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 Answers with no photos will not be published.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.
SCA Name & title: THL Gwydeon ap Arden, Order of the Gage
Years in the SCA: 35 Years
How did you find out about the SCA?
Growing up in Alaska is the last place you would probably think to find the SCA back in the eighties. Originally my mother wanted to go to a renaissance faire when I was very young. After some time, Dad said okay, and we all loaded up in the car and went to my first ever faire. I fixated on everything, the sights, the smells, the acting, and as we walked around the local Barony of Eskalya was doing a fighting demo, which immediately caught my eye. I stood there beside my mom entranced watching Heavy fighters clash each other and fight. The sounds, the movements, the shiny metal helmets, the applause to the victor. I looked at the heraldry on the shields, and then, as my mother and father were talking to one of the Chatelaines, I watched my first fight ever between two Knights, Sir Kylson Skyfire, may he Rest in Peace, and Sir Brendan Shimmeringstar. As I watched something just clicked, and I excitedly began to interrupt my mom and dad. When my mom finally pried my hand from her shirt sleeve she bent down and asked me “What is it?”
And with big dinner plate blue eyes I looked up at my mom and said, “I know what I want to be when I grow up.”
Amused the Chatelaine smirked as I excitedly pointed to the field, “I wanna be a Knight!”
With that being said, my dad looked at the woman and said, “So how do we join?”
And the rest they say, is history
Where did you start, what was your first event?
1980s? Summer Coronet in at the time the Shire of Selviergard, now the Barony of Selviergard.
What is your persona?
Originally Arthurian. When I was younger I was heavily enthralled by the Knights of the Round Table. And I chose Gareth as my name. When I was finally old enough to fight heralds would butcher Gareth, and I was be called Garth. So Gwydeon was born. A Welch bastard child of a Viking raid.
Why did you pick this persona? As I grew older my area of interest changed, from Knights to Vikings
Do you have any group or household affiliations?
Well, a few to be honest, Rolling Thunder, Oldcastle, Prydeskeep, and the list just keeps going.
Tell us a little bit about your life outside the SCA.
I spent a collective eleven years in military service between two branches. The Marines out of high school, and the Army. After which I went to school to become a high school history teacher, but due to job climate I was unable to secure employment. Shortly after graduation I received my complete disability from the Military, which classed me as unemployable, and I retired five years ago. The majority of my mundane life is spent training and tending to my furry compatriots and being a house elf.
What SCA activities do you or have you participated in?
Fighting, blacksmithing, blade smithing, leatherwork, fighting, fencing, Calligraphy and Illumination, Queens guard, Bardic…. Did I mention fighting?
Tell us a little bit about your SCA experience (jobs, offices, duties, etc.)
I have held various offices in my time in the SCA. Primarily, I am the Knight marshal of the Shire of Sterlynge Vayle, but I have held the offices of Herald, Chatelaine, Constable, Chirurgen, and Baronial Champion.
When you started in the SCA what goals did you have?
Well, I was a kid, I had one goal at the time I wanted to fight, and I wanted to be a knight. But as I grew up I began to understand the path is more than just putting on armor going out into the list field and fighting.
What are your goals now? Oh I still want to be a Knight, that dream has never changed.
What was the most intimidating thing you encountered in the SCA?
Standing in front of people, I play it off well due to past experience, but deep down inside? Quaking in my boots
After the unexpected shutdown ends, what is one thing you would like to accomplish in the SCA?
Find some of my friends, drag them out of hibernation, put on the armor, beat on each other until we can’t lift our arms. Rest. Go to the forge and pound out a blade.
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?
There is always someone with an answer to your question, and if I don’t know the answer, I can point you to the person that does.
If you magically woke up with an SCA talent you do not already have, what would it be? Scrimshaw (scrollwork, engravings, and carvings done in bone or ivory)
If you had to join the SCA in another “era” (1970, 1980, etc.), what “era” would you pick and why? I don’t think I would pick a different era, than the one I came into to be honest.
Don’t be modest, what award or honor would you like to receive above all else and why?
Well, who doesn’t want to be King? And in time I may even achieve that station. But my one true goal and dream would be to attain Knighthood. That hasn’t changed from the time I was a little kid. And I wouldn’t mind becoming a Laurel or a Pelican either, but my main focus currently is to achieve Knighthood.
If you could pick one thing you would like to see more of in the SCA, what would it be? Camaraderie, there is too much darkness in the world for us not to be friends and enjoy this wonderful hobby and dream.
Interested in participating in Populace in Focus? Find out how below:
Our series of 5 questions for members of the Æthelmearc Order of Defense continues this week with Master Illadore de Bedagrayne.
1. Of all the things you could have done in the Society , why did you choose fencing?
I had been in the SCA for about 13 years when I first started and was a cook and did other A&S activities. However, I decided I wanted to try some more physical activity. At first, I was vaguely interested in fencing – a number of friends of mine had started fencing, and I thought it looked like fun. So, I went to a practice in the BMDL.
The first time I went, it was okay and I did some drills with the marshals because they didn’t have loaner equipment that fit me. The next week, I came back and they had found a doublet my size – and I got to actually stab someone for the first time. Then, they did melee practice, and I was *hooked* from that moment on.
2. Why do you still fence?
I deeply love it. I love the people, I love the history of it, I love that there is always something new to learn, and I deeply love competition. All of Æthelmearc is amazing and its rapier community doubly so. I also love the game of fencing. It is a physical game, sure, but it is also a deeply mental one. I also greatly enjoy talking about the mental aspect of fencing with people too.
3. If you could go back in time and give the “new” you advice what would it be?
Don’t buy your first sword just because it’s pretty. I still have it. It’s practically a piece of rebar and I never use it.
4. What is your most memorable moment as a fencer?
One of the best pieces of advice I was ever given was “fight the fight in front of you.” Not only was it the perfect advice in the moment (i.e., don’t worry about winning the tourney, just focus on winning against your current opponent), it was great life advice too. I used it, practically daily, as a mantra when I was working on my master’s thesis.
5. If you were to start all over again would you do anything different?
No. Other than win the lottery so I could go fence more. Even the dumb things I have done were good learning experiences for me.
Elska was looking for a local place to do archery. She doesn’t quite remember how she got hooked up with our local SCA group, the Dominion of Myrkfaelinn, but she did (eventually) go to a meeting to check it out. I didn’t join her the first few meetings. I had a role-playing thing in my head and I’m not a role-playing game fan. She was a bit intimidated though and convinced me that I may like to try out fencing. I went to my first meeting and I guess we never looked back.
Where did you start, what was your first event?
We started and are still living in the Dominion of Myrkfaelinn, our first event was Æthermearc Æcademy in the Fall of 2014, hosted by the Dominion itself. It was the absolute best way to go to our first event. Our first class was SCA 101 🙂 We met new people, learned more of the enormous scope of the SCA, and were or part of the event organizing effort, which gave us a place to belong and a purpose right away as opposed to maybe feeling kinda lost on our first event.
What is your persona?
Late 10th century Viking. Quite broadly defined, I haven’t narrowed it down to a very specific time frame or location.
Photo by Baroness Anastasie de Lamoure
Why did you pick this persona?
We used to go to Renaissance Fairs and at one point (pre SCA) we traded Viking garb for airplane tickets for Elska’s sister to visit us here in the US (all of our direct family still lives in The Netherlands). Elska’s sister makes garb that she sells at Viking/Medieval/Renaissance Fairs. She made a full outfit in a Rus Viking style for each of us. We liked it right away and felt “right” wearing it and when we joined Myrkfaelinn and learned about the history of the group it seemed a good choice. Later our interest gravitated more heavily to that culture and period and now we’re pretty firmly set.
Do you have any group or household affiliations?
Elska and I are honorary members of the Hael Hounds and the Rhydderich Hael archery group. We also have household affiliations through my apprenticeship with Master Fridrikr Tomasson and Elska’s apprenticeship with Master Bedwyr Danwyn, but we never engaged much in either.
Tell us a little bit about your life outside the SCA.
I met Elska in 1992, both of us born, raised and living in The Netherlands. After completing my Ph.D in 1998, we got married and moved to the US for my first postdoctoral fellowship. I switched from an experimental and theoretical background in Neutron Scattering research to the computational physics field and quickly discovered that I really like programming and writing code to simulate or model interesting physics or engineering problems. We lived in Gainesville, FL for three years (which was quite long enough…) and then moved for another two-year postdoc to Ithaca, NY. We really liked Ithaca and after a three-year stint at Pitt in Pittsburgh, PA, I accepted a job at a tiny research company near Ithaca. We were very happy to move back to the house that we bought here while I worked at Cornell. Two years later, Simon was born and we decided it was time to settle, having never lived in the same apartment/house for more than two years since I went to college. After about 13 years, just before Covid hit, the company I worked for ran out of money, my boss decided it was a good time to retire and I didn’t feel like doing his job. I like research and programming, I don’t like paperwork, hunting for money and the politics and bureaucracy that goes with it. It wasn’t good timing to look for another local job, but I did find a nice position at a company in Rome, NY. The location isn’t ideal, I don’t feel like moving yet, but I do really like the job. It’s not commutable on a daily bases, so in the near future I will continue to live part-time there and part-time in Ithaca.
Photo by Mistress Elska A Fjarfelli
What SCA activities do you or have you participated in?
I started out with fencing and came spring I added target archery. Later in my first year I started dabbling a little in A&S. Initially in some general research and a bit of woodworking (which is a long-term mundane passion of me). Many of you know this story by now, but it started with me making a warp-weighted loom for Elska. She was already heavily involved in a variety of A&S areas and at one point decided she wanted to try weaving and build herself a warp weighted loom. She already was active in a bunch of fields, am me enjoying woodworking myself, joked that she already did enough and that she should leave something for me and that I would build her one as an A&S project. I did a bit of research, went into the woods to cut down a bunch of suitable trees and build a loom to enter in the Ice Dragon Pent. I got a lot of positive feedback and one person particularly, Mistress Rhiannon y Bwa, a fellow Myrkie, convinced me that I should at least try weaving something on it. The rest is history. I have since then completed several weaving projects, started tablet weaving, and have done a lot of research on the history of weaving with a focus on the warp weighted looms. I also built several extra parts and a complete additional loom, because Elska kept complaining that she never got to use “her” loom 🙂
Tell us a little bit about your SCA experience (jobs, offices, duties, etc.)
I am the current Kingdom Minister of Arts & Sciences, the region 5 Chatelaine (since AS 53), as well as the local Myrkfaelinn Exchequer (since AS 51), Chatelaine (since AS 52) and group target archery Marshall (since AS 51). Elska and I were garb coordinators for Their Graces Sven Gunnarsson and Siobhán inghean uí Liatháin (AS 52-53). I had the honor to serve as Kingdom A&S Co-Champion under Their Graces Gareth Kincaid and Juliana Delamere (AS 52), lieutenant of the Guard to Her Grace Gabrielle van Nijenrode (AS 51-52), and Kingdom Archery Champion under Their Graces Magnus Tindal and Etain ingen Dalaig (AS 50). With Myrkfaelinn being a small group where every active member pretty much always pitches in and takes turns to run events, I have tried pretty much everything in our local group. Locally and at other events, I have run dayboards, helped in the kitchen, autocrated events, sat troll, served as Æcademy class coordinator, Marshalled and designed/made archery ranges, served as guard and retained to Their Majesties, served as guard and at hospitality at Royal Camp at Pennsic and taught classes at Æthelmearc events and Pennsic.
When you started in the SCA what goals did you have?
To have fun and enjoy the many aspects of my soon to be main hobby.
What are your goals now?
To keep enjoying my SCAdian live, to keep connected and motivated and help other to stay motivated in these dark Covid times, and to serve my duties to the best of my ability, with my primary current focus on KMoAS. I more or less stopped fencing after a severe bout of tendonitis and with much of my focus shifted to A&S and archery, I haven’t really gotten back much to fencing. I hope to change that and enjoy more time fencing again at events once we can get together again. Finally, I am still planning to write a CA on the history of and weaving on the warp weighted loom.
Photo by Mistress Arianna of Wynthrope
What was the most intimidating thing you encountered in the SCA?
Probably being called forward in Court at Coronation (Harvest Raid, AS 50) as the new Kingdom Archery Champion. I was still so new to the SCA and didn’t know many people yet. Walking up with all those people watching me and wondering who I was, was scary for someone who is really very uncomfortable in the spotlight in front of people. I owe a huge thank you to Their Graces Magnus Tindal and Etain ingen Dalaig and Their staff for Their support, for making me feel welcome and at home and involving me in Their reign and particularly for introducing me to many people outside my local group. It opened so many doors and formed the basis of many friendships ever since.
After the unexpected shutdown ends, what is one thing you would like to accomplish in the SCA?
I guess that kinda coincides with my goals above, but particularly in Covid context, I am looking forward to reconnect personally with my SCAdian family and especially reach out to new members who faced a very tough time to get started in our hobby.
Photo by Michelle Jinx Vicchitto
What advice would you give to a new person in the SCA?
To try as many things out as you are able to, physically and financially. To help out at your local events, it really helps to get to know people and for people to get to know you. Try helping out in the kitchen, it really is lots of fun! Reach out to people and ask, you will be amazed how virtually everybody will try to help you or find someone else to help you better. Help with guarding and retaining, you will quickly become a part of a nice bunch of people that can help you feel at home. Finally, don’t be afraid to bring younger kids. It can be hard at events, but I think there are many events now where a real effort is made to reach out and create activities to keep the younger ones entertained. Being part of the SCA with a younger child has been an incredibly positive experience for me and I am utterly convinced for Simon as well.
If you magically woke up with an SCA talent you do not already have, what would it be?
Scribal, every aspect of it. I am immensely impressed and grateful to our scribal community and their skill in making all those beautiful scrolls time and time again.
If you had to join the SCA in another “era” (1970, 1980, etc.), what “era” would you pick and why?
Probably the late 80s, early 90s. Early enough to be more a part of the earlier history that I hear so much about, young (and fit) enough to enjoy the martial aspect more than I can now and not too busy to make time for it. That being said I think we joined at a very opportune time, we had time, were well settled locally and Simon was old enough to join us and enjoy himself instead of needing babysitting all day.
Photo by Mistress Abigail Kelhoge
Don’t be modest, what award or honor would you like to receive above all else and why?
You ask a Dutch guy to not be modest…? I am still recovering from everything that happened at such a quick pace over the past years, that I’m really not thinking much about anything else other than to make sure that I honor and deserve what was awarded to me, that I return the favor and pay it forward. However, what drives me within the society most and what will keep me coming back again and again and involved is the personal relationships built with so many members of my new found family. I love archery for the sake of archery. The skill, the focus, the relaxation that it gives me. I love A&S for the sake of A&S. I love making stuff and doing research. But what really motivates me and stimulates me to keep growing is the sharing of what I do with others. To stand at the line, either as an archer or as a Marshall and enjoy the camaraderie. To sit around the table at an event and chat about our shared passion. To help run events with a bunch of people that are helping out so that others can enjoy a nice day off with friends. To teach others what I love and to learn from other about things I don’t know anything about yet. To see others succeed in what they look for within the SCA. Helping out to make things happen and motivating and stimulating others by doing what I’m doing, is what I enjoy much more than personal accomplishments.
If you could pick one thing you would like to see more of in the SCA, what would it be?
Families with children. Even in my short SCA career, I have seen a positive growth in activities for children and a more welcome and open attitude to children. Myrkfaelinn and other groups already started with waiving troll for children. Lots of things are happening that help making it easier to bring younger children and I hope that that keeps getting better and better.
Interested in participating in Populace in Focus? Find out how below:
Our series of 5 questions for members of the Æthelmearc Order of Defense continues this week with Master Po Silvertop.
1. Of all the things you could have done in the Society, why did you choose fencing?
For me it was the other way around, the SCA didn’t lead me to fencing, fencing led me to the SCA.
I first held a fencing blade (an Olympic sabre) at a performing arts camp before I was even in my teens. I was already an avid science fiction and fantasy reader, in addition to loving Dumas, Scaramouche, and other swashbuckling novels and movies. I started sport sabre and stage combat that summer and continued them for years, adding foil and epee along the way. Years later, I encountered local SCAdian fencers while I was choreographing the Scottish Tragedy. They invited me to the local practice after they joined the theatrical production.
2. Why do you still fence?
I still very much enjoy it. It makes my heart sing. Not just the ‘tactical chess’ aspect, but the ‘poetry in motion’ aspect, and the ‘zen mindset’ aspect. Plus I’ve always loved the camaraderie of the community.
3. If you could go back in time and give the “new” you advice what would it be?
Hmmm… “Enjoy the moment” more… Overthink less.
4. What is your most memorable moment as a fencer?
Oh my… I’ve been blessed with a staggering number of personally memorable moments both on and adjacent to the rapier field… Great bouts at practices and events, fun tourney finishes, wonderful teachers and students, unexpected court ambushes, the Pennsic tourneys… Even being the “Susan Lucci of the fencing community”… How can I narrow it down to one?
5. If you were to start all over again would you do anything different?
No, I don’t think so… Even the missteps were educational (and entertaining) – and helped me to become the SCAdian I am today.
How did you find out about the SCA? Prior to formally joining the SCA I was a fantasy live action role player (elf ears and rubber swords all the way). During the course of that hobby, I had several friends who also participated in the SCA, so It is hard to say who was the first person to introduce me to the SCA. I went to the same college as Duke Christopher of York and was friends with Morgan Elandris for years before joining the SCA. I suspect it was multiple people who finally resulted in my early SCA exposure.
Where did you start, what was your first event? The first event I remember officially attending (and staying for the whole thing) was in Buffalo, perhaps 1989-1990. I think it was a Summers End. I remember the feast was in a little stone building. This event was significant for me because after the event we crashed at Duke Christopher of York’s apartment for the night. It came to our attention that the basement was full or armor making tools and a friend and I spent hours down there banging on metal. This came to an abrupt end when a tall blonde woman poked her head in the basement and told us to pack it up. The noise had provoked the neighbors to call the police. This was the first time I met Baroness Morgan Elandris. Thankfully, she didn’t kill us, and that encounter turned into a decades long friendship. I played for a short time while stationed in North Dakota but was always on the fringes of the Society. The first event I went to and actually fought at was Pennsic 25. Seven or so years ago I decided to participate in the SCA full time.
What is your persona? I am a very generic 14th century Englishman.
Why did you pick this persona? In another life, I was friends with a very young THL Enzo de Pazzi (just Enzo back then). We both played another game together called Dagorhir (a foam sword fighting game). When we met, I was very much the generic “pirate shirt & moccasins LARP guy” and Enzo was a ninja. We mixed liked oil and water at first but slowly became good friends. He started to get interested in making historically accurate garb and armor, and his work so inspired me that I decided I would move to more historical garb as well. Enzo was focused on 14th century stuff so I matched that. I stuck with it because 14th century gear is comfortable, looks good, and the armor is very functional for SCA heavy combat.
Do you have any group or household affiliations? I am a member of the Woodland Watch, the protégé-apprentice of Mistress Ysabeau Tiercelin, and a proud member of the Rhydderich Hael archery group, the “Hael Hounds”.
Tell us a little bit about your life outside the SCA I am currently a Protective Security Supervisor for HSBC bank. Prior to that I worked for the government as a Stationary engineer for ten years and served in the Air Force for four years. I have three college degrees in Industrial model making, graphic design, and criminal justice. I have never used any of them to earn a living. Currently I live in the Great Buffalo area and share a home with my Fiancé Lady Thalia Papillon and our two fuzzy cats. I ran my own LARP group, Adventures in Mid-Land for 16 years, and then played in a group called Dagorhir for another ten. I am an avid war gamer, miniature painter, and model maker. I also owned a game store called “Arcane Sanctuary” in Utica NY for a short time before moving to Buffalo.
What SCA activities do you or have you participated in? I am currently an authorized fencer and heavy fighter (including siege) as well as an archer and thrower. I dabble in arts and science as a leather worker.
Tell us a little bit about your SCA experience (jobs, offices, duties, etc.) During my time with the SCA I have served in the Rhydderich Hael as the Deputy Chatelaine, Demo Coordinator, Chronicler, captain of the guard for Carolous and Isolda (10th Baron and Baroness of the Rhydderich Hael), and currently as the historian. I am a heavy weapons and thrown weapons marshal, and by total accident I am a herald (but honestly have no talent for it). Currently I am serving as co-captain of the guard for Their Majesties Maynard and Liadain (though COVID has made that a pretty easy job). As mentioned before, I am the protégé-apprentice of Mistress Ysabeau Tiercelin. I am on the staff for ÆLive and until recently I was an editor for the Æthelmearc Gazette. I have run several events and served as staff on a handful of others. I also had the honor of serving as the 11th Baron of the Rhydderich Hael.
When you started in the SCA what goals did you have? I had two goals when I started the SCA seven years ago. I wanted to authorize in heavy weapons fighting again and (having spent so many years running other groups) take on zero responsibility or jobs whatsoever. I succeeded in the first goal and authorized, but totally failed on the second.
What are your goals now? My main goal is to give my Lady the honor of fighting for her in a Crown Tournament. I would also like to fight in the combat of the thirty at Pennsic.
What was the most intimidating thing you encountered in the SCA? Hands down it was my first few months going to heavy fighter practice in the Hael. I love fighting but I have never been a great fighter. Heavy practice at the time averaged about four people a night, including me, and everyone but me was a Knight (including a Duke). Everyone was always willing to fight me and I learned a lot, but I suspect I was not the most exciting opponent. I often had to convince myself to get off my ass and get to practice. Thankfully, I kept going and before long got comfortable in my own armored skin.
After the unexpected shutdown ends, what is one thing you would like to accomplish in the SCA? I would really like to take time and focus on enjoying the SCA more with Thalia. During her first years in the SCA I was serving as Baron of the Hael and my time was often divided. She was wonderful during that time and I would like to spend the rest of our years in the SCA enjoying it together. I know when my lady and I make it back to Pennsic we are really looking forward to volunteering. We really enjoyed working Troll and would like to try a few shifts as security. I would also like to return to visiting events outside the Kingdom as often as we can.
What advice would you give to a new person in the SCA? Do not be afraid to try everything that interests you at least once. Serve as often as you can in whatever jobs are offered. Not because you want to get an award, but because service is a great way to learn about how the SCA works behind the scenes. It is also a great way to meet people. Respect your limits (physically and mentally), but do not be afraid to push them. Never think you are not important to the SCA because you are new. Everyone was new once. One day you will find out it was you who inspired another person just starting on their own journey. When you are a “veteran” remember to watch out for new people and recognize their efforts in any way you can. Never assume someone else will see it. Most importantly have fun.
If you magically woke up with an SCA talent you do not already have, what would it be? Sewing garb. I enjoy leather work, but honestly the ability to sew garb would serve me better in my day-to-day SCA life.
If you had to join the SCA in another “era” (1970, 1980, etc.), what “era” would you pick and why? If I had to pick another era it would be the early years (1970). I have a few friends who tell stories of the time and honestly it sounded like a lot of fun.
Don’t be modest, what award or honor would you like to receive above all else and why? When I joined the SCA the award that really stuck out in my mind was the augmentation of arms. I just straight up thought that was a cool concept. Granted I had no idea what most of the awards meant or why people got them, so I had no clue that I did not (and would never) meet the standards to have an augmentation. I am 100% okay with that, but it is still a cool idea, so I am sticking with that one as my answer.
If you could pick one thing you would like to see more of in the SCA, what would it be? I would like to see more effort put into improving atmosphere at events. Sometimes the SCA feels rushed, and I think it takes away from what attracts people to the SCA in the first place. Do not get me wrong, I am not accusing people of not caring. The SCA is a busy place, and a lot of people do not have time to breathe during event season let alone take time to “fine polish” their efforts. It is hard to put 110% into an event when you have two or three days before packing up and attending another. I would like to see a bit more quality over quantity when it comes to events.
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?
