Period RANT...

If there’s one thing I hate – absolutely hate – it’s the self-righteous, self-important, puffed-up potentates that seem to think they know everything there is to know about a subject… and they’re going to turn around and share it with you, whether you like it or not.

The problem is not the sharing of the information – it’s the *way* it’s done. Normally, people who wish to share information with one another do so with an understanding about it – they don’t treat you as though you’re 5 (unless you really *are* 5), and they don’t look down their nose at you while they’re talking. The sharing of information is based on both people being equal in both mental stature and maturity, and with the unspoken rule that both are looking to SHARE said information willingly – it’s a give and take thing, really.

Those who believe that they are better than everyone else will not share – they will expound, lecture, pontificate, preach, and otherwise generally prove themselves to be a horse’s ass by opening their mouth and braying out facts and figures on whatever subject they feel they’re an “expert” on.

The SCA is *FILLED* with such people. The strange thing is, there seems to be an equal number of them, regardless of whether they are a “Period Nazi” or not. You would think, based on the general image that “Period Nazi” conjures up, it would be more them than others… These are the people who have done everything possible to make what they own as period-looking as possible, whether it be by purchase or by hand, and then point out the flaws of others who are simply going about their day in a relatively decent attempt at being period without breaking the bank.

But, there are also those would-be experts who are not interested in being period, who do not try to be period, and do not wish to be period – and yet will act in a similar way to either defend their actions or prove to whomever they are speaking with that they know all about being period, they just aren’t interested in making an attempt – and provide ample excuses to prove their point.

For those who don’t know what the SCA is, it’s a re-enactment society that works to re-create (to the best of its ability) the Middle Ages, from roughly 700 AD to 1600 AD. The idea of the SCA was launched one sunny mid-summer morning, when a bunch of history buffs got together in Berkeley to celebrate a friend’s wedding. Everyone had so much fun dressing up in medieval clothing that they decided to start having meetings and looking up more and more information on it. Being history buffs, this was certainly not a hardship, and it was kind of fun to get new people involved in it, too – it got everyone excited about actually LIVING history and learning something that wasn’t taught in “mainstream” college history.

It sort of blossomed out from there, and 42 years later, you have where the SCA is now – a world-wide, not-for-profit, member-driven organization, where literally hundreds of thousands of people learn from one another and from historical texts throughout libraries around the world about how life may have been like in any specific time period within the range pre-set by the SCA by-laws. It’s sort of like a college without walls or even a set curriculum, which can be learned from at any time, day or night, regardless of where you are, and without having to pay tuition or indebt yourself to student loans.

Now that we’ve gotten a bit of historical basis down for what the SCA is, let’s get back to the subject at hand: authoritative asses who feel that they know best, regardless of what the notion of “best” actually is…

Honestly speaking, harkening back to its roots, the SCA really is just a huge adult game of “Let’s Pretend” – at least, if you boil it down to its base. Just like a stew, however, there are many flavors and layers within it that make it what it is. Part of that is the attempt at making things at least *look* period on the main thoroughfares at an event. Another (to me, much LARGER) part of it is to adhere to some of the basic principals that were upheld from the beginning – while romantic and possibly froofy, the concepts of chivalry, honor, and general respect for others regardless of peerage or background.

There was a post on Tribe recently that got me thinking about everything I’ve so far experienced within the SCA, and what I miss from when I first joined 14 years ago. Honestly, I miss the second portion of what I always felt the SCA was all about, more than I miss the “period” portions… The level of respect, chivalry and honor that was shown to me on a fairly constant basis made me try to be more period, and learn more. The fact that there were those who were not only willing to help me learn, but willing to teach me new things, so I could expand my knowledge and possibly find even MORE things I could be interested in – THAT was exciting to me.

Being able to make everything from scratch for an authentic and period look is a great thing. I am amazed and admire the fact that some people have that much patience. On the other hand, I’m sure there are those who are just as amazed that I can (when determined) pull some really amazing garb out in very little time. The point is, that it’s a great talent to have – but it’s not what makes you a good player at the game of SCA Life. It’s a combination of things, not the least of which is a good attitude, a positive mindset, and a willingness to share knowledge – not preach it.

Being period is not something that’s a pre-requisite for being welcome around me at an event. Making the attempt, upholding the non-tangible ideals of the SCA, and being open to new ideas and learning things IS.

While we’re here, let’s clarify a few things about making an attempt at being period, shall we? First of all, an attempt should *NOT* break the bank. It should not force you to take out a mortgage on your home, or barter away your child in order to look good (after all, if you’re going to barter away your child, you should save it for something a little more worthwhile – like your own island in the Bahamas, cabana boy included).

Making what would be considered a reasonable attempt might include something akin to a T-Tunic, pants, and shoes that don’t look like sneakers for guys, or a skirt, a peasant blouse, and again, shoes that don’t look like sneakers for girls.
Some people may think that this is *only* acceptable for your first event, or possibly go as far as your first tourney season – after that, you should be moving up in the world. Personally, I see nothing wrong with this type of garb at a lot of events that I go to, the reason being that much of the camp space we end up with for camping is filled with scrub and brambles – not conducive to long, dragging trains or “court” garb at all.

To me, simple garb doesn’t mean trashy-looking, it means practical. If you are going to get technical about it, most people during ANY of the period of time the SCA covers did not have “court” garb. They were peasants, or at least, working merchants. They wore plain garb, accented with very few pieces of ribbon or trim, and embroidery was also rare. It was simple because life was hard, and hard on clothing. You didn’t waste time making something pretty just to go out and plow in a field in it. You made it last.

Yes, there are other types of garb, and other ethnic backgrounds to study. Again, though, it’s something to think about once you are more comfortable in the SCA – Most people just aren’t going to start out with early Tudor garb, hand-sewn with pearls and gems, with all the underpinnings to go with it. Let’s be realistic here – most people aren’t costuming experts, and certainly don’t sew well enough to pull it off.

As for the camping gear that inevitably comes with going to an event, again, don’t break the bank over it. First of all, consider the logistics of hauling everything you would need to make your encampment period-looking… Unless you have a large van with a trailer hook and trailer, chances are, you won’t be able to haul what would look right. Even the smallest of tents need at least two 6’ poles to hold it up – and that just doesn’t fit into the standard sedan or small car. On top of that, put about 80 pounds worth of canvas for the tent itself, and then the bed-frame, mattress, blankets, fire-pit, cooking gear, kitchen, etc… You’ve got a lot there… And we haven’t mentioned your garb bag yet.

I’m all for being period – to a point. But let’s also be practical. Logically speaking, if you don’t have a decent-sized vehicle to transport your gear, you won’t get your gear to an event. If you can’t get your gear to an event, there’s no sense in HAVING said gear.

As for the idea of placing large pieces of fabric over non-period-looking items, I think that’s just plain silly. It wastes fabric, adds to your laundry bag when you get back, and all it does is make it look like you’ve just placed a large wadge of fabric over something. Not extremely attractive, and certainly not something that I’d recommend. Ground pimples aren’t pretty, but sometimes they’re all we have, depending on how far we’re traveling.

In closing, I’d just like to say that I adore the SCA – or at least, what the SCA was. I’m not sure I’ve been enjoying myself in the SCA as it’s evolved over the last 4 or 5 years. I am still attempting to treat everyone the way I was treated when I went to my first event. Unfortunately, there aren’t many others out there who feel that the favor should be returned. Period is as period does – look to your attitude first, then to the furniture that makes up what the person looks like.

~M