Witnessed at a recent event:
The Honorable Lord Owen Mac Pherson brought a newcomer to his first event at A Long Night at the Monastery, Marcaster's anniversary event. The newcomer's name was Pat, and he spent the early part of the day assisting with the tourney set-up. He was also found moving furniture and carrying things for the event staff and all those he saw that needed assistance.
Vivat, Pat and welcome home to the SCA! Your assistance was remarked and will be well-remembered.
If you've witnessed courtesy or kindness in Trimaris, please send your story to Melangell and we'll highlight it in this series.
Monday, December 21, 2015
Thursday, December 10, 2015
TBT: On Point #2
Dear James,
I have been in the SCA since the dawn of time. I was on the committee that decided to call that brown stuff ‘dirt’. I have every award that the Society can give. My AoA is older than you are. My students have peerages. My student’s students have peerages. I have nothing left to do, and I am bored. HELP!
Sincerely,
Tired in Trimaris
---
Dear TIRED,
I’m actually really lucky in this regard. Because I am relatively new, though I’ve been accused of being a boomerang on more than one occasion, I have the blessed ability of finding everything to be brand new.
There’s something special in the human brain about how we treat things that are new, because… well, the grass usually IS greener on the other side, at least for a little while.
So – what to do when nothing is new anymore? When you’ve done everything, and you’ve been in for so long that you’re really just not feeling it any longer. It’s become a habit, or the way in which you see your friends, or any one of a selection of reasons why you’re still coming, even though you’re not feeling enthusiastic.
The simple solution is to think outside the box you’ve put yourself in – again, I’m lucky in that everything is new to me, so I can leapfrog from thing to thing like some kind of demented ferret going “oooo, shiney!”
Don’t believe me? Ask me sometimes about the 200+ dollars in leatherworking supplies I bought after a ‘how to make a belt’ class. I make me some mean belts, and that’s about it at the moment…
Ok, so to get back to the point. Some ideas for folks who have been in for so long that they feel like
they’ve lost what brought them in:
Idea One: Mentor a Newcomer
There is nothing quite like ‘new relationship’ energy; that thing that makes new boyfriends and
girlfriends obsess over each other and post sappy social media updates. That same ‘newness’ energy can come by proxy – by mentoring a newcomer, you’re able to sort of feed of their excitement as they learn all these new things; see the SCA through their eyes as a new person.
Idea Two: Go learn something new
If you are a Laurel, Grand High Poobah of Underwater Basket Weaving, and know everything there is to know about it… go learn something about Leatherworking, or C&I. The SCA is the hobby that
spawns other hobbies. If you’re bored with what you’ve got and feel you mastered it… go be a student again. (Frankly, if I could afford to, I’d be a student at my University forever and have ten different degrees) If you’re one of those people that have run events since Time Began and or Fought with Gods and Demons, then likewise – go learn something new. Dabble in the arts, or explore a fighter practice.
Break out of your box that you’ve put yourself into and I think you’ll find that ‘new’ passion again.
Idea Three: Go Back to your Roots
Finally, go back to what brought you into the Society to begin with – if you are a fighter who
hasn’t fought in years, go get back into armor. Go back to your art and craft – go do what you initially loved to do, even if you haven’t done so in a while.
All in all, it’s a matter of attitude. If you go into any of these suggestions thinking that it won’t work – you are absolutely correct.
Approach everything with the eyes of a newcomer. Let yourself feel wonder. At the risk of the pun, it’s wonderful.
Yours in Service to the Dream,
James
Lord James Highgate of Darkwater is protégé to Baroness Ilene Johnnestoune and Cadet to Don William of Aschem. He holds the awards for Poet Laureate and the Bard of Darkwater for his written and performed poetic works. He can be reached for comments, questions, or article suggestions at Jacob.a.tessler@gmail.com
I have been in the SCA since the dawn of time. I was on the committee that decided to call that brown stuff ‘dirt’. I have every award that the Society can give. My AoA is older than you are. My students have peerages. My student’s students have peerages. I have nothing left to do, and I am bored. HELP!
Sincerely,
Tired in Trimaris
---
Dear TIRED,
I’m actually really lucky in this regard. Because I am relatively new, though I’ve been accused of being a boomerang on more than one occasion, I have the blessed ability of finding everything to be brand new.
There’s something special in the human brain about how we treat things that are new, because… well, the grass usually IS greener on the other side, at least for a little while.
So – what to do when nothing is new anymore? When you’ve done everything, and you’ve been in for so long that you’re really just not feeling it any longer. It’s become a habit, or the way in which you see your friends, or any one of a selection of reasons why you’re still coming, even though you’re not feeling enthusiastic.
The simple solution is to think outside the box you’ve put yourself in – again, I’m lucky in that everything is new to me, so I can leapfrog from thing to thing like some kind of demented ferret going “oooo, shiney!”
Don’t believe me? Ask me sometimes about the 200+ dollars in leatherworking supplies I bought after a ‘how to make a belt’ class. I make me some mean belts, and that’s about it at the moment…
Ok, so to get back to the point. Some ideas for folks who have been in for so long that they feel like
they’ve lost what brought them in:
Idea One: Mentor a Newcomer
There is nothing quite like ‘new relationship’ energy; that thing that makes new boyfriends and
girlfriends obsess over each other and post sappy social media updates. That same ‘newness’ energy can come by proxy – by mentoring a newcomer, you’re able to sort of feed of their excitement as they learn all these new things; see the SCA through their eyes as a new person.
Idea Two: Go learn something new
If you are a Laurel, Grand High Poobah of Underwater Basket Weaving, and know everything there is to know about it… go learn something about Leatherworking, or C&I. The SCA is the hobby that
spawns other hobbies. If you’re bored with what you’ve got and feel you mastered it… go be a student again. (Frankly, if I could afford to, I’d be a student at my University forever and have ten different degrees) If you’re one of those people that have run events since Time Began and or Fought with Gods and Demons, then likewise – go learn something new. Dabble in the arts, or explore a fighter practice.
Break out of your box that you’ve put yourself into and I think you’ll find that ‘new’ passion again.
Idea Three: Go Back to your Roots
Finally, go back to what brought you into the Society to begin with – if you are a fighter who
hasn’t fought in years, go get back into armor. Go back to your art and craft – go do what you initially loved to do, even if you haven’t done so in a while.
All in all, it’s a matter of attitude. If you go into any of these suggestions thinking that it won’t work – you are absolutely correct.
Approach everything with the eyes of a newcomer. Let yourself feel wonder. At the risk of the pun, it’s wonderful.
Yours in Service to the Dream,
James
Lord James Highgate of Darkwater is protégé to Baroness Ilene Johnnestoune and Cadet to Don William of Aschem. He holds the awards for Poet Laureate and the Bard of Darkwater for his written and performed poetic works. He can be reached for comments, questions, or article suggestions at Jacob.a.tessler@gmail.com
Friday, December 4, 2015
Holiday Highlights & How to Celebrate: An Egyptian’s Guide
Ah, the most-wonderful time of the year…
One of the benefits of living in a Kingdom like Trimaris is you get to learn all about the holidays celebrated by different cultures and religions – fascinating stuff! For reasons beyond my understanding, the 12th month of the Gregorian calendar is positively stuffed with feasts, festivals, and high holy days! This colorful array of spiritual and civic events can be confusing to those not native to the original culture; fret not however! As your noble High Priest and Scribe, I, Amenhetep, have endeavored to catalogue some of the largest and most-important holidays for you!
I’ll be sharing my interpretations of these holidays based on personal research and interviews with the actual people who celebrate them! So polish up your feast platters and get your holiday lights burning – it’s time to party (and pray)!

Hannukah: A major holiday of the Hebrews, this celebration takes place in the Near East, but can be found throughout Europe as well. Hannukah is an eight-day festival commemorating a great Hebrew rebellion and the rededication of their temple; according to legend, the Hebrews only had enough holy oil to burn in their ritual lamp for one day, but the oil magically lasted for eight! As such, festivities center around lamp-lighting, recitation of prayers, and consumption of foods prepared with oil. Because the Hebrew calendar uses both the sun and moon, Hannukah may occur any time in the 11th or 12th Gregorian months.
Saturnalia: If anyone knows how to throw a festival, it is the Romans! A seven-day festival honoring the Roman god Saturn, this celebration begins with public sacrifices at the temples and a grand feast hosted by the Senate. As a rule, no work is allowed on this holiday, and roles and values are relaxed for a time, with such things as drunkenness and gambling being the norm. During the festival, Romans adorn their homes and gardens – and sometimes themselves – with wreaths, garlands, and golden ornaments. During Saturnalia, certain days correspond to certain lesser gods, and so may see unique rituals or celebrations. Naturally, this festival occurs in lands occupied by the Romans.
Dongzhi: Far to the east, in the mighty Chinese Empire, this festival celebrates the winter solstice. Its origins lie in the philosophy of Yin and Yang – because it is the shortest day of the year, each day after it will grow longer, resulting in a slow and subtle shift in the energy of the cosmos. On this day, all work ceases among commoners and officials, and the people go home to be with their families and make offerings to the ancestors. As part of the festivities, special ear-shaped dumplings are eaten to ward off the cold, said to be invented by the famous physician Zhang Zhongjing. Unfortunately further details are difficult to come by, as the way to the Far East is long and dangerous…
Of course, there are many, many more festivals and holidays I could mention, but it would be almost impossible to detail them all! If you are interested in learning more, consult your local monks, scholars, and traders.
Special thanks to Lords Rurik Ulfhamar & Artemidore St Jean, and Countess Dulcia MacPherson OL, OP for their time and knowledge.
Amenhetep is the High Priest of Amen-Re’s temple of Karnak. He administers the temple’s vast bureaucracy and holdings, as well as the functional day-to-day governance of Thebes, the capital city of Egypt. He also is responsible for maintaining Amen’s shrine and performing important rituals on behalf of the entire country.
Amenhetep has advanced education in all manner of magic, religion, and other esoteric knowledge. He studied at Karnak’s top scribal and priestly schools, and has extensive experience in purity rites, love spells, and death curses.
Amenhetep has advanced education in all manner of magic, religion, and other esoteric knowledge. He studied at Karnak’s top scribal and priestly schools, and has extensive experience in purity rites, love spells, and death curses.
Thursday, December 3, 2015
Humans of Trimaris
"Photo bomb!"
- HL Genavieve le Faye
Humans of Trimaris
This photo project is a way for the People of the Kingdom of Trimaris (the majority of the state of Florida), in the Society for Creative Anachronism, to meet and learn about each other through candid photos and brief exchanges of questions and answers with the photographer(s).
Photographer: Countess Grainne ingen Anloin meic Cerbaill, OP
Humans of Trimaris

- Duchess Bryndis Hrafnhausse
Humans of Trimaris
This photo project is a way for the People of the Kingdom of Trimaris (the majority of the state of Florida), in the Society for Creative Anachronism, to meet and learn about each other through candid photos and brief exchanges of questions and answers with the photographer(s).
Photographer: Countess Grainne ingen Anloin meic Cerbaill, OP
Wednesday, December 2, 2015
On Point #33
Hello good gentles,
I want to relate a story, of sorts. About five years ago when my wife, my friends, and I joined the SCA, we had one of those memorable experiences which helps newcomers to remain in our Society. It was our second event, or so, and a Kingdom Coronation; of course, I knew very little about anything related to that, had no idea how the entire process worked, and so forth. All I knew is that we’d come to the event, and had planned to, as a group, help serve feast.
At the end, when they called the feast staff out, the King, now Jarl Ari, held me and my friends back and told us how good it was to see new people come right in and find a place to begin serving. One of the things that he said which stuck out in my mind was that everyone, in some capacity, serves during their time at an event or in the club. He further said that it was a good sign that we’d found something to dive into with service right away and that, he himself, had begun by serving feast in a kitchen.
They were powerful words, and stay with me almost five years later. Because we’d found a place to pitch in, we had found a place to fit in. For the next few events, The Thing that my friends and I would go do was serving feast. It got so that I met people in the kitchen or as hall stewards, some of whom have become some of my closet friends.
So when you’re talking to a newcomer, or meet one at an event, consider offering to go serve with
them. Even something as simple as coming along with a couple people to help prepare a meal, serve the feast, or clean the hall can build many lasting memories and help that newcomer meet people during the course of their day. Because really, in the end? Many people come for the fighting, or the arts, and so on… but they stay because of the friends they make and the people they meet.
Yours in service,
James
Honorable Lord James Highgate is cadet to Don William of Aschem and protégé to Baroness Ilene
Johnnestoune. He is, further, the Kingdom Hospitaller and can be reached for comments at Jacob.a.tessler@gmail.com
I want to relate a story, of sorts. About five years ago when my wife, my friends, and I joined the SCA, we had one of those memorable experiences which helps newcomers to remain in our Society. It was our second event, or so, and a Kingdom Coronation; of course, I knew very little about anything related to that, had no idea how the entire process worked, and so forth. All I knew is that we’d come to the event, and had planned to, as a group, help serve feast.
At the end, when they called the feast staff out, the King, now Jarl Ari, held me and my friends back and told us how good it was to see new people come right in and find a place to begin serving. One of the things that he said which stuck out in my mind was that everyone, in some capacity, serves during their time at an event or in the club. He further said that it was a good sign that we’d found something to dive into with service right away and that, he himself, had begun by serving feast in a kitchen.
They were powerful words, and stay with me almost five years later. Because we’d found a place to pitch in, we had found a place to fit in. For the next few events, The Thing that my friends and I would go do was serving feast. It got so that I met people in the kitchen or as hall stewards, some of whom have become some of my closet friends.
So when you’re talking to a newcomer, or meet one at an event, consider offering to go serve with
them. Even something as simple as coming along with a couple people to help prepare a meal, serve the feast, or clean the hall can build many lasting memories and help that newcomer meet people during the course of their day. Because really, in the end? Many people come for the fighting, or the arts, and so on… but they stay because of the friends they make and the people they meet.
Yours in service,
James
Honorable Lord James Highgate is cadet to Don William of Aschem and protégé to Baroness Ilene
Johnnestoune. He is, further, the Kingdom Hospitaller and can be reached for comments at Jacob.a.tessler@gmail.com
Monday, November 30, 2015
Courtesies & Kindnesses - at Events
Witnessed at a recent event:
A newcomer had shown up to her first event, and had brought her boyfriend. Due to some communication issues, the newcomer was unable to obtain any loaner garb for her boyfriend, who was also new. Without any fanfare, Sir Judah ben Issachar and Sir Segdae hua Morda, provided a tunic for the gentleman and ensured that the newcomers were well-situated to enjoy their time.
Vivat, Sirs Judah & Segdae! Your kindness was remarked and will be well-remembered.
If you've witnessed courtesy or kindness in Trimaris, please send your story to Melangell and we'll highlight it in this series.
A newcomer had shown up to her first event, and had brought her boyfriend. Due to some communication issues, the newcomer was unable to obtain any loaner garb for her boyfriend, who was also new. Without any fanfare, Sir Judah ben Issachar and Sir Segdae hua Morda, provided a tunic for the gentleman and ensured that the newcomers were well-situated to enjoy their time.
Vivat, Sirs Judah & Segdae! Your kindness was remarked and will be well-remembered.
If you've witnessed courtesy or kindness in Trimaris, please send your story to Melangell and we'll highlight it in this series.
Tuesday, November 24, 2015
What Happened? Martinmas Moot 2015 Recap
Martinmas
Moot, A.S. 50
This
event report was submitted by Baroness Melangell merch Mariot, OP. All photo credit goes to HL Tristrum de
Kerjean (Jared Bluestein)
November 13-15, Anno Societatis L – Trimarian weather is
finally showing signs of cooling off. We
had lows in the 50s which made for very pleasant camping.

Seamus was then equipped as befitting
his new station. He swore his fealty and
was dubbed once, twice, thrice a Knight.
He received the buffet, and the scroll was read. A new Knight was made for Trimaris. Vivat, Sir Seamus!
The procession for
Crown Tourney started shortly after that.
Each figher and the consort he championed was announced to Their
Majesties, who offered some words to each pair.
The tournament started with the fighters of lower rank challenging a
Knight to combat. It was a
double-elimination tourney; each round was best of three bouts. The day’s victor was Lord Joshue le Charmonte, fighting with the inspiration provided by
Her Grace Zephyrine De La Maige.
Their Coronation will occur April 1-3.
The rest of the day was filled with
classes and meetings, tourneys and competitions, a rousing game of Happy Hour
Bocce (courtesy of Their Excellencies Octavio and Mairi Ceiligh) and a new
addition to our fair Kingdom, a Bardic Stroll.
A few gentles, having talent and inclination, wandered about the event
site, singing songs to the populace. It
was quite merry-making, and brought smiles to all around.
Royal Court Saturday
evening began just as the sunlight started to fade. Among the other awards and presentations, the
Honorable Lady Caitriona Meehan was
called forward; she expected to hand over the Kingdom Exchequer’s office as her
term had ended, which did happen, but first…
Their Majesties surprised her by inviting Caitriona to join the Order of the Pelican! (After confirming with Their Majesties, HL
Caitriona will sit in contemplation and hold her elevation at Hero of the
Chalice).

Master Aedan was later called upon to
speak for Sir Cedric of Dorchester as
a member of the Order of Defense. Sir
Cedric had been called to join the Order
of the Pelican, and chose to receive the accolade on the spot! Vivat, Sir (Master) Cedric!
As the evening began to close, Countess Jung-Mie was brought
forward. His Majesty asked her to
translate some phrases to Korean. He
asked for the translation for “much research”, and finally asked for the
translation for “Order of the Laurel.” Her Excellency was invited to join the Order! (Her elevation date has yet to be determined.)
So many others were recognized for their
efforts and service. Champions were
named. Stories were told. Presentations and pleas were made. As the last light faded from the sky, the
herald closed the Court of Their Majesties, Ardion and Lisa. Long live the King! Long live the Queen! Long live the Prince! Long live the Princess!
Vivat Trimaris! Vivat
Trimaris! Vivat Trimaris!
Monday, November 23, 2015
He Said - She Said
An Interview with Their Royal Highnesses Joshua & Zephyrine
The new Heirs to the Triskele Throne
have an exciting and action packed nine months ahead of them! They’ve already been busy gathering friends
and family to help them with the many aspects of being SCA royalty, from
planning a coronation ceremony, having new garb made, making sure they have
enough retainers for the events they need to attend, and making sure they have
time off from their modern jobs to attend all those events. As if that wasn’t enough, they are the feast
stewards for the Barony of Marcaster’s upcoming Long Nights at the Caravan
event December 4-6th!
Something that our newer members may
not realize is that their reign will be unique in several ways. His Highness is the first un-belted fighter
(a fancy way of saying he’s not a Knight yet) to win Trimaris Crown Tournament
since Duke Gaston de Champvieux won (for his first reign) in 1998. In the history of our Kingdom, there have
only been a handful of fighters who have achieved this accomplishment! Additionally, while this will be Prince
Joshua’s first time sitting the throne in the SCA; this will be Princess Zephyrine’s
fourth time sitting the Trimarian throne.
This means that while Her Highness is very experienced at being SCA
royalty, she (and all of us!) will get the chance to see the wonder of the
experience through His Highnesses eyes. Lastly, Their Highnesses will have the
opportunity to represent the Kingdom of Trimaris at this summer’s 50th
Year event, celebrating 50 years of the SCA!
I had the chance to sit down with
them before things got too busy…
First, I have to say congratulations
on winning Crown Tournament! As you
reflect on the excitement of the weekend, what were your happiest memories?
He said: My happiest, and
most lasting, memory is the moment when I placed the Princess’ coronet on My
Lady’s head and saw her radiant smile.
That moment will live with me forever.
She said: I have so many happy
memories I can’t list them all, but my favorite memories were seeing him fight
his heart out with honor and chivalry. I
was so proud of him!
What would you like the Known World
to learn about Trimaris at the SCA 50th Year event that they
probably don’t already know?
He said: That our mosquitoes really can carry you off to sea! Bring bug spray after a rain! If our mosquitoes armored up, we could fight themin our tournaments!
She said: I truly believe that our hospitality and populace are amont the best in the Known World, and we are not just the "swampy party kingdom". We are just as skilled, talented, knowledgeable, and honorable as the best in the SCA, but we also know how to have a good time at the end of the day!
Do you have any personal goals for
your upcoming reign?
He said: My personal goal is
to put our artisans, performers, and youth into the public eye more. Without
their love for our dream, we would not thrive as prosperously as we do. They
make magic and deserve more of the spotlight than they sometimes get.
She said: My personal goal is
to reinvigorate the populace and relight their flame - without them, and their
passion, we do not exist.
Do you have any people in Trimaris
that you admire and try to emulate in some way?
He said: Yes, I have several
people that I really look up to. I
admire Duke Greggory for his calm composure, and for knowing when to reel me
back in. I admire Duke Baldar for kindness he showed me when I was searching to
find my way in the SCA. I admire, and
appreciate, Duchess Maisie for her counsel, especially for teaching me to
recognize when I need to stop and reflect more before speaking or acting. I
think we all admire Master Iefan, well.... because he's such a gorgeous
peacock! If only we could all look that
good all the time!
She said: This is a really
difficult question - I look up to everyone for different reasons. I can’t just
choose a handful!
Do you have any advice for newcomers
to Trimaris and the SCA?
He said: Come drink the punch!
This is a hobby of hobbies - just when you think you have one SCA interest “dialed
in” you discover that it leads you into 15 other projects and interests! Tired of your job on Thursday? No worries!
There’s an event on the weekend where you can teleport back through time to a
simpler way of life!
She said: Simply put, ask
questions! Don't be afraid, we don't bite! Just jump in and have some fun with
us! We have a place and a family for everyone!
What are you looking forward to the
MOST in the next year?
He said: I’m looking forward to
seeing the passion of our Society “click on” for a newcomer - Hopefully not
just for one, but for every newcomer and
veteran! I hope to see the spark ignite
the flame that drives our people for another proud 50 years.
She said: I’m looking forward to seeing the unification of our
populace. We all get busy with our own
interests, projects, groups, and households that we sometimes forget that we
are all Trimarians. Trimaris is all of
us, working, learning, and celebrating together!
Monday, November 16, 2015
Humans of Trimaris
"I have to find my hat"
-Baron Cedric of Dorchester, KSCA.
30 minutes later in court he was announced to the Order of the Pelican and with his wife at his side, he accepted the accolade on the spot.
Humans of Trimaris
This photo project is a way for the People of the Kingdom of Trimaris (the majority of the state of Florida), in the Society for Creative Anachronism, to meet and learn about each other through candid photos and brief exchanges of questions and answers with the photographer(s).
Photographer: Countess Grainne ingen Anloin meic Cerbaill, OP
-Baron Cedric of Dorchester, KSCA.
30 minutes later in court he was announced to the Order of the Pelican and with his wife at his side, he accepted the accolade on the spot.
Humans of Trimaris
This photo project is a way for the People of the Kingdom of Trimaris (the majority of the state of Florida), in the Society for Creative Anachronism, to meet and learn about each other through candid photos and brief exchanges of questions and answers with the photographer(s).
Photographer: Countess Grainne ingen Anloin meic Cerbaill, OP
Sunday, November 8, 2015
Today in Trimaris
One of our littlest Trimarians offers her ideas on the making of stew at the Lady of the Lakes Renaissance Faire. Apparently, all you need is a spoon, a carrot, a baby and a cauldron.
Photo by Baroness Arianna Rosa Cristina Veneziano
Photo by Baroness Arianna Rosa Cristina Veneziano
On Point with James Highgate #1
This article was previously published in Talewinds and will be part of an ongoing series of reprint and syndication of the continuing article named On Point with James Highgate.
This will be the first of a monthly column where I discuss various elements of ‘human interest’ in the
SCA, give advice, or otherwise comment on the going’s on throughout the Kingdom from the
perspective of a relative newcomer to the Society.
If you have a topic you’d like to see addressed, please see the contact information listed below and I’ll be happy to wax poetic (hah) on any topic you like!
This month’s topic is how to adjust the sales pitch when attending a Kingdom or local Demo. The
important thing to remember is that a Demo is not like a normal event – it is strictly for the point of
attracting newcomers to our Society; such as local ren faires and the like. While this, to some extent,
means that you can show up and simply do whatever it is you do (such as illumination, fighting, etc), the thing to remember is that you’re doing it “on stage”.
Specifically, however, this goes to those gentles who come to Demos to be a roving Hospitaller –
standing in front of the camp or display, trying to attract people to come inside and look around.
There’s a trick to this – in marketing, it’s called giving a ‘sales pitch’. When doing so, the primary concern is to pick the right pitch for your audience; in short, knowing what your audience wants before they do. People go to Ren Faire’s looking some indefinable quality – and it’s usually not the overpriced commercial mead.
So when you’re doing the ‘roving Hospitaller’ or ‘front door man’ position, use the right approach – if you’re talking to a small, older, lady, talk up our artisans and crafts people. If you’re talking to someone who looks reasonably fit and into sports, talk up the various martial techniques. Pick the part of our society that is most likely to appeal to them, and tell them about it. Offer to walk them into the tent and introduce them to an expert on the topic – often times the personal touch of an introduction can make a person feel really welcome.
Additionally, there’s an aspect to giving a sales pitch called starting with a ‘positive statement’. This is often used when the audience has a really short attention span – such as walking from booth to booth window shopping at a Faire. Open up with something to get their attention in the first five seconds – if you can’t even get them to stop walking long enough to look, the pitch doesn’t matter.
I usually open with something along the lines of “Hello! We’re the Society for Creative Anachronism, we’re not here selling anything but simply as guests of the faire. If you like anything you see here, we’d love to teach it to you!”
They usually stop for one of three reasons: to ask what an ‘anachronism’ is, because I’ve told them
we’re not selling anything, or because they like the idea of learning whatever might be on display. This kind of quick intro is usually enough to get them to stop moving long enough to explain that we’re a not for profit teaching organization filled with a bunch of history geeks – if they’re somewhere we’re doing a demo, it’s highly likely THEY ARE A HISTORY GEEK, TOO!
In closing, always remember that when you’re at a demo, be it to fight, craft, or just generally help out and talk to people, you’re there to put on a show. So put on a good one!

James
Lord James Highgate of Darkwater is protégé to Baroness Ilene Johnnestoune and Cadet to Don William of Aschem. He holds the awards for Poet Laureate and the Bard of Darkwater for his written and performed poetic works.
He can be reached for comments, questions, or article suggestions at Jacob.a.tessler@gmail.com
Awards and Honors: Baronial Bash 2015
Baronial Court of Gõcauo Ramiriç and Sibéal inghean Mhurchadha at Baronial Bash. Oct 31, 2015
Court Report by Lord David Archer
- Tristrum Der Kerjeun: Order of the Wyvern's Scale
- Brian Robertson: Order of the Wyvern's Scale
- Arianna Rosa Cristins Veneziano: Order of the Wyvern's Claw
- Aibhim Ingen Artain: Order of the Wyvern's Claw
- Maol Mide ingen Medra - Ring of Chivalry
- Danial von Hessan- Heavy Armor Baronial Champion
- Edward Barrbour - Baroness' Blade
- Juliana Strangeways- Baronial Archery Champion
- Torasahi - Baronial Youth Champion
Court Report by Lord David Archer
Friday, November 6, 2015
What Happened?: Baronial Bash 2015 Recap
October 31st, Anno Societatis L - The day was fair and warm as their Excellencies Wyvernwoode gathered the populace for Baronial Bash, a celebration of the Barony’s anniversary. As with most anniversary events, there were tournaments and competitions to name the barony’s champions for the year. The following gentles prevailed, and they may be called upon to represent Their Excellencies and Wyvernwoode at the next “baronial throw down”.
Champion of Wyvernwoode – Honorable Lord Danial von Hessen
Baroness’s Blade – Lord Edward Barbour
Archery Champion – Baroness Juliana Strangeways
Youth champion – m’lord Torasasha
Photo credit to Jared Bluestein (HL Tristrum de Kerjean) |
In addition to the competitions, there was much merriment to be had. Musicians, classes, food and fellowship were all around while the populace enjoyed the beautiful weather.
There was an incredible amount of enthusiasm surrounding the glass bead making class. Students were given ample time around the flame while they shaped and decorated beads. A few intrepid artists even attempted their own ampules.
Among the announcement of winners and thanks for volunteers, a new tradition was born. The ladies of Wyvernwoode have previously decided upon the Ring of Chivalry recipients; for the first time, the men voted and chose a worthy gentle. Congratulations to Baroness Maol Mide ingen Medre, OL, OP as the first bearer of this great honor!
Their Excellencies Gocauo and Sibeal also recognized many other deserving individuals for their service and artistry. Afterwards, a fine feast was held to finish out the day.
This event report was submitted by Baroness Melangell merch Mariot, OP.
All photo credit goes to HL Tristrum de Kerjean (Jared Bluestein)
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