Attending your first event?
If you are interested in joining, we do not expect you to turn up in museum-grade authentic costume. Most of our new members do not have a detailed background in fashion history, and you will learn alot from other more experienced members, after joining. However, please make an effort not to appear in modern clothing as much as possible.
General things to know when attending your first event
Regarding Dress
If you are making an attempt at period garb, the rule of thumb is that outfits should be made of natural fibres – wool, linen, cotton, silk etc. You may also ask the Shire Chatelaine for any loaner outfits until you make your own.
The easiest outfit to make is a T-tunic. This consists of a rectangular body section with a hole for the neck, long enough to reach from the shoulders to the knees, and two rectangular sleeves attached to the appropriate side holes of the body – the whole ensemble being shaped like a “T”. This can be belted and worn over more modern trousers as it will hide the modern waistline and fastenings. Search the internet – there are plenty of how-to sites with instructions.
Shoes will be the hardest thing to hide – try to wear plain leather brogues or boots that look as traditional as possible.
Do try to make/wear some sort of head-covering. It will improve the overall “look” of your garb and distract from the more modern stuff and make the outfit look more complete.
For general information and articles on beginning with historical dress, including patterns http://www.reconstructinghistory.com/beginners/index.html (Reconstructing History Beginners)
Some clothing of the Middle Ages, Patterns for simple garb based on archaeological finds can be found at http://www.personal.utulsa.edu/~marc-carlson/cloth/bockhome.html
Regarding Equipment and Food
Do bring with you a plate, bowl, knife/fork/spoon and a cup – collectively known as “feast gear”. If they look reasonably “old-fashioned” – made of wood or plain ceramics or pewter, so much the better – but you will learn as you go along. These items are not supplied to you at events. The best places to find suitable cutlery - things like tankards and wooden bowls – are charity shops.
Traveller’s fare is a simple, often hot, welcome-meal like a stew or a soup with bread that will be provided for people on the opening evening of an event as they arrive at the venue. This is normally included in the price of an event.
All events are bring-your-own-booze, but some venues will be listed as “wet” or “discreetly wet” or “dry”. Respectively these mean: “all booze acceptable”, “booze acceptable but consume discreetly (decant into innocuous looking jug)” and “no booze allowed”. If you want to drink anything other than water you will also have to bring that with you.
We always try to eat our feasts by candlelight in order to enhance the experience. Event announcements will often specify if the venue will allow naked flames (simple candles in candlesticks) or covered flames, in which case lanterns are in order. It is not necessary for you to bring one but you might like to. If in doubt, ask the event organizer.
Regarding Sleep and Transport
Read the details on the event announcement to see if there are bunks available (bring a sleeping bag and a pillow), crash space (add a camp-bed or roll-mat to your list) or camping (bring a tent as well).
If you have any trouble with transportation or tenting, email the event steward (organizer) who could put you in touch with people passing through your area who might have car-space, or someone with a large tent who can offer you bed space or maybe even a spare tent you can borrow.
Every event team will offer some sort of collection service from the local airport (if there is one) or the local train and bus station. Unless specified this will be free.
Regarding Activities
Do join the yahoo mailing lists beforehand, when you attend your first event, it will be nice to put names to faces.
Consider signing up for classes if any are advertised in the event announcements. Not only will you learn, but you will make lots of new friends too.
Don’t be afraid to pitch-in. Help in the kitchens, or fetching & carrying is always welcome and greatly appreciated and is another way to learn about the society and to make friends. Everyone is a volunteer and another pair of hands lightens the load and increases the fun.
Bring a project with you. Do not be modest about your talents. If you have a project you are working on that is portable, and is a skill and method that is appropriate to the society, then bring it along. It’s a great way to attract new like-minded friends.
If you fancy taking part in any of the activities on offer, like archery or combat, then please do not hold back. In many cases there will be spare equipment available. If you have none of your own, it might be a good idea to get in touch with the Marshal-in-charge of the event so that they will know to bring extra equipment with them.
Regarding Booking your attendance
Do make sure that you book and pay your attendance before any late fees kick in.
The event fee covers your bed and board (breakfast, lunch and dinner) and participation in the acitivities provided.
Ask any questions you may have when you book, as the event organizers are the best placed to answer them
Remember to register any food-related allergies or medical requirements you may have so that the organizers/cooks can make provision for this. This includes dietary choices such as vegetarians. The cook will aim to provide sufficient food for all attendees.
You do not have to supply an “alter ego” name at this stage if you have not yet made your mind up. If you have a traditional-sounding legal name it is fine to be known by that until you decide what period/persona you wish to go by.