Episode 9: Return To Camelot

A discussion of our recent visit to the SCA event Return to Camelot: an Arthurian Deed.  In this episode, we podcast while on-site during the event.  We talk about the details of the event, and how this concept introduces a storyline to the SCA event.

We also talk about the myth of King Arthur, and why it is so important to the SCA, and to modern society's concept of honor and nobility.  Finally, we discuss the value of rehearsal in creating what are essentially theatrical moments.

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Show Notes:

Recording the podcast on-site at the SCA event Return to Camelot.

Evaluating the event site.
04:00   This event is introducing elements not always found in other SCA events:  Injecting narrative into the activities, creating a opportunity for theater among the Knights, the Monarchs and the Barons

06:00  Maintaining the "golden thread," the succession of key activities that form the core of the event.  Where is the important activity happening at any given moment.

07:25   Medieval events not related to the SCA:  Renaissance Consort performance and a play that referenced the medieval.  Using the medieval to reference something noble and honorable.

 11:33    The power of the Arthurian myth, and why it is so important to the SCA.  One of the primary reasons why we celebrate this time period in the SCA, and why we give honor to knights and nobles, is because of the Arthurian myth, the concept that knights and chivalry were high ideals and that nobility brought with it responsibility and an obligation to service.  And that still resonates with us in our modern lives.

14:00   When you are performing, when you are creating theater, rehearsal is not a bad thing and speaking extemporaneously is not inherently better.  When moments are thought out before hand, the experience of the onlookers, the audience, is enhanced every time.

18:20   This was a lot more theater than the SCA usually does, and it was worth it.

19:00  The SCA is not the only place where the SCA intersects with our lives.  Early music, medieval theater such as Shakespeare, fantasy and fantastical stories found in modern movies and television from Arthur to Game of Thrones.  In fact, most fantasy stories take the medieval as their reference point.  All of fantastical literature is looking for a connection between the medieval and the modern.

Episode 8 - Red Mountain Mead Hall

In this episode, we discuss our recent visit to the Shire of Isenfir to attend their weekend event - the Red Mountain Mead Hall.  This was a weekend of feasting, dancing, knitting and weaving. 

We talk about what was special about this event, and the positives and negatives experienced during our visit.  Mostly, we talk about all the things that they did right as hosts and organizers. 

As we usually do, we throw a few grenades in the direction of some Thorny Theoretical Questions, hoping to touch a nerve or spark some thought on a few delicate subjects unique to the SCA.

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Episode 2 - Preparing For Ruby Joust

This episode was first published on May 12, 2016 - nearly a year ago.  I am re-posting this as part of a hosting migration so I can keep the links to all the episodes in one place.

In this episode, we discuss our preparations for an upcoming Kingdom-level event with the Society for Creative Anachronism called The Ruby Joust.  We talk about our experiences at this event last year, and what we'd like to change this time.

In many ways, a camping event like this one is one of the classic SCA experience.  It's a place where all the individual components of persona, garb, encampment, arts and performance all come together.

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Episode 3 - The Big Questions

In this episode of A Distant Campfire, we talk a little about the structure of the podcast, and frame the kinds of questions that we'd like to ask.  We continue our discussion about SCA Garb, and introduce the Thorny Theoretical Question, and the Most Medieval Moment.  Finally, we end up with the beloved "Phrase of the Day."

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Episode 4 - After Ruby Joust

We discuss our reactions and experiences from attending the Ruby Joust, a weekend camping event of the Society for Creative Anachronism hosted by the Barony of Caer Mear in the Kingdom of Atlantia.
We talk about the basics of setting up an encampment, preparing and wearing our garb, our favorite activities and magical or Medieval  moments to remember.

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Episode 5 - Thorny Theoretical Persona

In this episode of A Distant Campfire, we examine the concept of the Persona and how it seems central to the SCA experience.  But as we look closer, we see that it means different things to different people, particularly when we consider Pennsic, where "normal" SCA rules don't seem to apply.

We discuss the tension between living in a kingdom within the Society for Creative Anachronism and holding true to some historical place and identity. This is one of the Thorny Theoretical Questions that make the SCA such an interesting topic of discussion.

This is a short, mini-episode in the run-up to our leaving for Pennsic.
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Episode 6 - The Ivory Tower

Christophilos Airetokos, Anne Whatley, Octavo
We discuss the SCA Winter University in the Kingdom of Atlantia, and the way it affects our participation in the Society for Creative Anachronism.  After our recent visit to the Winter University we talk about what it is that the university offers that might be different from a more conventional SCA event.  This discussion is rife with what we consider to be thorny theoretical questions, and is offered in a spirit of discovery, rather than criticism.

What is it about the University that appeals to us, and how can we harness its creative energy throughout the year?

Check out this episode!