Classes

The schedule is live! This spreadsheet has a dropdown menu in the top left corner that allows you to select your time zone, which will then display in the second column. You may find it easier to save a copy of the schedule for yourself and keep it in your own time zone, as other attendees may have changed the time zone of this main spreadsheet since the last time you looked at it.

Class Descriptions

Arabic Names, Why so widespread and pronunciation (1 hr, Mace)
Instructor: Sara al-Garnatiyya (she/her), Meridies
This is a brief class covering why Arabic came to cover the geographical area and time periods that it did, and then a primer on Classical Arabic pronunciation.

Armorial Book Club (2 hrs, Tabard)
Instructor: Iago ab Adam (he/him/his), An Tir
I'll choose an armorial. We'll look through the armorial. We'll discuss, we'll laugh, we'll learn.

Armory Conflict Checking with the Complex Search Form (2 hrs, Tabard)
Instructor: Beatrice Domenici della Campana (she/her), Northshield
For heralds who already know the basics of armory conflict checking, this class will teach the use of the Complex Search Form. Attendees should already be *fluent* in charge group theory and conflict checking rules under SENA. Students will learn techniques for searching for armory conflicts by coding with the Complex Search Form, as well as an overview of the codes used for that Form and in the O&A database. Class will also touch on "Traps" inherent in the Complex Search and how best to avoid them to more quickly find potential conflicts.

Armory Rules under SENA (1 hr, Tabard)
Instructor: Beatrice Domenici della Campana (she/her), Northshield
An overview of the rules for Armory (devices and badges) under the Standards for Evaluation of Names and Armory (SENA), we will look at the various underlying principles by which the rules were conceived, then at each section of the armory rules and what it contains (definitions, principles of style, content, style rules, Individually Attested Patterns (as opposed to "core style"), conflict, and presumption and offense). A look at armory-related Appendices will also be included.

Avian Anatomy and Movement for Scribes (1 hr, Pen)
Instructor: Else Hunrvogt (She/Her), West
Do you want to add some realism to the structure of your birds? Do you wonder what's going on under the feathers? Did you hear the rumor that birds have hollow bones? Come find out all these answers and more. Our instructors brings decades of experience in how birds are built and how they move. Open to all skill levels and fields. Bring your questions.

Basic Beginner Armory (1 hr, Tabard)
Instructor: Rosina von Schaffhausen (she/her), East
This class discusses the basics of armory in the middles ages and Renaissance. If you are designing your first piece of armory in the SCA, this class will give you a basic overview of the colors and design principles used in medieval coats of arms.

Becoming Friends with Medieval Manuscripts - Not Just for Scribes (1.5 hrs, Brush)
Instructor: Ellen DeLacey, Meridies
Not just for scribes. Medieval manuscripts offer a glimpse into hundreds of years of clothing, furniture, and daily life. This class will discuss naming conventions(or the lack of), searching for manuscripts online, and a brief tutorial of using some of the major online sources. Also included is a handout with about 30 manuscript links from 700-1600. Also a focus on digital sources and documenting them.

Beyond the Aztecs - Names in Southern Mesoamerica (1 hr, Mace)
Instructor: Juliana de Luna (she/her), An Tir
In this class, we'll look at names in Oaxaca, Guatemala, and Yucatan to explore the possibilities of Mesoamerican names.
This class will be recorded.

Brief Introduction to Phonetics (1 hr, Mace)
Instructor: Rebecca Whieldon Pyke (they/them), Meridies
This class introduces some basic concepts for understanding how speech sounds are produced. It also covers the basics of the International Phonetic Alphabet, how it is used, and why it is useful to SCA heralds.

Calligrams: Thinking Outside the Box (1 hr, Pen)
Instructor: Máel Brigte inghean Aimhirgin (she/her/hers), An Tir
Calligrams are pictures formed entirely by words. We'll explore how they were used in period and ways of incorporating them into Society practice.
This class will be recorded.

Catherine of Cleves: Analyzing the Script (1 hr, Pen)
Instructors: Alicia Langland (she/her), Æthelmearc; Hellen of Haldane, Northshield
Gothic scripts were all the rage in Europe in the 13th through 16th centuries. Today, they are a staple for SCA scribes. After briefly touching on the various types of Gothic, we will focus on the hand used in Catherine of Cleves, specifically folios 14v-16r. For those yearning for a more authentic appearance in their calligraphy, this ""learning-to-look"" class will show you little touches to look for in the manuscript and emulate in your own calligraphy. (Visit: https://www.themorgan.org/collection/hours-of-catherine-of-cleves/27)
Supplies needed: note-taking materials.
This class will be recorded.

Catherine of Cleves: Pretty 'Kitty': A Book That Changed the World (1 hr, Pen)
Instructors: Alicia Langland (she/her), Æthelmearc; Hellen of Haldane, Northshield
Over the course of centuries, medieval manuscripts have endured terrible plights: they have been looted by Vikings ... dunked in water as a curative for ailing cattle ... burned beyond legibility ... even dismembered and repurposed. While none of these, fortunately, are true of the fifteenth-century Hours of Catherine of Cleves, it has suffered from the machinations of a nefarious nineteenth-century dealer. But in the early 1960s, this obscure manuscript captured the attention of scholars and -- thanks to a smitten publisher -- the public at large and literally changed the course of art history and manuscript studies. This one-of-a-kind gem might very well change how you, too, view medieval manuscripts!
Supplies needed: note-taking materials
This class will be recorded.

Catherine of Cleves: Writing the Script (2 hrs, Pen)
Instructors: Alicia Langland (she/her), Æthelmearc; Hellen of Haldane, Northshield
Whether you love it or hate it, Gothic Textura Quadrata is a go-to hand for SCA scribes. No matter whether you are just starting out as a calligrapher or are well on your way, this hands-on class will offer guided practice in writing these distinctive letters. Class handout and supplies needed will be listed at: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NqpxgoPBSy3XQKetMFLzWprdlRUtAvWE6PHrYGbAJu8/edit?usp=sharing
This class will be recorded.

Centering Ethiopian Art (1 hr, Pen)
Instructor: Bran Mydwynter (he/him), Atlantia
A look at Christian Ethiopian painting: both manuscript and mural, figurative and abstract.
See how these art styles shifted over time, develop a sense of the global connection by looking at how those styles related to those across the broader world, and gain some practical tools to use this knowledge in your scrollwork.
Come center Ethiopian art on your drawing board.

Charge Groups Explained: Understanding the Structure of Armory (1 hr, Mace)
Instructor: Mathghamhain Ua Ruadháin, East
Analyzing devices and badges as a collection of charge groups is fundamental to understanding the Society’s rules about arrangement, conflict checking, and blazon.
In this class you’ll learn how to quickly categorize the elements of a design as primary, secondary, tertiary or overall charges, and how to spot designs that are unregistrable because they don’t fit into that framework.
We’ll review the applicable rules from SENA, and touch briefly on how to bypass the Core Style rules through Individually Attested Patterns. And we’ll discuss how charge groups form the basis for determining whether armory designs are considered to conflict, and the order in which charges are described in a written blazon.

College of Heralds Imaginary Cocktail Hour (1 hr, Tabard)
Instructor: Nika Dmitrieva doch’ Zvezdina (Any/none), Ealdormere
Come hang out with the College of Heralds Imaginary and your friendly Tyrant for one hour of marginally organized chaos. We’ll talk about this year’s theme for our April 1 letter and how you can get involved, usurpation opportunities, and worker control of the means of production.

Composing Distinctive Historical Texts (1 hr, Brush)
Instructor: Gun∂ormr Dengir (he/him), East
Scroll texts can draw inspiration from any genre of period document, even the Bible. During this class we'll walk through some examples of SCA scroll texts, how they were assembled from the historical sources, and how to tailor them to their recipients.

Conflict Checking Armory using the Complex Search Form (1 hr, Tabard)
Instructor: Tanczos Istvan, East
This class is not to teach the rules from SENA on how to conflict check. This is an introduction to applying those rules using the "Complex Search Form" - one of the forms at https://oanda.sca.org that lets you search for conflicts. The use of this form can cut a long, involved conflict check down from several minutes of checking to under a minute.

Constructing Dithemic Middle English Place-Names (1 hr, Mace)
Instructor: Scolastica la souriete (she/her), East
This class covers the composition of traditional English dithemic place names, starting with the relevant rules from SENA, the construction of existing place names, reading sources and how to put the your data from sources together into documentation that shows how you constructed place name is correctly formed with appropriate supporting documentation.
This class will be recorded.

Drawing acanthus leaves (1 hr, Pen)
Instructor: Serena Calandra (She/her), Ansteorra
Step by step instruction on how to draw acanthus leaves. This is great for the novice.
This class will be recorded.

Drawing in Medieval Europe (1 hr, Pen)
Instructor: Milesent Vibert (She/Her), Middle
Silverpoint, Metalpoint, ink and chalk; this class will go over the options of materials used to draw during the high middle ages through the renaissance and we will touch on the rise of drawing as it's own medium and the first sketchbooks! Will include a practical demonstration of super simple silverpoint.

Education Heralds Roundtable (2 hrs, Book)
Instructor: Wu Yun (she/her/they/them)
Meeting for all kingdom, regional, or local educational deputies. Please bring any discussion topics, including pain points.

Effective, Efficient Courts (1 hr, Mace)
Instructor: Cormac Mor (any/all), An Tir
Learn some of the more common causes of slow or stalled courts and how the Royalty/Baronage, herald, and retinue can make them more efficient and exciting!
This class will be recorded.

Equine Posture and Movement for Scribes (1 hr, Pen)
Instructor: Else Hunrvogt (She/Her), West
Horses are everywhere in manuscripts? Do you ever wonder why they are positioned they way they are? Do you want to avoid the head on horse as an egg image? Bring your questions and learn a bit about anatomy and movement from our instructor who has decades of experience with horses and graduate school level training in anatomy. Open to all skill levels and fields.
This class will be recorded.

Falling Down the Egyptian Scroll Rabbit Hole (1 hr, Pen)
Instructor: Mary Dedwydd verch Gwallter, Caid
An exploration of my process in developing a fully hieroglyphic scroll including useful takeaways so that other people don't repeat my mistakes (there are so many _new_ ones out there waiting!) as well as helpful sources and approaches.

Gothic and Gouache (2 hrs, Brush)
Instructor: Hellen of Haldane, Northshield
Up and Down! Straight! March!
The fun of Gothic is that it is about rules and rhythm. Learning a gothic hand and lettering with gouache as your writing fluid are both vital skills for any calligrapher of any skill level.
So join us for a fun and colorful class. We will review the origins of the calligraphy style, some differences, learn a simplified and elegant version while also learned how to mix gouache for lettering and then produce letters that are multi-coloured.
Handouts will be distributed to registered students the day before so you can print them out.
Home-work will be encouraged and if you submit on Padlet (we will show you how) then your name will be entered for a drawing.
Supplies:

• Calligraphy nib: your favorite dip pen size 2mm or 2.5mm Tape or Brause or Speedball C-3, Mitchell 1 or 1.5 or Parallel Pen 2.4mm

• Pen holder: your favorite.

• Tube Watercolor or Gouache: At least 2 primary colors (Schmincke, Nicker or Winsor Newton are good brands) or if you have many colors already - have your favorites handy.

• Paper: Mixed media, layout bond, or marker paper. Copy paper may work in a pinch, but something a little heavier is recommended

• A 6-well palette

• Small container or water

• Small lint-free cloth (like a square of an old t-shirt)

• Small watercolor paint brush for mixing your paint

Heraldic Achievements- Next Level for your SCA Device (1 hr)
Instructor: Raven Mayne, Atenveldt
I will go through all the elements of a Heraldic Achievement and show some of the vast amount of options available. I will also show how I assemble a Heraldic Achievement and some examples of ones completed. You do not need to have prerequisite to create a Heraldic Achievement for yourself. Please check to see what, if any, guidelines are in place in your Kingdom.

Heraldic Design With Inkscape (2 hrs, Tabard)
Instructor: Vemundr Syvursson (he/him/his), An Tir
An introduction to using Inkscape to produce heraldic device & badge images. No experience with Inkscape needed, some experience with basic heraldic vocabulary will help but isn't a requirement. We'll go over basic Inkscape use, the (many!) resources available for digital emblazoning, and lots of tips, tricks, and shortcuts for a busy heraldic artist.

How Non-Destructive Pigment Analysis Has Changed Our View of Ancient Manuscripts (1 hr, Brush)
Instructor: Aidan Cocrinn (She/Her/They/Them), Calontir
What was once the gospel of pigments, such as ultramarine, lead white, arsenic, and mercury, has been found to be not as accurate thanks to the development of nondestructive methods of analyzing ancient Manuscripts.

How to Write Your Name (1 hr, cancelled)
Instructor: Ian’ka Ivanovna zhen P’trovitsa (She/her), Atenveldt
This class is great for all. You never know when you might be asked to sign your name on an important SCA document or do you want to know how your persona would have signed your name? Are you just curious about maybe getting into calligraphy? This class is for you. This will be part lecture to show different style of writing from different eras within the SCA period and a bit of hands on practice if you have a chisel tip marker and paper or dry erase board.
This class will be recorded.

Inspiration from Catherine of Cleves: a border, acanthus and hands on class (2 hrs, Pen)
Instructors: Hellen of Haldane, Northshield; Alicia Langland (she/her), Æthelmearc
The Catherine of Cleves Manuscript is rich with decorative elements that are all essential learning for scribes. Work rapidly with Hellen of Haldane as we follow good scribal practices for order of operations to paint a border with gold elements and acanthus leaves, flowers and other fun things! You need to trace the border ahead of class to be ready to start working right away! https://drive.google.com/file/d/155omu7kxaVNJLsYta8uYc-vNW3Rg_117/view?usp=drive_link is the link.
Supplies needed: Your traced image, gold paint, gouache or watercolor (red, yellow, blue, and white are needed as a minimum), Size 0 paint brush, water, cloth

Insular (Celtic) illumination: One Step Up (1.5 hrs, Brush)
Instructor: Alikina filia Elpin (She/her/hers), Outlands
This class is aimed at those who have some experience in illumination and would like to see their scrolls and any other Celtic- based art look that much more authentic.
We will look at the layouts, patterns, colors, and details of design, as well as tips for materials and tools, to make a scroll that much closer to period.
This class will be recorded.

Introduction to Charge Group Theory (1 hr, Tabard)
Instructor: Padraig Lowther, Lochac
As it says on the tin, a short walk through charge groups as they are defined in SENA Appendix I.
This class will be recorded.

Introduction to Latin (1.5 hrs, Book)
Instructor: Aelia Fortunata (She/they), East
We see Latin in our Society *extremely* frequently- from scribal exemplars to names and mottoes. Wouldn't it be nice if you could make heads or tails of that text, or not stumble over your words as you read out an achievement in court?
This class can help you do that.
It is an introductory crash course to the Latin language. We'll cover pronunciation and how the grammar works, broadly speaking.
Note taking and questions are encouraged, and the presentation used will be available as a digital handout.
This class will be recorded.

Latin reading group (1 hr, Tabard)
Instructor: Ursula Georges, Middle
Practice Latin the period way, using texts designed for language learners in the Roman or Byzantine empire! We'll read aloud and analyze the translation as we go. Prior experience with Latin is welcome but not required.

Persian Gold Sprinkling (1 hr, Pen)
Instructor: Milesent Vibert (She/her), Middle
In the 16th Century Persian manuscripts were adorned with delicate sprinkled gold borders. This class goes over the evidence for how to do gold sprinkling and demonstrates the surprisingly simple technique.

PIG101-Introduction to Pigment and Paint (1 hr)
Instructor: Calamus Schreiber (he/him), Northshield
This is a starter class where we will go over concepts of what makes paint. This will include: breakdowns of different types of paints, how you figure out what you're already using, why you might want to mix your own paints, going over how to pick out your pigments and colors (short version), a bit on indexing, names, and abbreviations; and an overall big picture of vocabulary and base starting information.

PIG110-Mixing your own Gouache (2 hrs)
Instructor: Calamus Schreiber (he/him), Northshield
This class covers Tools (non consumable), supplies and materials (consumables), "things you've seen on YouTube", and talking recipes vs. ratios. Going over Gouache vs. Watercolor. Then actually doing the mix demo. (recommend PIG101 as a pre-req)

Recent Changes to SENA (1 hr, Mace)
Instructor: Jeanne Marie Lacroix (she/her), Trimaris
The Standards for Evaluating Names and Armory, commonly called SENA, are constantly evolving. Sometimes the changes are small; sometimes they are large. This class will look at the changes to SENA in the last year or so. We will also take a brief look at how those changes happen.

Scribal Round Table - What Would You Like to Talk About? (1.5 hrs, cancelled)
Instructor: Aidan Cocrinn (She/her/they/them), Calontir
Scribes in the SCA have many ways of doing things, many different Kingdom rules for producing scrolls, as well as many common frustrations. We also have lots of cool tricks of the trade, resources, research and wisdom to share. Let's spend some time networking and sharing our collected awesomeness in a safe and supportive environment. Hopefully, we can learn some things to take home and make scribery better for all, make new friends and renew old bonds, and come away renewed!

Scribing through the known world (2 hrs, Pen)
Instructor: Elizabeth of Roxbury Mill (She), Middle
Being a know world scribe and where to find the information to complete and get assigned scrolls in the SCA

Scroll layout: combining elements for good scroll design (1 hr, Pen)
Instructor: Margarette la Gantiere (She/her), East
How to combine visual elements including graphics, and text blocks to create a balanced well laid out scroll. This will include tips for using basic computer tools as well as sketching in the design process.

Secret History of the CoA (2 hrs, Tabard)
Instructor: Shauna of Carrick Point (She/her), Artemisia
Find out how much things have changed over the years and some interesting stuff.
This class will be recorded.

Sources for African Names (1 hr, Mace)
Instructor: Juliana de Luna (she/her), An Tir
In this class, we'll explore the resources that are out there to document - and help submitters with - names from sub-Sarahan Africa.
This class will be recorded.

Sovereign of Arms AMA (1 hr, Tabard)
Instructor: Iago ab Adam (he/him/his), An Tir
Ask questions of the Sovs and former Sovs.

State of Heraldry: Looking back, Looking ahead (1 hr, Mace)
Instructor: Emma de Fetherstan (she/her), Ansteorra
This is a rerun from KWHSS in June 2023, but still has good info! This session will cover a brief overview of projects and major accomplishments in heraldry since the last in-person KWHSS in 2019, as well as a look forward. If there's a project you'd like to get a status update on, or a new one to propose, you should attend this session!

The PH's Guide to Burnout and How to Avoid It (1 hr)
Instructor: Sara al-Garnatiyya (she/her), Meridies Cormac Mor (any/all), An Tir
Burnout: what is it, how do you recognize it in your staff and yourself, and how do you prevent it?

Tweaking SENA: Individually Attested Patterns? (1 hr, Tabard)
Instructor: Emma de Fetherstan (she/her), Ansteorra
SENA is an ever-changing document. Let's take a closer look at the Individually Attested Patterns section (A4), and see how well that section works and flows with some theoretical submissions. Does anything need to be changed? If we were to propose a change or changes, what might the follow-on effects be, and how does that mesh with the rest of SENA? This will be a fairly informal (but guided) session, aimed at talking folks through the thought process and research needed behind proposing a change to the armory rules in SENA.

Using oanda.sca.org: a roundtable (1 hr, Tabard)
Instructor: Herveus d'Ormonde (he/him), Atlantia
Do you have things you'd like to do with the search tools that you don't know how to or can't? Are there features you'd like to see? Do you want to know more about how things work? Morsulus will hear your concerns and try to answer your questions.

Voice heraldry as performance art (1 hr, Mace)
Instructor: Katerinka Lvovicha (She/her), Northshield
This class will discuss techniques and concepts which will help an intrepid herald keep court interesting.

We Don't Need No Stinkin' Badges!! Yes, We Do!! (Heraldic Display in Diverse Mediums) (1 hr, Mace)
Instructor: Beatrice Domenici della Campana (she/her), Northshield
Badges. We have them, but what should we *do* with them?
We should DISPLAY them, of course!!
But *how* should we display them, you ask? That's what we're here for today, to give you many ideas in diverse mediums on how to display badges, whether they be populace badges, award badges, household badges, or personal badges. Come away with your head stuffed full of ideas for projects (or commissions for friendly artists-for-hire) on how to display all those lovely badges you're entitled to display!

What makes a good branch name? (1 hr, Mace)
Instructor: Birgitta Lulli (she), Drachenwald
The task of constructing a place name that could have existed in period can be a rather difficult task. For personal names, there typically are patterns that allow one to construct a name of at least two distinct elements that conform to the requirements in SENA PN1–2. For place names and NPN1–2, the task can be harder: while it is possible to see patterns in place names too, in many cultures a significant portion of names are semantically and structurally opaque, up to having being borrowed as names from extinct languages that were never recorded. In this class, I try to look at different types of place names and the ways they can be used as the starting point for naming a branch of the Society.
This class will be recorded.