To Black Watch or not to Black Watch?

[Zardoz]

Darn you Zardoz!

Be careful old man--I'm YOUR age Hmmm... Texas ren faire....wonder if they have highland games there--possible reason to check things out?

.

Always Happy to enable! http://www.texrenfest.com/pdf/Highland.pdf

[Zardoz]

This was in my Reniassance Magazine that came today, I thought it would appy here, a little explanation of faire garb and it's correct era etc..;

[Mike_Oettle]

Todd, as a historian myself, I see where you are coming from.
But I think Zardoz has laid enough emphasis on the fun aspect of Ren Faires, and I reckon we could get more profitable mileage out of Geoff Withnell’s idea.
Not that I think the collective ought to be “a tattle of tartans”, but it’s an idea to play around with. And perhaps it will find favour with the rest of the forum.
As for actually wearing Black Watch – not my scene, either.
My regimental tartan (Graham of Montrose) is one of a string of clan tartans derived from Black Watch, and I would much rather wear something altogether different.
Regards,
Mike

[Geoff Withnell]

So there I was, at my first Ren Fair kilted (Maryland's), feeling on top of the world. Beer in hand, watching the Rogues, playing I believe "Guiness Dog". On the right side of the stage is a beautiful colleen, green tartan skirt, ruffled white blouse, long red hair, dancing in traditional Celtic style. On the left, an equally beautiful dark haired beauty, in what can only be described as a chain mail bikini and harem pajamas, doing a belly dance. History as it should have been.

Somehow, historicity was not one of my concerns.


Geoff Withnell

[Jordan]

So there I was, at my first Ren Fair kilted (Maryland's), feeling on top of the world. Beer in hand, watching the Rogues, playing I believe "Guiness Dog". On the right side of the stage is a beautiful colleen, green tartan skirt, ruffled white blouse, long red hair, dancing in traditional Celtic style. On the left, an equally beautiful dark haired beauty, in what can only be described as a chain mail bikini and harem pajamas, doing a belly dance. History as it should have been.

Somehow, historicity was not one of my concerns.


Geoff Withnell

I cant think why


Is historicity a word?

[Geoff Withnell]

I cant think why


Is historicity a word?

historicityDefinition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Jump to: navigation, search
[edit] English[edit] Etymologyhistoric + -ity

[edit] Noun

1. The characteristic of having existed in history.

Geoff W.

[macwilkin]

I suppose my concerns do seem silly -- But I have dealt with the myths perpetuated at ren faires and civil war reenactments in the classroom and at national parks and historic sites. I've heard ren faire participants and civil war reenactors loudly proclaim to gathered spectators that what they are doing is 100% accurate, which of course, isn't possible. It's hard to say how many people actually take them at their word without ever cracking a book or taking a history class.

I'm all for folks having fun, but let's be honest and not hide under the cloak of historical accuracy.

Am I pedantic? I suppose I am, but I take the responsibilities of my chosen profession seriously.

T.

[Lallans]

I always thought it should be a 'tell' of tartans but I guess the 'tattle' term is more telling....

[Kreestahl]

It is my understanding that plaids were purchased from local weavers so it just depended on what the weaver could produce with their local dyes. A clan chief could have the financial ability to dictate colors but it would not be something "commanded" clanwide.

[Bob C]

I certainly hear what you are saying here Todd, but I'd hope that the average faire attendee would have already been prepared by their history teachers, or heavens forbid, their parents, to have the common sense to be able to tell fantasy from historical reality. I go to ren-faire to dress up and play, I can't be responsible if somebody goes to the Texas Ren-fest and looks at Cassidy and I here;

and comes away thinking "Oh that must be how folks dressed for Christmas in Tudor England" I would hope that maybe faires would stimulate some interest in history, but it's likely too late for some of them!

That's the bottom line, right there. Ren Faires are costume parties, not history classes. As a side note, oh my, that girl is beautiful!