Arts and Sciences

Sign Up To Share Your

Knowledge and Skill

Are you interested in teaching a class, doing a demo or hosting a geek session at Egils Tourney XLVIII next May? We would love to hear from you before May 1, 2024. We can work with you to find the best format for what you want to offer or you can simply tell us what you already have organized. If you have questions, contact Mistress Yseult of Broceliande, Co-Event Steward, at egils@antir.org.

Please use the fillable form below to describe your class or send Mistress Yseult the complete information about your offering at egils@antir.org. Information about A&S offerings is due by May 1 so that we have time to make a schedule and publicize it before the event. We will publish partial lists of classes available as we receive them – see the list at the bottom of this page.

Here’s the information to have in mind before you fill out the form or send it to Mistress Yseult:

– Type:  Class or Demo or Geek Session

– Title of your offering

– Your full SCA and modern names

– How best to contact you if we have questions

– A brief description of your offering.

– Time needed (in half hour increments)

– Any special needs about space? (Every class, geek space and demo is in a pavilion and has one 6’ table; more can be arranged. We have a sturdy outdoor picnic table that can work for some demos.)

– Scheduling preference (Saturday or Sunday, morning or afternoon, or not opposite some other activity)

For classes: 

– size limit if it’s a hands on, learn-a-skill class, that is, the number who can participate; additional number who could just watch if applicable

– recommended age limit if needed  (a year or something like ‘old enough to use a needle & thread’ or ‘handle flame’, etc. All minors 12 and under must be accompanied by a parental unit per SCA rules)

– materials / tools students should bring (everyone will be asked to bring seating)

– cost of materials (if there is any)

– pre-registration requirements and your contact info if applicable (you will handle any pre-reg for your class)

Music

Music Comes to Egil’s Tourney: This year we have set aside a 10’ x 20’ covered area next to the list fields all day Saturday and Sunday for bardic activities of all types – performances, group singing, jamming with other musicians, storytelling, poetry recitals, etc., etc. If you would like to sign up for some time in this area, please email  egils@antir.org with Bardic in the subject line and your SCA and modern names + email or text #. Tell us what you’d like to do and your preferred time for doing it. Or just show up and join the fun.

Little Free Library and The Garb Exchange

Adiantum’s Little Free Library and the Garb Exchange will be available in the A&S area. Bring SCA appropriate fiction and non-fiction books and garb to leave and take books and garb that you can use.

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Offerings Received So Far

Here are the classes, geek sessions and demos that people have offered to present as of 20 April 2024. We will update the list as we get more information.

CLASSES

One Piece Shoes from the Bronze Age to the Roman Era, Agatha Iris – Agatha will discuss one-piece leather shoes, tips and tricks for making your own, and share her process for making them. Old enough to hang out and learn about making shoes!. Please bring your own seating. 1 hour. Limit 20

Introduction to Medieval Cookbooks and Recipes, Constance Davies. Come learn about cookbooks from Roman through the 17th century! If you’re interested in working with recipes from period resources, this is for you. A reading list will be provided. Please bring your own seating. 1 hour. Limit 10.

Ahead of the Curve: Mechanics and Techniques for Sabre, Samwell Langdon. We all love a nice, curved blade, but are you getting the most out of it? This class will cover body mechanics and techniques drawn from Russ Mitchell’s excellent book “Hungarian Hussar Sabre and Fokos Fencing”. We’ll examine how to best utilize a curved blade for both defensive and offensive actions with incorporated footwork, as well as a few nasty tricks with the false edge. 30 minutes. Limit 12. Minimum 16 years old. Required: A fencing mask and gloves as well as an SCA legal steel sword or synthetic trainer, preferably with a curve. Some swords will be available to borrow, but supply is limited.

So, You want to be a Laurel? “Looking behind the Shrubbery”, Seamus O’Caellaigh – Come learn about the Laurel Circle, common misconceptions, and different ways to walk the path to Peerage. Please bring your own seating 1 hour.

Beginning Embroidery, Leda Aleskandrovna Lebedovicha. Limit, 6. For those old enough to hold a needle (under 12 must be accompanied by a parent). Cost $10 if you need all the materials. $2 for the bibliography handout. Bring: 6” embroidery hoop, three colors of embroidery floss, a comfortable needle, bee’s was, plus 8″ X 8″ plain cotton/blend fabric.  2 hours. Please email  egils@antir.org with Embroidery in the subject line and your SCA and modern names + email or text # to reserve a place by May 5. The class could be offered twice if there is enough interest. Saturday morning (possible second class Sunday if there’s interest)

How to design/plan and budget for an event Proposal, Kattera Giese. Interested in doing an event but not sure where or how to start? This is for you. Limit 20. Age 15+. 1.5 hours.

Knit a Pouch, Gytha Anora ni Keran. This is a class for advance beginners of any age. If you know what and how to knit a CO, K2tog and YO then this is a great opportunity to knit your own pouch! We will be knitting with wool and all supplies will be provided (except embroidery scissors) for you to keep. This is a class for advanced beginners. You need to know how to knit. Limit 6 people. 1 hour.   

Loud With Purpose: An Introduction to Voice Heraldry, Randulf Greenwall. In this class I will take people through the basics of voice heraldry. We will cover Court Heralding, Field Heralding, Town Crying, and then leave room at the end for questions and answers. No size or age limit, but under 12 must be accompanied by a parent. 1 hour   

Introduction to Thrown Weapons, Eoghan Ua Cléirigh – An introduction to the rules and safety requirements on the Thrown Weapons range along with basic instruction on form and scoring. You must be 9 years old or older and wearing closed toe shoes. Loaner weapons provided. Held at the Thrown Weapons Range.  Limit 6. 1 hour.

Pewter Casting and Soapstone Mold Carving, Brizio de Maroni Carazzaio.  Buttons – buckles – pilgrim badges, an introduction to carving soapstone molds and casting your own pieces in pewter.  Class includes everything you need to get started:  soapstone, tools, pewter, along with a lot of knowledge and instruction for only $20. Due to molten metal, adults only; limit 5. 2 hours. Please email  egils@antir.org with Pewter in the subject line and your SCA and modern names + email or text # to reserve a place by May 5. The class could be offered twice if there is enough interest.

Coordinating the Merchant Area of an Event, Elsbeth Cameron. For event staff, merchants, and populace alike, this class/article addresses merchant coordinating in general… as well as some of the various issues (both obvious and obscure), complete with sample forms, reference links, and a worksheet of potential scenarios. Specifics as to laws in Washington, Oregon, & California are used as examples I’ve dealt with first-hand over nearly twenty years coordinating merchants. 2 hours.

Inkle Loom Weaving For Beginners, Isabeau de Loutre Argent. An informal approach to the art of inkle weaving: warping, simple patterns, and weaving. There will be a couple of looms for hands-on to practice, or bring your own. Limit 8. 10 years and older (under 12 must be accompanied by a parent). 1 hour.

Learning to Make Basic Garb: T-tunic and Trousers, Isabeau de Loutre Argent.  Bring paper and pen, fabric, measuring tape, scissors if you have them. Limit 5. 14 years and older. 2 hours.    

Introduction to Festoons, Isabeau de Loutre Argent.  Learn about some history of the decorative festoon and its use. $20 for handout and materials. 12 years and older 1 hour.

Beginning Mead Making, Hrodnavar Hakonsson. How to get started making your own mead. This class is intended for the rank beginner, absolutely no experience required. I will go through the steps of starting a batch. This will not be “hands on”, and no materials are provided. 1 hour.

Volunteer Orientation, Muirenn inghean Uí Cléirigh. This is a space for new volunteers or volunteers who are new to Egils to learn the ropes, find the volunteer tent, and ask any questions they may have! 30 minutes. Under 12 must be accompanied by a parent (but there are volunteer opportunities for children!)    

Best of the Bestiaries, Liutgard of Luxeuil. A thorough examination of bestiaries and their roles in medieval culture, including the symbolic meanings of the individual creatures. Limit 10. Adult only (some sexual themes). 1.5 hours.

Middle Eastern Rhythms and Movements, Morgan Mayhem. Embark on a journey into the heart of Middle Eastern Rhythm and Movement guided by three expert instructors. Explore four vibrant rhythms with two experienced musicians, then let a skilled dance instructor immerse you in the art of Middle Eastern dance in a captivating workshop. Bring drums or percussion instruments if you have them; some will be available. 15 and older for drumming, 12 and older for movement. 2 hours. You will be able to use your new skills at the Hafla Saturday evening!    Saturday afternoon

Oak Gall Ink, Taliesin Ap Hafgan

Draping the Cotehardie, Taran Dæstingr  3 hours

Doing Medieval Laundry, Helen Gaskyns

Wild Tea walk, Muirenn inghean Ui Cléirigh

Wild pigments, Muirenn inghean Ui Cléirigh – focus on stones and bones – ochres, bone black and white, and maybe other mineral colors

GEEK SESSIONS

Summits Apothecary Guild, Seamus O’Caellaigh – Interested in period Apothecary? Want to be part of a group? Share sources?? Come geek out. Handout available. Please bring your own seating. 1 hour. 

Motivations and Needs by Generation for Volunteers, Kattera Giese – Let’s talk about what motivates and encourages volunteers by generation….bring your stories, ideas, observations – I will bring the research ($5 for hard copy; please let me know ahead of time at aurorasouthern@hotmail.com ). 1.5 hours

“I failed. Now what?” How to get back on track, Ainslee Goldheart. We all go through set backs, mistakes and failures. The key is how to get back on track without losing your drive. This will be an open/guided discussion about how we as individuals manage our disappointment and get back on track. Handout available. 1 hour.    

Working With Wool: Fleece to Finish, Rowan Stewart Walker. A demonstration and discussion of wool preparation from the raw fleece to the finished product. Interactive class, participation welcomed. Bring whatever you wish to join in with or have questions about — drop spindles, spinning wheels, fleece, spinning prep tools or anything else. I’m glad to answer “What’s this/how does it work/how do I fix it.” Eight 30 minute segments, all in one session. People can come and go as they please. There will also be a concurrent display of  Rowan’s naturally dyed (from plants and lichens) skeins of wool as well for commentary and questions. Saturday, 1-5 pm.   

Female and Gender Minority Fighters – Taran Dæstingr will lead a discussion of about fighting in the SCA from the perspective of not being male.

DEMOS

Kantele Demo, Khanzara of Samarqand – learn about and get a chance to play a kantele – an ancient zither from Finland that likely dates back to at least the iron age or possibly earlier, and featured in the Kalevala, Finland’s famous national epic poem.  Any age to listen, toddler age and up to try the instrument with parental help and supervision 1 hour. 

Scheitholt Demo, Khanzara of Samarqand – learn about and try a scheitholt, a fretted zither from late period Germany. Any age to listen, 5 and up to play the scheitholt with parental help and supervision Bring a chair and your curiosity about weird instruments. 1 hour.

Dressed to Kill: Late Period Polish Garb and the Sabre, Samwell Langdon. An examination of Late Period Polish Garb, its influences, and its practicality for dueling with the sabre. Please bring your own seating. 30 minutes

Cut and Thrust Armor as Worn, Bohemond Reynard de Gervais – A pre-tournament class/demo/practice for all participants of the cut and thrust armor as worn tournament to ensure that they are on the same page about what the rules are. Participants in the class must be at least 16 years old; participants in the tournament must be authorized fighters. Entrants need a cut and thrust legal kit, meeting or exceeding An Tir’s requirements. There will be a limited quantity of loaner gear available. 30 minutes.

Embroidery with Gold Thread, Leda Aleskandrovna Lebedovicha. 1 hour  Handout will be available for $2 (includes bibliography, suppliers). 

Create a rolled felt rug from wool to walkable, Vivien NicUldoon. This two day, all day interactive demo will create a rolled wool felt rug starting with loose wool and ending with a completed rug. Anyone of any skill level can join in at any point in the process – many hands make it a game instead of work. Begins in the morning Saturday: We lay the wool for the cut shapes, roll the felt, cut the patterns and lay the wool for the completed piece.
Sunday: Finish laying loose wool, Roll the rug until its completely felted and ready to use.
– Songs are used to track how long the rolling goes and keep everyone rolling together. No one is required to sing – and – everyone is welcome to. The tunes are all simple and the lyrics will be visible while we roll. 
– There is water involved in rolling. It’s kept mostly kept contained, but not entirely. Dress accordingly when you help roll.
– The process we’ll use scales down unchanged to allow a single person to make felt for rugs/shoes/hats while inside at home. 
– The process has simple variations we’ll demonstrate that accommodate most physical limitations while rolling the felt.

Children under 12 must be accompanied by a parent and safe around boiling water.

Basic Wool Spinning, Oswyne Walston. How is wool made into yarn? Watch a demonstration of basic wool combing, carding, spindle, and wheel spinning. Wool spinning dates to prehistoric times and the basics haven’t changed much. 30 minutes

Card Weaving Brocading, Ainslee Goldheart

QUESTIONS?

Please contact Mistress Yseult at egils@antir.org