[Ansteorra] debate the bases of creativity Persona

[sam cooper]

I hope it is all right to speak from my own relatively inexperienced
viewpoint about forming a persona. Although I have been playing in the SCA
for about four years now, due to other commitments, the frequency of my
attendance to longer events has been more rare than I would wish. Given that
Your Grace seems to desire the influencing of newer gentles to develop a
stronger and deeper sense of persona and how to play same. The link about
Anglo-Saxon embroidery has reassured me both that my under-tunic is
correctly cut, and that I may use some circular or knotted designs to
decorate it correctly.

For my persona, I chose to base it as nearly as possible upon my authentic
ancestry from an interest in the history and culture of the Irish. Details
of dress - especially for women - from the 1400s Irish culture are few and
far between. A keyhole-necked T-tunic to the floor, covered by a second one
that is shorter seems to be the most commonly agreed basic dress for
Anglo-Saxons. The Irish were said to lag the main island's fashions by a
generation or more, so I'm also still wearing a brat with fibule. An annular
brooch would be more timely, when I get the necessary funds to buy an gaudy
enough one to be properly stylish. Some English chroniclers of the time take
special delight in painting how backward the Irish are, so some sources -
even while from the correct time - are not trustworthy. The size of linen
headwrapping actually worn is a conundrum I've yet to solve, for instance. I
don't believe that some women wore wrapped strips extending a yard in
diameter, as I read a description from an English traveller. That just seems
like it would be too heavy for common wearing - and liable to give one a
migrane.

You mentioned jewelry. I'm still working on several questions. Did Irish
women actually wear large amounts of gold? Did they actually wear large
globes formed of gold - hollow ones, an inch to three inches in diameter -
in their hair? (These are merely examples, answers would be nice, but I
continue to research on my own, too.) Bracelets and heavy necklaces are
mentioned often enough, in enough sources, that I can lend those articles
some degree of credence.

These are direct items, of course. I find the manners and behavior to be
much more fun as an expression of my persona. Most especially, the
importance of generous hosting, breaking bread, and giving gifts. At every
event where I have camped overnight, starting from the second I attended, I
have attempted to find at least one newcomer or other person in need of
hospitality to invite to my camp to share my victuals and companionship.
I've memorized a score or so of the oldest Irish blessings used for toasting
a host, which have stood me in excellent stead. Even if I cannot use one
exactly, having some pattern to follow has really helped with the
ineveitable stage fright a less-experienced person faces when suddenly
tossed into the limelight. I collect things to give away as gifts, usually
costume jewelry with a historical suitable appearance. I've begun studying
the proper language, in the hope of at least capturing a few likely phrases
and words.

My worst problem in trying to play my persona has been making mistakes - at
least, when someone breaks their own persona to "correct" my mistake, which
usually flusters me so badly I break if I managed not to when making said
mistake. It's like being on stage and having the character to which you're
addressing your lines SAY your lines to you as correction, when what you
were expecting was them to reply with their own, proper line of the script.
It throws you off completely, especially if you're not at all good at this
whole acting bit, and none too sure of your role. Now, private and
considerate instruction or corrections - which in fact I do believe Your
Grace has herself been kind enough to extend to me at Warlord when I was
very much a newcomer myself - are helpful rather than hurtful. The
gracefulness and kindness is much easier to appreciate - and take to heart -
when someone offers privately, or merely presents that they would be willing
to share knowledge, if desired.

My first time called into a Court happened without the least warning, at the
very first event I attended after moving from the Steppes to Loch Soilleir.
Talk about stage fright; I got the proper titles all confused, and barely
managed to speak so I could be heard. Hopefully I can overcome some of that
before I ever have to do that again.

I'm still trying to figure out if I should bow - most of the people I've
seen called into Court do so, but I know women didn't bow, they curtsied -
and with those full skirts, I know there are practical reasons as well as
the politeness that the fairer gender was not required to bow the head at
all, but descend vertically and rise again. Yet, I see many people who are
barely able to rise again - sometimes requiring assistance to rise - make a
knee or kneel fully on the pillows considerately placed for such use before
the various thrones in Courts. Obviously, it is very important to them to do
so. I cannot discern as yet, if this is always required no matter one's
gender or not. I have seen it not done, as well, especially if there is
announcement to be made that does not require the noble on the throne to
hold a conversation. I would like to do the right thing, once I figure out
what it is, although I do fear of tripping myself on a hem attempting again
to stand.

When one passes a person who is clearly wearing a noble's circlet or crown -
say, walking about the encampment - is greeting them with a title only
polite - or is a curtsy or bow of recognition in passing sufficiently polite
if one is not acquainted?
Slan,
Si'le inghean ui MacAoidh or
Samatha Cooper