Attending our events

You can find information about our medieval events on Aarnimetsä's homepages, Drachenwald's homepages and in the newsletters Aarniwalcea and Dragon's Tale. Before going to events, remember to register for the event you plan to attend, and usually you are expected to pay in advance. If necessary, you can often arrange a different payment schedule with the autocrats of the event. When registering, it is important to notify the autocrat about any food allergies and special diets, e.g. vegetarian diet. Also, if you suffer from a serious illness (e.g. epilepsy), it is good to inform the organizers about it.

Most events in Finland are held on campsites far from any towns, so usually there are no shops or markets nearby. Normally visitors will not have access to a refrigerator, microwave oven or the whole kitchen. You can normally get hot water from the kitchen if you ask nicely. Expect to sleep on the floor if mattresses or beds are not mentioned in the event announcement. At most overnight event you’ll have access to a shower (and a sauna), but sometimes there might not be running water in the sauna. Note also that some sites only have dry toilets / outhouses and no indoor flush toilets and you may have to go outdoors to get to a toilet.

What happens at events?

An average event in Finland covers one weekend. Often the first evening (Friday) doesn't have a scheduled program. The evening passes by while settling down, chatting with friends, playing games, and having a good time. A light snack (bread or porridge) is usually served. The guests arrive during the evening and some may arrive quite late because of a long trip. If there’s a sauna on site, it is often heated on the first evening; this being Finland, often bathing is mixed with no separate areas or times for different sexes.

The second day, Saturday, has a scheduled program. During the day a rattan fighting tournament, archery contest, lectures and/ or other activities are held. The day starts with breakfast, and a lunch is also served but the highlight of the evening is the feast. If Baron and/or Baroness or Royalty are present, they usually hold court before or during the feast. After the feast the event continues with dancing, chatting and having a good time. The sauna is also heated on Saturday. Usually the event continues long into the night - and sometimes even into the morning.

On Sunday morning the site is cleaned and everything that has traveled into mysterious locations during the night is searched for. At breakfast some are still wearing in their medieval clothes while some have already switched to jeans and T-shirts. It is time to head back home.

Where to get a name?

At our, events one is known by a medieval name, which you get to pick yourself as long as it fits certain requirements like being of a real name used by a human being in the Middle Ages. To find out more about what names were like in that period and what what kind of sources you should use to find a name, see the articles What is an SCA name and A Brief Introduction to History of Names.

It is good to think thoroughly what kind of a name you want to use it the medieval events, so that you don't have to change it later. It is possible to change one's name later, but it might be quite troublesome because many will have learned to know you by the name you originally picked. If you are not sure what you want your medieval name to be, it might be better to go first with your own name than with a medieval name that you don't even like.

Helpful links:
http://www.sca.org/heraldry/laurel/names.html
http://www.sca.org/heraldry/laurel/names/FinnishNamesArticle.htm
http://www.s-gabriel.org/names/

What should I wear?

Clothes (also known as garb) are one of the most challenging but also one of the most interesting part when preparing for an event. Remember that you can always borrow. In short: put a bit more effort into your first outfit so that you don't have to do a new one soon again. Go for good quality wool and linen. Wool and linen are comfortable, warm and durable, and most of all they were also used in the Middle Ages. It is quite easy to make standard medieval garb even though you don't have much experience in making clothes or sewing. A simple tunic/dress solution is a very good solution and it will be suitable for most events.

Reconstructing history - Beginners
Good tips about e.g. materials for the first medieval garb.
Articles -> Beginners -> Your first Garb - Getting Started

Patterns: Marc Carlson's Some Clothing of the Middle Ages
Pages full of simple and medieval patterns.

What do I need in an event?

Besides the normal pajamas, toothbrush and other overnight things, you will need to bring your own dishes (or feast gear). These include at least a mug or a cup, a bowl, a knife and a spoon, which can be made of wood, glass, clay or metal, but they shouldn’t be the modern kind of kitchen cutlery. You get a bit of luxury when you take with you some extra plates, candles and a tablecloth. A white napkin and a discreet linen or cotton dishtowel are also useful, both for padding your dishes during transportation and for use at the event. Remember to take all the medication you may need during the weekend; for example if you get migraines when staying up late, do remember the medicine for it!

Remember at least these:

• things to eat with
• medieval clothing
• warm clothes
• overnight items like pajamas
• medication you may need

See also an article about careful packing.