White Hose

[macwilkin]

And I agree that accuracy is important, and that in formal reenacting, standard is better, but real life has rarely been standard.

Point taken, but food for thought: the average living history interpreter maybe has about 20 minutes to give a presentation to tourists at a historic site/battlefield/et al. Granted, you would get the occasional history buff who would spender longer discussing details, but in general, most folks do not have the time. Hence, NPS stresses "the basics" rather than the extraordinary. If you have to go into detail to explain why you are wearing or carrying something outside the standard, you are not talking about other things.

An old ranger who served as my mentor many years ago told me that if folks remember three things from your talk, then you're doing your job.

At reenactments (mock combat scenarios), the public are spectators, and do not come into individual contact with participants as much as they do at historic sites and living history events. Most folks accept what they see at face value, and again, do not take the time to ask.

This wasn't meant as a personal attack against you, but rather, my own observations based on over a decade of living history experience with NPS.

[Bugbear]

* Edit, too many posts all at once. Sorry, didn't mean to get in the middle of the conversation. *
What ever it was, I didn't do it.

I do have a small question, though.

With what dyes would the rusty, red-brown colors, sometimes seen in tartan, have been created?

I am wondering if the cochineal dyes were used for that color, or something else?

[tripleblessed]

Todd, I'd say if you can get the average person to remember three things, you've done an outstanding presentation. And I'd be the guy asking twenty minutes of questions.

And offense taken from your posts. Edit: that should read NO, repeat, NO offense taken from your post. Rice boiled over and I ran, didn't intend to hit post w/o proofreading.

[Nighthawk]

There is a difference between the "quasi-crypto-history" as seen on Discovery TV, and which is often conjured up out of a producer's hat, and "living history" or "reenacted history" which carries with it the underlying responsibility of having to be 100% historically accurate, not merely interpreted to suit the whim of the reenactor.

Yes, cultural interaction did occur. But simply because there were winged lancers in Poland in the 17th century doesn't mean that someone portraying a mounted Scottish soldier of the same period should show up with wings and a lance, even though cultural interaction may have made a 17th century Scot aware of Polish lancers. The purpose of "living history" is to portray the norm, not the aberration, and certainly not the imagined aberration of the reenactor.

That said, it is "anything goes" at renn-faires and SCA events, where the emphasis is on the participants having a good time, rather than providing the general public with an accurate representation of the renaissance or the historic middle ages.

In theory, I love this, and would do it in a heartbeat, which is why I often get sunburns on my feet! In reality... When you're using real swords to demonstrate real sword combat on wet grass in a public park... some concessions to safety need to be made... Which is why Doc wears those boots! They're period-correct, and more importantly, safe when he picks up a sword! Todd's attitude reflects the attitude of the Vikings Vinland- the illusion of historical accuracy is more important than pure historical accuracy, when it comes to practicality.

[Nighthawk]

Todd, I'd say if you can get the average person to remember three things, you've done an outstanding presentation. And I'd be the guy asking twenty minutes of questions.

Yessir! Outstanding job indeed!! And just so you know... reenactors usually love people like you! I love it when someone sits down at my work table and says "I have some questions..." That's what I'm there for!

[macwilkin]

In theory, I love this, and would do it in a heartbeat, which is why I often get sunburns on my feet! In reality... When you're using real swords to demonstrate real sword combat on wet grass in a public park... some concessions to safety need to be made... Which is why Doc wears those boots! They're period-correct, and more importantly, safe when he picks up a sword! Todd's attitude reflects the attitude of the Vikings Vinland- the illusion of historical accuracy is more important than pure historical accuracy, when it comes to practicality.

The years I spent pouring through and gathering primary sources in my various impressions to justify my kit are hardly an "illusion".

We also had "safety concessions" as well, most notably being NPS regulations that mandated ear protection when firing small arms and artillery, and a modified artillery drill to deal with misfires and what-not.

As NPS interpreters, we took our living history impressions very seriously. If the boys of '61 could endure four years of hell fighting for a cause they believed in, then we could endure 4 hours to a weekend striving to be as accurate as possible. Granted, I'm no Rob Hodge in "Confederates in the Attic"...



T.

[Father Bill]

I love the comments on the "Conspiracy Theory Channel"

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

"If you want entertainment, watch tv. If you want facts, go to the library."-- Groucho Marx.

[Nighthawk]

"If you want entertainment, watch tv. If you want facts, go to the library."-- Groucho Marx.

I always did like Groucho!

The years I spent pouring through and gathering primary sources in my various impressions to justify my kit are hardly an "illusion".

We also had "safety concessions" as well, most notably being NPS regulations that mandated ear protection when firing small arms and artillery, and a modified artillery drill to deal with misfires and what-not.

As NPS interpreters, we took our living history impressions very seriously. If the boys of '61 could endure four years of hell fighting for a cause they believed in, then we could endure 4 hours to a weekend striving to be as accurate as possible. Granted, I'm no Rob Hodge in "Confederates in the Attic"...



T.

We strive to be as accurate and knowledgeable, as well, which is why we're upgrading our footwear this year! Still using modern soles, but our shoes this coming season will be much more correct for period and culture!

[Jack Daw]

There is a difference between the "quasi-crypto-history" as seen on Discovery TV, and which is often conjured up out of a producer's hat, and "living history" or "reenacted history" which carries with it the underlying responsibility of having to be 100% historically accurate, not merely interpreted to suit the whim of the reenactor.

Yes, cultural interaction did occur. But simply because there were winged lancers in Poland in the 17th century doesn't mean that someone portraying a mounted Scottish soldier of the same period should show up with wings and a lance, even though cultural interaction may have made a 17th century Scot aware of Polish lancers. The purpose of "living history" is to portray the norm, not the aberration, and certainly not the imagined aberration of the reenactor.

That said, it is "anything goes" at renn-faires and SCA events, where the emphasis is on the participants having a good time, rather than providing the general public with an accurate representation of the renaissance or the historic middle ages.

Spot on.