacks withing three months.  But now I am going to make one more go of it

In our heyday we had a good run  from the first Ren Faire in 1995 to 2004...  it was glorious   Then instead of picking up, I got into the conspiracy mess and lost a good 10 years in that.

Now I plan to recreate the guild  starting with an online group of interested people like we did at the beginning only today with the internet it is easier to create persona pages

As example we have Sgt R&R's page

http://landoflegendslv.com/03ports/portofshalott/images/members/Jean_Fontaine/jean_fontaine.html

The good thing about being a Guild a decent Ren Faire is that we put up ROPES to keep the Mundanes out So it's like the Lords in Medieval times would do their thing while the peasants outside just get to look

[zorgon]

Any billets for Prussian royalty?

I'm a descendant of the House of Hohenzollern.

(Technically, I could probably slide in under Romania.)

Yes actually  We can do that   How much of that history do you know?

[Irene]

Yes actually  We can do that   How much of that history do you know?

Well, one of my great uncles did the research. When he died his GD greedy girlfriend would not give his real family, us, the research, so I can't verify much.

When he died he was well into the 1600's, but traced one name back as far as the 700's way before the House was founded.

[zorgon]

When I was very much younger, I loved going to Ren fairs!  I would still love to go but...  Money, You know...  LOL!

Well let me tell you something

When I started the Guild we had very little extra money to start.  But we had TWO things  1) The WILL to create it and 2) OTHER PEOPLE

To create something you don't need a lot of money when you have a group of like minded people that have a will   Sure over time there are differences of opinions and people come and go but if you have a core groups, things happen

In the Laws of the Land one can start a 501c3 corporation and legally seek donations. Donations can be cash but at the beginning donations of STUFF can be more useful

Example  You need Garb (costumes for you mundanes ) but you have no money.  So next step;

1) Can you sew?  (that is a generic you for anyone )  If the answer is yes, then go to step 4 if no continue

2) Find a sewing club (or join the local SCA if you have one)

3) or find a friend that can sew...

4) You need fabric... for Medieval costumes embroidered upholstery fabric and drapery fabric are IDEAL In fact its what we use for the royal garb.

5)  where to get fabric with no money?  Many places. As you only need a yard or three for most garments you can go to your local upholstery shops, tell them what your are doing (making costumes for medieval reenactment) and most of them will give you remnants for free. When an upholstery shop covers a couch, the backs of most couches have a large flat piece that is usually in good condition as it is always against a wall...  THAT section is useful.  We have found many sofas in the trash and i take them home to strip fabric (and get firewood and other materials)  Found one a week ago that was all LEATHER... Now that stuff is very useful for medieval garments  and even a box of leather scraps can be sold

But generally these dealers have left over salvage that is to short to use and some bigger ones have donated rolls of fabric that they no longer have a use for.  I can usually pick these up for 10.00 or so a roll.  One lot I got free was a taffetta in red gold and blue. 2 roles of each color  400 yards per role     I have been using that for years and sell it on ebay as well

Here is the red  and the listing. So as you can see with NO MONEY you can get free fabric, find a sewer or sew it yourself, and even sell extra fabric to make a buck to pay annual membership fee in the SCA ($30.00 a years)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Fashion-Paisley-Printed-Design-Poly-Taffeta-Lining-Fabric-BY-THE-YARD-/112396238355

[zorgon]

Yard sales are great for finding stuff and so are thrift stores

I always look for old carpets for the camp (Yes we use carpets for camping see below)  So I spotted a tard sale around the corner. She had an old carpet in the driveway to put her stuff om. i asked how much for that old carpet?  She said $5.00 sound okay?  Hell yeah    Sold that one at the next war for $50.00 and didn't need to clean it

She also had a set of drapes for 5.00  A real nice burgundy shimmery fabric  Well there is an outfit

My daughters persona uses burgundy and black as her colors... THIS is her camping tent from the last war in February.   All of the stuff in it is either made by us or scrounged  That bed... we made two beds out of the wood tossed in the trash by a neighbor    It comes apart in minutes with bolts and wingnuts and breaks down to save space.  Thrift stores and yard sales we find all those goodies or make them (like the wooden chest)



These two belly dance dresses my daughter sewed them, mostly by hand  the first one is using that red taffetta and the burgundy shimmering drapes we got from that yard sale... and the second one she sold at war for $80.00  These were her first 2 attempts 



http://landoflegendslv.com/07foreign/03orgs/01SCA/images/Events/GWW2016/Shop/GWW-2016-M001.jpg

So building a Kingdom is literally as easy as Do It Yourself