Class Descriptions

To register for classes, please e-mail Thora Volundsdottir with the following information:
1. Your full SCA name
2. Your e-mail address
3. The titles of the classes you want to register for.

You will receive a response confirming your registration or your place on the waiting list for classes with limited registration. If you do not receive a confirmation, you may not be registered!
Registration is first-come/first-served based on the order in which they are received, beginning on February 8, 2009.

A class schedule is available here.

Class Title: Stress Free Gate
Instructor: Lady Constance Payne
Class Length: 1 hour
Fee: none
Description: Being asked to be Head Gatekeeper can seem like tonnes of work. Chaos all day, and then there's the headache of trying to figure out how many came in at the end of the day. This class will teach you some techniques to make running Gate less of a hassle-even STRESS FREE! Sample tracking sheets will be given ( printed and electronic copies) to help you organize yourself and apply the secrets gleaned from the Trolls of major events to your own local event.
Time Slot: 2:30 - 3:30
Notes: Limited to 12 students.
Room: Kitchen

Class Title: Preparing a feast
Instructor: Dame Helen of Greyfells
Class Length: 1 hour
Fee: $2 for handouts
Description:   Learn to prepare for feast cooking, from recipe selection, through budgeting, precooking and onto the feast day. Designed for someone who cooks at home but might not know how to translate that knowledge onto the 'big stage' of SCA feast cooking.   See what happens behind the scenes long before the feast day, and how the feast gets out hot and tasty to the table.   This information will also be helpful to the prospective lunch cook, or camp kitchen organizer. Extensive class notes provided. No special knowledge/materials required.
Time Slot: 1:30 - 2:30
Notes:
Room: Kitchen

Class Title: Micrography : the art of Micro-Calligraphy and Illumination
Instructor: Baroness TSivia bas Tamara v'Amberview O.L.
Class Length: 2 hour
Fee: none
Description: Micrography is a medieval Jewish art-form which flourished initially in the Moorish lands as early as the 9th century CE. From there, the practice migrated to Spain and W. Europe by the 13th century. This art form is basically the use of the word itself ( the most sacred thing in Jewish lore) to create an image. Participants will learn a little of the history of this unique form of lettering AS illumination, and then will have a chance to try their hand as well.
Time Slot: 2:30 - 4:30
Notes: Students are strongly encouraged to bring their finest-tip calligraphy or radiograph pens if they own any. A few will be available for practice. Limited to 12 students.
Room: Ridgemont

Class Title: Medieval Astrology
Instructor: Lady Agnes Monterosa
Class Length: 1 hour
Fee: none
Description: How it differed from modern and Eastern astrology; and about who was likely to use astrology and why; and what and who the main astrologers were. I will have a small handout of papers.
Time Slot: 2:30 - 3:30
Notes: Limited to 40 students.
Room: Theatre

Class Title: Letter Illumination
Instructor: Lady Lucia Enzinas
Class Length: 2 hours
Fee: $10 for those without scribal stuff, $2 for those bringing their own art supplies.
Description: Create a small illuminated letter in two hours. I will show you some techniques, like white-work, some period examples, some ideas on how to SCA-ify those examples.
Time Slot: 9:30 - 11:30
Notes: Preregistration is required for this course. Coffee will be provided to those students who are on time (bring your own mug). Limited to 12 students.
Room: Boardroom

Class Title: Beginning Blackwork
Instructor: Her Ladyship Cristabell Wensleydale
Class Length: 1 hour
Fee: see description
Description: Find out just how simple it is to get started on your first black work project. With needle in hand you will follow a 16th century stitching pattern to produce a sample suitable to use as a favour or bookmark. Once you have mastered this technique there will be no stopping you from adorning all of your collars, cuffs, coifs, hankerchiefs, and anything else that stands still for too long. While you stitch; you may also learn a little about the history, tools and techniques of this embroidery style popular in the 16th century. All materials will be provided for a small cost. Please bring a pair of scissors if possible. Older children (10 and up, or who have some basic needlework experience) are welcome.
Time Slot: 1:30 - 2:30
Notes: Limited to 12 students.
Room: Boardroom

Class Title: History on Embroidery
Instructor: Lady Marina Anastasia Ozeroski
Class Length: 2 hours
Fee: none
Description: A look at Embroidery through the middle ages. You will come away with knowledge about where embroidery was used, what type of stitches were used, threads etc. Embroidery tools will also be covered as will what works for our lovely clothing in period setting today. There may be a small fee to cover copying. I will have stitch books handy as well for those people who want to know how a
certain stitch is created. I will also have other books.
Time Slot: 3:30 - 5:30
Notes: Class limited to 15 students.
Room: Theatre

Class Title: Gold Leaf Gilding/ Illumination
Instructor: Lord Maunus Sataeilkanpoika
Class Length: 1 hour
Fee: $2.00
Description: Have you always wondered how the scribes of olde illuminated all those pretty pictures? This class will give a brief introduction to the art of illumination with gold leaf based on medieval practices and how we can do it in modern times. Participants will have the chance to gild a small letter of their choice with real gold leaf. Participants are encouraged to bring their own art supplies for set up of their class assignment.
Time Slot: 11:30 - 12:30
Notes: Limited to 6 students.
Room: Boardroom

Class Title: Rattan Sword Making for SCA Heavy Weapons Combat
Instructor: Lord Maunus Sataeilkanpoika
Class Length: 1 hour
Fee: see notes.
Description: Are you tired of using the loaner sword or borrowing someone else's sword to fight with? This class will be for those who have never made an SCA rattan sword before. It will demonstrate how to use different hand and power tools to cut and shape the rattan. Proper taping methods to maintain a long lasting and safe sword. How to make and attach a thrusting tip. How to select and attach a basket hilt, and finally keeping the sword attached to your hand with the use of a trigger or lanyard.
Time Slot: 3:30 - 4:30
Notes: Limited to 10 students. Participants are encouraged to bring their own hand tools, rattan, basket hilt, strapping tape, and duct tape. Some tools and other supplies will be available. Basket hilts are not available at this time. Some rattan is available to purchase for $10 per stick (or a bottle of mead). Also if you have any extra yourself and wish to sell it at a reasonable price let us know and we will pass that info on to the students too.
Room: Heron

Class Title: Things to Do With an Empty Cow VI - Hardening leather
Instructor: hlafdige AElfwyn
Class Length: 1 hour
Fee: none
Description: A discussion on different methods for hardening leather, and their applications. A hands-on demonstration of water hardening will be conducted, as well as wax hardening (time permitting).
Time Slot: 10:30 - 11:30
Notes:
Room: Kitchen

Class Title: Period Mail
Instructor: hlafdige AElfwyn
Class Length: 1 hour
Fee: none
Description: A discussion on the development of period mail armour. The instructor will discuss her experiments into Anglo-Saxon riveting and hammer welding processes, including a review of strength testing performed on riveted and hammer welded mail rings.
Time Slot: 2:30 - 3:30
Notes:
Room: Heron

Class Title: Proper kilt wearing
Instructor: Laird Duncan Gabh MacLeod
Class Length: 1 hour
Fee: none
Description: Men and women will be welcome, no nudity,( unless you count hairy knees). But I must apologize, I do not know how the Ladies wore their plaids.
Time Slot: 4:30-5:30
Notes: Undercloths must be worn while learning this difficult skill.
Room: Ridgemont

Class Title: Bardistry
Instructor: Hans (Strappy) Munchausen and Dick Hathaway
Class Length: 1 hour
Fee: none
Description: The class will explore the fundamentals of "in the round" bardic performance with a particular emphasis on storytelling. Vocal and physical performance skills will be discussed to make the most of the types of storytelling environments the SCA commonly provides. Audience participation, the use of humour and even props will be discussed to help any Bard round out their performance skills. Whether you want to wow them at the next Bardic Circle or just feel like becoming the life of the post-rev, this is the class you won't want to miss!
Time Slot: 1:30 - 2:30
Notes: Limited to 40 students.
Room: Theatre

Class Title: Cord Making Using a Lucet
Instructor: Lucie DuFresne
Class Length: 1 hour
Fee: $2 supplies and instructions
Description: Learn how to make a period correct, sturdy, non-elastic cord of any diameter and many patterns for all your drawstring needs. Extra supplies and tools available for purchase. Bio: Lucie DuFresne is past president of the Ottawa Guild of Lacemakers and is currently researching the production of liturgical lace by the female religious orders of early Canada.
Time Slot: 4:30 - 5:30
Notes: Limited to 12 students
Room: Boardroom

Class Title: Elizabethan Wire Lace
Instructor: Lucie DuFresne
Class Length: 1 hour
Fee: $5 supplies and instructions
Description: Come explore basic period lacemaking using fine copper wire. You will make one of a variety of Elizabethan motifs with beads which can be worn as jewellery. Patterns will range in difficulty from easy to advanced. All supplies furnished. Extra supplies and tools available for purchase. Bio: Lucie DuFresne is past president of the Ottawa Guild of Lacemakers and is currently researching the production of liturgical lace by the female religious orders of early Canada.
Time Slot: 1:30 - 2:30
Notes: Limited to 12 students.
Room: Heron

Class Title: Controlling the Fight
Instructor: Sir Nigel MacFarlane
Class Length: 1-1/2 hours
Fee: none
Description: This class would not be in armour. It will work on the fundamentals of footwork, body movement, applying pressure and tension and proper stance to control fights.
Time Slot: 12:30 - 2:00
Notes:
Room: Gym

Class Title: 6 Ft Spear for Anyone
Instructor: Sir Nigel MacFarlane
Class Length: 1 hour
Fee: none
Description: I can bring 2 spears and it will incorporate some of the 1st class, although the 1st class will not be a prerequisite, and it will go over the various stances that can be applied based upon situations and how to deliver blows as well as how to block effectively.
Time Slot: 4:00 - 5:00
Notes:
Room: Gym

Class Title: "I've always wanted to try rapier" or "Before you can Swashbuckle"
Instructor: Herr Wilhelm von Pottruff
Class Length: 1-1/2 hours
Fee: none
Description: I've heard it many a time that people have wanted to try rapier (fencing) but haven't had an opportunity, so here is your chance. This will be a class to introduce rapier to anyone who is curious. Come have your first rapier lesson, all you need is a pair of good gym shoes (footwear that isn't going to easily slip and shoes that don't leave huge smeary marks on the floor please) and a desire to give rapier a try. If you have them I do recommend a pair of light leather gloves (something like gardening gloves or tig welding gloves) so you don't have to use a loaner pair. This will be non-contact, no one will be hitting you, and you wont be hitting others until you have at least a few lessons under your belt.
Time Slot: 12:30 - 2:00
Notes:
Room: Gym

Class Title: Viking game of Hnefatafl
Instructor: Llewellyn
Class Length: 1 hour
Fee: none
Description: Learn how to play the viking game or otherwise known as Hnefatafl. In this one hour class, let your teacher show you how its done, if you have a game board and never knew how to use it or wish to try something new now is the time.
Time Slot: 2:30 - 3:30
Notes: Children and adults are welcome in this class.
Room: Alta Vista

Class Title: Dance
Instructor: TBD
Class Length: 1 hour
Fee: none
Description: Dance class.
Time Slot: 4:00 - 5:00
Notes:
Room: Gym

Class Title: Mead Making
Instructor: James the Mercer
Class Length: 1 hour
Fee: TBD
Description: A discussion on how to make mead at home and the techniques involved.
Time Slot: 3:30-4:30
Notes: Limited to 10 students.
Room: Kitchen

Class Title: Inkle Loom Beginner/Intermediate
Instructor: Kjarvala
Class Length: 2 hours
Fee: TBD
Description: Inkle Loom Class with Kjarvala.
Time Slot: 2:30 - 4:30
Notes: If you have your own inkle loom this would help as there is only 1 spare loom available.
Room: Boardroom

Class Title: Early Period Law and the Cultures they Represent
Instructor: Lord Evan
Class Length: 1 hour
Fee: none
Description: A brief survey course in some of the laws of the Anglo Saxons, Lombards, Salian Franks and Early Irish cultures. By looking at their respective law tracts we can infer much about these societies. Their problems and priorities are reflected in the laws they passed and the punishments they enforced. We can even use this method when comparing one medieval culture to another.
Time Slot: 4:30 - 5:30
Notes: Limited to 20 students.
Room: Heron

Class Title: Children's Crafts
Instructor: Giovanni d'Enzinas
Class Length: 1 hour
Fee: none
Description: Crafts class with Giovanni.
Time Slot: 11:30 - 12:30
Notes:
Room: Alta Vista

Class Title: Children's - The World of Fabric
Instructor: Dame Helen of Greyfells
Class Length: 1 hour
Fee: none
Description: Where do wool and linen come from? Can you tell silk from cotton? Come learn about different fabrics with Dame Helen.
Time Slot: 3:30 - 4:30
Notes:
Room:   Alta Vista

Class Title: Children's - Commedia del Arte
Instructor: Dubhease ingen Laoidheach
Class Length: 1 hour
Fee: none
Description: Do you like to act? Would you like to be in a play? We will learn about the basic characters from these Italian imrpov plays. Then we will create one ourselves and perform it for the adults at feast.
Time Slot: 4:30 - 5:30
Notes:
Room: Alta Vista

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