University of Atlantia

This class is a primer for Chinese garb. If you are just beginning or haven't even started on the Chinese garb/clothing history research/sewing path this is for you!

Feasting to build community occurred in central southern Britain during the Middle Iron Age, while feasting to create differences and express social status occurred in southeastern Britain during the late Iron Age. Dialing in your time and location will help determine what foods you might choose to serve at your feast, what dishes you might want to serve them in, and add depth to your understanding of the social context for feasting. This class will examine: a) classical texts, Medieval Irish myths, and Iron Age funerary practices related to feasting; b) archaeological food evidence with an emphasis on grains and animal remains; and c) material culture, with brief discussions of cauldrons, drinking horns, ceramics, and wood artifacts. This class will not be recorded.

New and improved class on the history of signs, gestures and ASL.

Going over broom production in England and Europe with visual images of archeological finds and brooms represented in art throughout the Middle Ages.

Organizing an event, large or small, benefits a great deal when considered using project management(PM) methods. This class will introduce planning methodology from the Institute of Project Managers, and include access to many tools used by the instructors to put PM to work in planning SCA events.

I will show all the elements of a Heraldic Achievements, and the process my wife and I go through for designing one through the eye of an artisan for our customers. *Class can be recorded.

This class is an introduction to finding performance materials through your local library and online archival sources. Preference will be given to free or low cost options.

As the Silk Road wound its way across Asia, dozens of cities grew up alongside it. Filled with wealth and splendor, they soared to incredible heights, only to disappear. Some are buried beneath desert sands, others are stranded on lonely mountain tops. We will travel along this fabled route, visiting some of the most spectacular sites.

Learn the lively 16th Century Italian dance Gracca Amorosa. The steps will be taught for beginners and no partner is needed. A popular cascarda, it’s particularly well suited for dancing in a small space. This class will not be recorded.

Required class to become an Atlantian Equestrian Marshal. Refresher class (or Unevent meeting) attendance required every 2 years to maintain warrant. Students shall have read the Atlantian Book of the Horse (go to https://cavalry.atlantia.sca.org/policy/) prior to the class.

This is a two hour class. The first hour is on where expenses go into the quarterly forms and what documentation is required for filing. The second hour of the class will be question and answer time for anyone who needs help with the forms.

This class is meant as a primer to any Japanese Garb activity: either sewing, approaching, planning, or researching. A perfect class for beginners!

Tea throughout Chinese history was used as medicine (directly or indirectly to prepare other ingredients), or as beverage. It was served in multitude of styles - as a thick beverage with milk and meat during the early period, to the exquisite, flavored teas during Song Dynasty period (960 - 1279) though it was not our Earl Grey. I will discuss the various uses of tea and the proper way to prepare the flavored tea. This class will not be recorded

We'll talk about what diversity, equity, and inclusion truly are, and then discuss the basics of privilege, unconscious bias, and microaggressions - all in the context of the SCA. There should be time for questions. This class will be recorded.

One of the first questions asked when meeting new people in the SCA is often, “And what is your persona?” In this class, we will explore a bit about what persona is, choosing a persona, how one builds and develops a persona, and various ways to bring persona into your everyday SCA. This class will not be recorded.

This will be a recorded class. It is a required warrant class. As the recorders of history, from the smallest shire to our glorious Kingdom, it is our duty and charge to bring the information, the whimsy, the knowledge to the populace. Whether as a deputy or lead chronicler, bringing the populace together to read and share is part of the fun. Come learn something new, refresh yourself or come with questions.

Heralds in the SCA can be many things. Book, voice, tourney, display, court . . . and no one . . . NO ONE . . . is expected to be good at all of it. Or even care about more than their specific nook. For many branch heralds, they hold the job only because someone has to. Many others who might be interested don't know where to look or who to ask to figure out this tangled part of the SCA. We'll discuss what heralds do in the SCA, how the Colleges work, and how to best learn the job. Bring your questions.

A primer class on Korean garb/historical clothing! Definitely take this class if you want to dip your feet into Korean historical eras other than Joseon, and want to have the tools and resources to plan projects on your own!

"Rule Ming Dynasty, Ming Dynasty rules the waves...." Wait! What do you mean the Chinese had the ability to conquer as widely as the British with their naval fleet 300 years before the Brits changed the face of the globe with imperialism? And what do you mean they chose not to?! Come learn about Admiral Zheng He and his mighty fleet of ships that sailed on diplomatic missions as far away from China as the East coast of Africa (where you can still find Ming pottery embedded in the walls of ruins today).

Looking at historical and archaeological evidence, a survey of archery in Ireland up to the mid-12th C will be undertaken. A synthesis of the two evidence types will then present an assessment of the use of archery in medieval Irish warfare. The Hiberno-Norse 'Ballinderry Bow' will be looked at in detail as it is perhaps the best preserved example of the bow in medieval Ireland.

A practical and scientific discussion of how to make milk into something that lasts longer than milk with a focus on home dairying, regionalization of cheese types, and historic challenges. This class will include practical home cheese-making instructions as well as information on milk types and composition, microbiology underpinning cheese making, and simple recipes.

How did the condition of a region's economy impact farming in that area? How did the condition of agriculture in a region impact the larger economy? We see merchants use availability of varied produce as a lure to attract investors and workers. We see innovations brought along trade routes fundamentally change farming practices. We'll take a broad overview of this complex topic to get just a taste of the co-dependence between merchant, farmer, and prince.

The phrase 'The Silk Road' may conjure romantic images of silk from China being carted by a single intrepid merchant across the wilds of Eurasia to end up in an Italian nobleman's coat. But the reality is even more dynamic, rich, and interesting than you might think. ••• Through art and archaeology, we'll use the modern research of diverse specialists and scholars to talk about the trading networks of raw materials, manufactured items, and culture which opened up and knitted together the world—the effects of which are even applicable in the present day. ••• The globalism of the premodern era was vast and deep. Join us to broaden your view. [This class will not be recorded.]

Coins from ancient Rome can lead us on a journey through time and space. They were the "social media" of their day. They can provide us with a historical record of the images of the emperors as well as tell us where people in the Roman world spent their money. Join us to learn how to read the inscriptions on Roman coins and explore what the coins can tell us about trade, travel & history. This session will be recorded.

In this class we will explore a series of photographs that have a more historical 'feel' to them and investigate why, despite the modern medium, they feel more like a medieval capture than other images. From 'in the moment' captures to staged photos, what touches on the library of our imagination, what brings stories to our mind and why? A nerdy look at photography, art and stories.

We will pay a visit to the Chrysokamino copper smelting site of the Middle Bronze Age period, located on the coast of eastern Crete. The workers there suffered from several health issues, including chronic arsenic poisoning, burns and pneumoconiosis. We will look at the medicinal preparations found on site and their potential therapeutic values. This class will not be recorded.

Introduction to the characters and history of 16th Century Italian Commedia dell' Arte, a theater style that was very popular in the later half of the 16th century. This class will be recorded.

Everyone has heard of Playford's English Country Dances. But did you know there's even earlier stuff? Come play with footwork and watch fun dances from the Old Measures and more. This class will not be recorded, however a YouTube playlist is available at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLeTthHbskB4jeaAVOHGRBP5JGCH7T6XPF.

This class touches upon two sets of intertwined issues: 1) How to find primary and secondary sources for research into historical Chinese clothing, how to evaluate the accuracy and appropriateness of these sources, and how to use them appropriately. 2) A very modern, very post-1600 problem; the pervasive and corrupting influence of the contemporary Hanfu Yundong (lit. Han Clothing Movement) on information available to a SCAdian who 1）only speaks English and 2) wishes to research and make historical Chinese clothing for SCA events. I’m going to go into post-1600 Chinese history because I need to talk about the historical and cultural contexts the Han clothing movement started from and evolved in. The point is: I want people to understand why legitimizing Han Clothing- Hanfu- as historical costuming is deeply problematic, especially within the Western and specifically, the Anglophone costuming world. For contextual information about the Hanfu Yundong, please peruse: https://www.ucpress.edu/book/9780520295506/the-great-han It's a bit of a dense read at times and I personally don't agree 100% with what Kevin has to say, but this is the best English-language resource on the Hanfu Yundong I could find for myself. If you're wondering. I am fluent in Mandarin and I have followed the progression of the Hanfu Yundong/Hanfu Movement for some years. This movement has, IMO essentially hijacked the concepts of "historical costuming" and "historical reenactment" in Mainland China It's probably going to hurt or undermine the emerging field of costume history over there as well. I plan to record the class.

The island archipelago nation of Ryukyu had reach and influence in East Asia that belied its small size. Learn about the Ryukyu Kingdom from pre-history to the end of the SCA period (and later) and explore some of the ways that this tiny maritime powerhouse connected China, Japan, Korea, and other nations in the East Asian Trade Sphere and beyond.

Do you want to serve your kingdom by supporting rapier combat? Are you a rapier marshal who wants to avoid warning emails that your warrant is about to expire? Do you just like the sound of my voice and want to listen to me talk? Then this is the class for you! Taking Rapier Marshal 101 is the first step towards becoming a warranted rapier marshal. WARRANT REQUIREMENT.

Putting together a feast in the SCA is huge undertaking but many hands make light work. Maybe being the head cook isn't for you (yet) but you would be interested in helping in the kitchen for feast. This class is for you! Learn some important cooking and safety tips as well as how you can be the best ever, amazing help in the kitchen whether you have 30 minutes to volunteer or the whole day.

This course is a survey of cryptography up to around 1650. We will review the history and evolution of cryptography in general and look at several novel (period structure and design but developed by me) cryptographic systems in-depth to provide a working understanding of how these ciphers are employed. This is a no math introductory class, with no prerequisites, which anyone with an interest in the science of period cryptography might find interesting. Update: once this class has been completed there will be an optional preview session concerning the ciphers used by Mary Queen of Scots.

Simon Spalding offers a beginner-friendly Introduction to Early Medieval Chess as played in Persia and along the Silk Road. Starting with Shahtranj, participants will learn the moves of the different pieces; then learn a system of playing with dice, a system used in Oblong Chess, which makes the game easier to learn and which levels the playing field for novices and experts. Not only the 8x8-cell Shahtranj board, but Oblong and "Byzantine" Chess, played on an oblong 16x4-cell board and a circular board respectively, will be covered. The class handouts include rules for play, as well as designs for the three different chess boards. Participants will get more out of the class if they attend with a chess set handy and set up; and even more if they print out the Oblong and Byzantine Chess boards.

This is a theory conversation class about the chemical processes happening in soap making. Why does it work? What’s really going on in there? This will focus more upon a modern understanding of the process involved rather than the medieval perspective. A very basic knowledge of soap making will be assumed, but the curious are welcome. Part of my Modern Alchemy series of classes.

This will be a brief overview of the history of stained glass windows; how they were made and how they changed. This will be more about technology and chemical composition, interconnected trade routes, reusing old pieces, and other such sundries, than about iconography and uses. This class will not be recorded.

Let's face it... the SCA is full of the most generous people... we simply love to give gifts. Come learn about general gifting (largesse) culture in the SCA, with the majority of the time being spent on tips for successful gifting of largesse of all kinds. If there is time, the floor will be opened for open discussion on kingdom differences and participants will be encouraged to show off their favourite largesse they have created or received. This session will be presented by one of the founders of the Fellowship of the Things, a non-geographical (society wide) Fellowship devoted to enabling people to both make all the things, and give all the things.

Learn where to start serving as a Minister of Arts and Sciences for your local SCA group. Class will cover the Handbook for MOASs, the resources available for MOASs, guidance on how to implement tasks and fulfill requirements, plus plenty of time for Q&A. Class will be recorded and published after University.

A discussion on the styles and trends from the 1490's to the end of the SCA period with some hints and techniques to create your own Venetian garb.