Persona Points for Newcomers

By HL Rycheza z Polska

Every member of the Society for Creative Anachronisms constructs an alter ego called a persona. It is this persona who is a member of the Medieval Society we construct within the SCA.  Personas are people who could have lived in the Middle Ages.   Some members never develop their persona past the basics of  a name and something appropriate to wear even after decades in the SCA. Others delve so deeply into the place and times of their persona that they do not speak of modern matters like that new computer program while in persona.  Most people fall somewhere in the middle, researching and developing those aspects of their persona that most interests them or suits their current life situation.  How much you develop your persona is up to you. At a minimum you will need a name and appropriate clothing.  Beyond that, everything is gravy. 

Your persona is someone who could have lived within SCA period (approximately 600 AD - 1600 AD, with some leeway on either side), within or in direct contact with Western Civilization and was a member of the noble class. There are exceptions, like our own former Baroness, who is a visitor from Japan, but generally these parameters apply to all. Aside from these, there are no limits on what time period or culture you choose for your persona.  Blond, blue-eyed people can be Moors, people of Asian ancestry may be Franks and descendants of Africans can be Vikings. You can even create a persona of the opposite gender.

There are several very practical considerations you should take into account as you choose a persona.  Every persona needs to dress the part. Will you be comfortable in hoops or tights or are you happier in loose clothing?  Do you prefer form-fitting garments over shape concealing outfits? Are your sewing skills up to the task or can you find someone to custom tailor you? Even the cost of garb can be a legitimate concern. Many people also maintain garb from different periods or cultures than their own for specific jobs, such as gritty camp chores, or conditions like a scorching afternoon, or just because they really like it. Costumers, in particular, often have an outfit for every century.

How difficult will it be to research your persona? General views of many cultures are readily available, but some may require more digging for even the most rudimentary re-creation.  Even if you can easily get general resources you may find that a deeper analysis requires access to foreign language publications or rare books. Will your interest in the culture sustain on-going research?  Or will a few swaths of fabric and a period name satisfy you.

 Many people choose  a persona based on what they want to do in the SCA.  What kind of things do you like to do? If you have to fight, it may be better to pick a warrior persona rather than a monk.  If you like archery, a Welsh or Anglo-Saxon persona may be the ticket. 

Your choice of persona, however, does not put any limits on what you can do within the society.  A Norseman can cook a Renaissance feast or do embroidery. The pampered daughter of an Elizabethan noble can take to the war field as a water bearer or fighter.  Either can serve as the branch marshal or exchequer.  Most people concoct a persona story that can explain why they participate in various activities, even things that might be unusual.  Perhaps the Elizabethan lady grew up in the wilds of Scotland and had to learn to defend her castle herself or the Norseman was so dazzled by church vestments he pillaged that he learned to make them. Or they may be something even more fanciful.

Some people also use an alternate persona to pursue activities that their main persona would not even have recognized. Sven the Godlike might be a terror on the warfield but he transforms into Richard of Tweedledum to indulge in his love of Morris dancing. You can even change your persona completely as your interests change.

While there are a vast array of choices, there are also a few things that are not appropriate.  You cannot belong to a fantasy race; no hobbits, elves, Klingons or vampires. Save those for Sci-fi conventions or that fancy dress party. (There are other groups that play these types.)  You cannot be an actual person who lived in period; you cannot be Lancelot du Lac or Richard the Third.  You cannot claim titles or equivalents for your persona that you have not been awarded within the society. Only a man who was once king can call themselves an Earl. (Our heralds can more fully explain titles and awards.)

Finally, do not let your persona or lack of one keep you from enjoying the Society. Most people take years to really develop a persona and, like real people, personas can change over time. Feel free to ask people about their personas; they will be delighted to expound.  Ask all sorts of questions from 'where'd you get those nifty shoes' to 'can you recommend a book on the subject'.  

Copyright 2002 Laura J. Henson, Posted here July 2, 2012

Return to Articles