A&S Pentathlon

I've been quite ill with respiratory issues this week, but I needed to drag myself along to an event this weekend. For the last year I have been running an A&S Pentathlon Challenge in my Barony, and this weekend was the opportunity for people to show the items that they have been working on.

Here are the guidelines:

Each entrant must complete five projects that each meet the requirements of at least one distinct category of the thirty available. The projects must be begun after the Baronial Rapier Championship 2018, and completed by Baronial Rapier Championship 2019 (excepting those calling for existing items/part finished projects). You can post updates on the Baronial or A&S Facebook pages and/or display your entries at events. 

Projects must be submitted to the A&S Officer – summaries and photographs as appropriate, reviews of comestibles/potables by consumers and performances by those present etc. There will be a special display of projects as they are at the Baronial Rapier Championship in 2019.

Projects may meet more than one category, but each one must meet at least one distinct category. 

This event is distinct from and does not count towards the Baronial A&S Championship.
Shared/group projects may count towards the Challenge for all participants.

Categories:
1. Child's Play - Any item intended for a child - clothing, accessory, toy, game, wrap, cradle etc.
2. Out of Your Comfort Zone - An item from a time or place or material or skill set you have not
previously explored
3. Hitting Below The Knee -An item intended for use below the knee
4. The Neck Best Thing - An item intended for use on, around, or above the neck
5. Here Be Monsters - An item featuring or incorporating fantastical medieval beasts and creatures.
6. For Science! -Arts and Science often focuses a lot on the Arts side. Make a project that
is more related to the Sciences.
7. Show Us Your Arms -A project of heraldic display.
8. Break A Leg- A performance based project - learn a new dance, sing a song, do a performance etc.
9. Tool Me Once - A project to make a tool to be used in other projects (not necessarily for the Challenge).
10. Cover Me -A project to make an item intended for protection: from the elements, from
other people who want to hit or poke you etc. Suggestions include: wet weather gear, armour, tents and shelters
11. String Theory -A project significantly incorporating some form of string - weaving, knitting, ropes, nets, knots etc
12. One Metre Material Project -A project made of less than one linear metre of fabric, wood or other
material that usually comes in larger quantities.
13. Century Time Traveller -A project from exactly 500, 600, 700, 800 years etc in the past. Make
something from in period, from a year ending in 18.
14. Back To Basics -Ever wanted to undertake a sheep to clothing project? Mine your own clay for bricks and build an oven? This is your opportunity. This project will be made as much as possible from unprocessed elements, from the beginning to the end product.
15. Those Who Can, Also Teach Pass on your knowledge! Present an A&S class or run an A&S activity outside
of activities you usually run, or write an informative article for an SCA publication or similar.
16. Give What You Get- A project to be given to the Barony or Kingdom or to be given to Their Excellencies or Their Majesties to be given out as largesse, or as a gift for a relative newcomer.
17. I Can’t Believe It’s Not Out Of Period -A project that includes accurately documenting something often erroneously considered naff, out of period or otherwise wrong for the SCA.
18. Tis the Season- A project specifically related to a particular season or Saint’s day or holiday.
19. Embellish It- A project to add embellishment or decoration to an already existing item
20. With The Grain- A project featuring grains – of wheat, of rice, of paradise or any other grain
21. Fly The Colours - A project based on the primary Baronial colours – Red, White and Blue.
22. Oh Say, Can You Sea? - A project related to the high seas – something nautical, related to ships,
made of shells or pearls etc
23. Togs, Togs, Undies - An item that could be considered an under thing. Or an item of clothing intended for a specific purpose: eg, swimming, cooking, hunting, hawking, sports.
24. Remake, Reuse, Refashion, Reconsider - A project to remake or complete an item you or someone else has previously made, or half-made and abandoned.
25. Containment System - A project to make something designed to hold other things – boxes, bags etc.
26. Forget Me Not - A project related to death/mourning. Memento mori, mourning clothing or traditions 
27. Counting (on) Sheep - Ovines were significant to medieval life – providing meat, milk, wool and
the imagery of lambs. Incorporate one into a project.
28. Fire Burns - A project using real fire. Cook on it, forge with it, make it in a period manner.
29. A Bird In The Hand - Of or relating to birds – feathered accessories, quills, roasted birds, raising chickens, falconry projects etc
30. An Essay Of A Thousand Words - Research and write an essay on an aspect of medieval life. Topic of your
choice, minimum of a thousand words.

With thanks to Cecily de Montgomery, Southron Gaard A&S Officer for this concept

The A&S display tables.

Many people were away, so entries weren't as prolific as I had hoped, but the ones we had were well received by the populace. Hopefully the challenge will inspire people to develop existing skills and to learn new ones.