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The Knights Next Door is a hands-on travelogue through the "Current Middle Ages" of the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA), the world's largest group of medieval enthusiasts.
The Knights Next Door recounts the author's attemps as a total "fish-out-of-water" newcomer to make sense of this unique subculture starting in 2001. It also tells the tales of the local time-traveling veterans who help him, of the interesting characters he meets on his journey and of a young fighter struggling through some personal and SCA troubles in his bid to become a Knight and King in this re-created medieval world.
To balance the SCA's approaches to re-creating the Middle Ages, the book includes a short discussion with the chairman of the Association for Renaissance Martial Arts. It also takes readers on a trip to Britain to watch three reenactment groups there - Britannia, Regia Anglorum and the Ermine Street Guard - to compare their handiwork and fighting to that here in the United States.
Author Patrick O'Donnell, a reporter for the Metro section of the Cleveland Plain Dealer newspaper, attended events across the country and in Europe, made the clothes, made the armor and fought in the worlds-largest medieval battles at the SCA's biggest event, the Pennsic War, to give readers a behind-the-shield look at the modern medieval world.
For outsiders, The Knights Next Door provides a look at a culture you might be intimidated to join. Don't worry. You co-workers will never see you wearing a medieval costume or playing sword-battle games. The author will do it for you. You never have to leave your couch. Along the way, you'll learn how re-creating a historical period can change the lens you view it through. You'll also pick up a few historical facts without having to slog through a textbook. Maybe you'll even start to understand what some of your neighbors do with their weekends.
If you're a history buff, see how thousands of people try and take the things you read about in books and carry them out in tangible form. History is now longer just an idea or words on a page. You can touch it. And try it.
For the curious, for fans of the Lord of the Rings or of Role-Playing Games, see how regular people take their interest in the medieval period and make it almost real. Meet the people who make their own tunics, gowns and cloaks. Learn how they make siege engines in their garage. Sit in on feasts before the King and Queen. And learn how to fashion armor so you might someday join the 1,500 weekend warriors in the world's-largest competitive medieval battles. The Knights Next Door will also introduce you to some of the guys who fought on the movie screen in Gladiator.
For Rennaissance Fair patrons, see how people like yourself can take audience participation to a new level. See a world in which the participants, not paid staff, create the medieval atmosphere. Sing the songs yourself. Fight the battles yourself. Cook the feasts yourself. And even become King or Queen by yourself. You might also pick up a few tips to build your Fair persona and costume.
For SCA newcomers, The Knights Next Door is a perfect introduction to your new-found hobby. Because the author started reporting the book as a total mundane newcomer, The Knights Next Door spells out some of the things you're probably wondering. What do I do about garb? How do I pick a name? What are the battles like? What is putting on armor for the first time like? What do I have to bring to an event? The author will make all the mistakes for you.
For SCA veterans, The Knights Next Door is the first and only non-fiction book to give a broad look at the hobby you care so much about. Unlike recent documentaries/movies about the SCA, the author made sure to include people from across the Known World, not just his home Kingdom. The author also approaches the SCA with a mixture of skepticism and admiration for the work people do, so The Knights Next Door is neither a fawning endorsement of the SCA, nor an attempt to belittle the group.
In addition to letting you relive your early excitement about the SCA, The Knights Next Door takes you to major events across the Known World and introduces readers to notable figures in the Society. See the world through another set of eyes and learn the stories of the people who have shaped it.
The book contains descriptions of Pennsic, Gulf Wars, a Twelfth Night, the Atlantian university, the hafla, Baron Wars, Northern Oaken War Maneuvers, the Crown Tournament and a coronation. Activities witnessed or interviews conducted at other events either served as background or is woven into other chapters.
Notable figures in the SCA interviewed for this book include:
Diana Listmaker, host of the first ever SCA event
Frederick of Holland, one of the first event attendees
Henrik of Havn, another of the first event attendees
Jade of Starfall, winner of the most Crown Tournaments in Society history
Duchess Elina of Beckenham, author of The Armored Rose
Duke Baldar Langstrider, first King of Trimaris and inventor of Baldar Blunt arrowheads
Cariadoc of the Bow, Middle Kingdom pioneer who started the Pennsic War
Their Graces Andreas Eisfalke and Isabella of York of the East Kingdom
The Clan Tynker, the performing family from The Outlands
Sir Kief av Kierstead, a Lion of Ansteorra
Baron Durr al-jabal
Master Pavel Iosevich, founder of the Calontir Shield Wall
Master Andrixos Seljukroctronis, owner of Calontir Trim
Dame Alys Katherine, longtime head of the Pennsic University
And dozens of Kings, Queens, Knights, Pelicans and Laurels from across the SCA's Known World, along with many, many others.
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