Medieval Revivalist
Insider Info
Do you feel at home in black tights and puffy shorts? Can you recite Hamlet
accurately from beginning to end? Perhaps you'd rather eat dinner with
a dagger than a fork?
If you answered yes to any of the above, you may be a medieval revivalist
in the making.
Some people might not want to relive medieval times. But to a growing number
of enthusiasts, knights in armor bring to mind a simpler time. It was a time
when chivalry reigned, maidens were fair and knights battled for honor.
The Middle Ages span 1,000 years of history, from the fifth to the 15th
century. Every weekend, thousands of people in North America try to recreate
that magical time by dressing up as knights, minstrels and dancing jesters.
Some recreate battles, donning armor and wielding swords. Others focus
on the magical aspect of the era. They take part in role-playing games that
involve mystical fairies and sorcery. Most immerse themselves in their hobby,
making up their own medieval names and creating imaginary places to roam.
Revivalists pick a medieval character that they want to become during the
events. It is called their persona. Most participants research their persona
carefully so they can act the part as accurately as possible.
Beth Morris is a director with the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA).
Her persona is named Keilyn FitzWarin. "She...is either a minor noblewoman
or the widow of a nobleman. [She's] busy taking care of the castle and
doing the sorts of things we would think of as home economics," says Morris.
Many revivalists participate in dances, court gatherings and feasts.
But all medieval revivalists seem to gain the same enjoyment out of trying
to tap into the energy of those simpler times.
Morris remembers a particular moment when those simpler times felt almost
real.
"An older gentleman, probably 60 or so, was telling a story....If you closed
your eyes,...you could just imagine that it's 1,000 years ago and you're
sitting around a fire, wrapped in a wet wool cloak, listening to the old wise
man tell a story.
"Everybody was quiet...and not talking about computers or who's going
to win the Super Bowl," says Morris.
Almost all medieval revivalists have an interest in history. They attempt
to recreate everything from costumes to dance, calligraphy to martial arts,
cooking to stained glass, and metalwork to literature.
The Canterbury Tales, by Geoffrey Chaucer, are adored by many Middle Ages
buffs. That's because they feature a host of colorful characters and
give readers a glimpse of daily life in the 15th century.
Of course, the Middle Ages were a time of war. The Hundred Years War began
in the 1330s. Invasions, crusades and minor battles were routine in England
and on the continent.
For that reason, many medieval groups focus on recreating ancient battles.
People involved in recreating medieval warfare often spend years honing their
skills.
Some learn to fight on horseback, using long sticks in an art called jousting.
Others work on hand-to-hand combat with swords. It's in these battles
that the armor comes in most handy.
No one can say exactly how many people are actively involved in recreating
the Middle Ages. The Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA), founded in 1966,
now has 24,000 members worldwide. Each year, more than 200 medieval fairs
are held in North America alone.
According to Morris, the SCA holds a major annual event, the Pennsic War.
It's modeled on 14th-century fairs in France. Complete with tournaments,
parties, sales, marriages, and mock legal cases, the Pennsic War hosts about
10,000 participants.
Revivalist activities are open to anyone, including people with disabilities.
While some revivalists are paid for performing at fairs or educational
events, most are hobbyists. Many have careers in high-tech fields -- some
speculate that they immerse themselves in the Middle Ages as an antidote --
and some work as history teachers, experts and professors.
Some people become pro revivalists by learning an ancient craft and selling
their wares at weekend festivals. Some of the things that people sell are:
armor, pottery, jewelry, costumes and bone carvings.
Getting Started
The SCA prides itself on being one of the most accepting and welcoming
groups around. People of all genders, abilities and ages are welcome to join
the fun.
"We work really hard to make sure that [disabled] people can get around
the sites," says Morris. "Families are very welcome. We have a lot of...high
school and college students...who can find an adult in the group to help them
along and give them rides."
Getting started in this hobby can be as simple as joining an existing group.
Most welcome new members and have minimal or no dues. Check out the clubs
at your university -- chances are, there's a medieval revivalist group
just dying to see some new faces at the next feast or battle.
Michael Cohen, chairman of the SCA, got involved in medieval combat through
a clubs day at university. "They had a booth set up and they had some of the
artifacts on the table and a slideshow showing a tournament. I said 'Hey!
This is cool.' So, I went to a couple of fight practices and the next
thing I knew I was very involved," he remembers.
Suiting up can cost a bit. Acquiring a full coat of armor, for instance,
will run you a couple hundred dollars.
But by making most costumes and picking up accessories from second-hand
stores, the hobby can be done without a big investment.
Those involved with medieval revivalism suggest learning all you can about
the Middle Ages. The goal of most revivalists is to create the times as realistically
as possible.
That means knowing not only what kind of food they ate, but also what kind
of plates they ate off of. Not only what kind of music they listened to, but
what dances they did. Not only what battles they fought, but also what weapons
they used.
And now, let the games begin!
Associations
Society for Creative Anachronism
Internet
:
http://www.sca.org/
Publications
The Modern Practice of Medieval Martial Arts
Internet
:
http://ejmas.com/jwma/articles/2000/jwmaart_price_
1000.htm
Links
Center for Medieval Studies
Includes photographs and an extensive history of the Middle Ages
Chivalry Sports Renaissance Store
An online store specializing in merchandise for fantasy games
Pennsic War
An information site full of news, stories and events surrounding
this famous revivalist event
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