Karen Moon is an active member of the Society of Creative Anachronism, a world wide organization of Middle Ages enthusiasts who meet regularly to celebrate the spirit of the Past. An European phenomenon, it has its origins in recreation groups. The difference between the Civil War and Alamo reenactors and the SCA is that, while the former 'demands'; authenticity, the later chooses to be a little less exact.
"Not as it was, but as it should be," says Ms. Moon. "We hardly resort to eating soap to mimic the effects of dysentery as the Civil War reenactors have been known to do."
The SCA avoids religion and concentrates on the lifestyle and mindset of the times. Unique games, songs and dances are well researched by the women of the SCA, while the men seem more interested in the battles and weaponry.
The eras are defined by EARLY MODERN (15-16th centuries) of which examples are present and PRE-MODERN (Dark Ages and earlier) where things are less available. Not to mention the complete lack of historical data of the EARLY CELT and SUB-ROMAN periods. Artwork provides patterns for costumes yet leaves much to interpretation. In the 21st century, we are provided with visual help in the arena of movie and television. "Knowledge of the proper use of textiles and clothing can ruin a good movie," states Ms. Moon.
A list of movies which kept the spirit of the historical period include QUEEN MARGOT for the 16th Century, HENRY V (both Oliver and Braungh) JOAN OF ARC with Ingrid Bergman, or THE TAMING OF THE SHREW with Taylor and Burton for the 15th, and GLADIATOR for late B.C. period. PBS is a great place to find clues with ELIZABETH R, I, CLAUDIUS, and BLACK ADDER. Yet, media is also the greatest offender of costume inaccuracies, most notable being BRAVEHEART and the use of velour for their heroine.
Clothing of the early centuries was an expensive investment. Textiles manufacturing was an arduous undertaking. The fiber had to be grown, either from the land or on it, I.E. plant or animal. This had to be gathered and treated then made into threads and material woven from the resulting strands. Then color was added by dying with, again, plant or animal sources. Some dyes were inexpensive and plentiful while others were very rare and quite costly. Blue/purple was derived from a Mediterranean shellfish and used by royalty and wealthy.
Colors were believed to be a bit different from modern hues, being less vibrant, taking their brightness and richness from nature. Blues could have been black; purples, red and the use of colors were less in Northern Europe. Dying took time and people of the past had little free time.
A suit of clothes lasted for years despite wear and tear. It is believe underwear was conceived to make the outer clothing more durable. Wool against skin not-with-standing, underwear allowed the attire to last from one season to the next. Such excretions, while not only odorous, break down fibers. (It was the 100 A.D. Celts who first taught the Romans about soap). Paris's new fashion seasons were a distant thought, with styles changing at a snail's pace. Clothing became heirlooms. Like many today, a new set of clothes was usually a Christmas or Easter purchase. Linen and silk were textiles of the rich and famous and the elite used wardrobe to flaunt their money.
Pants were worn by women most often in the Viking sagas. Men could divorce a woman if she wore a garment with a fly closing or a woman, if her husband wore a shirt exposing his nipples.
During the time of Christmas, a festival from the 25th to Twelfth Night, was a vacation for all society. It was a time of "topsy-turvy" wherein a person was given "license to misbehave" and cross-dressing was allowed.
Other thoughts on the Pre-modern eras shared by Ms. Moon were mealtimes. Children, elderly and the sick received more than the standard two meals a day. Supper was usually the smaller meal and all meals were considered social events. To eat away from the table was considered rude and sinful.
Horses were discussed with Ms. Moon. The equine of the pre-modern times was a smaller animal, even the so-called draft horses. A knight's mount most often stood 12-14 hands high. The true draft animals didn't appear until the mid to later 1700s. The Magnus Equus, or Great Horse, was most like the Spanish Andalusia, a noble steed standing 14-15 hands. The Freesha was also a Northern European mount visible in the movie LADYHAWKE.
Ms. Moon was a great wealthy of information barely touched upon during the short time of the monthly meeting. She offered her email address for more questions. If she can't answer them, she'll find someone who can. Email her here.
On a personal note, I myself can provide information via a recreation group very much like the SCA. I belong to the Genji Bakafu that supports the customs and society of Feudal Japan. It is not a member of SCA but does fight in the conclaves of the Society and adheres to the principle of such reenacting. I am sure other SARAs can be good historical resources and RWA maintains an egroup for such facts.
Readers can be the most taxing of masters, requiring exactness from the author of a historical romance of any era. With the wealth of information gleaned from history by the SCA and other reacting groups, a writer can successful take a reader to the historical period, giving the tastes, feel, and sights of the period. we will be able to provided it and take the reader to a time past or a country less accessible by modern transportation using such resources.
We left the meeting with a thirst for more information to make our stories real and honest and for that we thank Ms. Moon and the Society for Creative Anachronism.
Kay Swanson, is a past editor of The Love Letter. Writing as Kei Swanson, she is the author of The Words Of The Pitcher from Genesis Press, May 2000, a contemporary romance with a Japanese National hero that was nominated for the Dorothy Parker Award For Excellence As Best Debut Novel by the RIO organization. Her ebook Seabird Of Sanematsu, from Pulsar is a work of historical fiction set in Feudal Japan. She is presently working on a romantic suspense.
©2001, San Antonio Romance Authors, all rights reserved, articles may not be reprinted without permission.
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