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

[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.