Hail ye days and knights of olde ...

Press, 27 September 1988, Page 7

Hail ye days and knights of olde ...

By

DAVE WILSON

In late 1988 a Christchurch group is preparing to welcome a king from the Middle Ages, who rules a Celtic kingdom, but happens to live in Los Angeles. Sir Brion Thornbird’s visit in three weeks will be accompanied by much medieval feasting, some fighting and a great deal of dancing — all of it meticulously researched and recreated by the Society for Creative Anachronism. Richard Timpson, a member of the local group, admits it sounds a little bizarre, modern-day people playing out the lives of folk between 600 and 1600. “Of course it’s weird, but it’s a lot of fun.” Mr Timpson, or Richard of The Lakes, to give him his society name, says the recreation of history means more than heading off on a crusade or enjoying a knees-up in the castle.

“It’s a lot of fun but you also have to be a researcher, to study the period and recreate it” The Christchurch branch of the S.C.A. has been running for several years but until now has maintained a quiet profile. However, the visit of Sir Brion Thornbird, ruler of the Kingdom of Caid, will change that. As in medieval times, and still today, you have to be a pretty good all-rounder to become a King. “To be knighted, under the society rules, you must be a good fighter, a good dancer, have a reasonable knowledge of arts and sciences and obey the medieval rules of chivalry,” said Mr Timpson. I Damsel rescuing, quests for Holy Grails and knocking off the odd Saracen horde or two are distinct career advantages. Yet Mr Timpson discounts his own chances of being knighted. “I am

interested in the science of the ages, rather than the weaponry. It’s really interesting because if you want to make paper and ink you have to reinvent it, using the old methods.” In the world as the members of the Society for Creative Anachronism recognise it, there are seven kingdoms; Australia is a principality and New Zealand is a shire. Bankers, science fiction writers, company managers and “mere mortals” help swell the ranks of the S.C.A. which, internationally, stemmed from a medieval costume theme at a birthday party in the United States 21 years ago. Strict rules apply to the recreation and use of medieval weapons. “Weapons are not made of steel. They are made of bamboo-like material and stringent safety rules are enforced during demonstrations of this equipment. You can’t just go out and bash people with them.”

While some members specialise in the study of ancient weapons, as many more are dedicated to recreating medieval needlepoint skills, or traditional dancing and singing. Mr Timpson acknowledges that recreating medieval times has a number of advantages over actually living way back then. “You can recreate the better bits and ignore things like the plague, poor medical facilities and so on,” he said. Brian Price, better known within the S.C.A. as Sir Brion Thornbird, will be suitably feted by his Christchurch kinspeople, and a special medieval feast is being organised. But it will differ in one respect from the Medieval nosh-ups of yore. There won’t be big hungry dogs roaming around for morsels under the tables. Ye healthe inspectors of 1988 frown on such activities.