j^asc, i ne dai.xa.iion _ Friday, October 21, 1983 5 Group creates ‘shire’ of the past by Clara N. Hurter Battalion reporter In the kingdom of Ansteorra, there is a small town called "the Shadowlands” where dwell many fair folk of gentle birth who participate in feasts, quests, politics, fighting and fin al exams. Not a scene from an Arthu rian tale, but a 1983 scene at Texas A&M, where students in terested in medieval times have joined the Society for Creative Anachronism. Ron Robertson, seneschal (president) of the A&M SCA, says students who are drawn to the society are usually in terested in history and fun. Society members research a personality from the middle ages and try to recreate and live the personality they've chosen. "Personalities chosen range from barbarians to American In dian, but most come from Welsh lords and ladies during the medieval ages," he says. Robertson's own personality is Lord Doyel Mor Ser, which stands for "dark stranger of the sea stars." When he's at society activities, Robertson, like other members, uses his society name. To have a society name, a member must apply to the na tional organization. Members can have several alternative names, but only one official name within the society. SCA is a nationwide, non profit organization that origin ated at Berkeley, Calif., in 1966. Members range in age from tod dler to grandparent. The idea for the Texas A&M SCA originated in 1977 at a Fourth of July party when mem bers of Cephied Variable, a stu- The idea for the Texas A&M SCA originated in 1977 at a Fourth of July party when mem bers of Cephied Vari able,, a students' scien ce fiction organiza tion, decided to start a "shire." dents' science fiction organiza tion, decided to start a "shire." "The society had been going on in Houston and Austin and we thought it would be fun to start up a shire here at College Station," Robertson says. The national society is orga nized into principalities, baro nies and shires. A "principality" is a geographical area, ruled by a "prince," that can become a kingdom. The Texas A&M shire, known as the Shadowlands, is a part of the kingdom of Ansteorra. Twenty-five active members and around 60 members have joined the SCA. "We decided to call ourselves the Shadowlands because we were surrounded or shadowed by the Stargate (Houston), BrynGwlad (Austin), Bjornes- Broadway show begins Sunday Linda Ronstadt did it. Then Andy Gibb did it. Now Maria Muldaur is doing it, on the road. What all three of these peo ple have done is perform roles in the Broadway hit, "The Pi rates of Penzance." Although "Pirates" was first performed over 50 years ago, it was re vived just two seasons ago and ended its successful run of performances with three Tony awards. The biggest change in this version is its score. Whereas the original libretto by Gilbert Albums- (continued from page 4) knew I was in for trouble. I was right. The first single, "Mama," is perhaps a little overzealous in its use of drum programming, but it is really a very adequate start to the album. "That's All" is a good midtempo track which is very reminiscent of the most re cent Alan Parsons Project mate rial. Genesis functions quite well without the Phenix Homs of Earth, Wind, and Fire that and Sullivan was light operet ta, the 1980s rendition is set to rock music. That's why peo ple like Linda Ronstadt and Maria Muldaur were asked to hit the Broadway stage for this swashbuckling adventure. "The Pirates of Penzance" will be staged in the Rudder Auditorium Sunday and Monday at 8 p.m. each night. "Pirates" is the first perform ance this year in MSC Tow- nhall's Broadway series. Tick ets for both performances are on sale at the MSC Box Office. added so much to Abacab. But after these two singles, little else is new on this album. A couple of mellow numbers on the back side are enjoyable but not at all comparable to the level of quality that the group is cap able of producing. Reviews by Cary Stegall. Albums provided by Hast ings Books and Records. burg (San Antonio), and Step pes (Dallas) baronies," Deputy Herald Ruth White says. Robertson says the shire is applying for a baronship but the national organization has been reluctant to grant it. "They look at us as a bunch of transients," Robertson says. "Most of our members are here for up to four years but then they graduate and move elsewhere." Robertson says only three of the original members still are in the shire. Members of the shire come from a variety of majors and clas sifications and have varied in terests, he says. "We get a lot of military peo ple because of the fighting aspect of the society," Robert son says. "We also attract peo ple interested in the ancient ways of sewing, vinting (wine making), brewing (ale and stout) and the ancient sciences (stargazing)." Some members of the shire work at the Texas Renaissance Festival in Magnolia. They do it to raise money for the shire and to gain experience, Robertson says. Working at the Renaissance Festival and participating in other fairs around the state can help a member earn his or her title. Titles, such as knights and laurels, are earned through ser vice in the society, he says. The Shadowlands has a num ber of guilds — societies of mer chants or artisans — ranging from the Heavy Weapons Guild and Swashbuckler's Guild, where members fight with rat tan weapons and homemade armor, to the Stargazing Guild, where members study the heavens on clear nights and dis cuss how ancient astrologers in terpreted the stars. The Shadowlanders will cele brate Martinmas day, named af ter Saint Martin, on Nov. 12 and 13. Martinmas day activities will begin at 1 p.m. at the Brazos County Arboretum and will in clude a quest, something like a treasure hunt. Other activities in clude workshops on dance and chain mail making, a feast with scattered entertainment, and a wine and ale competition. The feast will be held at the quonset huts. Nov. 13 activities will be gin at 10:30 a.m. with a fighter's seminar (heavy weapons and swashbuckling) and later there will be more dancing and work shops. the Shadowlands usually has two or three big events a year depending on the funds, Robert son says. At the events and even at monthly meetings some mem bers dress up in the costumes of their characters. Robertson says the best way to emulate the medieval lifestyle is to recreate and live it. White, known as Lady Aleana Seroggroydd, suggests that medieval life wasn't as easy as depicted by Hollywood. "It's not like an Errol Flynn movie," Robertson says. Arbus Bacon Lovers, rejoice! Arby’s® New Bac’n Cheddar Deluxe. 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