[Sca-cooks] Royal authenticity

[johnna holloway]

Given that many do not drink alcohol these days, I didn't find their 
requests for the beverages out of line. Numerous people also drink only 
sugar free or no-cal versions of certain drinks. This was a private by 
invitation only luncheon. I offered them whatever they wanted. [Had they 
desired something like pizza, I would have made pizza.] It was their 
luncheon. They requested meats, lots of meats, so I gave them those and 
extended that into a late period Scots luncheon. His Majesty in fact 
requested that Scots foods not be served based on the premise that he 
doesn't or didn't feel that Scottish food is very good. I rather think 
that I may have convinced him with research and this meal that a good 
Scots feast can be done.

We have a great deal of difficulty these days supplying alcohol. It's 
not that we can't determine what they drank in period, but a question of 
liability (driving after drinking or leaving a party where it is 
served), families with small children that would prefer that alcohol not 
be consumed at all, and all the restrictions on what may be paid for in 
terms of SCA monies. The days of making mead or brewing beer for a feast 
are over. Open bars are no more.

I suppose offering them water only would have been more "period." It 
would not have been more hospitable nor fitting to the occasion. It was 
my intention all along to comply as best as I could with their wishes.

Johnnae llyn Lewis

Stefan li Rous wrote:
> Sigh. This sort of goes along with the King's edicts that chocolate is 
> period (meaning modern, solid chocolate).
> 
> So, are there any Royalty that encourage authenticity? Or do these 
> non-authentic examples stand out more *because* they are the exception? 
> And no, I am not trying to put down any particular Royalty, which is why 
> I left the names off. Although I might be willing to try to give word 
> fame to those Royals that have done an outstanding job at encouraging 
> authenticity.
> Stefan