SCA you know those crazy guys that beat each other up with sticks

[gmcdavid]

Agreed! Though some of the earlier descriptions are subject to interpretation (and conjecture!), de Beaugue's "light woolen rug of several colors" for example (1556). A "rug" sounds more like a rectangular plaid than a mantle - maybe...!

"Mantle" is a rather vague term in this context. And the Irish brat was not (at least until quite late) tailored--it was rectangular. Note also the the 1594 account of the belted plaid was by an Irishman, who specifically describes it as a brat belted on the outside. So a rectangular shape really does not tell us anything.

Glenn

[GlassMan]

As a medievalist I'd like to throw my 2 cents in.

In the accounts of the Treasurer for King James III there is a mention of tartan purchased from highland weavers in 1471 for the use of the King & Queen. And in 1538 there is a mention of King James V wearing a plaid. Now the description does not say "belted plaid" but the translated medieval latin comes out to "bunched and tied" which seems like a pretty good description of a belted plaid to me.

That's what happens when you go to graduate school in Medieval Economic History. You find all sorts of weird things in account books.

And for those who think identifiable tartans weren't in use until fairly late and that people just wore whatever plaid was convenient, there was a court case in 1572 in which a housewife took a weaver to the magistrate for not weaving the colored yarn she had provided in the proper tartan but instead in his "awin fasoun" (own fashion). She won the value of her yarn in court and the weaver was punished rather severely both by the court and by his guild.

[Mithral]

I've only just recently joined the SCA, though my fiancee has been in for about 5 years now.

I've never seen anyone trying to pass off elf-ears (seen plenty of that at ren faires, but those are faires), and most people there try to be as period as possible, so far as their budget and sanity will allow. (I refuse to handsew anything other than minor repairs)

We're going to Pennsic this summer, should be fun.

[Josh_E]

Wow there are a lot of SCAers here. I thought that Caradoc and I were the only ones.

[mrpharr]

here are a couple of links to the documentary about the Darkon group. i'd be lying if i didn't chuckle a bit.

http://www.darkon.org/

http://www.darkonthemovie.com/

good stuff. you've got to watch the trailer on the second site.

[Caradoc]

Wow there are a lot of SCAers here. I thought that Caradoc and I were the only ones.

I'd be very surprised if there weren't quite a few, since "dressing funny" seems to be a self-selecting set amongst kiltwearing folk and SCAdians.

[Joe Gondek]

I used to be a member of the SCA
I got involed in it with archery and later enjoyed Rapier fighting
I enjoy doing living history which the SCA is not.
Now I stick to 18th century events and trekking were there is a large group of people that want to do it right.

[Mithral]

I used to be a member of the SCA
I got involed in it with archery and later enjoyed Rapier fighting
I enjoy doing living history which the SCA is not.
Now I stick to 18th century events and trekking were there is a large group of people that want to do it right.

I've been encountering this sort of sentiment more often than I expected. Namely because in my experience people do want to do things right.

What kingdom were you involved with, if you don't mind me asking?

[Joe Gondek]

Mithral

I'm in the Kingdom of Artemisia and was a member of The Shire of DragonMarch.I was even their Captain of Archery.

The guys that do rapier are the most historical correct and stay in period all day long at an event

The hard suit people have decent armor but after fighting they walk around in sweat pants and combat boots

There are very few that try to have a peiod camp and most of the overnight events consist of nylon tents,coleman stoves and peolple walking around with exposed cans of beer and filtered cigarettes in there hand.Even when the public is invited to attend.

Period Clothing is not even close to correct in terms of construction(Zippers,velcro,and elastic)or fabric.This type of clothing is even presented to the public and school groups as being correct examples of the Middle Ages.

After having done F&I War,Rev. War and Civil war Reenacting I coudn't take it.They had no desire to change and improve.

The excuse for all this, is that people can't afford to be Historically correct.
I've been involed in Muzzle loading for 35 years.The peolpe in that don't start out 100% correct but work at improving their outfit every year and work their way up to a good outfit in a few years. I met people in the SCA that had bee involed for 15-20 years and never inproved their Persona except to buy a bigger Ninja/Bowie-knife.

Maybe I'll move to another kingdom and try it again
I really like the time period.

Right now I do 18th Century trekking with a small group of like minded people that really try to do it period correct.

[Mithral]

Mithral

I'm in the Kingdom of Artemisia and was a member of The Shire of DragonMarch.I was even their Captain of Archery.

I'm in the Kingdom of Atlantia. I'm not going to even try to say we're perfect, but most of the people I've had contact with try hard for authenticity

The guys that do rapier are the most historical correct and stay in period all day long at an event

The hard suit people have decent armor but after fighting they walk around in sweat pants and combat boots

Stick-Jocks, yeah, I don't personally know any, all the serious heavy fighters I know are pretty good about staying in persona

There are very few that try to have a peiod camp and most of the overnight events consist of nylon tents,coleman stoves and peolple walking around with exposed cans of beer and filtered cigarettes in there hand.Even when the public is invited to attend.

I'll be the first to admit, I'm going to be going to Pennsic with a nylon tent and a coleman stove (If I'm lucky :neutral: ) but that's because I just can't drop that much money or time to buy or make a pavillion or the like. However at the last event I camped at, they had a period campsite for the pavillions and whatnot and a campsite for nylon tents and the like. I thought it was a pretty good idea.

Period Clothing is not even close to correct in terms of construction(Zippers,velcro,and elastic)or fabric.This type of clothing is even presented to the public and school groups as being correct examples of the Middle Ages.

I'm very sorry to hear that. I don't think anyone's ever tried to pass off zippers, velcro, or elastic as period, especially when demonstrating for the public. That would get the laurels and tailors coming after them. As for fabric, we try to get natural, period fabric, but sometimes you have to bite the bullet and get a blend. I'm not sure about the others, but when I get a blended fabric, I at least try to make sure it looks period.

After having done F&I War,Rev. War and Civil war Reenacting I coudn't take it.They had no desire to change and improve.

The excuse for all this, is that people can't afford to be Historically correct.
I've been involed in Muzzle loading for 35 years.The peolpe in that don't start out 100% correct but work at improving their outfit every year and work their way up to a good outfit in a few years. I met people in the SCA that had bee involed for 15-20 years and never inproved their Persona except to buy a bigger Ninja/Bowie-knife.

That's also very sad. Unfortunately you're going to encounter that sort of person in just about every kingdom. Atlantia seems pretty good for developing personas and whatnot. Full of helpful people trying to get other people more authentic. My guess is the people who refuse to improve eventually just kind of drift away.

Maybe I'll move to another kingdom and try it again
I really like the time period.

Right now I do 18th Century trekking with a small group of like minded people that really try to do it period correct.

That's good to hear, I'm glad you've found something that works. Maybe you'll find a kingdom that works better for you. Good luck.