ON BEING PERIOD

NOTICE - This article was submitted by the author for inclusion in the Arts and Science Archives of the Barony of Dragon's Laire. Copyright to the contents of this file remains with the author. While the author will likely give permission for this work to be reprinted in SCA type publications, please check with the author first or check for any permissions granted at the end of this file.--- Thank you, Rycheza z Polska, webminster

ON BEING PERIOD

The Society for Creative Anachronism distinguishes itself from other organizations by trying to recreate the Middle Ages as they should have been. In order to foster the image of these romantic and bygone days it is necessary for those people participating in SCA events to do their part in furthering the dream by eliminating the more jolting and incongruous intrusions of the modern world. Each lord or lady needs to do what they can to reflect these values and to teach them to new members. The SCA is growing rapidly and this is good. Unfortunately too many experienced people are growing lax in basic behaviors and setting poor examples for the people who do not know better. The ideal would be for each of us to garb and equip ourselves using only period materials and period methods. I personally would chafe at any attempt to force this ideal on anyone. After all this is the Society for Creative Anachronism. Sometimes modern contrivances can make the experience more pleasurable. But we should try to strive for the ideal so that everyone around us can better enjoy the modern middle ages.

The remainder of this article shall address basic SCA conventions which if each of us practices will make the Dream more real for all of us. Remember that in each of our endeavors the values of honor and chivalry should direct our actions.

When you arrive on site for an event you should be dressed in medieval garb or change into medieval garb as soon as possible. This does not mean that you should not take the time to set up your pavilion if there is an impending downpour, but remember that while jeans and a sweatshirt are comfortable, anyone looking at you will be reminded of their mundane world. It will also be more difficult for you to be in persona if you are dressed like John Doe rather than Lord John of the Deer Clan. If you do not have garb you should borrow it from Gold Key. That is why we have the Gold Key. As soon as possible make or buy garb. The only requirements are that it be period and suited to the climate.

If you see someone wearing glasses assume that it is because they have to, not because they want to. Glasses are acceptable garb. While contact lenses are preferred, many people cannot afford or utilize them. Even some sunglasses are considered acceptable garb if a person has a disability like extreme photo-sensitivity.

Watches are never considered proper garb, (except for timing speed rounds on the archery range). If you wish to wear a watch hide it from view.

Cameras are not period and should be shielded from sight except when in use. If you are going to take someone's picture, SCA etiquette requires that you obtain their permission. If you are going to do extensive filming of an event it is best to obtain the permission of the autocrat.

Our group does a lot of camping and it is not feasible for everyone to have a period pavilion. Time, space and economics conspire to prevent each of us from having a period encampment. Nonetheless, each of us should camp in an appropriate area and take every reasonable measure to obscure the more obvious mundanities. A non-period tent should never be placed on the eric or in areas reserved for period camping. A modern vehicle should never be placed near an eric, merchant row, period camping area or non-period camping area, unless it is completely disguised to look like a period pavilion. The best example of this in our Kingdom is the dragon hidden in Margaret of Ayre's Pavilion. I have yet to see the dragon. It is highly improper to leave a modern vehicle in any place other than a designated parking area. We are threatened with losing at least one of our best sites because people insist in parking in non-parking areas.

Never use a non-period beverage container. Pop cans and paper cups and plastic plates are not period. They are easily replaced with something that is period. Again, Gold Key may be able to lend you something. Merchants also have these items available at reasonable prices.

SCA events are a great place to enjoy yourself and if you wish to drink alcohol without abusing it at a wet site and are of legal age, then do so. If all you wish to do is drink, there are many mundane bars better equipped to serve you. If the site is dry, then do not drink. If the site is discretely dry or discretely wet then be discrete and don't let people know or figure out that you are drinking. If you are not of legal mundane age to drink, then it is dishonorable (and illegal) for you to drink alcohol or to accept it. It is also dishonorable (and illegal) for someone to supply a minor with alcohol. (If a controlled substance is illegal for you to consume in the outside world it is just as illegal at an SCA event). Remember that in the SCA the law of the real world is always in effect and is controlling. Do not jeopardize the fun that other people have by violating the law.

Smoking is always prohibited inside buildings and on the eric at SCA events. Fire restrictions must always be obeyed, otherwise, you may smoke in designated smoking areas or in your own pavilion. Some people in our group are allergic to tobacco smoke, so it is discourteous to smoke around them if someone requests that you not smoke.

Keep in mind the SCA maxim that we always leave a site cleaner than when we arrived. Take the time to remove any litter before you leave.

In the September, 1991 issue of The Crier, Their Majesties brought up the subject of smalls (children). Even though the SCA is a family oriented activity, it is not a babysitting service. Parents are responsible for the supervision of their children at all times. The SCA can be a good place for smalls to have fun and learn important virtues, but parents must be in charge of the care, control and safety of their children.

Bards be aware that non-period music and stories are discouraged. Even if you do not know any period or SCA songs or stories, it is very easy to convert a non-period song or story into a filk song or story. The emphasis here is on being part of the middle ages. It is impolite to talk during a bardic presentation. If you do not wish to listen to a bard, please walk far enough away so that you do not prevent others from being able to enjoy.

There is no requirement that someone speak forsoothly, although it is preferable. I have never gotten the knack of being able to speak forsoothly, so I try to remove slang and other modern words from my SCA vocabulary. Beware of having conversations about mundanities. Not only may this interfere with your being in persona, but may jar people into remembering a modern world they may be at the event to forget. The key is to know the people you are talking to and be aware of their sensitivities; you may wish to discuss important events in their lives as a way of sharing and caring. But otherwise it is better to leave the modern world to the future.

It is also best to avoid gossip, backstabbing, and character attacks. This behavior is discourteous and is not in consort with the ideals to which we strive.

None of us is perfect. Unfortunately I have violated these standards more often than I should have. But if each of us exercises are best efforts and judgment, then the Dream will be a better reality for all of us.

Yours in Service, H.L. Eric de Dragonslaire

Permission is granted for republication in SCA-related publications, provided the author is credited and receives a copy. Contact the webminster@dragonslaire.org for more information or additional permissions.

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