Monday, September 5, 2011

New Known World Handbook

Garith and I just got our new copy of the Known World Handbook.

The handbook has been given a complete overhaul from the last edition. The cover is shiny and a quick flip through showed detailed illustrations for drafting garb patterns and actual pictures of different fighting stances. A closer look reveals careful organization and thought.

The new cartoons are cute, but I really miss the old ones. You know you've been in the SCA a long time if you hear "Carthagenian war elephant" and automatically respond "needs more duct tape."

The costuming section is very detailed. There are a number of different illustrations for making the trusty t-tunic and circle cloaks. The editors also included directions on how to make different styles of neckline (and how to finish those) as well as viking dresses and Irish style dresses. One of the best features is the section on how to take your measurements to ensure a proper fit. Attention was even paid to head wear in this edition.

The other chapters with lots of great new info is armouring, fight preparation, and chivalric arts. Descriptions of how to get started include not just concepts like "buy ye some armor and go to fighter practice," but better recommendations like "The one thing you don't want to do is buy armor without trying it on first" and "Your helm is your best friend...PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, do not skimp here." There are directions on how to make a gorget, demi-gauntlets, lamellar, shields of different shapes, and more. The chivalric arts section describes techniques and includes pictures of a gentle taking different stances and follow through positions.

What I found lacking is the arts & sciences chapter. There first five pages are dedicated to research, documentation, and why you should want to enter your creations into competitions and exhibitions. You even find out about how work is judged and how to get involved in judging. There isn't much to inspire creativity. A couple pages on dance are provided. Other activities are skimmed over in just a few paragraphs like singing, poetry, storytelling, music and jest. There are directions for a couple games. The descriptions are dry and there aren't any instructions to get started in any of the crafts.

Those types of articles have apparently been replaced with brief descriptions of "additional past times" in that new chapter. I was reminded that we have activities like hound coursing, equestrian games,and jousting. Thrown weapons and archery are given attention in this edition of the handbook.

The SCA does need to promote the educational opportunities available to us. However, I would have preferred to be given projects that don't need much guidance to get excited about learning, instead of the somewhat daunting need to get involved in displaying my work that I don't know how to do yet. Overall, the new Known World Handbook does what it needs to do for newcomers. The history, descriptions of clothing and chivalry give a wonderful glimpse into the dream.

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