Arts and Sciences

The A&S Schedule for Spring War XXVIII is still being drafted.

This page will be updated as teachers volunteer to run classes. Interested in running a class? The Master of Arts and Sciences is currently receiving submissions for classes, workshops, or demonstrations via this form.

We are also running 2 competitions at Spring War XXVIII.

Saturday Competition

A Token of War

Throughout the society, various trinkets, tokens, and gifts are given to the attendees of events. They often serve as keepsakes that help carry us back to the experiences we had at that event.
Some tokens are beautiful in their simplicity, and some are hewn through feats of intricate craft.
Craft such a token as might represent Spring War to another year of Mordenvalians and wayfarers.

This will be judged under one open category. Groups & households as well as individuals may enter.

The winner of the competition shall be granted a commission for next year’s Spring War tokens.

Entries will be judged on:

• Completeness. (1-10 points)
• Materials. (1-10 points)
• Construction technique and method. (1-10 points)
• Accessories. (1-10 points)
• Supporting documentation. (1-10 points).
• Interpretation of Theme 
• Utility as an event token 
• and overall aesthetic impression

Sunday Competition

In peace or in war
Individuals are encouraged to create an item that they feel best interprets the theme. This could be armour, livery, a declaration, food, fealty item, weaponry, medicine, a gift of homage, a song or poem…

There will be 3 categories:

• Beginner: someone with 0-3 years of experience of the skill they are demonstrating
• Intermediate: someone with 3-5 years of experience of the skill they are demonstrating
• Experienced: someone with more than 5 years of experience

Experience is cumulative, not elapsed. i.e. if someone practiced a skill for 18 months 10 years ago and the item they are entering took a few months to make then they are a “beginner” not “advanced”. This means, for instance, that a Laurel for brewing could enter a woodwork category as a beginner if they’ve only just started tinkering with that craft. No-one is going to check so you can pick whichever is appropriate for you.

Entries will be judged on:

• Interpretation of theme (1-5 points)
• Completeness. (1-10 points)
• Materials. (1-10 points)
• Construction technique and method. (1-10 points)
• Accessories. (1-10 points)
• Supporting documentation. (1-10 points).

Stewarding Team:

For some inspiration or a touch of insight into what variety of classes and workshops you might expect, see the A&S schedule from last year below.

NOTE: None of the following classes are confirmed to run again this year. If you see one that you are very interested, let the teacher of that class (if you know them) know or the Spring War Arts and Sciences Minister, Fenissa Æriksdotter and we’ll pass it on.

Friday

War Tactics with Lord Matthijs Tjepke van der Horst 5:50pm
SCA war scenarios do not always pan out intuitively, and there are certain factors that sway the outcome
much more than one might expect. This is aimed primarily at newer fighters but is open to all.
Duration: 60mins
Location: Outside Tavern

Saturday

8am
Building a fire using period tools with Lord Thomas Boardmakere
Duration – 30 mins +/-
Location: Firepit

8:30am
Six Board Chest with Johan
Come along to learn about medieval boxes as Johan guides you through the process of building your own 6
board chest.
Max class size: 5 participants (spectators welcome)
Cost: $60 to cover materials, all tools provided
Duration: 4+ hours
Location: Bearhaus/Politarchopolis on the green; near the Tavern
Note: Please ensure all participants wear enclosed shoes and sleeves/hair is tied back as this class is a
hands-on practical.

10am
Dye with Dagny – Intro to Natural Dyeing
Three classes designed to build practical knowledge of the natural dye process. All three classes will
include demos, discussion and opportunities to get your hands dirty if you are so inclined.
Session 1 – Introductory info like fibre prep, scouring, mordanting, safety.
Duration: 1hr +/-
Location: Firepit

10:30am
Leather Snips case with Lady Alexandria Biener
In this class we will emboss and sew together a leather sewing case. The case is large enough to hold a pair of snips, some pins and some needles. It can be worn from a belt or chatelain to make sewing on the go easier.
Max 10 people Please contact Lady Alexandria directly to book
Cost: $15 per person
Duration: 2-3 hours
Location: Hall

11am
Medieval Soap with Lady Rhianna verch y Koedwr
What we know and filling the gaps. This class is not aimed to teach you how to make soap, but rather discuss its medieval context while demonstrating modern cold process soap making.
Max class size: 12 people
Duration: 1 hr +/-
Location: Hall

1pm
A new way to perform Ballads with Damocles Truhart
Looking at story telling ballads from early eras being performed as plays rather than solo performances.
Exploring the characters and story line not just the narrative
Duration: 45-60 mins
Location: Hall

1:30pm
Dye with Dagny – Plant & Animal Dyes
Second session will include dyeing fibre with a selection of foraged, domestic and imported dye stuffs.
Duration: 1 hr +/-
Location: Firepit
A Potted History of Tea & Tastings with Duchess Tailltiu 2:30pm
Location: Hall

3pm
Jewellers Sawframe Techniques with Mistress Tig
A hands-on lesson in using a jeweller’s saw to create fine detailed cut outs in metal, shell and bone.
Buttons, jewellery etc! Have a go at filigree and maybe make a brass or silver pendant. Class can continue beyond the hour for those needing it. No cost but limited number of saw frames available.
Duration – 1 hr +/-
Location: Hall

Sunday

10am
Dye with Dagny – Vat Dyes (Indigo)
Third session we will be vat dyeing with Indigo.
Duration: 1 hr +/-
Location: Firepit

10:30am
Early Medieval Scotland with Lady Edda Oddasdottír
A brief exploration of the cultural groups present during this period and basic information about how they dressed and tips to mimic their look in SCA garb.
Duration: 1hr +/-
Location: Hall

11am
Leading and joining a chorus with Damocles Truhart
Encourage people to consider chorus songs and how to choose your material. Discuss ethics and politics of group singing offer support and discussion on issues with group and chorus singing
Duration: 1-2 hrs
Location: Hall

1pm
Creating a collection of plants from our period with Master Seger Boom
A class for those with an interest in; brewing, dyeing, cooking, historical herbal medicine, ornamental plants, veggies and a general interest in gardening and plant collecting.
This class will cover the following:
– Why collect plants from the SCA time period.
– Finding period sources to help you select the plants to fit your needs.
– How to grow the plants you choose, from gardens to balconies.
– Don’t want to grow it yourself? Working with others to get the plant materials that you need.
– Finding the plants and looking after them when you do.
Duration: 1 hr
Location: Hall

2pm
Iron Age Celtic Garb with Lord Kaitorix Arvernom
What the evidence is and how we can use it.
Duration: 30min-1hr
Location: Hall

2:30pm
Kumihimo braided cords with Shinjo Takame
Learn how to make kumihimo braided cords for garb and for award tokens. All materials are supplied.
Location: Hall

3pm
Knotwork for beginners
Your favourite new doodle with Baroness Mildryth Thomaswyf
A quick intro to knotwork and a guaranteed method for drafting your own knotwork from scratch. Make your designs look cool with unique knotwork that is easy to do. No previous knowledge required.
Duration: 30mins + extra time for drawing practice
Location: Hall

4pm
Practical Pretty: Devising Plans from Illuminations with Johan
Ever wondered how they bring objects to life? Come along for a relaxed afternoon discussion as Johan explains his practical approach to recreating historical furniture.
Duration: 1 hour
Max class size: 20 participants
Cost: None, please feel free to bring printouts of pictures/objects you wish to recreate and notebooks
Location: Bearhaus/Politarchopolis on the green; near the Tavern

5pm
Developing and evolving your SCA kit with Lord Thomas Boardmakere
Expected duration – 1 hour
Location: Firepit