Re: [Mid] Re: sword wearing

In response to this:

<<I don't know about sumptuary laws, but a wise man said: "In the SCA, two
kinds of people wear swords--knights and geeks. Don't be a geek.">>

In a message dated 97-05-02 10:15:58 EDT, Purple said:
<< If you want to wear a sword, go ahead. You don't need an AoA. You don't
even >>

Being a sort-of libertarian (at least at this level) I must agree, at least
in theory. However (and Aelfred and I differ somewhat on this) I think it
looks geeky for a person [regardless of gender] who does not sport the
persona of some-sort-of-warrior [not a "knight"] to wear a sword, or any
other large steel.

I have seen men in scholar's garb, or generic-peasant garb, etc., with
broadswords. The persona they exhibit would never have worn one. And
"clerics" (okay, okay, dudes with brown hooded robes, belted with rope --
looks like a monk, walks like a monk...) certainly can't. Remember your
_Ivanhoe_ if not any more legit research: churchmen were not allowed "to
spill blood", but this didn't count the blunt trauma that a *real* mace would
inflict.....

I have seen women in "dancer's garb" with a sword strapped on as if for
battle [i.e., not a "dance sword" which is entirely another thing]. Or
ladies in wispy [fantasy-esque 13th Century, I think] kirtles lugging some
muckin' great 19th C. kukri dagger about.

*My* snobbery, if I'm going to have some, is cultural: wear the cutlery your
persona would have, and leave the rest of the pretties at home. If you bring
'em along, consider them Odd Treasures -- keep them with your gear to show
off privately to friends.

....Or work up an "alternate persona" -- or at least a complete set of garb
-- to accessorize the steel. [On a sort-of side note, I date Aelfred's
entire interest in late-period culture to when he bought a "cavalier sword"
and matching dagger [of course!] at Pennsic almost ten years ago. "Now I
have to see about getting clothes to wear with 'em!" he chortled.

Sonya of Prague [who doesn't ordinarily carry more than a swiss army knife
(tm). "Dammit, Jim, I'm a Hordesman, not a Sikh!"]
From: AndreAllen@aol.com
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Received on Thu May 8 02:36:08 1997