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Chatelaine’s Page
Unto You, Website Visitor – Greetings ! In the SCA, the group Chatelaine – sometimes known as Castellan or Hospitaller - is charged with welcoming guests and potential new members and helping them participate in SCA activities. The medieval chatelaine was the mistress or lady of a castle or country house and her job was similar: seeing that all the people under her care, as well as any visitors of any status, were feed, clothed and housed and otherwise assisted. In “The Current Middle Ages” of the SCA, this means introducing you to our group, help orient you to the often confusing customs of the SCA, answering your questions, connecting you with members who have similar interests, helping you with garb (costuming) and other items and with research information to create your “persona” – the medieval person you will “become” in the SCA. Don’t be overwhelmed! You may participate in SCA/Thistle to whatever degree you wish. Some members merely pick a name and sew a tunic to wear. Others do detailed research on every historical aspect of their persona right down to life histories, what they carry in their pouches and recreating period camps at our many camping events. Whatever interests you in modern life has a parallel in the SCA. Some examples: cooking, marshal arts, calligraphy, woodworking, costuming, theatre, music, dance, metal work, fine needlework and period research. For young members, there’s Page School where they learn about the SCA and participate in age appropriate activities.
What is the S C A ? The Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA), website: www.sca.org, is a non-profit educational organization devoted to the study of pre-seventeenth century Western culture. An “anachronism” is something that is out of place in time. Creative anachronism takes the best of the Middle Ages and selectively recreates them in the modern world. We study and recreate the arts and skills of this era. Active participation is the cornerstone of our organization. To learn costuming skills, one designs and wears costumes. To learn medieval warfare techniques, one creates their own armor and trains to fight in melee or tournaments. This list of crafts that one can learn in the SCA is limited only by one’s imagination. Each group’s officer titles and duties reflect medieval offices of the times. The Seneschal is the administrative officer and legal representative of the group and coordinates the other officers. The Exchequer is the groups’ treasurer. The Herald is in charge of the development and registration of names and heraldic devices. The Marshals oversee the safety, training and supervision of their respective forms of combat. The Chronicler publishes the group’s newsletter. The Chatelaine is the “welcome wagon”, creating and orienting new members while the Chirurgeon is the officer with first aid training who is on standby at all SCA events to render aid as needed. Other officers have more modern titles: Quartermaster, Children’s Minister, Demo Coordinator, Webmaster.
History of the S C A The SCA was incorporated in 1968, but officially recognizes our beginnings as a May 1, 1966 tournament held by a group of fantasy and science fiction writers in Berkeley, California. From those simple beginnings, the Society has grown to include seventeen separate kingdoms covering the globe. Current kingdom boundaries range from Australia to Canada and even into Europe. Each “Knowne World” kingdom is ruled by a King (chosen by right of arms) and a Queen, a Prince and Princess (heirs to the throne) and a group of officers who administrate the Kingdom. We here in Ohio are part of the Middle Kingdom, website: www.midrealm.org. It’s comprised of Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, most of Michigan and a small corner of Iowa.
The Marche of the Thistle… …is the Medina/Wayne County chapter of the SCA. Our membership includes educators, craftsmen, librarians, business people and students. We are family oriented and have activities for children. In addition to the pursuit of medieval activities and research, Thistle is committed to the SCA’s educational objectives and to the support of our community. Originally formed at the College of Wooster in the late 1970’s, Thistle’s current geography includes both Wayne and Medina Counties although some of members hail from other areas as well.
How to Get Involved Anyone is welcome to participate in the SCA. Begin with a visit to the Marche of the Thistle. Check our meeting and activity schedule page. Then, contact Thistle’s Chatelaine (see link below) to discuss your interests and answer any questions. In addition to adult activities, we believe in family participation and have an active teens and children membership. Meetings do not usually require garb (costume). There are also many events hosted by area and regional groups and, again, your local group can give you specific event information. Membership is not a requirement to attend events, however an attempt at pre-1700’s garb is required. Contact the Chatelaine for the availability of loaner garb. Again, paid membership in the Society is not required for participation, although it does bring certain “perks” such as a subscription to the Kingdom newsletter which includes information on regional events and a discount for event admission fees. Membership information is available at www.sca.org.
Combat Practice Interested in watching or participating in medieval hand-to-hand combat, fencing or archery? Contact us for locations and times of practices and workshops. You must be 18 to authorize as an SCA fighter, but younger members can train and/or participate in “boffer” fighting. Check the calendar page for times and locations of combat practices.
Medieval Demonstrations The Marche of the Thistle also presents demonstrations for non-profit groups. These demonstrations may include displays, combat exhibitions with armored fighters, dance, theatre or first person interactions with attendees. As we are a volunteer organization, scheduling a presentation depends on the day, time and availability of participating members. What does it cost? We request a donation in any amount that scheduling group’s budget allows. The donation will be used to cover presentation costs and further our educational and community activities.
For More Information, contact: CHATELAINE: Lady Mageen of Kincora, (Ann Pilarczyk) / emp20u@yahoo.com SENESCHAL: Lady Elena of Argyll (Connie Dickson) / swedenconnie@aol.com COMBAT MARSHALL: Baron Alexander of Hawkwood (Mike Gerlach) / baron@brendoken.org
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