How did you find out about the SCA? I found out about the SCA through my significant other
Where did you start, what was your first event? My first taste of the SCA was through my first event, being Bears Event in 2020.
What is your persona? My persona is based around a somewhat wealthy 13th century Russian woman.
Why did you pick this persona? I picked my persona because of the large amount of Russian blood in my family, and I also absolutely adore the clothing worn, and I like to research the culture and life of the time.
Do you have any group or household affiliations? I am affiliated with the Shire of Hunters Home.
Tell us a little bit about your life outside the SCA. In my life outside of the SCA I spend as much time as possible studying nature around me, discovering the everyday uses for the everyday weeds, roots, flowers, fungi, and berries. I enjoy traditional arts such as oil painting and drawing, as well as digital art and graphic design. I also teach myself how to cook and bake, and love dishing out my new creations with friends and family.
What SCA activities do you or have you participated in? I like to participate in Arts & Sciences activities when possible.
Tell us a little bit about your SCA experience (jobs, offices, duties, etc.) My experience in the SCA is unfortunately very limited due to the pandemic, but I always try to reach out and help in any way, like helping with feasts, troll, and setting up tents. All of my peers are so willing to help me go after my dreams within the SCA and it makes me feel very much at home.
When you started in the SCA what goals did you have? My goals when I first started were all over the place… So out of sheer wonder I wanted to get into every single thing possible!
What are your goals now? My goals now are to really hone in on learning and creating scribal arts and go somewhere really far with it 🙂
What was the most intimidating thing you encountered in the SCA? The most intimidating thing I have encountered (especially as someone very new to the SCA) is the pressure of excellence and the need to be completely historically accurate in the eyes of others. At the end of the day, I want to be the kind of person to guide others in their creative journey rather than make them feel unwelcomed into any aspect of the SCA.
After the unexpected shutdown ends, what is one thing you would like to accomplish in the SCA? After the shutdown, I would love to meet everyone that I may not have been able to before because of the shutdown. Most of all, something I wish to accomplish would be creating new things with tips that I may learn from other scribes or artisans in the SCA, and making strong connections that will last because of it 🙂
What advice would you give to a new person in the SCA, or if new yourself what question would you ask and who would you ask it of? A question I would love to ask would be “how do you keep yourself going, even when it seems really hard to?”. I see so many people constantly creating, but for me and anyone else that struggles with motivation and/or burnout, this question is always in the back of my mind.
If you magically woke up with an SCA talent you do not already have, what would it be? It would definitely have to be non-percussion musical instruments. I am a musical person, but mastering woodwinds and string instruments has always been difficult. Hearing people play flutes, recorders, lutes, dulcimers, etc. always makes me feel so happy.
If you had to join the SCA in another “era” (1970, 1980, etc.), what “era” would you pick and why? I haven’t been on this earth super long, but I would choose around when the SCA first started so I could watch it evolve and grow over time.
Don’t be modest, what award or honor would you like to receive above all else and why? One day maybe far, far away it would be wonderful if I could work my way toward Laurel.
If you could pick one thing you would like to see more of in the SCA, what would it be? I would love to see dancing and botany related things, I think it would be really cool to watch, learn, and participate in.
Interested in participating in Populace in Focus? Find out how below:
Years in the SCA: About 5 years total, separated by 2 Kingdoms with a 2O year hiatus in-between. I came back into the SCA in Æthelmearc in the spring of 2019.
How did you find out about the SCA? 20 years ago, my Ex-husband introduced me to the SCA.
Where did you start, what was your first event? I got my first start in the SCA in 2000, the Kingdom of Atlantia at an event called Garb Wars.
What is your persona? My persona is based as a 14th Century Lady and wealthy wool merchant because it’s my love of spinning wool that got me back into the SCA.
Why did you pick this persona? Mostly the garb out of 14th century illuminations fascinates me!
Do you have any group or household affiliations? I belong to The Dutchy of Arindale and I have recently been apprenticed to Master Hrólfr Á Fjárfelli.
Tell us a little bit about your life outside the SCA: Outside of the SCA, I run a small fresh cut Dahlia Farm during the growing season, I love making people smile when they get one of my bouquets. I also have a monarch butterfly sanctuary with a large walk-in caterpillar raising cage. My peak monarch hatching season is mid-July and all of August. The thrill of raising and releasing monarchs every year never gets old!
What SCA activities do you or have you participated in? I’ve mostly been doing A&S activities, that seems to me my niche.
Tell us a little bit about your SCA experience (jobs, offices, duties, etc.) I think my experiences have been great and allow me growth within the SCA. I’m in a fantastic Household that’s very supportive of what I do and the path I’m on to better myself. I’ve also met a lot of great people in Æthelmearc that make the experience of events that much more joyful and meaningful.
When you started in the SCA what goals did you have? I honestly did not have any goals other than to attend events and have fun! That’s what it’s all about at the end of the day.
What are your goals now? My goal now is to work towards my Laurel and I hope that I can bring as many people with me as I can.
What was the most intimidating thing you encountered in the SCA?
Not doing something good enough or being period correct enough for some people’s liking. That can have a very negative impact on people, especially if new to the SCA. But I have been fortunate enough to be in a great circle of friends to make those negatives turned into positives.
After the unexpected shutdown ends, what is one thing you would like to accomplish in the SCA?
My first event I attended after the shutdown I had brought a bucket of flowers for the Queen at the time, and photographer snapped a picture of me with the Queen while I was still dressed in a not so nice looking tunic I wear for pavilion set up. That photo made it into the Æthelmearc news and I was mortified at how I looked! I know it’s me and a personal thing, but it really bothered me knowing that I could have done better before seeing the Queen. So, since then I started on a path to make my 14th Century kit of a Lady period correct! I’ve spent this past summer working on that with sewing and acquiring items that my persona would have had. The interesting thing about me wanting to be a better person and about my garb being period correct, it has also sparked that into life with other people around me, that’s kinda cool! I would love to see that continue to spread and people take more interest into period correct garb for their persona. I’ve been helping quite a few folks with making garb to make their kits better. I also started a blog and Facebook page about my garb making adventures called Isolda’s Medieval Wardrobe for people to follow along. So yeah, I’d like to see that joy and pride spread within the Kingdom.
What advice would you give to a new person in the SCA, or if new yourself what question would you ask and who would you ask it of? My advice to someone new in the SCA would be to make sure you are having fun! Find out what your passion is within the SCA and go for it! And don’t be afraid to ask questions! There are so many great people in the Kingdom that are always willing to help steer you in the right direction.
If you magically woke up with an SCA talent you do not already have, what would it be? Illuminations!! I cannot draw a stick figure to save my soul! I really admire the work and artistry and the craftsmanship that goes into making the scrolls for awards! That’s some serious talent!
If you had to join the SCA in another “era” (1970, 1980, etc.), what “era” would you pick and why? Gosh, I don’t know if I have an era I would want to join the SCA in. I was too young for the 70′ and 80’s. Maybe the 90’s when I was in my 20’s and had more energy to do archery and fencing.
Don’t be modest, what award or honor would you like to receive above all else and why? My Laurel. I want to know if I truly got what it takes to go through all the ups and downs, the good times and the hell. My husband will be the first one to tell you that I do not aggravate well, lol! I know a lot of what I will need to learn on this path is patience!
If you could pick one thing you would like to see more of in the SCA, what would it be? Dancing! I have not seen any of that since I started in 2019. It’s also something I would like to learn.
Interested in participating in Populace in Focus? Find out how below:
Greetings!! Lady Thalia Papillon here, Gazette editor and proud inhabitant of the Kingdom of Æthelmearc, continuing with the tradition of populace in focus. Our Kingdom is a vast and wonderful place filled with many great people, but how many of these people do you see event after event and have never met, or maybe wondered more about?
This is open to the entire Kingdom and is not limited by rank, position, or time in the SCA. There is no deadline, when I have articles I will post articles. I am also interested in interviewing couples, households, fighting units, or any other element that makes up the Kingdom. Even if you don’t live in the Kingdom any more, but still call Aethelmearc home in your heart? We would love to hear from you too.
If you are interested in being interviewed please contact me (information below) and I will send you a series of questions to answer. When completed return the answers to me. Please include at least three to four photos to use in the article. One should be a good profile picture. Answers with no photos will not be published.
I hope to hear from as many of you as possible and look forward to learning more about everyone
How did you find out about the SCA? When I was in college at the University at Buffalo, I had a friends in my co-ed service fraternity (both local and scattered throughout Æ and the East) and Baron Fergus, a friend of my housemates. While in grad school, the Hael’s fight practice was a few floors down from my office on campus (as a computer lab supervisor), and I’d hang out and watch the fighters & fencers. Yet, I did not play at the time nor became a member of the SCA because of my heavy involvement in Alpha Phi Omega.
Where did you start, what was your first event? My official start in SCA was in 2007, when I moved to a very rural part of Coppertree for a teaching job. I knew practically no one in the area, my involvement with APO was winding down after being a section chair for 5 years, and I needed something to do. As SCA had been an long-time, back-burner interest, it was time to check it out. I would travel to Coppertree to watch the fighters at practice and have some social time. Before leaving the Shire, A&s nights had restarted, too.
When I returned to Syracuse, I sought out the Barony and started attending their weekly A&S meetings. The first Æ event I attended was an Æthelmearc Æcademy in Coppertree in the summer of 2008. I was only there for 1/2 the day. I remember taking a kennings class from Master Fridrikr and a bardic sharing class from Sir Haakon. There was a quiet moment before leaving when I saw a monarch butterfly flutter across a grassy field between buildings, which was the impetus for my poem “Butterfly on the Battlefield” —written 2 days later while proctoring a Regents exam.
What is your persona? My persona is Sinti, circa 1350-1400 in Southwestern Germany.
Why did you pick this persona? Partially honoring some family stories, I remember growing up and partially because nomadic people could pick up customs and culture from the areas in which they traveled/settled.
Do you have any group or household affiliations? I am currently the landed Baroness for the Barony of Delftwood. I was a member of a household for a few years, which disbanded in 2014. Now, my SCA family is Master Alaxandair and Mistress Maria — my SCA parents — and all of my siblings, aunts, uncles, and all the other strange combinations of our awesomely tangled family web.
Tell us a little bit about your life outside the SCA. In everyday life, I help teachers with educational technologies in their schools and classrooms. I also am a merit badge counselor for Scouts BSA and was an advisor for APO at SUNY Oswego prior to COVID. Oh, and of course, I spend time playing games and watching movies with Ixac and spend lots of cuddle time with Elmo and Jupiter!
What SCA activities do you or have you participated in? Arts & Sciences, including some fiber arts (kumihimo & inkle weaving), copper enameling, bardic arts, and calligraphy & illumination. Marshal Activities, including thrown weapons and archery. Webministry. (more below) Heraldic arts – helping others with name and device submissions.
Tell us a little bit about your SCA experience (jobs, offices, duties, etc.)
At the Baronial level, I am currently Delftwood’s Baroness, and have been a former webminister, Minister of the Lists, unofficial scribe (taking minutes for 7+ years), did an extremely brief stint as Chronicler.
At Kingdom level, I am currently the Historian and was the Kingdom Webminister for 5 years.
I am also the current webminister for Their Royal Highnesses Byron & Ariella, the Historian (as it’s easy to be one’s own webminister 🙂), the Kingdom Earl Marshal, the Kingdom Thrown Weapons Marshal, the Kingdom Chatelaine, ÆLeads, the Kingdom’s Moneyers Guild, and Blackstone Raid. In the past I also have been webminister for the Kingdom webminister’s Office (again, it’s easy to one’s own webminister!), Kingdom Arts & Sciences, TRMs Tindal and Etain, and Blackstone Mountain.
So, as Kingdom Historian, I am currently working on a few different projects. One is creating a Book of Lists, which with the help of Baroness Antoinette and Lady Genevieve, we are working on creating officer lists dating back to the beginning of Æthelmearc. Another major project will be updating the Kingdom’s history paper, so it is brought to the current time. It currently ends in AS LI (2016). (If anyone has anything they wish to be included, please send me an email!)
As Kingdom webminister, I did many things, including keeping the site up-to-date. Under my tenure, the site was revamped, moved twice, kept the email forwarders in order, received officer reports and in-turn sent reports to the Society webminister, created the icon system for the Kingdom Events Calendar with THN Rhys and Mistress Aine (the other 2 Musketeers!), created and maintained the Pennsic Periscope, set up ÆTube, created the pictoral timeline of our Royalty, helped train and mentor webministers (and anyone desiring to learn to build a website), helped institute Zoom with THL Sumayya when the Great Plague came to our lands, assisted with ÆLive and Æthereal Courts, and instituted Google for Æ. I also have a new Zip Code finder ready to go once there is data, as this is one of the most requested features that was lost from our old website.
Also, during the kingdom’s jaunt into Zoom, Sumayya and I were training people to use Zoom and helped with consults from other Kingdoms, answering questions about Virtual Courts and how to effectively use and moderate Zoom rooms (as Æ was first!!).
As the Earl Marshal’s webminister, I also maintain the marshal database. In general, once a website is created, it needs to be maintained. Each site has it’s own personality, so what “goes into it” is based on the site, but the maintenance of these other sites takes only a few minutes here and there. The main builds, though, can range from a few hours to a week or so, depending on how much data is needed to be posted.
When you started in the SCA what goals did you have? To learn. Everything and anything — absorb it all… just like a sponge!
What are your goals now? To continue learning. To continue teaching. To continue being of service and fostering others to do service. (& to not have helium hand) and to continue having fun with what activities I participate in (and encourage others to try them out!)
What was the most intimidating thing you encountered in the SCA?
The webminister position was open in the Barony and I submitted a Letter of Intent (with the encouragement of many of my friends) to be the next Baronial officer and was turned away (coupled with a second retracted offer) in a fashion that would make many people leave forever. I am ever thankful that my friends were there to lift my spirits and that I did not walk away.
After the unexpected shutdown ends, what is one thing you would like to accomplish in the SCA? I would like to attend some larger events outside of Æthelmearc, like Gulf Wars or Birka.
What advice would you give to a new person in the SCA, or if new yourself what question would you ask and who would you ask it of?
1. Don’t be afraid of people in shiny hats or people with titles like Duke, Duchess, King, Queen, Sir, Master, or Mistress. Every single person in our Society started playing at one point and were in the same place you are today.
2. Ask ALL the questions.
3. Ask the same questions to multiple people to get a well-rounded view of your answer.
4. Try ALL the things.
5. You don’t need to be good at all the things.
6. Only do the things that you enjoy doing.
7. If you are able, help with set up and tear down. You will make friends and many hands make light work.
8. Ask about / know the rituals for elevations. Be aware of what takes place so there are no surprises to you while watching one for the first time.
9. Always say thank you.
If you magically woke up with an SCA talent you do not already have, what would it be? Pattern drafting. I could then make “all the garb” (and other really awesome fabric-inspired projects)!
If you had to join the SCA in another “era” (1970, 1980, etc.), what “era” would you pick and why? 1980s. I have this vague recollection of seeing fighting somewhere in Thescorre as a kid. I wish my family had stopped to see it that day, rather than rubbernecking in the car. I think I’d have been a member 30 years earlier if that had happened. Then instead of hearing all the stories of what happened in these years, I’d have seen some of it first-hand.
Don’t be modest, what award or honor would you like to receive above all else and why? A Peli… ahem, wait a moment…
A Fleur. I have been doing arts and crafts my whole life. Now, I have learned new art forms because of playing in the SCA and have found some niches — like micrography.
If you could pick one thing you would like to see more of in the SCA, what would it be? Openmindedness.
Interested in participating in Populace in Focus? Find out how below:
How did you find out about the SCA? / Where did you start, what was your first event?
I actually found out about the SCA via my 8th grade history teacher. She was a civil war reenactor and since I was interested in more medieval pursuits she told me about the SCA. I did find the SCA at that point but being in Middle School I couldn’t drive yet so it made it hard for me to go to practices, meetings or events. I ended up going to a few meetings in Eisental and went to the East Kingdom War Practice at the Ukrainian Homestead but after that I stopped going since there wasn’t anyone my age and it was so hard to get there. Fast forward to college, I was at Penn State and my friend Sarah Perelli (Lady Serena Milani) invited me to this medieval thing which ended up being an event put on by Nithgaard. I ended up working the second half of that event in the Kitchen washing dishes. That was a pretty good indicator of my path in the SCA.
What is your persona? / Why did you pick this persona?
My persona is currently kind of fluid, when I initially started in the SCA I wanted to be from Northern France in the 1300’s. This is where my family was able to trace our oldest recorded ancestor too so I was very interested in learning more about that place and period. Recently I have become more of a mishmash of times and cultures. I do Viking, Landsknecht, and 1300’s English. It all really depends on who I’m with and how much I need to help out because who wants to get their nice garb all sweaty and gross setting up tents?
Do you have any group or household affiliations?
I am not officially associated with any Shires or Baronies, I am an Expat. I mundanely live in Allentown, PA which some might recognize as the East Kingdom. That being said, my heart still resides in the Shire of Nithgaard because that’s where I really came into the fold and still have many friends. As far as households go I am a part of The Duchy of Arindale.
Tell us a little bit about your life outside the SCA.
I have always been a huge Sci-Fi nerd and lover of everything associated with that. I think that is one of the main reasons I went to school to be an Engineer. In 2017, I graduated from Penn State with a Bachelors in Electro-Mechanical Engineering. I currently work as a Manufacturing Engineer for a Medical Textile company, we make woven, knitted, and braided products that are used in everything from sutures and heart grafts to medical meshes. On a day to day basis I work to design and improve the machinery and implement new and better processes. I troubleshoot and facilitate repairs to electrical and mechanical systems. I also do a lot of work validating the machinery and processes. I own my own home and enjoy playing board games and video games as well as camping and Kayaking. If you looked at my you tube history you’d see a lot of SCP content, how to make this or that, comedy sketches, and currently how to make cocktails.
What SCA activities do you or have you participated in?
Most recently I was honored to be the consort of Cormacc Mac Gilla Brigde at Crown Tournament. A&S wise, I love to do pewter casting, woodworking, and most recently Machine Embroidery. By the way, if anyone wants something embroidered let me know and we can talk. I’m just itching to use my machine! If I had to pick, I’d say my biggest passion is helping however / whoever I can, whether that is being the Autocrat, working in the kitchen, retaining, taking watch shifts at Pennsic, holding Kingdom Offices or just setting up tents. That’s what I really like doing.
Tell us a little bit about your SCA experience (jobs, offices, duties, etc.)
I am currently the Kingdom Chamberlain, Kingdom Events Coordinator, and Kingdom Exchequer Archival Deputy. I have autocrated several events and always want to do more… just sayin in case anyone needs an autocrat.
When you started in the SCA what goals did you have?
When I first started I knew helping people was going to be a big part of what I wanted to do. I also thought I wanted to do marshal activities like heavy fighting and I was very interested in siege combat.
What are your goals now?
My current goals are to become more involved at the kingdom level, since I don’t have a home group, find more events that people want me to autocrat, and refine my pewter casting skills. I’m also working on the creation of an online database for the kingdom regalia and the creation / implementation of a new digital submission system for exchequer warrants. I’d also like to get all of the exchequer paperwork Rhys sent me scanned and archived.
What was the most intimidating thing you encountered in the SCA?
I remember thinking that for my first couple events the “SCA” signs along the road were just so sketchy, it was very intimidating following them to an unknown location. Now I’ve grown rather fond of playing spot the sketchy SCA sign.
After the unexpected shutdown ends, what is one thing you would like to accomplish in the SCA?
I’d really like to teach more pewter casting classes. I recently did a demo and it went so well that I am excited to spread my knowledge to others.
What advice would you give to a new person in the SCA, or if new yourself what question would you ask and who would you ask it of?
I would say don’t be afraid to ask people about what they’re doing, whether that be A&S, marshal, or service. Usually, if you show the slightest interest in someone’s passion they will bend over backwards to help you get involved.
If you magically woke up with an SCA talent you do not already have, what would it be?
I wish I could be a voice herald or Bard. Being able to think on the fly like that or really be able to sing or play instruments would just be so cool.
If you had to join the SCA in another “era” (1970, 1980, etc.), what “era” would you pick and why?
I would have liked to join the SCA in the late 80’s or early 90’s at the inception of Æthelmearc. It would have been so cool to be able to help build and influence a new kingdom. I also feel like based on the stories I hear that there were a lot more shenanigans. Now 50 some years in, I feel like many of the questions have been answered and the formulas have been set.
Don’t be modest, what award or honor would you like to receive above all else and why?
Since I joined the society I have wanted to become a Pelican. I think at my first event when I was working in the kitchen someone mentioned that I’d be one someday and that notion just kinda stuck in my head. Almost all of the figures that I admire most in the society are Pelicans, and if I am honored with that distinction someday I feel like I will have really made a difference, just knowing the sacrifices and hard work others have done before me to be recognized by that same order.
If you could pick one thing you would like to see more of in the SCA, what would it be?
I’d like to see more people my own age (26) and more time devoted to revels and hanging out. I feel like the time you spend around the fire singing songs and having an adult beverage or two are some of the times that will be remembered most.
Interested in participating in Populace in Focus? Find out how below:
Greetings!! Lady Thalia Papillon here, Gazette editor and proud inhabitant of the Kingdom of Æthelmearc, continuing with the tradition of populace in focus. Our Kingdom is a vast and wonderful place filled with many great people, but how many of these people do you see event after event and have never met, or maybe wondered more about?
This is open to the entire Kingdom and is not limited by rank, position, or time in the SCA. There is no deadline, when I have articles I will post articles. I am also interested in interviewing couples, households, fighting units, or any other element that makes up the Kingdom. Even if you don’t live in the Kingdom any more, but still call Aethelmearc home in your heart? We would love to hear from you too.
If you are interested in being interviewed please contact me (information below) and I will send you a series of questions to answer. When completed return the answers to me. Please include at least three to four photos to use in the article. One should be a good profile picture. Answers with no photos will not be published.
I hope to hear from as many of you as possible and look forward to learning more about everyone
Greetings!! Lady Thalia Papillon here, Gazette editor and proud inhabitant of the Kingdom of Æthelmearc, continuing with the tradition of populace in focus. Our Kingdom is a vast and wonderful place filled with many great people, but how many of these people do you see event after event and have never met, or maybe wondered more about?
This is open to the entire Kingdom and is not limited by rank, position, or time in the SCA. There is no deadline, when I have articles I will post articles. I am also interested in interviewing couples, households, fighting units, or any other element that makes up the Kingdom. Even if you don’t live in the Kingdom any more, but still call Aethelmearc home in your heart? We would love to hear from you too.
If you are interested in being interviewed please contact me (information below) and I will send you a series of questions to answer. When completed return the answers to me. Please include at least three to four photos to use in the article. One should be a good profile picture. Answers with no photos will not be published.
I hope to hear from as many of you as possible and look forward to learning more about everyone
Author Honorable Lady Beatrice de Winter talks to the Gazette about her Compleat Anachronist #191: Transforming the Living and the Dead: Evolving Thoughts of the Afterlife:
Tell us about you. Name, title, persona, etc.
THL Beatrice de Winter – my persona is a medieval coroner (which, as well as determining cause of death, was a tax collector). I have a passion for educating the populace about death and the dead to provide context for many of the artifacts of the period being recreated by artisans of the Known World.
Death is such a unique subject to study, especially in the SCA. What got you interested?
I have been interested in the topics of death and death culture since childhood. My bus stop was next to a cemetery, which I think may have kickstarted my thoughts about it. I’ve always thought it was odd that people didn’t think of death as a part of life. Looking back, there have been a number of death-related topics I’ve gravitated towards: the Titanic, the Civil War, Harry Houdini and his fight against spiritualism, just to name a few. My first masters thesis is on fatal fire investigation. It’s not too surprising, then, that I’d gravitate towards the topic in the SCA as well.
At my first Pennsic (2005), I took a class on death practices that I just loved and never forgot. That was “Death Becomes Us,” taught by Elianora Mathewes. Another early influence was Baron Hamish MacLeod, who shared my love for the unusual. He was well known for his classes on hangmen and headsmen, which naturally also lead to my first class on capital punishment: “Hangmen, Headsmen, and Other Fun Ways to Die”. I’ll add that my Laurel, Master Cerian Cantwr of the Mid, was extremely supportive of my change in focus from bardic to death. 🙂
What’s your favorite tidbit that you learned in your research?
That’s hard! I think my favorite tidbit has to do with the idea that during the Middle Ages, bodily resurrection was reassured even if one’s body was eaten by a fish or cannibals, because apparently human beings are “non-natural” food. Thus, they cannot be absorbed by another human being.
It’s complicated, but essentially for resurrection, both the body and the soul had to be available. The guy who wrote the initial work on bodily resurrection was very concerned with making sure there were no inconsistencies in his theory. So, that’s how he explains it.
It makes me chuckle.
What’s the most surprising thing you learned?
I think the most surprising thing I learned is that while indulgences really are all about the money in some ways, it wasn’t the church who typically reaped the core of those benefits, but a third party such as a hospital or other charity.
Is there anything in your research that we can apply in the SCA (persona, rituals, etc.?)
I think basically most things we do in the SCA can benefit from the context in which it would have happened and there’s no exception here. So, if you’re a scribe, you should know what something like a Book of Hours was actually used for and why it was so important – beyond the (often) stunning visuals. It wasn’t just used for prayers like how we’d think of in a contemporary Church. It was used specifically to mimic the monastic lifestyle at home, to a certain degree, in an attempt to limit the soul’s time in Purgatory. It was a BIG deal.
No matter what your persona is, prior to the reformation, what I discuss would have impacted both how they lived and how they died. (Caveat: assuming your persona is during the typical SCA time period in Western Europe. There are some exceptions, but generally speaking it’s pretty far reaching.)
Death is one of the esoteric areas of research, which can be hard to display/talk about in traditional SCA A&S formats. Do you have any advice for those interested in researching esoterica?
I would encourage people to research esoterica, frankly. We need more of it out there to help provide additional context and details about what it was like to live during that time. We know a ton about clothing, armor, and art works, which is fantastic! But what about, you know, everything else?
I think the key is just to find something that intrigues you, regardless of what that might be, and start digging. Let other folks know what you’re researching so that if they come across something related, they can pass it along.
You have to think outside the box in terms of displays or other presentations of materials. I created science fair type boards to show off how death culture was connected to many things in the SCA. Mistress Luceta created these amazing little models out of skeletons and clay representing apotropaic (deviant) burials.
It seems like the way we do A&S competitions in the SCA doesn’t lend itself well to the type of research/art you and others do. Any thoughts or suggestions on that front?
There’s no way to easily “compete” with non-traditional ideas. Research papers are of course a possibility, given the right circumstances, although often they’re not a good option. However, I encourage displays! That’s what I did several times: non-competitive opportunities to display my stuff.
I think it would be wonderful if we could find a way to focus on the context for “things” rather than just on the “things” themselves. One suggestion for more of a context competition (that I haven’t seen in practice) would be perhaps giving a presentation on an esoteric non/physical object topic as a way to “compete” rather than offering up a “thing” and it could be judged on how well you impart your knowledge to the audience, how deeply you understand the material, handle questions, etc. We always say that a huge part of A&S is teaching and giving back, so it seems like that might be a more fair way to judge that kind of thing.
I’m actually taking this idea to this summer’s Queen Prize Tourney, one of our Kingdom’s premiere A&S showcases. I’ll be entering by presenting a topic essentially as a proposal for how we might be able to incorporate this sort of thing into our competitive structures.
The Compleat Anachronist is such a fantastic resource for people across the known world. How did you become interested in writing one?
I became interested in writing a CA when I wrote an article about Richard III and his two interments for Tournaments Illuminated, though I’d had several people suggest it to me over time. The TI editor encouraged me to take my ideas further.
What would someone have to do to submit to the Compleat Anachronist?
Really it’s just a matter of reaching out to the Editor and telling her that you have an idea for a CA. All of that info can be found here: https://www.sca.org/publications-officer/ca/
Thank you so much!
You’re welcome! Delighted to be involved!
If you don’t have a subscription to the Compleat Anachronist, you can buy THL Beatrice’s issue, “Transforming the Living and the Dead: Evolving Thoughts of the Afterlife,” from the SCA Marketplace for $7.50 here (search the title or 191).
Greetings!! Lady Thalia Papillon here, Gazette editor and proud inhabitant of the Kingdom of Æthelmearc, continuing with the tradition of populace in focus. Our Kingdom is a vast and wonderful place filled with many great people, but how many of these people do you see event after event and have never met, or maybe wondered more about?
This is open to the entire Kingdom and is not limited by rank, position, or time in the SCA. There is no deadline, when I have articles I will post articles. I am also interested in interviewing couples, households, fighting units, or any other element that makes up the Kingdom. Even if you don’t live in the Kingdom any more, but still call Aethelmearc home in your heart? We would love to hear from you too.
If you are interested in being interviewed please contact me (information below) and I will send you a series of questions to answer. When completed return the answers to me. Please include at least three to four photos to use in the article. One should be a good profile picture. Answers with no photos will not be published.
I hope to hear from as many of you as possible and look forward to learning more about everyone
I grew up in Butler, PA and my parents and I always drove past Pennsic. I fantasied and wished I could get involved, it looked so fun! When I was 17 years old, I met someone who knew someone involved with the Shire of Sunderoak. I attended shire meetings and my first Pennsic that same year, and I’ve been active since.
Where did you start, what was your first event?
Good gentles from Sunderoak encouraged me to attend an SCA event called, “The Fool’s Event” around April 27, 2002 so I could experience a small celebration before my first Pennsic War. A chatelaine, the individual who lends garb and helps SCA newbies get started, gave me a beautiful, flattering dress. I asked her to tell me more about the style, and she explained the dress was modeled after 15 c. Italian Renaissance clothing. From the moment of my very first event, I fell in love with Italian gowns, and they are still a garb style I frequently wear in the present day. I still feel the glimmer of adventure from this lovely day. In short, A young fencer named Sir Jeffrose Stiller came over to myself and my group. He bent down on one knee and inquired, “My dear ladies, I travel from afar without a consort. I humbly beseech one of your greatness to be the lovely consort I may fight for during this tournament.” I stepped forward to join the magic! Following that event, I became enthralled with the SCA. I attended a few smaller events, such as a Sylvan Crusade, because I needed my SCA fix. Pennsic couldn’t come soon enough that year but when it did, it was worth the wait!
What is your persona? Lady Avelina del Dolce lives in 16th Century Florence, Italy. She is a well-educated and sophisticated dancer and commedia dell’arte actress and with talent and knowledge in many different arts and sciences. She loves learning new skills too.
Why did you pick this persona? The arts and garb I enjoy in the SCA connect well to my persona as Avelina del Dolce.
Do you have any group or household affiliations?
I don’t belong to a household. I am known in the commedia and dance communities across the known world. I reside in the Shire of Stormsport (Erie, PA).
Tell us a little bit about your life outside the SCA.
I have my bachelor’s degree in elementary and special education with a master’s degree in special education. Outside of the SCA I work as a student support coordinator at a university to help individuals with autism maintain with their academic, social, independent living, and emotion functioning in college. I’m also a licensed Zumba instructor and teach many dance fitness classes for adults and children.
What SCA activities do you or have you participated in?
I teach dance with a focus on the fifteenth and sixteenth-century Italian cascade dances. I also am heavily involved in commedia dell’arte theater with many different groups across the known world. I also sew, play the violin, sing, lucet, and write.
Tell us a little bit about your SCA experience (jobs, offices, duties, etc.):
I’m part of the Pennsic staff and serve as stage manager for the Performing Arts Pavilion. I also actively teach dance and commedia dell’arte theater classes at Pennsic and sca events in and outside of the kingdom. I helped with the planning of Known World Dance and Music Symposium 12 in Timonium, MD, including running the closing ball. I’ve managed commedia dell’arte troupes, I’m former capocomico of Vagando Stolti (Atlantia).
When you started in the SCA what goals did you have?
When I started in the SCA I wanted to learn as much as I could about everything. I started with renaissance dance, storytelling, commedia dell’arte, sewing and I still learn and practice. I learned enough to sew my own garb, which was exciting! Then my goal was to start teaching as much as possible when I lived in Atlantia, so I signed up to teach for many university events and Pennsic.
What are your goals now?
I want to continue to learn about the topics I enjoy above, especially garment construction and techniques. I’d also love to try my hand at illumination too, but with no prior experience, I’m not sure how to begin! An important goal at this stage of my life is my focus on service in the society. I’m delighted about my opportunity to serve right now as a member of the Pennsic Staff. The SCA has given me so much throughout the years, I take joy when I can help the magic happen for others.
What was the most intimidating thing you encountered in the SCA?
The few years before I started teaching classes at Pennsic I had a bout with imposter syndrome. I decided with encouragement of my friends to sign up anyway. I taught at Pennsic for the first time, and I found all my students to be kind, thoughtful, and received a lot of positive feedback. I loved the dialogue we shared and when students contacted me to tell me how my classes inspired them.
After the unexpected shutdown ends, what is one thing you would like to accomplish in the SCA?
I moved back to AEthemearc only two years ago, after spending nine years in Atlantia prior, and I didn’t really have the time to become more involved with AEthemearc when I settled into my house and job. I’m not even sure if everyone knows I’m back (hopefully they do now, after reading this, lol). It’s hard for me to get involved via ZOOM right now, but I am looking forward to attending more in-person events in AEthemearc when the shutdown ends.
What advice would you give to a new person in the SCA, or if new yourself what question would you ask and who would you ask it of?
Beginning as a newbie in the SCA can feel overwhelming. Don’t forget that all of us started somewhere. We have made mistakes but taking the first step is the only way to learn and grow. The SCA has a lot of supportive, nice people willing to help you on your journey.
If you magically woke up with an SCA talent you do not already have, what would it be? I’d like to sing and write beautiful poetry for bardic circles.
Don’t be modest, what award or honor would you like to receive above all else and why?
I’d eventually like to receive a laurel or pelican service award. I work hard and believe fervently in bringing the dream and magic of the SCA to others. If I never receive this opportunity, I will still participate and continue doing what I love in the SCA.
If you could pick one thing you would like to see more of in the SCA, what would it be?
I’d like to see more service opportunities where we reach out to our greater non-sca community. We need to be accessible for schools, artist collectives, living history, festivals, colleges, and events. I started to advise a college club at my university, and it is wonderful to see young adults dive in and discover the love for what we do. We need guest virtual speakers, so if anyone wants to share an art, please contact me atthe followingemail address.
Where did you start, what was your first event? My first taste of the SCA was through my first event, being Bears Event in 2020.
What are your goals now? My goals now are to really hone in on learning and creating scribal arts and go somewhere really far with it 🙂
If you had to join the SCA in another “era” (1970, 1980, etc.), what “era” would you pick and why? I haven’t been on this earth super long, but I would choose around when the SCA first started so I could watch it evolve and grow over time.
