[MR] Re: authenticity...and the SCA as a joke

[ekoogler1 at comcast.net]

My Lords and Ladies,
I must take exception to the comment that the SCA is regarded as a "joke" when it comes to historical accuracy.  Yes, there are some groups who criticize what we do...they have a hard time dealing with the fact that our time period of recreation crosses 8 centuries and most of the known world...including, despite some efforts to the contrary, those of us with oriental personnas.  

However, we are not regarded as a joke in many quarters.  
 
*  Our heraldic tradition is recognized as authoritative by the British College of Heralds...and has been for many years.  One of our first Heraldic Symposia was attended by the (then) Norroy-Ulster King of Arms as our guest. You may recognize him as the editor of the recent editions of the Fox-Davies and Boutell's treatises on heraldry, J. P. Brooke-Little.  

*Our armory has long been recognized...in fact, one of our number went to the Tower of London and put one of Henry VIII's suits back together when no one there could. 

*  Our research into culinary history is recognized as authoritative...and our efforts to recreate period feasts has, I believe, led to the publication of more period cook books.  At the moment, in fact, we have one gentle in Atlantia doing a scholarly translation of a period German cookbook, and another translating a Catalan cookbook.

*  Many of our folk have studied a very wide range of subjects, and shared their information with us and others outside the SCA...though published papers and web sites.  

Yes, some folk consider the SCA a social gathering...but then gatherings in period were as well.  It's a time to see old friends and talk about things we share.  You will never see the "authenticity" you do in really serious recreation groups...we didn't start out that way, and we have gone down the path we started too far to change now.  But we are far more authentic than we were even 10 years ago...more of us camp under canvas, our clothing is generally made more of period fabrics and are closer to what was actually worn in period.  We learn from each other about the different cultures that we all represent.  In fact, you would never see something like the handfasting Phillip and I had at Pennsic...an 8th century druidic ceremony performed by a late-period Frenchman between a 14th century Irish merchant and a 16th century Japanese lady!!!

Minowara Kiritsubo, OL, OP
   Baroness of Dun Carraig (for another 3 weeks!)
> Message: 3
> Date: Mon, 27 Oct 2003 10:11:48 -0500
> From: "Towey, Brian" <cbt4489 at GlaxoWellcome.com>
> Subject: [MR] Challenge
> To: atlantia at atlantia.sca.org
> Message-ID:
> 	<7A1A06C7CB69D711A301000802DFB89A025C0E72 at us9n28.glaxo.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain
> 
> Duke Logan just observed:
> 
> "the end result is this, the sca as a living history organization is a joke.
> the sca is, and has been for some time, a social club were some people dress
> up.  but thats not what the charter of the organization says."
> 
> Ouch! 
> 
> I don't know anyone who wants the SCA to become like some Civil War groups,
> where they quite literally inspect the inside of your hat to make sure that
> it has the right label and has the correct amount of dirt and horse hair on
> it.  But, neither do I know anyone who wants us to be a laughingstock.
> 
> The puzzle appears to be how to become less of a joke, historically, without
> alienating those of limited means or knowledge.
> 
> Atlantia includes some of the most wonderfully bright and creative people I
> have ever had the privilege to know.  If ever a group could solve that
> puzzle, surely this one can.
> 
> I'd like to challenge the Tavern to name ten ways to make authenticity more
> desirable and attainable.
> 
> We have already heard a great one: 
> 
> 1) "Nimenfeld had an "adopt-a-fighter" program where the sewers picked one
> particular fighter to make tabards, etc. for."
> 
> Since the same people who grumble at new regulations will often knock
> themselves out to win an honor or a contest, I'll suggest two more: 
> 
> 2) What if each new monarch selected a "color guard" to bear the Atlantian
> banner?  A Viking king could choose Norse guards; a HYW king could choose
> 14th C guards, etc.  In exchange for the honor, the color guard would strive
> to have an authentic "dress uniform" that was list-legal.
> 
> 3) When planning for wars, what if one war point were to be awarded in a
> period Pas, where the contestants had to meet a high level of authenticity?
> Or, to raise the ante, what if that same Pas was closed, except to
> spectators who were equally well dressed?
> 
> Let's hear it, folks!  I'm sure there are more ideas out there, many of them
> better than mine.
> 
> Your servant,
> 
> Lord Charles Fleming
> "Miror Otium Negotium Multum Requirere"