We bring our various time periods to life with crafts and projects from our chosen time period. It all starts with natural curiosity. What did people eat back then? How did they dress? How did they spend their time? As part of our exploration, we might seek out and try a medieval recipe, or learn how to weave trim to embellish our new gown or tunic. How about brewing some ale or mead to put in your goblet? How about learning how to sharpen a quill pen and use it to write a few words with a medieval lettering style? Everything is possible!

We all start somewhere. Your first piece of garb will not be your last, and each iteration will improve, as you see what other people wear, and maybe get a few construction tips along the way. You will also see somebody doing something interesting with their hands – embroidery, spinning, weaving, making chain mail – and you will ask a few questions and then soon you’ll be doing it too. Most people in the Society are natural teachers and are eager to share what they know. Just ask!

Another way to pick up new medieval skills is to attend classes. Some events have instructional sessions with hands-on activities. (Mimir’s Well, Studium Generale, and Panteria are examples of events with classes, but there are plenty more.) These classes are free, or they might have only a small cost for the materials. Don’t be shy – these opportunities are a great way to learn or explore a new craft. There’s no commitment. Indulge your curiosity, and you might just find a new passion.

We currently have monthly Arts and Sciences meetings/classes dedicated to a particular topic. These are held on 2nd Sundays of the month in Jericho, at 1pm (before the fighter practice begins), unless otherwise noted. We also have occasional meetings at other times, both online and in person, which will be updated through our Facebook page and email list. Anytime there is a fighter practice, A&S folk are welcome to bring their projects and socialize while the practice is happening. Here is a gallery of projects our Shire members have worked on, either at home or during our gatherings.

Due to the recent plague, there are many classes, displays, and competitions being held online. Some of these are within our own East Kingdom, while others are throughout the Knowne Worlde. Many of our Shirefolk have participated in these opportunities. Here is a listing of available classes, and another for displays, competitions, and challenges. We also have in-person displays and competitions, which range from serious (our annual Shire Championship – using our Shire A&S rubric) to silly (our “Silly A&S Competition” for the Feast of Fools — here is an example of a winning entry). Both youth and adults are encouraged to enter.

Please check the Shire’s Facebook page or contact Lady Guðrún Sveinsdóttir, (aka Rosie), our Minister of Arts and Sciences, to learn more about what’s going on. Likewise, if you have a skill you wish to teach, or an idea for a class you’d like to take, just let Rosie know!

Previous A&S meetings include:

  • Wine Making taught by the Duchess Marieke
  • Rectangular Garb Construction with Lady Guðrún Sveinsdóttir
  • Pattern Design with Elizabeth Snelling
  • Making Chainmaille with Lord Thomas of Mtn Freehold
  • Cup Covers with Lady Aurelia Colleoni a’Buccaforno
  • Persona Building with Lord David Poirier De LeLoup
  • How to Enter an A&S Competition with Duchess Marieke
  • Fiber Processing from Sheep to Spinning with Augusta Rose
  • Block Printing with Master Dafydd
  • Winter/Yule music session with Lord Karl the Oblique
  • Making Queen’s Favors
  • How the SCA Works with Duchess Marieke
  • SCA 102 with Master Tearlach
  • Show and Tell/”BYOC” (Bring Your Own Craft)