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Your First Event: Making a Simple Tunic

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You’ll need something to wear to your first “garbed” event (an event where clothing worn prior to 1600 is expected). The quickest and easiest way to do this to make a tunic or two.

In order to make a tunic follow the instructions below.

For ‘in person’ assistance, a good way to get this is to ask someone on Tuesdays at Fighter Practice / A&S to introduce you to someone who can help, or come along to Dence Park A&S days. Information about both of these can be found at the Regular Events page. Remember, things such as locations (temporary new venue at time of writing for Tuesdays) and dates (Dence Park dates change yearly) can change, so check posts in the appropriate section on this site for the most up to date information (hint: the above are event related).

Quick guidance

Tunics are worn by everyone throughout the entire period the SCA covers, until the mid-1300s pretty much all clothing is comprised of layers of tunics of various lengths and looseness / tightness. After the mid-1300s the tunic is made of white linen and is the underwear layer, and is herafter known as a ‘smock’, ‘shirt’, ‘chemise’. No matter what period you want to cover you will need to make a tunic (or 7).

As a general rule of thumb for outerwear tunics men should aim for a knee length tunic and women should aim for a floor length tunic.

Try to make your tunics from natural fibres: wool, linen or cotton. You will be more comfortable in the heat, warmer in the cold and less likely to sustain serious injury if you clothes catch on fire over a flame / fire.

To make your tunics look good try layering two tunics, and decorating the cuffs, hem and neckline of the tunic in some way (see inspiration section below).

Above all, the SCA requires AN ATTEMPT at clothing that would have been worn prior to 1600. Whatever you make will be fine :)

Instructions

  1. Open the Elizabethan Smock Generator website (a smock is what the tunic turned into over time)
  2. Find a friend / relative, get a tailor’s measuring tape and take all the measurements listed on the website. Write them down on some note-paper. It’s better to have someone else take them for you as there are measurements you won’t be able to take accurately on your own.
  3. Input them into the pattern generator, choose the “pieced option” if you have experience sewing, and the “1-piece option” if you haven’t sewn much before. Note down how much fabric it says you will need. You can convert inches to cms and yards to metres on this site. Save the page, or re-enter the information at step 5.
  4. Find / buy this amount of fabric, take it home, wash it the same way you plan to wash the tunic(s) in future, which reduces possible future shrinkage (wash it separately, in case the dyes run on the first wash).
  5. Refer to the generated pattern, and cut out all the pieces following the instructions on the generator page
  6. Follow the instructions on this page to assemble the tunic. Exception: in step 4, make it a round neck opening, not a square one
  7. Wear it to an event and enjoy!

Inspiration

Photos of re-enactors in tunics for you to get ideas on what you would like to wear / make:

Financial Policy Version 1.1 Available – Suggested Reading

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To the Populous of Rowany,

We tend to have quite a lot of activities in the Barony. Many of these involve money as not much comes for free and people / organisations expect to get paid for things like venue hire.

Anyone dealing with money in relation to any kind of activity within the Barony should be aware of and adhere to our financial policy. This will ensure you understand how things work, things run smoothly, and everyone is happy (especially our Reeve whose job is difficult enough, the tax man, our B&B, my mum…  you get the picture).

Version 1.1 of our Financial Policy can be found at the following link:

http://rowany.lochac.sca.org/files/2014/02/Rowany-Financial-Policy-v1.1.pdf

Thanks to our Reeve, Jean-Christophe le Saussier, for creating this document.

YiS,
Jan

P.S.  All finance related posts (including those with other documents such as templates) can be found by using this site’s category Barony – Finances

Poll / Survey – Baronial Heirs – Pick Your Candidate

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Greetings to the Barony of Rowany,

After much discussion the time has come to select the baronial heirs. Below you will find a link to a brief survey which will inform their Majesties of the preferred candidates of the populace. The Poll will remain open for 14 days closing on the night of the 27th of Feb (11:59 pm). Their Majesties will announce their decision shortly there after.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/GR2WFCD

YIS

Alfgeirr Agnarsson
Returns officer

Information Regarding The Poll For Helping Choose Our Next Baron and / or Baroness

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Greetings to the Barony of Rowany,

As we all know, their excellencies Loyola and Annora will soon be stepping down as Baron and Baroness of Rowany. Our Barony is strong and we are fortunate that 4 candidates have stepped forward who are willing to lead our barony into this new era. In recent weeks there have been several forums in which we have had the opportunity to talk to the candidates and hear their visions for the future of Rowany.

I have been asked by their Majesties and their Excellencies to conduct a poll to advise them of the wishes of the populace in choosing the next Baron &/or Baroness. This poll will be conducted via survey monkey. Unfortunately due to my mundane schedule this will be happening this Thursday rather than on the 10th (today) as previously advertised. I apologise for this but it is unavoidable.

In the mean time, should you have any comments to share with their majesties regarding the candidates they can be sent to:
crown (AT) lochac.sca.org

Please forward this message to any other relevant Rowany lists if I have missed them.

YIS

THL Alfgeirr Agnarsson

UPDATE 2014-02-14: The poll / Survey is now available – Please see this post

Newcomers Event Details (15 Mar 2014)

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To the people of Rowany does Lord Anton de Stoc sends greetings, and news!

The Barony of Rowany will be holding it’s traditional Newcomers Event, at
Marrickville Town Hall on Saturday, 15 March 2014.

The hall will open at 12 for an afternoon of classes involving dance,
making clothes, song and other diverse activities.

The feast itself will be starting at 6pm, with a Persian theme.

Any persons with dietary requirements are requested to contact the Steward
well in advance, so they can be suitably fed.

Prices and Bookings:

First event, $10
Helper Price, $20 (ie musicians, cooks, hall setup etc)
Standard price, $30
Children under 7, free
Children 8-17, $10

Non member insurance surcharge, $5
Unbooked, $10 surcharge if other than 1st event.

Bookings close 1 March 2014

Please send bookings and any dietary requirements to rowanynewcomersbookings (AT) gmail.com

Small Print

If you need to ask if it’s your first event, it’s your first event.

If you would like to help with cleanup, talk to Skarpethin ( dlcharlier (AT) gmail.com )

If you would like to help with classes, talk to Sigvald. ( alex.selth (AT) gmail.com )

If you’d like to help in the kitchen, talk to the steward before the cooks come at you with cleavers. ( PlantLauren (AT) gmail.com )

Please feel free to cross post this! Newcomers is an awesome event. Bring a friend!

Candidate Introduction – Torg

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Torold o Hawkhurst (Sir Torg)I am Torold o Hawkhurst more commonly known as just Torg or Sir Torg.

I joined the SCA as an overseas member about 1979 was marshal for 2 years and was a founding member of the Barony of Rowany in April 1982 when we became the Barony of Rowany in what was later the Crown Principality of Lochac and then a Kingdom. I was senechal of Rowany for 2 years from 1983 to 1985 and first Baron of Rowany for 5 years from 1991 to 1996. I had as Baroness Lindoret of Byrn Myrdyn my wife Linda. Prior to 1991 I was reeve of Hawksreach for 2 years. Hawksreach was a pre Stowe group with the same boundaries as Stowe. In recent years I was senechal of Stowe for 2 years. I am a Knight and a Pelican and am excellent as the Crown gave me a Court Barony. Hard to compress 34 years.

Why am I standing (again and without a Baroness)? An excellent question and the answer is because I have the skills to enhance some part of the Barony that I feel do not operate at peeks they have attained in the past and can surpass in the future. As a slice of the past a Barony should be all things to all people as a place of excellence where all aspects of the SCA are fostered. We have the arts and sciences in all their forms, we have the arts martial in all their forms. All are of value and require that touch of immediate encouragement and recognition that only a B&B can bestow. It not a Tango it does not require 2.

I see the role of the Baron as including active leadership to various goals. These goal are the peoples goals but they are sorted and give a priority and this is leadership of the type I like to run. Joint goals but with a facilitator.

I think I can enhance the Baronial presence at Court and in ceremony. To respect a figurehead they must be worthy of respect and they must act to enhance that effect. The Baron and Baroness are the constant Royal presence in the Barony they are always worthy of great respect and they must foster this separation of roles from them as people and friends and them as the B&B. I feel Rowany needs to enhance the “hats on”effect and become less of the great Australian dream of we are all the same. Perhaps that is true but the SCA is built of the fact that in the SCA it MUST not be true.

In then end I would like to be Baron again. I know I would be good at it BUT if I miss out I hope that I have at least shown where I feel this Barony can go to attain even greater renown.

Torg o Hawkhurst [lots or titles and rewards]

Candidates Introduction – Táriq And Juliana

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Juliana de NorthwoodJuliana de Northwood

I started re-enactment in 1997 when asked to be a bridesmaid at a medieval themed wedding. I needed to learn some dances, so went to the Wellington Medieval Guild (WMG) for 6 weeks and never left. I was associated with the SCA (Darchester, now Darton) from 1997 – 2008 and, an SCA financial member of Rowany since 2008. I have also been fortunate enough to be associated with 3 jousting groups, Order of the Boar (NZ), Full Tilt Jousting (Lithgow, NSW), and Nova Hollandia (Newcastle, NSW).

Since joining the SCA I have become an active member of the Royal Lochac Guild of Defense where I have gained the rank of Provost. I also enjoy a range of other activities. My first passion is fibre and spinning, and I am somewhat addicted to spindles, spinning wheels and wool. Additionally I have learned to silk paint in an effort to contribute, tablet weave, fingerloop braid and improve my sewing skills, all thanks to a number of people who have taken the time to teach me.

In my mundane life, I work for a charity putting life-saving medical equipment into the paediatric public health system. I am also a keen scuba diver.

Táriq ibn Jelal ibn Ziyadatallah al-NaysábúríTáriq ibn Jelal ibn Ziyadatallah al-Naysábúrí

My SCA / re-enactment involvement began in Dismal Fogs in 1991, where I held several offices and was quite an active combat archer. I became involved with fencing when classes started at UNSW in 1998, and lost my will to shoot heavies soon after that. I moved to Rowany in 2000, and have become heavily involved in the local fencing group as one of the founders of the Rowany Guild School. Since then I have played the prize for Guildmaster of Fence, was elevated as Lochac’s first Don, and in 2010 was elevated to the Order of the Laurel for my fencing research and teaching.

Since joining the SCA I have held the local offices of herald, chronicler and seneschal, served as the Lochac Rapier Marshal for 3 years, the Lochac Lord Guildmaster of Fence for 4 years, White Scarf Secretary for 2 years, the Lochac representative to the SCA Period Combat Committee for 3 years, and served as the Drop Dead Deputy to the Society Rapier Marshal for the last 2½ years. Outside the SCA I have been the Training Officer (marshal equivalent) of NVG Mountains Garrison for 2 years, the National Secretary of NVG Inc for a year, and the principal instructor of Italian fencing systems at Stoccata School of Defence, Sydney for the last 7 years. Aside from my fencing passion, I also enjoy period cooking, and exploring Middle-Eastern and Italian Renaissance clothing and culture.

Mundanely I lead the Regulatory Compliance group for a multinational pharmaceutical company.

Why We Want To Do It

The Society has given both of us many good friends and a lot of support throughout the years to achieve success in various activities. We see this as an excellent way to pay back this support we have received over the years. We also believe the Barony of Rowany is a vibrant barony with a versatile and broad spectrum membership. We have recently heard the SCA being described as “the cheapest martial arts club you can get”, which does not sit well with either of us as this does not correlate with our experiences within The Society. We believe we have the proven skills, experience and leadership capability to foster all aspects of the Society, be it combat, arts & sciences or service. This will help deliver a richer, more diverse experience for the members of the Barony, allowing for fuller and greater participation within the Society for the current and future members of the Barony.

Candidates Introduction – Miles and Ameline

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Miles de Colwell and Ameline de ColwellMiles de Colwell

I, Miles de Colwell, discovered the SCA, and the Barony of Rowany, in 2000. Since that time, I have explored the many aspects that the Society has to offer.

I have engaged in martial endeavours within the fields of armoured combat, archery, rapier & equestrian, first authorising in 2000, and then as a marshall in 2002. I received the Lochac Order of Grace from Their Majesties Alfar and Gudrun in 2002. I’ve had the honour to serve on three Queen’s Guard and the Baronial Guard of Rowany. I have also served as Rowany Baronial Champion, as well as Champion of Lochac.

Over the years I have run a number of events, and been on the Stewarding Team for Rowany Festival multiple times.

Ameline de Colwell

I, Ameline de Colwell, first found the SCA via the College of St Ursula in 2006. Since that time I have held multiple offices, including Seneschal of both the College of St Ursula, and also the Barony of Rowany. I have stewarded several events within the Barony, ranging from tournaments and feasts, to Rowany Festival (which hosted a Crown tournament) attended by nigh on 1000.

My interests within the SCA range from food to fighting, from embroidery to entertaining – and everything in between. I am a member of the Rowany Order of the Golden Staple (service), and the Order of the Frantic Falcon (stewarding).

Why are we standing?

We find ourselves fortunate to be members of such a fine and strong Barony. We feel that there are areas in which it might flourish further with careful tending. We feel that focus needs to be given to unifying Rowany’s individuals to a more core identity, with common goals, while still allowing for the strength of the Barony’s households, both old and new, to grow and prosper. As Baron and Baroness, we would endeavour to encourage all aspects of the society, as well as all areas and groups within Rowany, those near and far.

Candidate Introduction – FilippaGinevra

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FilippaGinevra Francesca di LucignanoHi my name is FilippaGinevra Francesca di Lucignano (Phillippa Venn-Brown).

I have been a member of the SCA for over 30 years, the bulk of that time has been spent within the Barony of Rowany.
I have held all offices in the Barony, with the exception of Reeve.

I have also held offices at both Principality and Kingdom level. I hold the rank of Chirurgeon Emeritus within the Society.
I have been a companion of the Order of the Pelican since 1999 and was made a Companion of the Order of the Laurel in 2012 for apothecary and, as Mistress Marguerite says…. ‘stuff’!

I have wide ranging interests including singing, dance, cooking, medicine, perfumery and cosmetics. However, I have also been an authorised fighter in both heavy and light and in the past have taken part in combat archery and tourneys.

While I am no longer young in either the society, or in mundane life and I have some physical restrictions which I admit freely and which limit my ability to perform service as I have previously done, still I believe that I have much to give the Barony and the Society and seek to do this through serving the Barony as Baroness.

If chosen, I would work to enhance the Barony’s skills in arts, sciences and service, while maintaining its martial prowess. To do this I would appoint champions to assist the Baronial Officers and the populace of the Barony in achieving these goals.

I would also take counsel with the Barony and its cantons to plan feasts, tourneys, projects and other events such as they would wish so that we move forward together to grow the Barony of Rowany.

Mundanely my work requires much of time during the working week and I cannot regularly attend activities in central Sydney during the week, and for that I apologise to the Barony, but I will make every attempt to attend Baronial senate whenever possible and will ensure that the officers of the Barony would always be free to discuss matters of concern with me, should my work prevent me from attending senate meetings.

Should I be chosen it would be my intention that I would serve in the capacity of Baroness for not more than 3 and not less than 2 years.

Yours in Service to the Dream
FilippaGinevra Francesca di Lucignano, OP, OL, CB, OIS, OWS, ORL, OLM, OB, OGS, OFF, Chirurgeon, Emeritus.

New template for submitting financial reports after running events

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To those running events in the Barony,

Our Reeve has created a new template which will help you prepare the financial report required when an event is run.

This should make things quicker and easier for those running events, and also means our Reeve receives the right information in a more ‘standard’ format, which will also make his life easier.

So, if you are running or going to run an event, please download the following file and use it for creating your financial report. File 1) is the template and file 2) contains the instructions.

1) http://rowany.lochac.sca.org/files/2014/01/TEMPLATE-Rowany-SCA-Lochac-Events-Financial-Report-01.txt
2) http://rowany.lochac.sca.org/files/2014/01/TEMPLATE-Rowany-SCA-Lochac-Events-Financial-Report-Instructions.txt

Note:

  • The files were created in Microsoft Office (Excel and Word) but will open in any compatible program (Open Office, Libre Office etc.)
  • The extension on the files were renamed to .txt for security reasons
  • As such, before the files will open correctly, you must change the filename for 1) back to .XLSX and 2) back to .DOCX

(change  ”TEMPLATE-Rowany-SCA-Lochac-Events-Financial-Report-01.txt”
to be        ”TEMPLATE-Rowany-SCA-Lochac-Events-Financial-Report-01.xlsx
        AND
change  ”TEMPLATE-Rowany-SCA-Lochac-Events-Financial-Report-Instructions.txt”
to be       “TEMPLATE-Rowany-SCA-Lochac-Events-Financial-Report-Instructions.xlsx)

Thanks to our Reeve, Jean-Christophe le Saussier, for creating the template.

YiS,
Jan

P.S.  All finance related posts (including those with other documents such as policy) can be found by using this site’s category Barony – Finances