Tips for applying for the Meridian Herb Guild Recognition Levels
The Herbal Guild recognition levels were developed to encourage a diverse and in-depth study of herbal use and cultivation during both the SCA period and today. Applicants are asked to focus on herbal use in four categories: culinary, cosmetic, medicinal, and dying. Knowledge is demonstrated through the submission of a paper or papers to a panel. The panel is comprised of members of the Orders of the Laurel or Velvet Owl. The paper should contain specific examples and citations of herbal use from both the SCA time period and today. Bibliographies should include a good representation of primary source material such as medieval manuscripts and translations. Secondary sources may include books, online sources, and articles from scholarly sources. Papers should be clearly organized, lack obvious grammar and spelling errors, and show appropriate knowledge for the recognition level in which the applicant is applying.
Recommendations:
Clearly organize your paper.
a. Label your herbal selections as culinary, cosmetic, medicinal or dying. Use examples to support their use in the category selected. Additional uses may be included but your primary focus should be on providing examples and citations to support the category selected.
b. Under each herb, use appropriate subheadings to organize the information such as general description, period use, contemporary use, period cultivation, contemporary cultivation, active ingredients, etc. Make it easy for the reader to follow. Clearly state any warnings or concerns associated with using the herb if applicable.
Proof read
a. Check your paper for grammar and spelling errors
b. Make sure the content is clearly written and your uses are supported with specific examples and citations.
Include a diverse bibliography
a. Your bibliography should include facsimiles of period manuscripts, scholarly translations, and / or transcriptions of manuscripts written in period.
b. Secondary sources may include books, articles and reliable websites. Reliable websites are those published by Universities, museums, foundations, and those authored by individuals with good credentials.
c. Format your bibliography using one of the common research formats such as MLA or APA. Choose one and stick to it.
Submitted by THLady Magdalena da Parma
Steward, Meridian Herbal Guild