Noble Pilgrimage - March Update

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Time for an update on how the Pilgrimage challenge has been going this month.....

I have been sick again, and there has been lots of plodding along and not much being actually finished (again). With time ticking away, I have been pretty stressed about getting it all done in time. I am trying to work on the way that I am thinking about it all so that I am less stressed. I think I can see a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel.
I am getting better at being assertive and turning down projects that I can't realistically manage (although I still hate to disappoint people.)


Prowess:

* Learn a new skill - basic leather work
I have been using my cutlery bag, and  I have cut out a bag to hold scrolls in, but have not yet had time to sew it up.


* Improve my illumination skills - practicing with new designs, painting scroll blanks and developing confidence by "doodling" . Another scroll illuminated this month. I have also created an ongoing online challenge for my local group to get people excited about scribal work and allow them to experiment and develop their skills in a no-pressure situation. Also part way through a new, original scroll.


* Develop my sewing skills
Plodding along with bodices, fencing doublets, sleeves and jerkins.I am making a chemise for a friend and copying someone else's work, which expands your skill set.


* Develop my embroidery skills
New chemise project for a friend underway, it involves hand hemming, embroidery and a first attempt at insertion stitch.


* Enter more A&S competitions
No events at the moment with everyone preparing for and leaving for Festival. I have entered quite a few since this challenge started, and I now feel that I have the confidence to make it a regular thing.

* Try and blog more regularly
A little variable at the moment because I prefer to show the finished item and not much is getting finished yet.


Franchise:

* Make badge banner and pole for outside events
- delayed as hot weather was making my silk paint set blotchily, banner is half done.
* Make a new hall banner
- completed this month

* Make a new bottle cover, napkin and cutlery pouch
- cutlery pouch complete
- another napkin complete this month, 1 more underway.


* New tourney dress
- begun
* New feast dress
- skirt panels cut and hanging. Bodice and interlinings cut and ready to sew
* Make more accessories
Several sets of sleeves cut and ready to sew - if I don't run out of time and energy before the project ends. This challenge is taking a lot out of me.

* Work on cutting out slang and mundane talk. Trying hard, but this will be a continual process.
* Try harder to speak nobly. Trying hard, but this will be a continual process.
* Read ''The Bard's English'' - completed
* Work on moving more gracefully, and work on posture
* **Continue with existing projects and commitments - ongoing.  Working on WCoB presentation piece and on tablecloth project, embroidered chemise for a friend, doublet for a friend. Continuing to help with projects and teach. Continuing to administer LCG and organise records.

This month I have been particularly heartened by the work of the two gentles that I have been teaching to sew for the last eighteen months. They are both coming ahead in leaps and bounds and are trying new techniques and patterning with confidence (and looking great in their new garb.)

Piety

* Continue teaching classes ongoing
* Continue with regular service projects: device banner, mouse pouches, award cords, Baronial projects, scribe work etc. (Ongoing)
* Run an event (not sure if I will be able to do this prior to July as the event schedule is very full. May have to hold it later in the year, especially as we have had some events postponed due to hot weather.)
* Make Primus Agmen award pouches
* Learn the duties of a Lady in Waiting
I recently stepped up as Lady in Waiting to my Baroness. What a huge step. )I didn't actually die from terror or fall over in court [YET] so I think that is a very promising start!)
* Help people with individual projects
- embroidery project for a friend: complete
- jerkin for a friend- complete
-fencing doublet - almost done

Largesse

* Continue teaching garb skills - ongoing
* Make more effort to chat to newcomers at events and training. Trying hard. I even attended a demo this month and had to talk to lots of High School students!
* Try harder to make people feel relaxed, welcome and comfortable
Keeping an eye on newcomers and staying in touch electronically so that they know what to bring to events etc. I feel quite proud of myself for this as it is particularly and continually difficult.
* Donate coffee and cake money to charity at least twice a month
- still making regular donations
* Make largesse items for Gift Box
- still making jewelery




Prudence 

* Re-read "Knowne World Handbook"
* Read The Treasure of the City of Ladies - complete. There were some real gems in this book and it gave me a lot to think about. Well worth sticking it out.
*  Re-read A&S Handbook - done
* Read "At The Court of The Borgia" by Johann Burchard - underway
* Try to learn more about combat
- trying to learn more about rapier and heavy by chatting to fighters and paying more at training, reading social media posts and internet information on this area. Ongoing.

I really feel that I have made big improvements in this area this month. All the information is starting to sink in, and I think that it will help me to improve my game.


Courtesy

* Work on shyness and awkwardness - this will be an ongoing consideration, I think.
* Make an effort to speak to people I don't know/well
* Introduce myself to strangers: working on this
* Learn to accept compliments graciously
* Learn to ask for help: I have done this a few times in the last month
* Stop avoiding Peers and Pointy Hats: improving
* Write more recommendations for worthy individuals - ongoing
* Write a resume of SCA achievements to help develop confidence within the game
-  done! This started off  slowly and was difficult, but actually turned out to be a pleasant exercise because I decided to add in dates of events and so the resume has also become a sort of timeline. Working on it has been a nice trip down Memory Lane and has reminded me how much my game has improved over the last fifteen years. I would recommend this exercise!

Although this area is probably going to be an ongoing challenge for me, I really feel that I have made big improvements in this area this month. What I have learned and achieved so far has really made this Pilgrimage worthwhile.

I am starting to see and feel big improvements in all areas, and I can feel that my attitude to the game is changing. I am handling the challenges better as well. My biggest problem is running out of time to finish all the projects that are for other people before our local big event in June 2016.

Noble Pilgrimage - February Update

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Time for an update on how the Pilgrimage challenge has been going.
It has been a busy month. I have been sick, and there has been lots of plodding along and not much being actually finished. These sorts of months can be discouraging and I try to remember that soon I will get to a stage where, with just a little bit more effort (and better health), I will start seeing a lot of things successfully completed.

I have also had two garbed events recently; it has been nice to get back into the swing of regular SCA events again.

I have had to let people know that I can't accept any new projects prior to July 2016, because I have too much on my plate now and I am starting to feel quite stressed, especially after losing so much time to illness.


Prowess:

* Learn a new skill - basic leather work
Last month I completed my cutlery bag for feasts. I have cut out a bag to hold scrolls in, but have not yet had time to sew it up.


* Improve my illumination skills - practicing with new designs, painting scroll blanks and developing confidence by "doodling" . I have also completed another AoA blank (illumination only) and have almost completed the next couple of assignments.


* Develop my sewing skills
I am trying new ways of bodice construction and have started a couple of new bodices in different sewing styles. I am also learning more about men's clothing and am making a doublet for a new fencer in our group. Very challenging!


* Develop my embroidery skills
New chemise project for a friend underway, it involves hand hemming, embroidery and a first attempt at insertion stitch.


* Enter more A&S competitions
Siege warfare research and recipe redactions were submitted and well received. This area may have to take a back seat from now on as I have many things for other people to complete and which will take priority over my own interests and projects.

* Try and blog more regularly


Franchise:

* Make badge banner and pole for outside events
- underway
* Make a new hall banner
- underway

* Make a new bottle cover, napkin and cutlery pouch
- cutlery pouch complete
- one napkin complete, 2 more underway.


* New tourney dress
- begun
* New feast dress
-planning complete and materials assembled. Pattern needs to be adapted. I won't start this project until I am more up to date with my other projects, especially items for other people. They take priority.
* Make more accessories
Some sleeves and new headwear- hopefully- if I don't run out of time and energy before the project ends. This challenge is taking a lot out of me.

* Work on cutting out slang and mundane talk
* Try harder to speak nobly
* Read ''The Bard's English'' - completed
* Work on moving more gracefully, and work on posture
* **Continue with existing projects and commitments - ongoing. Completed a scroll personalisation, illumination on 3 AoA scrolls, embroidered napkin for a friend, WCoB presentation piece, finished a banner device, working on tablecloth project, continuing to help with projects and teach.
Completed this month:

Piety

* Continue teaching classes
* Continue with regular service projects: device banner, mouse pouches, award cords, Baronial projects, scribe work etc.
* Run an event (not sure if I will be able to do this prior to July as the event schedule is very full. May have to hold it later in the year.)
* Make Primus Agmen award pouches
* Learn the duties of a Lady in Waiting
I recently stepped up as Lady in Waiting to my Baroness. What a huge step. )I didn't actually die from terror or fall over in court [YET] so I think that is a very promising start!)
* Help people with individual projects
- embroidery project for a friend: complete
- jerkin for a friend- underway
-fencing doublet - underway

Largesse

* Continue teaching garb skills
* Make more effort to chat to newcomers at events and training
* Try harder to make people feel relaxed, welcome and comfortable
Keeping an eye on newcomers and staying in touch electronically so that they know what to bring to events etc.
* Donate coffee and cake money to charity at least twice a month
- making regular donations
* Make largesse items for Gift Box
- making more jewelery




Prudence 

* Re-read Knowne World Handbook
* Read The Treasure of the City of Ladies
I must admit, this one is hard going- especially when there are so many tempting books from the period to read
*  Re-read A&S Handbook - done
* Read "At The Court of The Borgia" by Johann Burchard - underway
* Try to learn more about combat
- trying to learn more about rapier and heavy by chatting to fighters and paying more at training, reading social media posts and internet information on this area


Courtesy

* Work on shyness and awkwardness - this will be an ongoing consideration, I think.
* Make an effort to speak to people I don't know/well
* Introduce myself to strangers: working on this
* Learn to accept compliments graciously
* Learn to ask for help: I have done this a few times in the last month
* Stop avoiding Peers and Pointy Hats: working on this
* Write more recommendations for worthy individuals
* Write a resume of SCA achievements to help develop confidence within the game
- almost done!

Noble Pilgrimage - January Update

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Time for an update on how the Pilgrimage challenge has been going.

Like everyone, I have a lot of other SCA responsibilities that I had already committed to and which take up a lot of time. These include re-jigging the Cooks' Guild records and website, running classes, local scribal warden, local A&S deputy, and contributing to group projects including making devices for our device banner and working on the Innilgard tablecloth project. Of course I will continue with these projects and they will take priority over my Pilgrimage projects.
I have been playing for quite a long time so I have a lot of the basic equipment sorted. I need to work on the extra details and not being sloppy due to overfamiliarity. I have an illness which impacts on my time, energy and finances, and I can't travel. I will be doing the challenge ''in spirit'' but will be unable to attend the events. This list might seem really easy for regular people but represents a huge challenge for me.

Here is my list of goals for the Pilgrimage:

Prowess:

* Learn a new skill - basic leather work

* Improve my illumination skills - practicing with new designs, painting scroll blanks and developing confidence by "doodling" 















* Develop my sewing skills
- try new ways of bodice construction

Bodice edged with bias and unlined for summer (in progress)




* Develop my embroidery skills
* Enter more A&S competitions
- viking saga poem
- siege warfare research
- recipe redaction
* Try and blog more regularly

Franchise:
* Make badge banner and pole for outside events
- begun
* Make a new hall banner
- begun

* Make a new bottle cover, napkin and cutlery pouch
- cutlery pouch complete
- one napkin complete

* New tourney dress
- begun
* New feast dress
* Make more accessories

new girdle

new necklace

* Work on cutting out slang and mundane talk
* Try harder to speak nobly
* Read ''The Bard's English'' - completed
* Work on moving more gracefully
* Continue with existing projects and commitments - ongoing. Completed a scroll personalisation, illumination on 3 AoA scrolls, embroidered napkin for a friend, WCoB presentation piece, finished a banner device, working on tablecloth project

Piety
* Continue teaching classes
* Continue with regular service projects: device banner, mouse pouches, award cords, Baronial projects, scribe work etc.
* Run an event
* Make Primus Agmen award pouches
* Learn the duties of a Lady in Waiting
* Help people with individual projects
- embroidery project for a friend: design started

Largesse
* Continue teaching garb skills
* Make more effort to chat to newcomers at events and training
* Try harder to make people feel relaxed, welcome and comfortable
* Donate coffee and cake money to charity at least twice a month
- 6 donations recently
* Make largesse items for Gift Box
- made several jewellery items this month

 

Prudence 
* Re-read Knowne World Handbook

* Read The Treasure of the City of Ladies 

*  Re-read A&S Handbook
* Read "At The Court of The Borgia" by Johann Burchard
* Try to learn more about combat
-  watched an introduction to heavy session with one of our talented local fighters

Courtesy
* Work on shyness and awkwardness
* Make an effort to speak to people I don't know/well
* Introduce myself to strangers
* Learn to accept compliments graciously
* Learn to ask for help
* Stop avoiding Peers and Pointy Hats
* Write more recommendations for worthy individuals
- I have written 3 recommendations recently

* Write a resume of SCA achievements to help develop confidence within the game

- I have started to write a list of my achievements and roles in the SCA

Another Gift Box Necklace

Here is another necklace that I made to be given as Largesse. It is made of ceramic beads and glass beads strung on tiger tail with 4mm seed bead spacers.

Green Necklace for Gift Box

Over the next few months I will be focusing on my Pilgrimage journey. Two aspects of this are Franchise and Largesse. Here is a necklace that I made to be given as Largesse. The beads are natural gemstone and glass seed beads. I am not sure what the long faceted beads are made of.

Following the Pilgrim's Path

The Baron and Baroness of another SCA barony here in Lochac have designed a programme of challenges and events based on the Camino del Noble pilgrimage. Although I will not be able to attend the events, I plan to take part in the challenge by setting myself goals based around the Noble Virtues to improve my experience of the game. I am working on a list of ideas on what I would like to achieve.

Here is a brief guide to what the Pilgrimage will entail. I have paraphrased and quoted Duchess Constanzia Moralez y de Zamora's words; many thanks to Her.

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Camino del Noble Pilgrimage

Prowess - Red Tassel.
Prowess is skill or expertise in a particular activity or field.
 The objective of this tassel is to  develop a new skill or show improvement on a skill.  It could be to increase your ability to sew or embroider, or paint, or to improve your skill at fighting. The list of what you could possibly do is endless.

Franchise - Purple Tassel
Franchise is the possession of noble bearing, which is being true to your station and to yourself. Given that we are all assumed to be of noble birth, there are a great range of things that you could do is to ensure that you are adequately equipped to be a Lord or Lady within the Society. Here are some ideas
 Equipping yourself to your Station
 Registering your name and device
 If you are a combatant, having a painted shield, surcoat
 Ensuring that you have a banner, banner pole, portable hole
 Looking to equip yourself with whatever you need to attend an event - such as feasting gear, period seating, etc.
Being able to speak as a noble
 Being able to introduce yourself or your consort to the Crown or the Baron and Baroness
 Being able to list your achievements in a way that is pleasing to the crowd if in a passe dármes
Dressing to your station
 Making sure you have your own garb, that you dress to the best of your ability to your means.

Piety - White Tassel
Piety has been chosen to demonstrate service to the Society as there are some members of the SCA who are very devoted. Without this devotion, and this service we would not be able to have events and it is important that each one of us contributes.  This is tassel is to celebrate service.
Here is a list of ideas:
 Assisting with set up or break down at events and making sure that the area is cleaner than what we found it
Assisting the person at the gate to take money and indemnities, or being the person responsible.
Marshalling, or being the Marshall in Charge
Running a list
Heralding
Stewarding an event
Ensuring that there is always water available for the fighters
Looking after the Baron and Baroness/Crown so that they can better focus on their duties.
Offering your services as a first aid officer if you are qualified and the need arises.
Cooking or being the head cook
Serving or being the head server
Organising the performers, or performing
Organising and teaching dance
Teaching classes to groups,
Building equipment needed to improve events
Being a bookings officer
Taking on an administrative office such as chronicler
Maintaining the website.

Largess - Gold Tassel
Largess is the act of sharing or generosity with individuals
 There are so many ways that you can demonstrate generosity within the SCA.
 Teaching individuals skills
 Looking after new people at events
 Sharing your worldly goods - such as left over fabric, old garments to newcomers, lending equipment
 Welcoming people at events or at your home
 Assisting people with transport
 Making items for people as gifts

Prudence - Blue Tassel
Prudence is the act of good judgement through wisdom or knowledge.
In order to achieve this, each pilgrim must have an understanding of the foundations of the rules that we play by, as well as having some sort of idea of what life was like in period times.
In order to achieve this tassel everyone will be expected to read a minimum of three things:
1. The Known World Handbook
2. An SCA Governing Document (choose one or more if you like)
 Corpora http://www.sca.org/docs/pdf/govdocs.pdf
 The Lochac Laws: http://lochac.sca.org/laws
 Any of the officer handbooks
 Policies from the incorporated body in relation to your country - Australia SCAA http://sca.org.au/board/documents/policy or New Zealand SCANZ http://www.sca.org.nz/documents
3. A Period Text
There are so many to choose from suitable for all ages.  You can choose to read some poetry, or a period recipe or some period texts.  If you have suggestions please let us know and we shall add them to the list.

Courtesy - Green Tassel 
Courtesy is the act of showing respect and kindness to others, and showing that you value others and the game.

Ways that you could possibly show courtesy to others is through:
 How you speak to people
It is important to be generally polite, however the next step from that is to look around and say thank you. At the same time it is necessary learn how to be thanked and to be able to receive complements with grace. Saying thank you when you have received a complement means that you value the person's feedback and the time that they have taken to tell you how they feel.
 How you treat people
Treating people with kindness and making them feel welcome is a key aspect of Courtesy.  This could be from saying hello, through acts of assistance by opening doors or helping to carry items to those who need it.  It could be to getting someone a chair to make them feel like they can join the group to chat.
 Etiquette
The SCA is an interesting game where we make believe that we are all lords and ladies. So part of that fun is participating in that aspect which means learning about etiquette and using it.  This involves learning about titles and how to use them as well as when to curtsey or bow to those who may be of rank (such as the Crown or the Baron and Baroness).
Enhancing the Game, and showing respect to all who play it.
This is about respecting everyone who is attending the event by ensuring that you are adding to the game and not detracting from it. Little things like: turning your mobile to silent; pour your water/coke into a period vessel rather than drinking from the plastic bottle; and covering any mundane items.




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