Dear Mistress Abigaille
Advice from a real Peer -
so it must be good!
Dear Mistress Abigaille,The last time I entered some calligraphy in ArtSci, the Laurels who judged it said the calligraphy was too uneven (even though the examples I showed in my documentation were also uneven!) and that I should have used a modern light table instead of drawing ruling lines on the paper. They said that just because something is period doesn't mean we should re-create it. But I want to do calligraphy in the same fashion that medieval scribes did, even if some snooty Laurels call it "schlock". What should I do?
- Penny Blackfinger
Dear Penny,Since these Laurels want you to use modern technology to overcome what they perceive as shortcomings in period artistic techniques, you should follow their advice. In fact, you can even take it a step further, and use a computer to print out your calligraphy (rather than doing it by hand), thus ensuring that all of your lettering is exactly even, and the scroll isn't marred by any indication that a human had any part in creating it. After all, they certainly know best - that's why they're Laurels, and you're not!
Dear Mistress Abigaille,
There's a big fighter practice that takes place in our shire every week at a knight's house, only I haven't exactly been invited to attend. I really want to show off my skills at fighting, what do I do?
- Bloodthirsty Bob
Dear Bob,You'll grow old if you wait for an invitation. Simply show up and bring a big meat sandwich to share with everybody, and be prepared to assume the role of human pell. For a warmer reception, show some courtesy to the lady of the house.
Lonely? Confused? Lovelorn? Still not even an associate? Send your perplexing SCA-related problem to Mistress Abigaille at mistressabigaille@thequarter.org