[Bards] On Bardic Documentation

[Lady Simone]

Documentation for Bardcraft.

This topic is a potential Can of worms. I remember being in a Forum
discussing this topic at kings college last Summer. I wish those of you that
were not able to attend that meeting of Bards could have been there. Here is
my opinion and take on the whole spectrum as I understand it. It is my
Opinion and I could be wrong, it's Just how I see things.

While I agree and will always agree you CAN NOT judge Bardcraft under the
same criteria as Static arts because of it's nature.  There are valid reason
at this time to stat encouraging documentation.

1. It's required at most competitions at War if you are in the Bardic melee
or just performing for the General A&S  point.

2. It adds a validity to our craft in the scope of those who over the years
have questioned the historical accuracy of Bardcraft as a legitimate
artform.  It may not be as much of a debate as it has been in the past.

3. The Nature of the society has been changing over the years to more
Authenticity in our actions as members in the society. as such the Bard is a
highly visible part of that society. As such by our willingness to provide
documentation on the competition level we indirectly support and show others
that it is OK to do documentation for other things.

 Like it or not because we are performers and many of us are very  visible
people to the populace.  Our actions and words carry weight.  We are
examples good or bad of what the society is, and what it can become. We are
under the watchful eyes of our fans,old timers and newcomers alike. In my
opinion this comes with a responsibility. by showing a willingness to do
Documentation we encourage the old-timers and newcomers, that documentation
is OK not  a 3 headed monster to be avoided at all cost. So what is
documentation in the scope of things for Bardcraft.

Competitions are were we will probably see the want and need for
documentation. not around the general camp fire, or entreating in the
various venues we may be call upon to perform are art.

Documentation is the few pieces of paper we've written to support the
validity of our works. If you cannot document the piece  document the style.
If an original work  note it as such, if it is  a modern style on a period
topic. note it as such. I myself have a large repituar. and am currently in
the process of documenting much of it so I can provide documentation at
competitions for the piece I pull out of my hat. It means I have to keep
copies of my documentation with me but in the end I think it will be worth
it. Bellow is a simple format for documentation I use. Again the views here
are my Opinion.
take what you want and feel free to disregard the rest.

1. A few pages tops any more is a research paper for a static competition.
2. Basic information ie., Name of the piece, who wrote the piece,  aprox
when was it written, Why was it written if insight is available. Were you
got your information.  (quoting the Author and the time he/she lived has
become acceptable in most competitions)
3. Provide copy of original if you have it. (Facsimiles of many pieces can
be found on-line and in books at Large libraries and Colleges) If an
original work provide a copy of a piece done in that style from period.
4. If the piece is varied for time, style or any other reason.
5. a brief note on they style a paragraph or two a layman can understand.
6. Bibliography This is a general reading list were you got your Information
and consists of 3 types
 a. Primary- the original or facimaly/picture of Original piece or style
 b. Secondary- the Piece or style being referred to by another author or
person in Period
 c. Itinerary- Modern scholars referencing works and styles in the past.
ie.., Text books, research
     papers, thesis, Complete Anaconist ect..
d. On-line Sources (Not all on-line sources are accurate as such these
sources should be supported by
   a type of material listed above,  Sources from Universities and
Government agencies are normally good enough to stand for themselves) always
include web address and organization name for on-line content

If you need an example of a Bibliography look in the back of any Historical
text book

Note some sources are generally accepted as period. ie., the collected forks
Of Francis Child's who published a 5 volume tome of Historical Ballads in
the 1800's of which the majority of the first 150 are from period. a
peiceand numbered so a piece from Child's works can be noted as Child's #.
Shakespeare 's works can be noted as "Name of Piece" taken from"Play or
collection of sonnets" the Works of Chaucer, Virgil, Homer, Marlow, Thomas
Ravenscroft can be noted as such.  If in Doubt Quote source materials about
thee Authors works as additional Bibliogopys.

Thank you,

In service
Lady (Simone) Muirenn ingen Senáin uí Dúnlaing
2nd Rose of FalconRose Southern Keep, Ansteorra