Suggestions for Pages

[learnteach]

To follow up the (late delivered but not lamented) Dangerous Book for Boys gift (GREAT gift) I'd like to give as a 12th Night present a Book for the Page, being an SCAish equivalent of the DBfB.

What would you put into a book of 1-3 page vignettes and instructions for 8-14 year old boys (aiming squarely at about 11 or so)? What people of the middle ages are inspirational? What songs, what stories, what games, what skills, what tricks? What specific SCA knowledge would you want to pass on?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts! When I finish the book, I'll make it available to others, after I have gifted it to my pages.

Comments

[ladybrid.livejournal.com]

I've toyed with this idea myself. Especially after acquiring the House Book story series I had as a kid, and reading about mothers writing up just that sort of thing for their children in period.

-Hero stories, especially where childhood is mentioned... CuChulain, Beowulf, Roland, Swan Knight(sigfrid?), Percival, Sir Kay and the Loathsome Lady are ones that stuck in my head
-period books included manners and hygiene
-SCA misc info, royalty identification, forms of address

[ariyanakylstram.livejournal.com]

Jeanne d'Arc -- a more realistic view
I second Beowulf
Perhaps some myths other than Arthurian? The Mabinogian?

Finding ways to work in manners and hygiene would be awesome, without being overbearing.

A "calendar of the year" that is generic -- what seasons have which events, because there is a distinctive pattern that might be interesting to children.
(Such as "in March we always have a Crown. It often rains, so we call it a Drown!")

[mad-duchess.livejournal.com]

I agree: hero stories *especially* the Nine Worthies.

A map of the Knowne world

A little "interkingdom anthropology" like they had in the old KWH, for example, how Crown Lists are run in each Kingdom

A discussion of the peerages (all 4)--similarities and differences

An explanation of what each of the Kingdom Great officers does

Some first aid info relevent to the SCA, i.e. cuts, burns, insect bites

How to start a fire using period tools & how to properly extinguish a fire!

How to build foam weapons and appropriate armor

Court etiquette--what to do if called into court

SCA/medieval glossary of common terms

Ideas on age-appropriate stuff they can volunteer for at events: wash dishes, serve feasts, list page, run clipboards at gate, help out with the littler kids at Page School, do garbage and ice runs (esp useful at Pennsic!)

How to fetch Mad Auntie Cyneswith a beer

[marysdress.livejournal.com]

Most of them have been covered, but also archery. Something about archery. Although it's not really SCA, all of my kids have a homemade rock bows that they bring to events and shoot as well (as safe targets). Maybe something about building your own small scale trebuchet or catapault?

Projectiles. My boys are all about projectiles and boffers with the occasional side trip into Beowulf or courtly graces.

[cvirtue.livejournal.com]

That sounds good -- Learnteach, you'll need to keep it grounded in what a page really will be interested in.

How about how to sharpen a knife and also knife safety? Invaluable for many pursuits, from cooking to SCA things.

[marysdress.livejournal.com]

PS - I'd love to see a copy!

[thelbk.livejournal.com]

kids of this age LOVE rules... so they can hold others to them while trying to find loopholes themselves.
They just love rules!

[anthraxia.livejournal.com]

I'd also add - "Knight light". In other words, the non-fighting requirements for knighthood, easy-style. Say, rules to a few period board games of strategy (tafl is good, as it doesn't need 'special' pieces), an explanation of why men danced in period (you can show off your manly physique in court), an explanation of some of the Chivalric Virtues, a list of fun A&S projects (making a trebuchet, a subtlety, basic armour, a crest, etc).

Possibly also some 'horrible history".

[ladybrid.livejournal.com]

oh! vocabulary... words for "knight" "page" various virtues etc, in Old English, Norse, etc

[joycebre.livejournal.com]

My son is 13. Here's what I think the book should have. (I'll ask him tonight what he thinks)
How to recognize shots people throw - e.g. this is what a flat snap looks like, this is a wrap.
How to throw the above shots. How to calibrate and throw said shots.
How to build a fire in a fire pit. How to use a fire extinguisher. How to hang a lantern. How to hang a chandelier.
Correct names of armor parts. Correct names of weapons. So when a knight sends a page for something he doesn't have to come back for a more detailed description.
The difference between stainless, mild steel, and any other steel types in common use.
How to care for armor.
A mildly scurrilous song.
Tricks for winning at hunkerhauser.
How to pass through someone's camp politely on the way to the creek.
How to eat with your fingers and a knife.
How to handle knives and other weapons that are commonly found around camps.
What are the advantages/disadvantages of different weapons.
How to pay a compliment to your knight's lady.

[joycebre.livejournal.com]

forgot to add, how to run a list, how to marshal. So they can run a pickup tourney if they so desire, although most of them just want to fight.
How to use siege engines during a war.