I‘ve been mulling over my medieval persona that I’ll be using for the SCA and I’m liking the idea more and more. I’m even seeing ways for me to use that persona in the SCA. If I’m a professor of some kind at the university, then I could obviously teach. They’re always looking for people to teach classes in the SCA and I could actually research and then demonstrate medieval pedagogy. So the content would be of at least partial interest, but I think more people would attend for the reenactment benefit, since it’s another way to learn about ways of thinking and communicating in the Middle Ages. Plus, I’d get to use my theatre background along with my teaching background, both in a whole new way.

Right now, the hardest part for me is getting a good idea of garb. Yes, the scholar/academic garb of the day was similar to today’s academic regalia used for graduation ceremonies, but try to find patterns or even full costumes that are even semi-authentic. I’ve found one “scholar costume” (on several different websites) that actually looks pretty good, but it’s one size fits “most” and only goes up to a chest size of 46″ or something, which is way too small for me. I’m basically looking at something between either the “cappa clausa,” which was a black robe that was closed in front, and a houpelande, which was also very long, but also very full throughout. I do know that I’ll probably want it to be an open front, because it will get really hot in the summer otherwise. Who’d have thought it would be so hard to figure out how to buy or make something like this? I may have to just resort to finding or making a basic black robe to get started. We’ll see.

Tonight I’ll brainstorm with some people about costume details and what subjects I might research and teach. Should be fun!