Ethan’s first
experience at the Society for Creative Anachronism’s main event, the Pennsic
War, is described in depth in this chapter. In the weeks leading up to the
event, he prepares by sewing his own burlap tunic with a matching sash and
shoulder bag, growing a beard, and acclimating himself to sleeping outside. His
nerves are evident as the event draws closer. He emphasizes how the Pennsic War
would be no game, and how essential it was to be dressed as close to
historically accurate as possible. He worries over the lack of sorcery and
dragons but decides to go anyway in search of a magic moment, when he can feel
completely removed from modern society and like he had traveled back in time.
He plans to camp out with a group of people from Boston, who had already
attended numerous SCA events, including previous Pennsic wars. They offer him a
place to sleep as long as he helps with chores throughout the 17 day period.
Before Ethan’s
departure, his childhood friend JP visits, and they reminisce about their
childhood adventures. JP’s reaction to Ethan’s tunic leaves Ethan feeling
worried and self-conscious, and he decides to instead fashion a new tunic, this
one made out of an old white bed sheet, dyed to a mottled purple.
In order to
learn more about the world he is going to enter, Ethan visits and experienced
“SCAdian,” named Anna Bradley. From her, he learns how each SCAdian has a
unique name, and how when in character, most won’t touch things like chocolate
or tomatoes, deeming them too “out of period.” He learns of SCA’s 60,000
participants and how different areas of
the world are also considered to be different places in the SCA world. Each
place will also have a King and a Queen, who rule over the multiple archers,
dancers, soldiers, teachers etc., who reside in the kingdom. He also learns
that SCA events are never driven by plot. They more follow an everyday routine,
where people can learn something new or just sit around a fireplace and chat.
Upon arrival,
after unpacking and having something to eat at his camp, called “Camp Crook’d
Cat,” Ethan wanders the ground, noting the variety in age of the participants
and the variety of apparel, from long t-shirts to velvet dresses. He chats with
a man who goes by Sir Gareth, and he learns of the outlandish amount of money
some SCAdians will put into their experience, and also of the importance of fighting
in the SCA world. At the end of the day, feeling overwhelmed by the entire
experience, Ethan texts his sister to complain how the geekiness of it all was
too overbearing, even for him.
As the days wear
on, Ethan finds himself attracted to the fighting aspect of the SCA world, but
learns that in order to participate, one must go through rigorous training that
lasts at least six months. After one particular battle, he finds himself in
line for beer with the King of the victorious side, and consequently finds
himself to be nervous and stammering. This leads him to ponder the hierarchy of
the SCA world, noting how SCAdians not only could gain status through the
battlefield, but also through being successful in their trade.
The SCA world
encompasses all the positive aspects of the medieval era, and none of the
negative ones, such as the plague, unfair taxes, and the inequality of women.
SCAdians learn to face situations with courage and hope. It makes sense that in
a society such as this, Ethan was able to experience his magic moment, however
fleeting. It occurred as he watched a hand made wooden Viking boat go up in
flames in the middle of the lake as a way to pay respect to all SCAdians who
had passed.
By Lucy Cronin-Golomb
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