So you want to make a pilgrimage

The event was "Boar's Head - A Celebration of Travelers" (The gate was a viking ship and the site token was a pilgrim badge).  What else could I do but give advice to those who might want to undertake a pilgrimage?  The challenge was to present information about reasons for pilgrimage and equipment for the journey completely in persona. I had my scrip and staff, and badge-filled hat (borrowed from the Wife of Bath), so I could look like a pilgrim of 1284. But that wasn't enough.
What Kudrun didn't know, was that Karyn had a projector along, and could show slides of period pilgrims and shrines behind her back. This allowed presentation of things that would happen in Kudrun's future, such as the 1388 ordinance of Richard II allowing arrest of anyone claiming to be a pilgrim without the proper credentials, and Christopher Columbus vowing that a crew member would make a pilgrimage if they survived rough seas. I could display a map of the three pilgrimages imposed on a profligate priest that basically got him out of the Archbishop's hair for three years. I don't know if anyone noticed that the gent in his undies, asking, "Has anybody seen my tunic?" was holding a bar of soap. (He had sewn his money into his tunic... and then took it off for bathing.)
Not many subjects lend themselves to in-persona teaching as well as this one did, but I recommend it for SCA teachers. I don't know how students perceive it, but as teacher, I feel that it allows more immersion into the thought of the real middle ages. One is able to say, "We do this because of that" as opposed to "In period they thought this or that."

Falcon's Gate to persona

Aristotle's Poetics was reviewed again on Thursday, October 11 (10/11/12) as Falcon's Gate invited me to UW Stevens Point to talk about persona. (We should have done class about navigation, right, Keepers?)  We also had a few side trips on the rainbow, numbers, and Terry Pratchett.

Novices, Neophytes & Knaves III

NNK is an event for newcomers, but this year it was also put on by newcomers.  Students from University of Wisconsin Green Bay did a fine job of hosting the event, with mentoring by old-timers. The selection of classes was excellent, with martial arts, fiber arts, calligraphy, and SCA culture represented.

My own contribution included Aristotle's take on persona, which you've seen here many times. I also presented "A Source is a Source, of course, of course..." which introduced some of the pitfalls of SCA research. I tried this class at Warriors & Warlords, but for this incarnation I was able to use PowerPoint to show more clearly the differences between "good enough" sources and "really awful" sources. The purpose for the research determines the level and the direction of research for a project. What's adequate for first garb is not adequate for entering an A&S Competition. (And woe betide the one who criticizes a newcomer for not having garb as classy as the Laurel next door.) 

A&S Salon at Rose Rises

Rose Rises is a new event hosted by the Canton of Coille Stoirmeil. It took place at a new (for the SCA) venue, Aquarian Gardens near New Lisbon, Wisconsin.  I was asked to do something with A&S, so I hauled a mess of books of all kinds and held a salon, where people could do research, work on projects, or just hang out. We even had a couple bardic circles.

Once more into the garden

Cross & Compass was a Northshield event held in Calontir this weekend. (Those familiar with the heraldry of both kingdoms will realize what a clever event title that is.)  I had not yet invoked the aid of Calontiri in organizing my herbal, so I shared my struggle with them. At first only one gentle came to my aid, but eventually six good gentles were in attendance. I still am uncertain about the best organization.  Worse, I added some new herbs to the mix, making the struggle even more difficult (but more interesting).

Surprise!

Sometimes a class is completely unplanned. We offered tours of WW (our "big event") and a lady in my tour group asked about medieval medicine. I couldn't take the time to talk with her in depth, or I'd lose the rest of the group, but I asked her to email me with her request. This she did, and from the comfort of my own library I was able to recommend several books for her.

WW Meet & Greet

Northshielders were invited to gather to meet each other in person at our "Big Event", Warriors & Warlord, held the weekend of July 13 in Boscobel, Wisconsin. About a dozen of us gathered, introduced ourselves, and chatted about our projects. Several folks from one shire though about beginning a shire-wide challenge. Others shared countless A&S activities they were pursuing. It was a high-energy gathering - full of geekiness.