From: guth@gpu.utcs.utoronto.ca (G.Guth)
Subject: Re: I am still bewildered
Organization: UTCS Public Access
Date: Sun, 8 Nov 1992 04:39:52 GMT

Richard Britnel to the good gentles of the Rialto, and especially Lord
William de Corbie, Greetings!

My Lord William de Corbie wrote:
>
>I joined the Society 8 years ago, under many misconceptions. I thought
>that this group re-created the European middle ages, as in "the Age of
>Chivalry". I understood that the SCA did not re-create the bad parts
>of the middle ages. I understood that it was not only about research
>and authenticity, but also (an perhaps more) about fun, so I assumed
>that it was a mixture of authentic medieval stuff in a romantic setting,
>with some Ivanhoe and Robin Hood. In my assumptions also went quite a
>lot of European-bred prejudice about how such a group would work and
>be organized. 

This is essentially the conception I had when I joined, although I knew that
the period that the society encompassed was 600 - 1600.  It was the later
period especially that attracted me (late 15th and 16th century).  I think
it is a picture that many (if not most) people who join the society
initially have.

>The SCA tells people that it is medieval. This is not true. It also
>encompasses the Dark Ages And the Renaissance, and much of the focus
>lies in very late "period". There is absolutely no coherence in the
>historical re-creation we do; we are a bunch of fiercely independent
>individuals, all dedicated to our own niche of the "period".

This is one of the central problems with the society as I see it, and I
cannot see a way to solve it.  We actively encourage people to select a
persona and to act as a person from that time and place would act.  We
encourage research and study of the history of the events surrounding that
persona, and the development of a period style of living.  Then we take this
huge range of different cultures and throw them together at an event.  When 
I went to my first event, I had not even conceived of Richard.  This is the
situation that, I believe, most people find themselves in when they first join.
So, instead of absorbing the culture of Elizabethan England (in my case), we
absorb the culture of the SCA instead, which, as you point out, is very
different from that of our period.

>I see a system of orders, ranks and titles which has almost nothing
>to do with any historic time or place. It is sheer fantasy. Still, the
>resistance to all suggestions for reform is extremely stiff. "USA: Love
>it or leave it" was once the battle cry of those who supported the
>Vietnam War. I find similar attitudes in the SCA, and some people get
>angry even at the idea that anything could be done to improve this
>Society and its system.

>I see a system of rulership which, if seen as historic re-creation, is
>ludicrous -- and which can only be understood if you know about the
>peculiar American fascination for sports and competitions.

You are quite right that the SCA is quite obviously an American invention.
The way we choose to run the society is more oligarchical than monarchical, and
the basis for the selection of our rulers IS hardly period.  Perhaps it would
be better to leave the business of ruling to one family.  Heriditary titles
would be more period (at least at my end of our period).  I occasionally
find the idea that anyone may aspire to royalty through hard training to be
distasteful...too close to the attitudes of today's society.  Perhaps this
is my biggest complaint.  Despite our garb and titles and dances and courts,
we still act like modern people in funny clothes.  Instead of trying to change
the way we act, to change from a modern mentality to a period one, we 
concentrate on the relatively minor inaccuracies like the Coke cans.  I admit
that I am just as guilty as anyone else in this respect.  Perhaps it really
all is in the attitude...in this case vestis virum non reddit.

>The above is no condemnation, no tirade! I am only trying to explain
>that for me, a European with some experience of both historical re-
>creation and fantasy groups in this part of the world, it is very
>difficult to understand the mixture of on the one hand, great skill
>and serious dedication, and on the other hand, blatant disregard for
>history, that the SCA displays.
>
>I recently championed "Strip the Willow" on the Rialto. I knew that
>technically, I was wrong. I tried to find a pretext to do it any way,
>but I was beaten firmly into the ground. It amazes me that there was
>such strong and well-worded resistance to this dance, while all this
>other stuff is going on. It is like standing in the middle of Disney-
>land and arguing about whether Woody Woodpecker belongs or not...

I feel that by encouraging the one thing I really do do in a relatively
manner, that is dance, I can raise the overall authenticity of the society.
By concentrating on our specialties, perhaps someday we will have a society
that is authentic in what its members do, if not in organization.  This 
piecemeal method is the easier, but slower way to more authenticity.  I have
yet to see anyone in the society achieve the mentality change that I spoke
of before.  (Keep in mind that I've only been around for a couple of years
though!)  I really don't know which is better.  The piecemeal approach is
more practical, easier, and less of a commitment.  The other requires real
dedication to the ideals of the Middle Ages.

>These thoughts came to me as I was reflecting on how Drachenwald could
>possibly become different, when it goes Kingdom. The most burning
>question is whether it is at all possible to mold Drachenwald into a
>more "European-style" group within the SCA. I fear that the cultural
>differences between America and Europe are greater than most SCAdians
>have realized -- and that ultimately, we may be headed for a split
>where Drachenwald forms a separate Corporation. I do not say this
>to be an alarmist, but the possibility is very real.

You may be right.  I hope not.  There is much benefit that could be derived 
from such an evolution, for the entire SCA.  Diversity may well lead to many
improvements in the society as a whole.

>William

Richard.