University of Atlantia

A look at the public opinion of professional actors in period, and what had to be done to earn respect while earning a living.

The title of this class pretty much says it all; I'll share examples of some different tools including felling, hewing, and carving axes, drawknife, froe, spoon bit, etc. and considerations when searching for hand tools like these on the used market (as there were relatively few changes from early period through the mid-19th century). I'll share my thoughts on several books that have useful pictures of historical tools for specific purposes like coopering or that depict historical finds in wood. I'll talk about what I've learned so far about working green wood, including harvesting considerations and air drying, and suggest a few ideas for good beginner-level projects that make use of our forest resources in period ways.

An overview of the developments that created and affected the Younger Futhark rune row from 725 to 1600. We'll start with the linguistic developments that created the transitional runes of the Ribe cranium, explain why some medieval and manuscript runes have dots, and end with the early modern runes of the Old Swedish Rune Poem.

The Atlantian Armored and Rapier command groups will review of the armored and rapier war points at Pennsic 52 with observations and lessons learned. Each battle will be reviewed at a high level, used as a case study to discuss/teach melee concepts, strategies, tactics, and individual skills. Experience and/or familiarity with armored and/or rapier melee combat is optimal, but not a prerequisite. All are welcome!

Learn about conical hats from central Europe dating from the Late Hallstatt to Early La Tène periods. The class will present details about the extant hat finds and describe methods for recreating them. In addition, co-teacher Brogan of Tuatha de Bhriain will describe how to make the metal stamps used to impress decorative designs on the bark.

Students should have their own brushes. It is recommended that students have Winsdor Newton Bleed Proof White. Bristol paper, mixed media paper can be used. Perg works best. Have brushes, water cup and Windsor Newton bleed proof white paint.

A “how to” on appreciating the theatrical shenanigans of Commedia dell’Arte from an audience member’s point of view.

In this class we will learn that meteorology had been of interest as a scientific field for over 2000 years but the ability to predict weather still relied on long memories, local sayings, seasons of the year and "what does today look like?". We will look at and name clouds and learn what those clouds predicted for the coming day's weather.

What happens to a registered item when its owner passes away? Who owns them? How does the College of Arms handle conflicts? How do I ensure I have control over my armory? Get the answers to these questions and more in this class.

In the 13th-16th centuries in western Europe, prayer beads were a ubiquitous accessory. This class discusses the history and development of the paternoster, as well as information on making your own replica.

The class will look at faceted beads and stones, cameos, sequins/spangles and wire wrapped beads, how they were made, a little bit of their history and the differences between period and modern technique.

This class aims to explore ways of interpreting single figure art sources to inform, design, and implement SCA garb. It follows a series of case studies from one artisan’s closet and the attempts to create specific outfits from figures in paintings and drawings for practical use as garb. This class will cover the challenges of single figure art inspiration for garb, learnings from each of those projects, and tools to better enable garb-makers of all kinds to grow their confidence in the use of visual resources for garb making. This class will be recorded.

Ever wonder where people find medieval names? How those cool shields and banners are designed? Why are those people wearing funny capes over their clothes and yelling? Ever wanted to join us? Come learn about the various facets of heraldry within the SCA, particularly Atlantia. All ages welcome. Class will not be recorded.

Class appropriate for all ages Introduction to the use of batons and staves by heralds in period (mostly England, France, and parts of the HRE) Examples shown from period manuscripts; Handouts on constructing your own herald's baton. No prerequisite knowledge required.

Taught by Dame Sophia the Orange, OL Want to do theater in the SCA? Maybe even Commedia dell' Arte? Wondering how to start organizing it so you don't get crappy showtimes, empty seats in the audience, and step on toes of other SCAdians? The SCA is not built to naturally support theater arts, but it can be done with guidance on how to avoid the land mines. This class covers which job titles on event staff actually have the power to support theater arts, which officers, which elements of an SCA event design make it likely to support theater arts, and many more questions. Answers to these questions come from the 33 years I've spent learning the hard way what works and doesn't work producing performing arts in the SCA (Music, Bardic, Dance, Foolery, Shakespeare, Commedia, and more). Students in this class will have the opportunity to continue working with me over the next year to produce a capstone project of a performance at Pennsic 2026. Other SCA events for your capstone project can be considered. Signing up for ongoing mentoring is optional.

It wasn't all just cabbages, turnips, and parsnips that got you through the winter and early spring. Skirret, orach, nettles, and purslane, and a host of other things were a vital part of many period diets. What are the glume wheats, and why were they grown so widely and then abandoned? Let's take a tour of what people were eating in England and the low countries in early period times.

We'll discuss the origin and general content of the Regimen sanitatis Salernitanum. The Medieval regimen covers diet and hygiene for optimal health and balancing the humors, as understood by the Salerno School of Medicine and later writers and translators. A basic understanding of the four humors is recommended but not required.

A brief introduction to an assortment of interesting but less-known influential women from ancient North Africa.

This lecture will discuss the ways in which 16th century Western Europeans interacted with a spectrum of martial behaviors from sport combat to open warfare. These behaviors were intimately tied to and often explicitly driven by contemporary conceptualizations of masculinity. Leveraging modern scholarship on history, historical sociology, and historical legal practices, I will argue that rather than viewing sport and martial combat practices as distinct dichotomous categories, martial arts practitioners in the 16th century viewed these behaviors as linked ends of a contiguous spectrum of martiality joined by the shared dimension of enacted masculinity.

Overview of historical board games in period, with images of extant examples and a pdf handout with rules for play. Describes similarities and differences between common styles, and information about social circumstances of play. Games discussed will include Senet, the Royal Game of Ur, Backgammon ancestors, and early dice games, among others.

This is a virtual forum style class intended to bring scribes and wordsmiths together from different kingdoms to explore the requirements and expectations of award documents in kingdoms across the Knowne World. Using my handout from Wordsmithing 101 as a starting point and framework, we'll dive into the various requirements of the East Kingdom and see how these customs compare to other Kingdoms. This class is expected to run 90 minutes, but could take the full two hours, depending on how many scribes from different Kingdoms join us to share their input. Participants are encouraged to include their Kingdom in their name when they join so that we can get an idea of where everyone is presenting from. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ODGGZ_4dx8uK74EUzrYglemMSeq2L2U-tBtZP2AqgR0/edit?usp=sharing

SCORES and how to run Gate and how to fill out the necessary forms during and after the event. This course is required to obtain an Exchequer's Warrant.

Essentials of being a Chronicler for your local Barony or Shire, Canton or College. Required to become a warranted Chronicler in the Kingdom of Atlantia.

In partnership with the Judging classes produced by the Atlantia Judging Focus Group members Mistress Jorunn and Baroness Cynthia, this class lays out what to expect when judging an A&S Competition and when participating as a competitor. Both logistical and emotional aspects of competition are included in this class. The Judging classes produced by Mistress Jorunn, OL and Baroness Cynthia of Silver Lakes, OL show students how to use a rubric to judge entries. This class helps prepare students for their judging classes.

The Black Death swept throughout Europe, Asia, and the Middle East in the mid-14th century, changing the medieval world dramatically. This presentation is an introduction to that plague with a focus on the Italian States. Among topics explored will be everyday life, public health, and some of the ways in which the medieval world reacted to this crisis. Content warning: Due to the nature of this topic and the period sources of the time, there will be some graphic depictions of illness/pandemic, violence, and death (including youth).

This class is an exploration of the life and accomplishments of Galileo Galilei.

With the advent of the printing press came the first tabloids. The broadsides were full of lurid tales of murder, adultery, and deviance which captivated the Elizabethans. This fascination with crime expressed itself in emergent forms of art and entertainment, including morbid ballads and "ripped from the broadsides" dramas on the Elizabethan stage.

An overview of Chinese Missile Weapons in period times. Spears, bows, darts, thrown weapons, gunpowder driven arms, and siege weapons. And apparently, lots of poison.