Category Archives: history

Breaking Byzantine: building a Byzantine persona for the SCA

Posted on September 9, 2021 by Rachel

This originated as part of building a basic persona guide, written for the Midrealm Pursuivant’s Handbook (located here). Within that guide, I discussed the basic history of the Eastern Empire, as well as basic points of clothing, weaponry, literary references, … Continue reading →

Posted in Byzantine, history, persona, persona development, Roman, SCA, Society for Creative Anachronism | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Omphaloskepsis: Scaling Ivory Towers – SCA and Academia

Posted on May 12, 2021 by Rachel

The Society for Creative Anachronism has its share of people doing some landmark research within experimental archaeology. Yet, within academic circles, many SCAdians are told to de-emphasize their involvement. This article will go into why SCAdians have such a polarizing … Continue reading →

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Pomp and Splendor: what to do with your heraldic device once registered

Posted on February 16, 2020 by Rachel

Once you’ve registered your arms, there are a multitude of ways to display them, all which add to our game. While I’ll be using my arms as an example, keep in mind that different shapes may work better (or worse) … Continue reading →

Posted in banner, court, herald, heraldry, history, persona, persona development, Renaissance, SCA, Society for Creative Anachronism | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Making Choices; or why Konstantia wore one outfit over another

Posted on January 12, 2020 by Rachel

Calontir Coronation was this weekend, and as is often the risk with midwestern kingdoms in January, we had the prediction of some pretty heinous weather. So not kidding – we had a winter storm warning issued that morning for potential … Continue reading →

Posted in calontir, ceremonies, ceremony, clothing, early period, herald, heraldry, history, influences, musings, persona, persona development, Project Flammen, Roman, SCA, service, Society for Creative Anachronism, Vestal Virgin | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Byzantine Monograms: a heraldic practice

Posted on November 12, 2019 by Rachel

As an early-period Byzantine within the Society, I have come to grips that my arms and badges as registered with the College of Arms are perhaps not the most period for my persona, and so, this concept of trying to … Continue reading →

Posted in Byzantine, carving, early period, herald, heraldry, history, how-to, influences, persona, persona development, rings, Roman, SCA, Society for Creative Anachronism | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Achieve!, or the Diary of making an Achievement of Arms

Posted on November 19, 2018 by Rachel

Achievement of Arms are a period way to show off one’s accomplishments in the SCA, as combined with one’s heraldic device.  I had the great fortune to create a conjugal coat of arms for my Byzanbestie Anna and her husband Gieffrei, … Continue reading →

Posted in Byzantine, Greek, herald, heraldry, history, illumination, SCA, Society for Creative Anachronism | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Upcoming Classes

Posted on April 23, 2018 by Rachel

I’m tinkering with classes for an upcoming event.  If you’re going to be in Calontir over Memorial Day weekend, I’d love to see you at Valor! I’ll be hosting a scriptorium (just a time for scribes to hang out and … Continue reading →

Posted in #MedievalMonday, history, musings, SCA, Society for Creative Anachronism | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Sometimes, inspiration . . .

Posted on June 12, 2016 by Rachel

. . . shows up in the most interesting ways. About a month and a half ago, I went to a local bead show, and found someone selling netsuke.  And found an adorable falcon-shaped one. For those not in the … Continue reading →

Posted in beads, herald, heraldry, history, influences, Japanese, paint, prayer beads, SCA, Society for Creative Anachronism | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Hon Hoard and Norse Quartz

Posted on January 2, 2016 by Rachel

Something I made last year, but I couldn’t blog about until it got to its intended location! As I’ve stated elsewhere, I started Nobelese Largesse, and one of the sister swaps, on the kingdom level recently got restarted in Æthelmearc.  … Continue reading →

Posted in beads, birka, glass, history, jewellery, jewelry, largesse, pinterest, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Projects of 2015 – the round-up

Posted on January 1, 2016 by Rachel

Thanks to some inspiration from my friend Bránn at Matsukaze Workshops, I’m doing a round up of all the projects and things I made (and blogged about) this year. Roman necklace for Magistra Iulia Carved copal Torse medallion Ghent Altarpiece … Continue reading →

Posted in brag page, history, Retrospective, Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment