WHILE the average Canberran is sitting at home in front of their telly having another drab, dreary and otherwise dull evening, all manner of fantasies are being fulfilled out in community halls, clubs and homes. A myriad of societies and groups are thriving in this city dedicated to all manner of unusual pursuits, hobbies and extraordinary social interactions. These clubs are usually run on sheer enthusiasm, by individuals inspired to slightly bizarre yet always remarkable endeavours. Making friends, sharing interests, expanding your knowledge and having fun is what it's all about.
THE Society for Creative Anachronism is based on the feudal system. It has baronies in every state Australia with about 1500 people playing. Far-flung kingdoms exist in the US and Europe. From the Canberran Barony called Politarchopolis are Kate Fletcher, Deborah Murray, Eileen Procter and Russ Bradbury. Members refer to their modern names, clothes and lifestyles as "mundane". During gatherings they adopt medieval personas complete with costumes, new names, histories, and life experiences. The aforementioned people become Lord and Ladies. They are Nimue na ruad, Oonegh O'neill of the blue myst, Sabine d'Antan and Mercurio l'Estranger, respectively. Bradbury joined because he is interested in medieval lifestyle. "I enjoy fencing, horse riding, archery, singing, costuming and dancing all within one group, plus I get to meet people with similar interests." Procter laughs and confides, "He joined because of all the gorgeous women". Either way as a member of 10 years, he certainly relishes his hedonistic recreation.
Murray gets involved with medieval crafts such as calligraphy, sewing, leatherwork, embroidery, lacemaking, armour making ... to name just a few She also described some of the games played at feasts, "Skittles, petanque (bocci), chess, parchesi, forfeit ... in forfeit everyone stands in a circle tossing a bag of beans, if you drop a pass you owe a forfeit to the thrower. It's usually a noble kiss on the hand, yet some people indulge..." In recreating the society the club chooses to discard feudal sexism. Women take part in the battles and men go along to the weekly sewing session, known as "stitch and bitch ". Also rejected are the plagues, pestilence and poverty of feudal times. Fletcher says, "everyone's at least a lower noble, except the odd person who chooses to be a serf". Fletcher, a member of seven years, takes part in the sport of heavy combat, wielding a wooden broad sword and a wooden, leather edged shield bearing her coat of arms. "It's an unusual form of exercise involving a lot of training, hard work and full on contact. You do get bruised even though you must have your armour up to standard." Every year the Sydney Barony named Rowany has an Easter festival. This year Politarchopolis had was victorious during this event in an all out battle staged on a huge field. Picture more than 100 - people, yelling bloodthirsty battle cries, firing blunt arrows at each other, charging heartily in knightly garb, wounding mercilessly with fibreglass rapiers, until victory was achieved.
Bradbury says, "I've fought in several wars". He explained society rules of combat: "You must prove to a Martial (sic) you won't strike certain blows, so you will be safe on the field. You also get taught how hard a blow will penetrate your armour; `wounding' or `killing' you." At the group's regular feasts, a newcomer is introduced by a Hospitalier helping with costumes and mores. Constables collect entrance fee ($5-$15)and act as safety officers.Heralds make the announcements, Martials (sic) (marshals) look after combat and the Baron and Baroness preside over proceedings. Guests bring their own candles and feast heartily on breads, fruits, cheese and sumptuous dishes designed to look like animals. According to Fletcher, "The meatball hedgehog with almond eyes is always popular". A large quantity of home brewed mead, stout, cider and ale is consumed and the high nobility sometimes indulges in pearls dissolved in vinegar with a little sugar. If Coke appears on the table the "Byzantine ale" or "bubbly black mead” quickly decanted into a more is appropriate bottle. You might be greeted with, “Good morrow Milady" or “Most excellent sir, from whence doest thou hail?" Feasters often joke about modern-day events using medieval terms, maybe referring to their “mundane" boss as the evil duke. Also adding the occasional "forsooth" to their conversation. The next big feast is being held at St John's Church hall, in Reid on June 14. For information on the society contact, Fletcher on 2861255, or check out the web site at http://www.sca.org.au/lochac/ (URL updated since article {Ed.})
Canberra Times article of tuesday May 22, 1997 entitled "More to Life"
The Society for Creative Anachronism. The medieval recreation group to which I belong.
Have a look for the group nearest you.