Photos by Bryan Oldenburg
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| Click images to view enlarged JPEGs (apx 170k each) |
Photos by Bryan Oldenburg |
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| What ho! The medieval field of battle was never like this! Using rattan instead of iron in their maces, O'Guin Silver Wolf O'Drackenbrig (Dublin Briggs, a sophomore in cinematography) and Ludwig von Lemminghaus (Tim Ohling, a sophomore in computer engineering) mix it up in practice for a Society of Creative Anachronism tournament. An Experimental College class on the society has about 20 people dressing, talking and acting like thousand-year-old men and women. | ||
One Experimental College class is definitely not concerned about the future.
The Society for Creative Anachronism concerns itself with medieval lifestyles throughout the world from 500 A.D. to the early Renaissance, according to instructor Dublin Briggs, liberal arts sophomore.
Almost every medieval society is represented: European, Arabian, Japanese and African. The students learn about the time period's methods of combat, costumes, dancing, embroidery, music, cooking, brewing and metal work.
Twenty people signed up for the class, mostly women.
"No, they're all 'ladies,' I didn't notice any wenches," Brigges said.
The society is a nationwide organization dedicated to recreating the age of knights, ladies and chivalry. It also has a branch in England. National officers are selected on. the royalty system, with rank determined by success in combat.
The two main events at society gatherings are tournaments, consisting of fighting and skill events (archery) and revels, medieval parties where nobles learned the latest dances and songs.
Rattan, a bamboo-like wood, is used to make weapons. It's so-lid but has "some give to It," Briggs said. Shields are constructed of plywood or steel.
"Everyone in combat must have a helmet made with 16-gauge steel that covers the face and neck, plus whatever body armor suits them," he said.
"Fighting is a big test of honor for only the victim can say if he's been 'killed,' he can ask for opinions from the spectators, but it's still his decision. The referees are there.only to keep the combatants and audience separated.
"To be killed and not die is dishonorable. After that, no one will talk to you."
Chess is very popular with the knights and ladies, as is any military-type game, Briggs said.
Another activity is Norwegian stickball, a combination of baseball, rugby, soccer, wrestling and keep-away that boils down to "kill the man with the ball."
The society has scheduled a medieval tournament in Corvallis for Homecoming weekend, Nov. 7-9. Societies in Eugene, Portland, Oregon City and other cities have been invited to take part.
The class meets every Thursday at 6 p.m. in MU 217.