Lochac-hist-msg

Lochac-hist-msg – 8/2/05

History and descriptions of the SCA kingdom of Lochac. (Australia)

************************************************************************

NOTICE -

This file is a collection of various messages having a common theme that I have collected from my reading of the various computer networks. Some messages date back to 1989, some may be as recent as yesterday.

This file is part of a collection of files called Stefan's Florilegium. These files are available on the Internet at: http://www.florilegium.org

I have done a limited amount of editing. Messages having to do with separate topics were sometimes split into different files and sometimes extraneous information was removed. For instance, the message IDs were removed to save space and remove clutter.

The comments made in these messages are not necessarily my viewpoints. I make no claims as to the accuracy of the information given by the individual authors.

Please respect the time and efforts of those who have written these messages. The copyright status of these messages is unclear at this time. If information is published from these messages, please give credit to the originator(s).

Thank you,

Mark S. Harris AKA: THLord Stefan li Rous

Stefan at florilegium.org

************************************************************************

From: ansteorra at eden.com (7/14/95)

To: ansteorra at eden.com

Subject: Lochac

| I'm glad you stopped lurking, Etienne. Tell us all about Lochac.

| Kein MacEwan

Well Kein, you asked for it. As some of you know, I moved down here about

1 1/2 years ago and promptly found the local SCA dance practice (surprise,

surprise).

The SCA in Lochac began about 15 years ago when a lady went to the States on

vacation and went to an event. She fell in love with the idea and promptly

got people involved upon her return, armed with a copy of the Known World

Handbook and an incredible amount of energy. They started up the Society

for the Current Middle Ages and formed the Kingdom of Cumberland, since that

is what one did, they thought. After a while, the group joined the SCA and

became a barony of the society, rather than any kingdom, with the proviso that

a kingdom would be chosen at some point.

At this time, our heroine, now named Rowan Peregrynne, travels to the U.S. to

go kingdom shopping. She visited I believe 4 kingdoms, including Ansteorra

and the West, and still remembers the people in Ansteorra from that trip. She

decided against Ansteorra because it was still too young a kingdom at the time,

and one of the others (which shall remain mercifully nameless) because the

king decided to parade around in his neon biker shorts. She chose the West

and Lochac has been a part of it ever since. I don't know when it became

a Principality, but it probably has been for at least 10 years, since there

are a lot more people who are Viscounts and Viscountesses than who used to

be Viceroys.

A brief interlude in the history, for those of you who are still awake.

Rowan herself is a very interesting character (maybe there is something in

the name). Her first award from anyone in the SCA was a Pelican, which I

believe is unmatched.

The first group started out in Sydney, which is currently the Barony of Rowany,

cunningly named after Rowan, and there are now Baronies in the capital city

of every state (Adelaide, Brisbane, Hobart, Perth, Melbourne) and in Canberra.

This means that the Prince & Princess get to travel around quite a bit in

their reign, since they feel it is their duty to get to events for some reason

(For those of you that don't have a feel for the size, Australia is as big

as the lower 48 states).

There are a few consequences of this size. If one wants to go to many events,

one travels an awful lot. We are lucky in Rowany to have 3 other groups within

3 hours drive, but most have about 1 other group in 6-8 hours drive.

This leads to the question that I am sure everyone is interested in:

What is the SCA like in Lochac?

There is of course more than one answer. Several people from the West have

come over here and gone back saying that they do it correctly in Lochac. In

many ways, I think they are correct. Because of its origin, it never went

through the "growing pains" of the rest of the society, trying to identify

what the goals are. The KWH says that it is historical recreation, so that's

what was done. I haven't seen any chain mail bikinis, bunny fur, elf ears,

or vampire teeth that are seen in many places (although Ansteorra is also

largely free of that). The level of interest in accurate historical recreation

for the average person is quite impressive, and the West Kingdom has complained

several times that the standard for Laurels is too high. To give an example,

I thought I actually knew a bit about dance in the European Renaissance before

I came here. At one of my first events I meet 5 people who have done serious

research in the subject, including learning Italian to translate the 15th and

16th century masters, and sit around and have very heated scholarly discussions

on all sorts of details. They lost me in the first couple of minutes, but

I am slowly learning.

Looking at it from another perspective, it's not as good. This view is

mainly in the martial arts. To take the armoured combat (was that the

agreed term?) first, there are few knights here that would be able to match

up against the average squire in Ansteorra on the list field, and none

who would be top contenders in a crown tournament (although there is the

knight which went over to vacation in Europe and became Drachenwald's first

king, but he decided to stay there - Sir Elfin, who I am sure some of you

have met). In fact, all the best fighters have trained at one point or

another in the States. I have a couple theories about this. First is the

population density. I would guess that a fighter in Ansteorra could go

to about 30 tournaments a year if he wanted to travel a bit. Here it is

more like 10. At these 10 tournaments you would meet a much smaller number

of different fighters, so new ideas and techniques aren't generated as quickly.

Also, the oldest fighters here have been fighting for only about half as

long as in the States, so there simply hasn't been the time for all the

techniques to develop.

If Ansteorra is known for its fencers, then Lochac is known for the archers.

About the same proportion of people here do combat archery as do fencing there,

which makes for very different tactics in wars from what I understand,

especially since the arrows are real, with blunts on the end, so that they

are actually shot with some speed and accuracy. There are many archers here

that want to go to Pennsic just to take on the Calontir shield wall, and may

just do that at Thirtieth Year next year.

Fencing is just getting started here. We use fibreglass rapiers instead

of foils and epees and are still struggling for recognition from the general

populace for a number of reasons. Luckily D'Gaunt and Muirghein, our current

P&P are all in favour of the sport and have chosen the Princess' Guard

from the fencers and have created an award similar in intent to the Queen's

Rapier. So, we are getting there. I have also been getting people interested

in using the theatrical rapier blades when and if they are approved by the

powers that be (possibly when Lochac becomes a kingdom), but nobody is very

interested in the lighter blades because it doesn't engender authentic

recreation, as the argument goes (ideas and thoughts on the matter welcome).

So the real answer is that it's recognisably the same game that you know and

love but with a few differences. They still have the oath of fealty lifted

straight out of Lord of the Rings (To do and to let be, to speak and to be

silent... until my lord release me, death take me, or the world end) that I

would like to see go away and the regalia all looks reasonably similar, but

they say Huzzah instead of Vivat and all the peers swear fealty to the crown.

Rowany Festival. I mentioned it before, but I have to mention it again. The

2 festivals I have been to are simply the best events I have attended.

Anywhere. I have been to events in 4 different kingdoms now and nothing can

compare to it (although I have to support Kein's endorsement of the Gulf

Wars - way cool event). It is held on a private farm, and the owners let us

have permanent use of the site in exchange for a minimal fee (I think about

$2 per person) plus keeping the tea tree at bay, which we do clearing out

campsites each year. We have built showers (army style showers with hot

water), privies and a tavern, although the tavern blew down last year during

a major storm and needs to be replaced (we are still trying to get the

manufacturers to reimuburse us, but it wasn't during festival). The entire

site is forest and meadows, which provides lots of shade for camping and lots

of space for battles. Parking is across the creek from the actual site, right

by the entrance and no cars are allowed on site for the event. There is a

market day, a fighter auction tournament (the King of the West went for over

$300 this year - he thought everyone was crazy), lots of classes, 2 restaurants,

a baker who delivers bread to the campsites every morning (and has a laurel in

it!), and a few other artisans who set up shop for the duration of the event.

Mistress Rowan organises a period encampment every year (those of you who

are trying to come up with medieval names for things can give suggestions

since they don't like Enchanted Ground since it doesn't sound medieval) which

is a great place to go visit and has some 20 people camping there, right off

the list field. A couple of problems: dancing has to be held outdoors, there

being no hall, and it isn't long enough. I have been trying to convince

the baroness that it should be a week long event, just like Pennsic, and it

may yet become one. Oh yeah, no fire ants, although the event has been

known to get, shall we say, wet on occasion, which makes the tavernkeeper

very happy since people drink lots more cider.

One last thing about Rowany Festival. Every year they have a Sunshade Lounging

Competition. Last year it was won by 4 ladies who researched and built a

16th century wooden bathtub for 4 and lounged in it in their chemises under

the sunshade. To complete the decadence, they had a minstrel serenading them,

culinary treats, rose petals in the bath water, and they were playing cards.

Sir John Theophilus (sp?) from the West came over to ask the ladies for a

drink of the water to inspire him to victory in the Fighter Auction Tournament

that day.

Anyone still paying attention? Like I said, come down and see for yourself,

everyone is most welcome.

In service, somewhat verbosely,

Etienne d'Yverdon

member of the Princess' Escort

Date: Sat, 21 Nov 1998 08:40:14 +1100

From: "Phillippa Venn-Brown" <p.vbrown at tsc.nsw.edu.au>

Subject: Re: SC - Re: Customs

Lochac is quite heavy/strong on "theatre" (by this I do not mean

Shakespeare, although we enjoy plays and drama and farce just as much as

anybody). The "theatre" I refer to is overall presentation, the total feel

of the event.

Many local groups do themed feasts in our principality e.g. Manzikert (A

Byzantine feast hosted by Dismal Fogs which is a predominantly Varangian

and Byzantine flavoured shire), William Marshall (a 12th century

event/feast by the Barony of Stormhold) etc.

All our major events such as Principality Investitures have a theme, be it

15th German, mid-16th century Italian, Viking etc. Often the theme reflects

the interests of the hosting group or the personae of the Lord and Lady of

Lochac who will be invested at the event, as a mark of respect. This allows

for consistency through food, hall decoration, entertainment, presentation

etc. It also allows the participants to experience as fully as they wish, a

total feasting experience of a high court event of that period. Often the

colours chosen are part of the hosting group's device and as such are

usually destined to be reused as part of group gear (wall hangings, hospit.

gear, etc.). This also puts on a good dispaly for newcomers and visitors.

While people might be encouraged to come garbed to match, there is no

coercion to match, No one is refused the right to hang personal banners

"because they don't match the theme" nor to add to the table decorations to

suit their own playing of the game. However some enjoy the chance to try

out a new style which is different from their normal persona and I know

many gentles here who have one or more outfits which are not of their

regular wardrobe. My persona is late fifteenth/early sixteenth century

northern Italian but my wardrobe also contains 16th c. German, 15th c.

Swiss, Saxon, late Norman, Turkish and (dare I say) Cavalier. All of these

pieces were trial outfits when I was toying with persona change or just

wanted to try a new style. A themed feastis a great excuse when your

wardrobe is already brimming with your usual garb.

Some events, like Manzikert, exact a forfeit if you choose not to wear

Byzantine or Varangian, you are asked to entertain, but it is all in good

fun and people who are truly uncomfortable with the idea of entertaining

are not forced to do so.

Speaking personally, I have never been forced to attend an event in theme

nor ostracised or made uncomfortable because I don't have, or choose not to

have, garb that matches the theme of the event. However, having been on the

stewarding team for several principality events in charge of subtleties or

entertainment or both, I find it much easier if there is a theme to match

it to.

Filippa Ginevra

From: zebee at zip.com.au (Zebee Johnstone)

Newsgroups: rec.org.sca

Subject: Re: Kingdom of Lochac? Re: Principality to Kingdom transitions

Date: 31 May 2000 10:39:35 GMT

Organization: Pacific Internet (Australia)

In rec.org.sca on Tue, 30 May 2000 21:44:12 -0800

Mike Adams <abrigon at yahoo.com> wrote:

>I wonder if the vote for Kingdom was a reason for the changes in rules

>on fencing in the west? I know one of the bones of contension for Lochac

>was that West was not into Fencing, while Lochac is a hot bed of

>Fencers.

Well... the anger in Lochac over the West's attitude to combat

archery got the Kingdom push really going a couple of years ago. Afer

that got sorted it simmered some, then the fencing ban got people

angry again.

Various people all over the Kingdom worked to get rules sorted that

were acceptable, Central, Lochac, Oertha.

What the various contrmps did I think was get people in Lochac into the

mood to make their own decisions rather than be dictated to by people

a very long way away who just don't do things the way we do.

Silfren

Date: Sat, 21 Apr 2001 05:45:22 -0000

From: "Susan Laing" <gleep001 at hotmail.com>

Subject: SC - Re: Serving Game at Feasts...

Don't know if this bears relevance on your question, but some parts here

(Lochac : Australia) we have a tradition of courtesy when planning to serve

Vension at feasts - a communiation requesting permission to serve "The Royal

Game" is sent to the Reigning Prince & Princess (I haven't heard of *any*

instance where they've refused permission)

It probably developed from the Royal Game Preserve perogatives from the

English Middle ages and while not universally followed it's a tradition in

the Barony of River Haven and a few other areas across Australia

Could your local group have heard some garbled tale of this (either occuring

now OR in history) and decided that "ALL GAME" are therefore forbidden to

the rank and file members??

Mari

From: Burke McCrory [burkemc at cox.net]

Sent: Monday, July 08, 2002 11:51 PM

To: ansteorra at ansteorra.org

Subject: [Ansteorra] Kingdom of Lochac

This was posted to the SCA wide Pelicans list and I thought all would like

to see it.

Sir Burke

>Good Gentles All -

>I take pride in telling you that the Kingdom of Lochac came into existence

>this weekend past (July 6th) and the King Alfar and Queen Elspeth proudly

>lead us as we join the other Laurel Kingdoms of the Known World.

>An emotional (and long) Court saw King Jade and Queen Megan of the West

>release the Peerages from their oaths of fealty, take back the coronets of

>the landed Barons and Baroness of Lochac, and finally Prince Gawain and

>Princess Yve, last of their lineage, handed back to Their Majesties the

>lands of Lochac. Then Jade and Megan, King and Queen of the West, Prince

>and Princess of Lochac and holders of all the lands of Lochac made Their

>way from the hall for the final time as our undoubted King and Queen in an

>emotion filled procession.

>Later that day Jade and Megan proclaimed the Kingdom of Lochac, witnessed

>by Their Majesties of Ansteorra and the Society Seneschal and Crown Sir Alfar

>of Attica as first King of Lochac. King Alfar then Crowned his lady Elspeth

>as Queen of Lochac, gave back the coronets and lands to the Barons and

>Baroness, and took fealty form the Peers of the new Kingdom. As well,

>those of us Peers of Lochac who so wished we able to swear fealty and

>friendship back to the West Kingdom. A wonderful touch as many of us had

>been in a great dilemma over this. The oath is in all ways subservient to

>our fealty to Lochac and in no way sets up any form of conflict.

>The next day the first Peer of Lochac was created - a Laurel, Master

>Llewellyn(sp) formally of Caid (New Zealand, unsure which group). The first

>Pelican of Lochac will be created in several months in his home group.

>ciaran faolchara

>Barony of Ynys Fawr

>Kingdom of Lochac!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Newsgroups: rec.org.sca

From: Zebee Johnstone <zebee at zip.com.au>

Subject: Re: Do sheet walls still make Westerners boggle?

Date: Thu, 05 Aug 2004 22:19:46 GMT

Organization: Pacific Internet (Australia)

In rec.org.sca on Thu, 5 Aug 2004 21:51:01 GMT

Dorothy J Heydt <djheydt at kithrup.com> wrote:

> There is also nothing like the land allocation before the fact

> that Pennsic does, because we camp at many different sites and

> the tourneymasters generally get access to it only a few hours

> before the populace starts arriving (e.g., Friday noon and 3 pm

> respectively).

IN Lochac, the camping camping events (as distinct from boyscout camps

with dorms) I've been to have been sometimes one and sometimes the other.

At Festival, it's a bit like Pennsic, in that you join a camping group

and that group's allocated an area. It's usually the same place year to

year, although it's fluid at the moment because the new site is still

being sorted. Walls are uncommon, but the way things are laid out at

each site sometimes means people don't *realise* they are walking through

someone's site. Mostly it's obvious because the roads are marked with

tape on poles, and it's clear where to go.

At other events, it's usually "camping's over there" and a wave of the

hand. That's cos they are small enough that it really doesn't matter.

terrain leads to natural groupings or lanes as it does at Mt Crawford,

If the then that's what happens. Otherwise you sit where it looks good,

and as there's probably only 10-20 tents, then there's probably no

"campsites". Especially true of Innilgard events where it's all done

communally and the main social area's the Baronial marquee, the main

cooking area's the Baronial cooking tent with all it's kit and so on.

Most camping events are held in the same place year to year because

those places are good to hold such events at. So once you find a good

one, you stick to it. Festival's a special case, it has contracts.

Others just have tradition...

Silfren