Freaking the mundanes

[Queen_of_Navarre]

I am always surprised ( even after all these years) of the assumptions that some mudanes will jump to when they see faire folk in garb. Years ago, in a town I won't mention, we lived in a small group of houses right down the road from a growing young faire.  As long time members of the S.C.A. we were thrilled to have a Faire open up so close. Every weekend we would get ready in our finest reny garb and trek down with the children in tow to attend the Faire. Every weekend the neighbors would gather in their yards and stare. The last weekend of the faire the observers assemble in the neighbor's yard directly across the street from our house. The leader of the cul-de-sac pack courageously came forward to inquire if we were part of the Satan Celebration down the road at that *place*. We tried to explain... we really did, but we might have well been talking to a stone wall.

[Richard de Graeme]

Whilst attending an All Hallows Eve party at a local tavern, I was approached by a group of wenches who promptly stated, "Oh, we love your costume!". I promptly replied without hesitation, "What costume are you referring to , madam!".

[Dayna]

Satan Celebration?!?!?!

As for Knights Templar looking like the KKK, the KKK doesn't have big red crosses on their fronts, they don't carry swords and they wear hoods.  The KKK outfits actually look very much like the robes worn by penitents in the middle ages in Spain (I believe) who used to flog themselves to atone for their sins.

Don't the schools teach this stuff anymore? 

Dayna

[Richard de Graeme]

Did I just hear a halo pop!

[LadyElizabeth]

But they do have very similar looking red crosses on their arms!!  And who knows if they carry swords or guns or what....  I'm watching CNN live now with video of the KKK who killed this woman and then dug out the bullet with a knife.... so they carry guns and knives and the outfits shown are truly similar, not exact, but who really knows those details if they aren't into historic garb!!!  On this thread alone, you can see mundanes sheer lack of knowledge of garb!!

But ya, they don't have hoods...

[Richard de Graeme]

Fanaticism is fanaticism through out the ages, no matter what the uniform. It's mother is intolerance and it's father is hatred.

[Monsignor de Beaumanoir]

Having staked my preceptory in the land of Alabama, I can absolutely relate to what Brother William has said. I actually had my neighbor pull his little girl back in the house, when I was outside fixing my gear and taking photos.
The problem with the mass of society is they just take the "quick glance" and that's enough to suit their intellectual intentions (how ever shallow some of those might be).
I constantly point out down here, that the "proud defenders of the White race" conceal their identity behind a white hood for fear of being "mistreated", and supposedly to instill fear in the lesser folks: their targets being Jews, African Americans, Catholics (for those that don't get the bold type- Templars were the premier military strong arm of the Catholic Church), and anyone who doesn't agree with their ideology (it's quite funny though, I don't see them picking up a weapon and supporting the Global War on Terror abroad, against a real threat, probably because they're cowards).
Didn't anyone notice the gleeming of my Norman helm, let alone a 13th century Great Helm?
They also don't wear armor or sport 3 feet of Frankish steel, and nobody's gaze ever makes it to the foot wear.
Yes the Templars had a multitude of cross designs, so it might be easy for some to relate "ours" with "theirs", but upon a not even detailed inspection, you'll note that their cross usually sports another emblem within it a circular background.
I blame all this on a weak educational system when it comes to history, the crap that Hollywood puts out most of the time, and the general feeling that a lot of people just don't care to do any research.

Will it ever be fixed..probably not, but me and my Order Brothers are doing our best to spread the word.

So the next time you're at a gathering, faire, festival, or rendezvous, pay a little attention when you walk by or up to my Brothers of the Temple. I'll bet the Templar treasury that you'll hear "Pax vobiscum", or "Deus vult", before you hear the "WP" catch phrase of the mob in white.



FYI:
Identification Friend or Foe pocket reference card
(feel free to print and use at your pleasure)




FYI: Even the list of Myths associated with the Templars doesn't include anything to do with the other rabble!

[Carl Heinz]

I find that a lot of the postings in this thread discuss the confusion of the public when they see us out of the context of the event.

I take this as an opportunity to educate those willing to listen about the event with the intent of encouraging them to visit it.  Faires, at least those I consider to be homes, can use an infusion of new blood among the participants.  Many of the exchanges in the Cuthbert Yahoo groups are discusions of ills associated with aging.

So come on down.  We need your bodies and your devotion to faire.  Admittedly, many will have to modify their garb to conform to the requirements of the event and adopt a persona within the event context.  But you will have made the transition from playtron to participant.  If you're willing to work at it, we'll welcome you with open arms.

And, yes, I do understand that not all faires have large numbers of participants but rely on a relatively small core of theme characters.  My only experience with the latter has been the Arizona Renaissance Faire.  The flavor is different.

[Sir William Marcus]

Having staked my preceptory in the land of Alabama, I can absolutely relate to what Brother William has said. I actually had my neighbor pull his little girl back in the house, when I was outside fixing my gear and taking photos.
The problem with the mass of society is they just take the "quick glance" and that's enough to suit their intellectual intentions (how ever shallow some of those might be).
I constantly point out down here, that the "proud defenders of the White race" conceal their identity behind a white hood for fear of being "mistreated", and supposedly to instill fear in the lesser folks: their targets being Jews, African Americans, Catholics (for those that don't get the bold type- Templars were the premier military strong arm of the Catholic Church), and anyone who doesn't agree with their ideology (it's quite funny though, I don't see them picking up a weapon and supporting the Global War on Terror abroad, against a real threat, probably because they're cowards).
Didn't anyone notice the gleeming of my Norman helm, let alone a 13th century Great Helm?
They also don't wear armor or sport 3 feet of Frankish steel, and nobody's gaze ever makes it to the foot wear.
Yes the Templars had a multitude of cross designs, so it might be easy for some to relate "ours" with "theirs", but upon a not even detailed inspection, you'll note that their cross usually sports another emblem within it a circular background.
I blame all this on a weak educational system when it comes to history, the crap that Hollywood puts out most of the time, and the general feeling that a lot of people just don't care to do any research.

Will it ever be fixed..probably not, but me and my Order Brothers are doing our best to spread the word.

So the next time you're at a gathering, faire, festival, or rendezvous, pay a little attention when you walk by or up to my Brothers of the Temple. I'll bet the Templar treasury that you'll hear "Pax vobiscum", or "Deus vult", before you hear the "WP" catch phrase of the mob in white.



FYI:
Identification Friend or Foe pocket reference card
(feel free to print and use at your pleasure)



FYI: Even the list of Myths associated with the Templars doesn't include anything to do with the other rabble!

Thank you brother.

I might add that this weekend while working at my nightclub we were promoting "Fantasy Night" and I was requested by the staff to dress in some of my knightly attire.

For the simple reason of NOT wanting to offend anyone (and especially when alcohol is involved) I chose not to represent the poor knights of Solomon and opted for the Knights Malta. For those not familiar with the attire of the Knights of Malta of the 13th century, it is a red surcoat with a large white Malta cross on the chest. 

Then, to keep it simple and comfortable I wore a white linen tunic underneath, white linen braies & chausses. Then I strapped on a brass studded medieval belt and then added footwear of the period.

Now,  in the course of the night,  I was asked once "Wheres Little John?" and "Your the Pope..right?" then the topper "Are you suppose to be the KKK?" at LEAST a half dozen times through out the evening. 

I asked several of them, "How do you see, or associate this outfit with the KKK?"  their reply was "I thought you was like the wizard or master" OMG..Here we go again! 

It makes you wonder if maybe the original KKK took their design from the Templars due to the similarity?

When the KKK was born in 1865 there wasn't any white robes. Not until 1915 when a controversial silent film called "Birth of a Nation" was released.



This is when the traditional white robes made their official debut. Originally, some say that the white robes were to represent the ghost of the lost confederate army arising from the depths of Hell to scare any superstitious blacks of the time. 

Although, some also say there is a Crusader influence too. There is some argument about the KKK's logo. While some sources state that it was originally a saltire reflecting the Confederate flag, and the St Andrew's Cross, others say that it was never slanted . If the Crusader influence is authentic, then the latter may be true.

Below is the insignia of the KKK today.  The main characteristic of the klans cross is the centered triangle with the blood drop in the middle.



Below is a "Greek Potent Triangular Cross". It is believed by many reputable historians as the most popular cross of Templars during the crusades.  It has been carved in the walls of fortresses, and some of the most holiest landmarks in Jerusalem.



Is it that confusing? I suppose it is for most mundanes!

The KKK outfits actually look very much like the robes worn by penitents in the middle ages in Spain (I believe) who used to flog themselves to atone for their sins.

Perhaps you were referring to a Spanish flagellent?





Spanish flagellents appear very much like the White Penitents of the Archconfraternity of the Gonfalone, that was established in 1264 Rome. 

Then again, Spanish flagellents could of been confraternity of White Penitents, as there was about a hundred of them at the time.  Rome could only keep track of them by the different colors and garb they chose to represent their different fraternities.  Example: there was white, black, red, blue, grey, green and violet to name a few.




However which one, you are correct.  Most of them from ancient time, and still today inflict pain upon themselves as a form of penance.



got neosporin?

Don't the schools teach this stuff anymore? 

I'm starting to think they don't anymore or haven't in sometime!





Pax Vobiscum



WM

[Monsignor de Beaumanoir]

Guess I'll be canceling my cable subscription to History Channel International! All the good stuff happens on these threads!

Well done Brother William.


BTW, if folks can't do some studying on history, and just want to keep associating us with "less desirables", I might change my attire to something cheaper......like...........Warrior Jesters..............not!

[Amyj]

I find this slightly humorous since, after seeing Bob and I in our faire garb for several weekends a year for the last 5 years...none of which includes tabbards of any kind...mostly our pirate garb; our neighbor FINALLY asked where we were going.  Bob told him the Renaissance Faire.  To which our neighbor asked, "aren't those just for white people?"  HECK NO Bob says, and proceeds to give him a long recommendation/invitation to come on out with the grandkids.  While we haven't seen our neighbor at faire yet, he did seem relieved when he said, "Whew, I was afraid y'all had 'gone klan' on me." 

Amazing...how the heck he got "klan" from a 17th century frock coat and knee breeches...and my bodice...I'll never know.

[Lady Renee Buchanan]

I find this slightly humorous since, after seeing Bob and I in our faire garb for several weekends a year for the last 5 years...none of which includes tabbards of any kind...mostly our pirate garb; our neighbor FINALLY asked where we were going.  Bob told him the Renaissance Faire.  To which our neighbor asked, "aren't those just for white people?"  HECK NO Bob says, and proceeds to give him a long recommendation/invitation to come on out with the grandkids.  While we haven't seen our neighbor at faire yet, he did seem relieved when he said, "Whew, I was afraid y'all had 'gone klan' on me." 

Amazing...how the heck he got "klan" from a 17th century frock coat and knee breeches...and my bodice...I'll never know.

The same way a lady in a restaurant where we had gone to eat because the faire was rained out saw me wearing my bodice (very, very fluffy), chemise, long skirt with a another skirt hiked up, a dagger, assorted pouches, and a hat asked me if I was Amish.

[Ginette]

The same way a lady in a restaurant where we had gone to eat because the faire was rained out saw me wearing my bodice (very, very fluffy), chemise, long skirt with a another skirt hiked up, a dagger, assorted pouches, and a hat asked me if I was Amish.

Kind of makes me wonder if was it your very fluffy bodice or the dagger that made her think you were Amish?     Such great stories from everyone and very informative as well, I've learned a lot.  Thank you all for sharing.

[Ilia the Stupefying]

I stopped for gas on the way to the faire a couple of weeks ago and as I was walking in one of the other customers looked at me (I was dressed in a medieval outfit with hood, tunic, chausse and braies) and asked, "Are you an elf?"

I said, "No, I'd be a pretty fat elf!"

[jcbanner]

Don't the schools teach this stuff anymore? 

Dayna

Didn't you know? Its politically incorrect to teach this in school now. Teaching the history of a racist group   or explaining what the images mean is just as bad as BEING racist yourself.

Education isn't being dumbed down because people are lazy, its being dumbed down because people are afraid of being offended. Or, "if you teach my kid WHY those images are racist, instead just that they are, he'll want to use them and become racist himself!"  hey, if a kid knows why something is bad, and still chooses to internalize it, at least they'll have a better understanding what it is their getting into, instead of doing it blindly as a poor choice of rebellion.

I've noticed that in primary education, its very hard to teach what the symbols found in history mean.  I remember when I was still in highschool, noticing that there were certain images found repeatedly in European history. I wanted to know what they meant and the teacher told me they were religious symbols and they would have a hard time teaching them and convincing people that they were not trying to convert students to said religions.  kinda sad when you think about how much will be lost because of that attitude.