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

[logan]

what i suggested was that the sca, as a whole, as a living history
organization is a joke.  the wonderful and noteworthy efforts of a few
individuals or a few groups of special interest (heralds, cooks) does not
paint an accurate picture of the sca in general.  these are exceptions,
unfortunately.  sure the sca is a social community and there is nothing
wrong with that.  however if it supposed to be based on the middle ages, and
it is supposed to be educational in nature, then how can it be taken
seriously by its own charter and description if it turns its cheek at every
other modern intrusion at its activities?

how can the sca, as an organization, be considered a viable source for
research and "living history" as it claims when a typical event has coleman
chairs, exposed coolers, "knights" in blue jeans with tennis shoes and
plastic barrels, etc, etc?  further, it makes it hard to convince others of
the respectability and worthiness of the sca as a source of respectable
research when there are enough people that vocally champion the idea of "its
ok as long as its easy".  that is the impression the majority of the anti-
anti-modern items crowd leaves with its audience.  the idea that it should
be fine to take the field in tennis shoes (or sit in a lime green coleman
chair) and that it should also be perfectly acceptable conveys a mindset of
total acceptance.  these intrusions are certainly not necessary as has been
proved time and time again.  there are, thanks to the research and efforts
by the multitude of gentles in this, and other, kingdoms, many alternatives
that not only enhance the outward appearance of the sca but its inner scope
and knowledge as well.  but these things are scoffed at for sheer
convenience and those that attempt to encourage some effort branded as
elitist.

your excellency makes good points and showcases some of the scas fine
examples of effort and study.  but that is not the norm and that is
unfortunate.  the more the people of the sca accept that which strays from
its own charter for the ease of convenience the more the sca risks those
that have done such good deeds will travel to other groups to share their
energy and efforts. then the sca might as well welcome the elves and wizards
back into her fold.

regards
logan

-----Original Message-----
From: atlantia-bounces at atlantia.sca.org
[mailto:atlantia-bounces at atlantia.sca.org] On Behalf Of
ekoogler1 at comcast.net
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2003 4:44 PM
To: atlantia at atlantia.sca.org
Subject: [MR] Re: authenticity...and the SCA as a joke


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"
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