Period Poetry

as taught by Sir Brand deux Leons (mka GregRobin Smith)

Handout: $2.50

Minimum 3, maximum 25. 4 (four) hours.

Students should bring paper, pencil and eraser.

Optional, but handy, a spelling guide, rhyming dictionary and thesaurus.

Classroom Needs: A large chalk board or white board.

Examine period style poetry by DOING period style poetry.

Introduction to SCA Fighting
as taught by Sir Brand deux Leons (mka GregRobin Smith)

Handout $1.00.

Students should wear garb that won't mind having armor being put over it.

Minimum 3 maximum 25 (could go with 35 if needed)

Classroom Needs: A video tape player and TV.

The class room should be near a covered space for the fighting demonstration to take place.

For the beginning fighter or any person new to the Society.

Do you wonder what all the bashing is about?

Does someone you know want to try SCA heavy armor combat (including yourself)?

Have you wondered “How do the fighters decide who wins?“

Sir Brand, a Knight of An Tir, will answer these questions and more.

Learn about the history of fighting in the SCA vs. Period tournament combat.

Try on examples of SCA armor. Enjoy hitting the Instructor (who will NOT hit back, unless you want him to ;-).

See video of Pennsic War (with its 2,000 fighters) and local tournaments/practices as well.

Sir Brand has been a Knight since 1998 years, fighting since 1981 and, in the modern world, teaches classes in Armor (and other Medieval subjects) for schools all over the Puget Sound region and beyond.

Chivalry and Etiquette

as taught by Sir Master Brand deux Leons (mka GregRobin Smith)

4 (Four) Hours, including a potluck meal. Students should bring note taking materials.

Minimum 5. Maximum 30.

This class is designed to teach proper chivalric behavior. The class should cover: about the middle Ages: the development of feudalism and chivalry and how medieval people applied chivalry and the knightly virtues. Courtly love. About the SCA: accepted rules of courtesy, honor in the SCA, etiquette toward royalty, at feasts, on the field, in court, camping. The customs of favors, cloven fruit, forms of address, greetings on letters, how to curtsy or bow, movement with another person, courtesy in other cultures. Demonstrations and practice; bowing, walking hand in hand with a lord or lady, a “lunch“ feast where passing plates and table courtesy is practiced. At the end of class the student should know: what chivalry in the SCA is, SCA expectations of honorable conduct, how to behave in the presence of royalty, terms of address. Students should bring snack food (grapes, cold cuts, juice, cheese, fruit, butters and plates/cups/spoon etc.) Instructor will supply bread.

Shakespeare's Canon (not an explosive device)

as taught by Sir Brand deux Leons (mka GregRobin Smith)

4 (four) hours. Handout $3.00.

Students should bring pencils and erasers and garb they can move in.

Minimum 5 maximum 25

Classroom Needs: A video tape player and TV, a chalk or white board and room to do a bit of staging.

The class room should be far enough away from other classes that dialogue being read aloud will not disturb anyone.

Literally, a sampling of The Bard's major works (the top 20 or so) with notes on all the 37 plays). The class will do readings and be shown examples from Video Tapes. Part of the class will cover how to read and perform Shakespearean dialogue.

Storytelling, the Mother of All Arts

as taught by Sir Brand deux Leons (mka GregRobin Smith)

4 (four) hours. Handout $3.00.

Students should bring pencils and erasers and garb they can move in.

Minimum 3 maximum 15.

Classroom Needs: Room to do a bit of staging.

The class room should be far enough away from other classes that stories can be told aloud will not disturb anyone.

A hands-on examination of the importance of Story, Story Telling, Story Tellers, all in their roles in History and in Modern Times. Story is a vital tool for learning, passing on Cultural Identity, Preparing the Young for Life and is a necessary and vital element of Humanity. Students will leave knowing at least three stories to tell others and with resources for learning many, many others. Sir Brand is a professional educator and storyteller.

Medieval Encampments

as taught by Mistress Cymbric of the Isles.

(mka Cym Early-Smith)

4 (four) hours. Handout $2.00.

Students should bring note taking materials. Note: Weather permitting, the Class will be setting up a pavilion outside, please dress appropriately.

Minimum 3 maximum 15.

Classroom Needs: Slide Projector.

Survey of Medieval tents and shelters with an examination of primary source images and illustrations. The class will also cover SCA encampments and ways of making your personal encampment more period, including furniture, furnishings and decorations. The Class will also discuss SCA camping rules, customs and security. Weather permitting, the Class will be putting up a period style pavilion. A traditional round pavilion pattern will be available for the students to copy on their own after class.

Medieval Astronomy

as taught by Mistress Cymbric of the Isles, Royal Astronomer of An> Tir

(mka Cym Early-Smith)

2 (two) hours. Handout $1.50.

Students should bring note taking materials.

Minimum 3 maximum 30.

Classroom Needs: Slide Projector.

A general history of Medieval Astronomy. An Examination of Astronomy as both a practical and pure science during the Middle Ages. Discussion will include the major players of Astronomy in the later Middle Ages and the Church's influence on Medieval cosmography -- the understanding of how one's Universe works. The Class will include interactive exercises in creating at least two of their own models of astronomical instruments used in the Middle Ages, including a quadrant and a star clock.

The Troubadour Era and its Influence

as taught by Mistress Cymbric of the Isles.

(mka Cym Early-Smith)

2 (two) hours. Handout $1.00.

Students should bring note taking materials.

Minimum 5 maximum 20.

Classroom Needs: Electrical outlet. (Instructor will bring a Cassette Tape / CD player.)

An interactive role playing exercise exploring the influence of the Troubadour era, its Courts of Love and the new Chivalric ideal on the warrior code of the 12th century.

Class will include music and stories of the era. Coffee and tea cakes will be served in the Solar, except in case of a siege, when all bets are off and any spare students will be put to use digging escape tunnels. Late or disrespectful students will be used, once doused in oil, as flaming fodder to be thrown from the battlements. Thank you.

Research & Documentation of Medieval Vocal Music

as taught by Mistress Cymbric of the Isles.

(mka Cym Early-Smith)

2 (two) hours. Handout $2.00.

Students should bring note taking materials.

Minimum 3 maximum 15.

Classroom Needs: Electrical outlet. (Instructor will bring a Cassette Tape / CD player.)