kulture
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30.2005
6A THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Photos by Megan True
By Matt Erickson editor@kansan.com • Kansan correspondent
Knight's Tale
E very Thursday, Kasey Moomau dons a suit of armor, grabs a sword and engages in battles to the death or at least, to the mock death.
Moomau, Topeka freshman is a member of the Society for Creative Anachronism, a nonprofit organization devoted to the research and recreation of the period from 600-1600 A.D. in Europe, which encompasses the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.
"The catchphrase is 'the Middle Ages as it should have been,' minus the plagues and that kind of stuff," he said.
The Society for Creative Anachronism is a globe-spanning organization that is broken up into Kingdoms, which are further divided into individual chapters. The Shire of Crescent Moon chapter is based in Topeka. It is part of the Kingdom of Calontir, which covers Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Iowa and a part of Arkansas.
Each Thursday, Moomau has fighting practice in Topeka, where he and other Society members fight with mock swords, spears, axes, maces and bows and arrows while wearing armor.
"It's an interesting fact to note that the Society has the largest non-projectile weapon wielding private army in the United States," Moomau said. "The FBI once, before I was born, actually had us red-flagged as a potential threat."
Moomau himself is train
ing to become a marshal, or a referee who makes sure people remain safe in battle; however, he said participants usually played by the rules on their own accord, in keeping with the ideals valued in Medieval times. No officials decide the results of battles. If a fighter is struck with a blow that would be fatal if real weapons were used, he admits defeat.
"There's a really heavy emphasis on chivalry, honor, all the things we idealize about the Middle Ages," Moomau said. "People are very honorable."
Battling is just one aspect of the Society's recreation of pre-17th century Europe — members conduct research in many other arts and sciences and put them into practice.
"We have found that the best way to learn is by doing," said Kyle Pelton, the Seneschal, or president, of the Shire of Crescent Moon.
"The Society is organized similar to the Middle Ages, with kings and queens, kingdoms, royal courts, feasts, swords and combat, archery, calligraphy, embroidery," and much more.
Moomau is currently conducting research on medieval cooking, and in the past he has worked on learning calligraphy and the art of illumination.
["Mooaum] is very eager to apply what he's learned," Pelton said. "He is quick to offer assistance if someone, or the group, needs help. More interestingly, he has really latched onto the chivalric ideal that we in the SCA try to emulate and applied it to his everyday life."
In the Society, Moomau has found a wealth or things: camaraderie, knowledge and challenge. He plans to continue to be involved in the Society for the rest of his life.
"I've certainly learned a lot about a number of things," he said. "People, most of all. You get to be around a great variety of people."
Pelton said the SCA could provide an enriching experience for other young people. He said people interested in the Society could come to a local gathering to get more information.
"Not only would you get a chance to learn hands-on about a part of history, but you experience a feeling of honor, chivalry and family," Pelton said. "In the SCA, a person comes to understand and realize how important it is to be true to yourself and right — to live with honor. By studying the past, we can live better in the present and prepare for the future."
Local chapters can be found from the Society's Web site, SCA.org.
- Edited by Patrick Ross
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