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Collegium - Classes

These were the classes available at Collegium in 2012. We hope that next year's event will have such a wide variety of offerings.

14th-Century Spanish Music

Taught by Joan le Harper
This will be an overview of the gorgeous music from the Llibre Vermellde Monserrat. Evidently pilgrims to the shrine of the Virgin of Monserrat were singing bawdy songs along the way! The Llibre Vermell (red book -- named for its newest cover) is a compilation of songs, which was created to provide these worthy travelers with something suitably religious to sing.

15th-Century Bras in Context

Taught by Sarah Wydville
Earlier this year, archaeologists found several linen bra-like garments in Austria dating from the 15th century. Yet previous research had shown scant evidence of such undergarments for this period. We will discuss the discovery in the context of women's supportive undergarments of the medieval and renaissance eras, featuring information from the autumn conference of the Medieval Dress and Textile Society in the U.K. where Beatrice Nutz, lead researcher on the medieval "bras," presented her findings.

Applying Feints to Your Rapier Fights

Taught by Staffan Arffuidsson
In this class, we will study the different ways to incorporate the feint into your rapier fight. All are welcome. If possible, the student should bring a full rapier kit. If not, please come, and we will do our best to accommodate!

The Astronomers' Game

Taught by Muriel von Schrecken
Shake the yoke of inauspicious stars and join us for a game of fate, luck, chance ... Well, whatever you call it, it is all relative. In this game you are, as DaVinci puts it, "...fixed to a star..." and the outcome depends on your relationship to the other stars. One of the earliest forms of the Astronomers' Game is documented in Alphonso X (the Wise, 1252-1284) Book of Games as Al-Falahia or Los Escaques, as a form of chess. By the mid-1500s, a form of the game was used as a teaching tool in universities for students of Astronomy. This class will teach the Alphonso X version of the game and provide context for the game in the universities of 1500s. Students should bring coin of the realm. The number of players is limited to 7. Three additional students may audit the class.
Students should bring: Coin, beads, baubles, or other trinkets of value are also acceptable.
Limited attendance -- 10 students.

A Ball in the Labyrinth

Taught by Muriel von Schrecken
We will reconstruct rules for the labyrinth dance and game based on documentation from the cathedrals of Chartres, Sens, and Auxerre in France from 1270-1400 C.E. The dance is in the form of a carol or round dance with a twist. A large leather pilota, or ball, is thrown and kicked around during the dance. Please wear comfortable shoes.

Bardic 101 or, Do YOU Know Your Kingdom Anthem?

Taught by Margrethe Ravn
A discussion and lab on how to present a bardic piece, whether a bardic circle or before the court. Additional assistance will be provided by use of the songs "To the West," "Fair Mistland," "Black Swan Rises," and more. Learn your Kingdom and Principality anthem!

The Basics of Sewing With Velvet

Taught by Cynthia Barnes
We'll design, cut, and assemble a simple 16th-century pocket with a velvet face. In this two-hour class, we'll have time to try sewing on velvet with interfacing and stabilization. We'll even learn the secrets of pressing without smushing. Velvet has a rich and formal look unmatched by other fabrics. We'll look at construction techniques, traditional, modern, tailored, and couture with an eye toward "getting it done" vs. "getting it right" and blending the best of each.
Students should bring: Whatever velvet or velvet-like fabric pleases you. Think plain velvet, variable height velvet, cut or uncut velvet, crushed velvet, even narrow, wide, or unwaled corduroy. Consider also a variety of fiber contents: cotton, silk, wool, rayon, mixed, whatever! Smallish pieces and scraps from previous projects are excellent to use, to swap, or to share. You may also bring small velvet items and small velvet garments for discussion. Required tools: Scissors for silk, ball head or "flower" pins, needles and thread, other sewing kit basics. Optional tools: Sewing machine, scissors for paper, notebook and pencil/pen, folder for 8.5"x11" handouts and to take samples home. Supplies: Bring a small selection of napped materials that interest you. You will be making 3 or 4 samples in the class. Each sample will take approx. 1/8 to 1/2 yard velvet fabric. The instructor will not provide velvet for you to use. Cutting to do before class: None. Instructor will bring: Serger, useful tools and products, sample velvet garments.
Limited attendance -- 8 students.

Basic Soapmaking - "Cleanliness Is Next to..."

Taught by Cathyn Fitzgerald
Come learn the basics of soapmaking. Basic chemistry and method, what each ingredient does, crafting a recipe, chemical safety, and go home with a piece of soap you made in class!

Beginning 16th-Century Italian Dance

Taught by Geoffrey Mathias
We'll learn the dance Villanella, an easy 16th-century Italian dance. This is a dance that often shows up at events like the Duchesses Ball and is a simple and pleasant dance.

Beginning English Country Dance

Taught by Brocc
This is a beginning dance class which will focus on bransles and allemandes which are the most basic of the dances done in the SCA. If you can walk, you can do some of these dances. If you can hop, you can do all of these dances.

Bransles and Allemandes

Taught by Brocc
This is a beginning dance class which will focus on bransles and allemandes which are the most basic of the dances done in the SCA. If you can walk, you can do some of these dances. If you can hop, you can do all of these dances.

Chiaranzana, the Italian Knot Dance

Taught by Crystal of the Westermark
Chiaranzana is an interactive dance for a large group of people with one repeated foot pattern and variants on who you are dancing with. If we do not have enough people, Alta Regina will be taught instead. The instructor will earnestly attempt to provide music and class handout.

Cuirboulli: Water-Hardened Leather Armor and How to Make It

Taught by Cariadoc of the Bow
A demonstration of how to make hardened leather using hot water.

Dances of Joy and Jealousy

Taught by Isabel d'Triana
Come learn fun and flirty dances from Italy, to include Rostiboli Gioioso and other favorites. These dances can tell a story and interact with your partner.

Chiaranzana, the Italian Knot Dance

Taught by Crystal of the Westermark
Chiaranzana is an interactive dance for a large group of people with one repeated foot pattern and variants on who you are dancing with. If we do not have enough people, Alta Regina will be taught instead. The instructor will earnestly attempt to provide music and class handout.

English Quarterstaff of George Silver

Taught by Alaryn Aecenstaeff
A look into the mechanics of the English quarterstaff according to the works of George Silver. He advocated the staff as the weapon most superior in use and most typical of the ancient English martial arts. In this brief look at the actual style of fight advocated by George Silver, we will go over what Silver wrote about the weapon in his two works. This class will be a demonstration of the fight style, including hands-on participation for those wishing to learn (but not required).
Students should bring: Gloves, a fencing mask, and a pole 9 feet long and at least 1 and 1/4 inch diameter (actual sizing of the staff to individual specs can be done on site).

Headdress Madness: Making and Wearing Horned Headgear From Early 15th-Century England and France

Taught by Brighid nic Thighearnain
This class will review women's horned headdresses in England, France, and Flanders from the early 15th century with documentation, handouts, and some practical instructions for making and wearing the ladies' hats as seen in the Roses Tapestry, illustrations of Christine de Pizan, and grave effigies showing English horned box cauls of door-blocking width. The instructor will bring hats in for participants to examine and try on.

The History of the Turkish Bath

Taught by Nisaa Karahisari
Come learn the history of the Turkish bath, try some period beauty treatments, and sample Turkish desserts. For a few hours, we will recreate the 'women's coffeehouse' as the Turkish bath was a gathering place for women in period Turkey.
Students should bring: A towel.
Limited attendance -- 30 students, this class is open to self-identified women only. Class fee: $3.

How to Be Your Persona

Taught by Cariadoc of the Bow
How to maintain the illusion, at an event, that you are a period person interacting with other period people.

Illumination 101

Taught by Richard de Camville
This is an introduction to the scribal art of illumination. The first section of the class will be devoted to the development of the artist's "medieval eye," and the second section of the class will be focused on the use of materials to create a small piece. Bring your scribal arts tools (pencil, ruler, paints, and brushes -- some loaner gear will be available).

Limited attendance -- 12 students.

Intermediate Renaissance Embroidery

Taught by Agnes berengarii de girona
This hands-on class will teach the intermediate stitcher about the embroidery stitches of the 16th and early 17th century. I will discuss raised work and early stump work. Students should have a working knowledge of stem stitch, split stitch, and chain stitch. If all goes well, students should come out of the class able to work the following stitches: detached buttonhole, ceylon stitch, trellis stitch, and, if time allows, spiral trellis. Class kit includes: a piece of fine linen, a selection of silk threads appropriate for this style of work, needles, and handout.
Students should bring: Note-taking materials, a 5" or 7" embroidery hoop, a pencil, and a pair of small sharp scissors.
Limited attendance -- 10 students. Class fee: $15.

Knightly Virtues in the Current Middle Ages

Taught by Richard de Camville
This focused discussion forum will look at the more "popular" chivalric virtues and examine how they apply to our experiences in the current middle ages and in our mundane lives.

Make a Skjoldehamn Hood

Taught by Saeunn Egilsdottir
In this class, students will learn the history and construction method of the Skoldehamn Hood from a Norwegian bog discovery in 1936. Students will construct a hood of their own to keep.
Limited attendance -- 8 students to make a hood, but unlimited students for lecture/observation. Class fee: $5.

Paternoster: A Period Accessory

Taught by Christian de Holacombe
For most of the SCA's period, a rosary or paternoster was a common accessory for men and women of all ages. Whether simple or elaborate, worn for religious reasons or just to show off a piece of expensive jewelry, there are many types and many ways to wear one. In this class you'll see many pictures and handle a collection of replicas of historical examples. Kits are available for $6 to make your own 50-bead loop in class, with a cross or other medallion (or an Islamic rosary if you prefer).

Period Islamic Cooking

Taught by Cariadoc of the Bow and Elizabeth of Dendermond
A class on what we know of period Islamic cooking, along with a discussion of the available sources for recipes.

Period Oil Lamps and How to Use Them

Taught by Johann von Drachenfels
Do you want to light your encampment the period way? This demonstration of vegetable-oil lamps shows why they're safer and more cost-effective than candles or lamp-oil lights. You'll leave class with two wick supporters and instructions on how to turn any clear glass jar or suitable vessel into a lamp. Unlimited attendance but only 15 handouts and wick-making supplies provided.

Raising Poultry the Medieval Way

Taught by Else Hunrvogt
A twist on the popular how-to manual "Raising Poultry the Modern Way." The class will look species viewed as poultry prior to 1600, classical and modern poultry husbandry techniques, and medieval uses of poultry with an emphasis on food and fiber applications.

The Ruff Job of the 16th-Century Laundress

Taught by Elena Edgar
Overview, lecture, and demonstration of various arts and sciences of the late 16th-century laundress required to produce the iconic symbol of the era -- the magnificent ruff! Thrill to tales of period methods for washing, starching, tinting, and setting of ruffs! Boggle at a setting demonstration! Fondle ruffs on hand! Giggle at woodcuts of monkeys! Be appalled as I read from Stubbes! Get your fingers sticky in starch (with and without dye)!

Sex Between Women in the Middle Ages and Renaissance

Taught by Tangwystyl verch Morgant Glasvryn
Much of "what we know" about history is based on broad generalizations and archetypes that reflect either the assumptions and prejudices of the historic era or those of the researchers who interpret the sources for us. But the territory outside those models builds a richer understanding of both the norms and outliers of the past. This lecture covers evidence regarding sexual activities between women in the middle ages and renaissance, both in real life and in the stories medieval people told each other. The nature of the evidence and the ways in which historic people framed it provide a window on how medieval people understood gender and sexuality in general. This is a serious scholarly presentation, however, attendees should be aware that the material includes explicit discussions of sexual activity.

Survey of Women's Fashion 1490-1510

Taught by Sarah Wydville
Focusing on France and England, we'll discusses the evolution of garments for women during the "transitional" period between the medieval silhouette to the early Tudor silhouette. Undergarments, kirtles, gowns, legwear (including shoes), and accessories will be discussed, as well as how to achieve the appropriate silhouette on the modern figure.

Survey of Women's Headdresses 1490-1510

Taught by Sarah Wydville
Covers the 20-year "transitional" period between the medieval silhouette and the Tudor silhouette. Discusses the evolution of headdress for women across this period, starting from the hennin, the Anne of Brittany hood, and ending with the early version of the French Hood.

Trubadours, Trobairitz, and Trouvères: Their History, Poetry, and Music

Taught by Antonio Giordano da Sicilia
Troubadours (and the female, trobairitz) were composers and performers of Occitan lyric poetry during the High Middle Ages (1100-1350). While sometimes disputed, the etymology of the word troubadour and its cognates is arguably derived from trobar "to make, fashion, compose, or invent," to wit, a writer of verses and/or music. Trouvères were poet-composers who were roughly contemporary with and influenced by the troubadours but who composed their works in the northern dialects of France. The popular misconception of the troubadour or trouvère is that of the itinerant musician wandering from town to town; however, while these itinerant jongleurs and minstrels did exist, the troubadours and trouvères were either supported by the aristocracy or, just as often, were aristocrats themselves as the creation and performance of music was part of the courtly tradition. These poems and songs are a natural reflection of the society that created them, i.e., they often revolve around idealized treatments of chivalry, courtly love, and physical passion. This class will trace the history of troubadours and trouvères from the early 12th century through the mid-14th century, and we will survey their period writings.

West Kingdom Scribal Station

The Scribal Chancellor will be set up in the courtyard at Collegium with finished scrolls available to pick up and for consultation. Please come take a look!