Position Papers

1. ACCURACY STANDARDS

The following may not be debated:
• The culture portrayed is the British Isles, 950–1066 ce. Other cultures are allowed if their presence during this time and period can be proved. Archetypes from earlier may be occasionally used with permission.
• Accuracy must be achieved and maintained during public hours within the ropeline
• No participant may come behind the ropeline without the prior inspection by and approval of the group Authenticity Officer (AO). All variations, logical extrapolations and any other deviations must be documented to the satisfaction of the AO.
• Persons fielding for the first time need not expect to have a complete kit but must attain the minimum level of accuracy expected for participation behind the ropeline
• Documentation shall consist of artifacts, of photographs of artifacts or of primary sources (illustrative and text). The more instances of and more complete the documentation is, the better
• Logical extrapolation shall be determined by secondary sources and practical archaeology
• The AO shall determine whether the documentation or logical extrapolation is valid
• No spectacles or sun glasses of any type may be worn
• No use of tobacco is allowed
• Only historically documented shoes may be worn (barefoot is period)
• Visible modern jewelry must not be worn or must be hidden
• Visible tattoos must be hidden
• Only historically accurate fabrics, weaves, colors and patterns may be used for costumes
• All visible sewing must be done by hand
• Costumes and kit must be from a single culture time
• Tents must be documented, although cotton canvas may be used in the place of linen or hemp canvas or wool
• Any variation from the ordinary must be documented and exhibited to the public only when a knowledgeable interpreter can explain its uniqueness to the public
• Any logical extrapolation may be displayed to the public only when a knowledgeable interpreter can explain its uniqueness to the public
You will not be alone in your efforts and can expect guidance and support from all other members of Micel Folcland and from Regia Anglorum at large
Remember, we are attempting to portray the ordinary persona of the time!

November 2005

2. CULTURAL IDENTITY

In the United Kingdom, there might be special events or shows which specify a particular culture or a specific era (sometimes a little before or a little after the suggested Regia time period). In order to participate, you have to wear a specific costume, and members usually have a set of Norse clothes, a set of Anglo-Saxon and so forth.

In Micel Folcland, we do not plan such an event for the foreseeable future, so you need not invest in more than one set of clothing at least at the beginning of your participation. A generic Anglo-Scandinavian is suggested for new British members, and we suggest that as well for new members who are not interested in recreating a specific culture.

Often, the differences between two cultures of eras are small, and a different cap or belt can make the difference. When planning costume, and certainly before starting it, please check with the Authenticity Officer to prevent the hassle of retro-research or the discard of a finished project!

Members of other Dark Age reenactment groups are welcome at Micel Folcland’s events providing they undergo and pass inspection by our AO and obey all other Regia restrictions at the event. Potential members or other non-members are welcome to attend one Micel Folcland event as a guest, providing their kit fulfill Regia standards.

Specifications and requirements are exacting. Each participant is a representative of Regia Anglorum and must live up to the standards created, maintained and expected by the organization. It is our goal in Regia Anglorum North America that American members can go to the United Kingdom and participate there—as is their right as Regia members—with no difficulties!

November 2005

3. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR MEMBERSHIP

To participate in a Regia event, you will need:

• Regia Membership
You can find membership information at the main RAiNA site. Membership is $30 a year in North America, plus a fee—currently $5 in Micel Folcland—to the local group. You must obtain a membership form from the Group Leader.

• Historical Clothing
This is not an approximation but an exacting copy. It is not necessarily expensive, especially when you are re-creating a lower-class impression. It is better to do an excellent Thrall than a mediocre Thegn! Note that being a Thrall does not mean that you are a slave, doing all the rotten camp jobs (we take turns doing them!)

• A Desire to Educate
Or at least not to mis-educate.

• Authorization for Any Combat Activities
Because of the use of actual weapons—steel, but with rebated edges—exacting standard are used for training and authorizing fighters. But if you do not intend to participate in the battles, you need not worry about this!

• A Sense of Fun & Adventure
This isn’t a grim avocation. We’re all here to educate, of course, but we’re also doing this to have fun. If you don’t think you’ll have fun, then don’t do it!

November 2005

4. MINIMAL CLOTHING REQUIREMENTS

Construction Materials & Techniques
Wool. Undyed or cream, brown, grey or a combinations. Unbleached Linen. All visible seams must be hand sewn, using linen thread.

Men
• A generic Anglo-Saxon overtunic, with wrist length or longer tight sleeves and a full skirt of approximately knee length
• A shorter (or hidden) undertunic
• Trousers or hose tight to the leg
• Belt (less than an inch thick, with a buckle; there was no tail)
optional
• A Cap (not Phrygian and generally a hood)
• A Cloak (rectangular)
• Shoes (barefoot is perfectly accurate)

Women
• A generic Anglo-Saxon overdress, with wrist-length tight sleeves and a skirt of approximately ankle length
• A tighter underdress with long, tight sleeves and a skirt of approximately ankle length
• Head Covering (wimple)
optional
• Belt or waist tie (leather or woven fabric, less than an inch thick. Belts have buckles; there was no tail)
• A cloak (rectangular)
• Shoes (barefoot is perfectly accurate)
Please note, these are minimums, and we do not include detailed information. For more detail and information, consult the new member Regia Anglorum—Basic Clothing Guide.

November 2005

5. OFFICIAL POLICY OF THE MICEL FOLCLAND AUTHENTICITY OFFICER

Right now Micel Folcland is trying to present a coherent picture of a piece of Anglo-Scandinavian England with a general target of early eleventh century. Because we are currently a very small group, we need to concentrate on getting everyone in a basic set of kit that is temporally and ethnically consistent. This means that unless specifically told otherwise, the basic kit for us is Anglo-Scandinavian. We have less than a dozen members who show up at our LHE right now. If everyone showed up in significantly different ethnic kits from a broad spectrum of times, we would lack the unified presentation which I believe is essential to doing an effective LHE.

In the fullness of time, when we have a greater number of people showing up at the LHE, we can begin to diversify our ethnic presentation. Also at some time in the future, we may be asked by a sponsor to do a specific era that is outside the current target range. At this time we will begin to expand the temporal range of our kits…..or we may all finally get our basic kits together and then decide to go out of our basic time frame and all target a specific different era to once again present a coherent picture of that era.

Much as it pains me to admit, I (as one person) cannot possibly know everything about all the details of all the cultures extant in the British Isles from the end of Roman rule thru the Crusades. Therefore, in a vain attempt to preserve the tattered shreds of my sanity, we are going to work on one set of kit at a time so your Friendly Neighborhood Authenticity Officer has the time to both eat and sleep. Occasionally.

For those of our members who are itching to do alternate ethnicities/times, the best way for you to achieve that is by A) completing your basic AS kit in a timely and appropriate manner and B) recruiting more members so that we have a larger base to alternate from.

February 2008, revised November 2008

6.PURPOSE OF EVENTS

Micel Folcland, Inc., in its general events, attempts to accurately re-create for public view the culture and activities that can be found in Anglo-Scandinavian England in the decades prior to the Norman invasion and conquest. Within an area defined by a ropeline and during previously announced public hours, members use the artifacts (accurately reproduced) of the time, dress in the clothing (accurately reproduced) of the time, and set up as a community, market or fair, ensuring the accuracy of the presentation behind the rope. Activities at events are as close to historical examples as possible, using historical tools and other equipment within the ropeline, but compromises may be made with prior permission for reasons of safety and expense. Although events are in tents, they are not a military campaign. Any exceptions are noted an announced beforehand to members.

October 2008

7. CROSS-GENDER PORTRAYALS

Women may dress as men for combat. However, before being allowed on the field, they will be examined by the Military training Officer and/or the Authenticity Officer to make certain that there are no overtly feminine aspects of their portrayal as well as for the accuracy of kit and safety of weapons. Women shall not cross-dress on the line and talk to MoPs and shall change into feminine clothing as soon as possible after a combat scenario in which they dressed as a male.

October 2008

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