University of Atlantia

Basic understanding of games, safety issues, and responsibilities when working with or near equestrians, credit for this class is 1/2 of requirement for getting ground crew authorization.

The sickle is a rather small, curved bladed tool used for cutting grain throughout human history, even to modern times. Sometimes, though, you just needed to kill a man and that sickle was the tool you had to do it with. Paulus Hector Mair's Arte Athletica laid out the system of sickle combat taught in German schools: a brutal, close quarters fight that included ripping off arms, breaking limbs, and throwing opponents to the ground when all else failed, and also occasionally using the sickle. We'll go over the basics of the system, including how to practice the plays safely so you and your friends can study the Sichelfecht as well. Bring a mask, gorget, cup, and gloves (low-profile HMA gloves work, but full demi-gauntlets interfere with the techniques).

Branles are French dances from period. They are mostly easy and fun. Our source is Dance Master Arbeau, whose dance manual was written in 1589. This class is to be a mix of easy to moderate dances. I will teach War branle, Belle Qui, Branle Charlotte, Montard, and Scottish branle, . There will be more as time permits. Come try it out it will be fun.

Learn how to do the interweaving borders that you see on scrolls and clothing. No artistic ability required

A review of the branch seneschal’s office, duties, and responsibilities. Recommended for those considering becoming a Seneschal, new Seneschals, and any Seneschals who have not had 101 within the last year. Handouts will be provided. A notebook and pen recommended.

Overview of basic woodworking fundamentals – Why wood splits, types of wood used in period, period finishes, how to tell good stock from firewood.

An introduction to keeping bees. This course discusses hives, equipment, and a basic configuration to keep bees and harvesting honey.

""Incidental"" does not mean ""accidental"". This class will cover how to train for, and succeed at, combat at arm's length or closer. Note: Students will need fencing gear, including armor and their preferred weapons, and a reduced need for personal space.

This class is required for all new Marshal's that would like to become a MIT or for all current marshal's renewing their class dates.

The required class for all armored combat marshals.

Fiore di Liberi describes a system of combat for the late 1300s. Written in 1409, his manuscripts discuss a consistent set of combat principles which he applies to wrestling, dagger, swords, axes and spears. It has application to armored, rapier, cut and thrust, and even mounted combat within the SCA. This course will provide a basic introduction to Fiore's system using primarily longswords. Current Fiore reference material will be discussed and some slow, unarmored, combat moves will be demonstrated. Students are encouraged to bring an appropriate rattan, metal, or waster longsword. The instructor will have a few extra available for use.

Many 15th century Italian balli from the manuscripts of Cornazano, Domenico and Guglielmo feature a follow-the-leader style of movement, where partners or groups of three imitate each others steps and movements. We will practice three such dances: Belfiore, Petit Riens, and Amoroso. No partner needed, no experience needed, children are welcome.

We will discuss using different shades and highlights to paint draperies, mixing different shades of the same color, and we will discuss using color theory to make shades more subtle and highlights more effective. Students will be provided a paint-sheet, palette with pre-selected paint colors, and brushes. Class Fee will cover a handout, paint, palette, and brushes. Students will be able to take their palette of paints home with them.

This class explores the methods of selecting, preparing, and curing feathers in preparation to cutting a quill. It includes instructions on how to make quill-making tools and a demonstration of preparing, curing, and cutting a feather. Participants will receive a handout on the proper way to cut a quill, complete with safety instructions. Participants are encouraged to bring in feathers of their own for discussion. This class is designed for the intermediate scribe, but all are welcome.

This course will cover Baronial Pollings, to include Pollings of Confidence. Also, an overview of Kingdom Law and Policy (and Corpora) regarding Sanctions and Grievances. If time allows, we will use this time to cover questions, discuss issues and get advice from your fellow Seneschals. Recommended for Baronial Seneschals or those interested in becoming a Baronial Seneschal. Handouts provided.

This class will introduce the student to the types of embroidery and uses of it in period. Then will discuss modern materials used to create a period effect.

This class will take participants through a simulation of making mead. We'll discuss the art of mead making while walking through the steps using fundamental theories and basic equipment. Participants must be 21 or older. ID required & checked prior to class beginning. No late arrivals.

Originally a project to help those with Middle Eastern personas know what was ok to enjoy and what wasn't, this became a fascinating walk through the long, cultured history of places with ancient human history. Based on the Compleat Anachronist #157, Intoxicating Beverages in the Middle East, we'll talk about the beginnings of intoxicating beverages as Europe knew them - wine, mead, beer, cordials, even koumiss and coffee! What we know of their history and their role in the Middle East. $1-2 donation for handouts welcome.

The required class for all combat field marshals.

Using English Country shorthand we will walk our way through the basics of Playford. From exploding squares to Sellinger's Round.

An introductory look into beginning archery. This class will cover proper equipment selection, proper form and practice and information for new archers wanting to join the ranks of Atlantian Archers.

What kind of competitions do we have? What do I need to know to organize, enter, and judge them? Information and instruction about the new Atlantian Judging Criteria will be emphasized.

A look at the common types of ways to join furniture used in period, with an emphasis on late period English furniture. Will cover strong and weak joints, drawboring and ways to maximize strength is joints.

A foray into some of what was "known" about brewing in mid-16th century Germany from two sources, going into the process, ingredients, and product. Familiarity with brewing techniques and terminology is helpful, but not required.

Thrones toppled, battles won, taxes set and evaded: based on Compleat Anachronist #141, this is a search for the earliest known meads in Europe (and a few related places). Did men make mead, or was it a woman's job? Was mead made at home, or commercially traded? Was there enough honey available to provide mead in any quantity? How did mead figure in religion (mostly Christianity, since that's most of the extant written record)? $1-2 donation for handouts welcome.

A full class on Fiore to fit SCA combat. Will focus on basic stance, the instabile posta for cut and thrust and several plays. All skill levels are encouraged to play. Students should bring long, two handed or hand and half blades with gloves. If time permits for practice of plays, armor may be required.

You have your bag of tricks, your go-to game, but it doesn't always work. How do you develop a game that's more than just those tricks? How do you go from hoping a particular attack works, to adapting your attacks to whatever the situation? It boils down to the fundamentals of combat: Measure, Line, and Tempo. We'll discuss their basic elements, how they apply to your fight, and how you can begin to transition from that bag of tricks to a true plan of attack that survives first contact with the enemy. Note: Bring your fencing gear AND your favorite trick to use in a tourney.

This class will cover the basics of medieval pigments, discuss how to use them safely and appropriately, along with a discussion of different binders. We will also have a hands-on section where students will mix their own paints, and learn how to tell when it is properly mixed. Class fee includes handout, gloves, dust mask, palette, brush, pigments, and gum Arabic binder. Students will leave with a palette of basic paint colors (terre vert, lead white, carbon black, ultramarine, alazarin crimson, and yellow ochre, and gold) to use for future projects.

Lecture on the style of white vine illumination as well as a hands on component. Students will be given masters to look at and use to create their own work.

The discipline specific required training class for rapier MITs or for rapier marshals wishing to satisfy their every 3 years training update. Learn the process of becoming a rapier marshal, recent and upcoming rules changes, and get your marshaling questions answered.

Several of Playford's dances include heys where the dancers weave between or around each other. These Dances are fun to teach and fun to dance. Depending on time and number of students we will try out dances such as: Grimstock, Picking of Sticks, Merry Merry Milkmaids, Goddesses, or Parson's Farewell. No partner needed, no experience needed, children are welcome.

This class will show students how to get into fletching their own arrows. The class covers selection of proper arrows, tuning, design and finishing of wooden arrows.

You see it on melee fields all the time--the fighters who shore up lines, who look formidable, who intimidate and manipulate their opponents regardless of their own ability with a blade. Put a knight in a rapier mask, hide his white belt, and plunk him down on a rapier field and he still walks like he owns the place, and opponents react accordingly. How does that happen? This class will help you step up your melee game, not through improving swordwork, but through psychology. Learn those little tricks of body language and tactics that can give fighters (especially new ones) an edge. The goal is not only to allow you to play Jedi mind tricks on others on the melee field, but also to help you recognize when those tricks are being played on you and how to resist. Note: Students should bring masks and weapons. We won't be fencing, but the masks and weapons are important props.

This class is the basic required class to become a warranted chatelain. Anyone who is interested in working with newcomers is welcome; whether they want to be warranted or not.

This hands-on class will cover how to make a stitchbook, how it was used in Elizabethan England, and ideas for using it in the Society.

A look at the "tasting notes" on the beers of mid 16th century Germany, from two period sources. Some knowledge of brewing and beer styles, both period and modern, is helpful but not required.

So your balance is solid, you can move swiftly, and you can lunge... what else is there? This class will cover aspects of footwork and positioning that go beyond balance and agility. Note: Students will need a mask and their preferred weapons.

We will go through Parsons Farewell and Nonesuch, 2 of the dances that never get taught during a ball as they take too long but are actually not too hard once you get the patterns broken down and practice them a few times. If a few more people learn them we can do them at events.

Combat Archery Marshal class. Required to become a CA Marshal.

Building simplified target arrows with common medieval features for authenticity at events. Covers self-nocks, nock reinforcement, whipped fletching, points and more. Prior arrow-making experience is recommended, but everyone is welcome.

The tips and tricks of how to be a better Chatelaine. Q&A and group discussion.

This course will cover the fundamentals of all-grain beer making. During the simulation, discussion will concentrate on beer making theory and procedure with practice using brewing equipment and ingredients.

An innocent etymology on casks and kegging is turning into a trade standards tome. How were professional mash tuns made? If you want to redact a medieval recipe, how do English units compare to Imperial units or American units? How did wine make it into the Magna Carta? Quaint words are quantifiable. A review of what I've found so far about trade in mead, wine and beer (and other liquids) based on researching the names of the vessels they were sold in. Based mostly on English research, there are references to a few European (and classical) standards for comparison. $1-2 donation for handouts welcome.

We will discuss briefly the world of di Grassi in a lecture setting, moving directly into a hands on class where student will be demonstrated the technique then perform it with the ultimate goal being accomplished: a basic SCA civilian cut thrust use of this period form. Note: Participants should bring their rapier kit.

Are you scared of using real gold on your artwork? This is the class for you! Come learn five different methods of applying flat gold to your scrolls. We will practice with parchment and patent gold -- no need to bring your own supplies. This class is designed for scribes and artists of every skill level.

A practical section will introduce the following basic stitches: Tent Stitch in silk, Reverse Chain using silk, metal and Gilt Silk Twist and the 4 legged spider using metal thread.The class comes with a printed handout and kit to practice stitches. Please bring your own embroidery hoop and scissors if you have them. Loaners are available if not.

This class will start with the basics of distance and timing (or measure and tempo). The class will discuss different styles or ""games"" that the student may face or use and strategies for identifying timing attack opportunities. It will then expand to describe a strategy for controlling measure and timing where the fencer analyses their opponent's movements and attacks when their opponent has committed to an action such that they will momentarily be unable to respond to the fencers attack.

To teach dance you need the will to teach, the steps, the music, and the ability to call the steps before they need them. Bring your will and we will give you a two page cheat sheet with 30 odd dances in shorthand and two CD’d with music for 60 dances done in the SCA. We will give each of you a chance to practice calling a dance you know and we will work on how to teach basic steps and heys. If there is time we will hold a round table discussion on the Dance Academe and the teaching of dance in Atlantia. Do come we need more teachers.

This class will be geared towards beginning to intermediate calligraphers who have attempted calligraphy before, and would like to have specific suggestions about how to improve their work. Students will be asked to bring an anonymous sample of calligraphy (a couple of sentences only), and as a group, we will study common mistakes, learn to identify problems, and how to correct them. This is intended to be a constructive and helpful session because calligraphy is an art of fine nuance, and sometimes it can be difficult to know how to correct problems. Please bring the calligraphy supplies you commonly use, but pens with nibs, paper, and ink will be brought by the teacher. Class fee is for a handout.

The Principles of how to plan, prepare for, set up and run an archery tournament, which archers will want to come back for. Covering different types of targets and shoots, how to make targets, and set up the shoots to safely maximum archer participation and enjoyment. Considerations: stationary and moving targets, safety zones, scoring, preparation, setup and marshaling.

Think archery is just picking up a bow and arrow and hitting the target. Learn the Science that goes into being an archer.

A discussion of mid-16th century German medicinal beers from two period sources. Will discuss the things being added to the beer, as well as why and how. Knowledge of brewing and/or herbal medicine is helpful, but not required.