With the accurate details of old-fashioned clothing and the thunderous clash of weaponry, the Athens Medieval Society makes a name for itself at Ohio University.
The AMS researches and experiments with all facets of medieval history, including art, bookbinding, knife sharpening, storytelling, embroidery, calligraphy, heavy weapons fighting and dancing.
We basically are involved in anything and everything medieval
except for the plague said senior Marjory Searles, vice-president of the AMS. A lot of people don't know about all the great things that began in this time. That's why we are here.
AMS president Dean Wright said though the AMS is a small group on campus, it is still relatively well known. When you see people whacking each other with sticks you generally remember that
he said. It sticks in your head.
The society was originally founded in the 1970s as a campus branch of the Society for Creative Anachronism. The SCA is an international organization whose purpose is to re-create the culture and skills of pre-17th century Europe. The SCA has 19 kingdoms with more than 30,000 members worldwide.
Because of financial reasons, the SCA had to be separated from OU. The funds for student organizations must be maintained through the university, and the SCA requires that funds be kept through their organization.
We are separate financially
but in terms of purpose
we are not separate at all
Searles said.
Wright said the organization was founded as a bridging group to connect the SCA world to OU students.
Many people in the group develop a medieval alter ego, because it allows them to become someone new and completely different from themselves, Searles said. Her persona is Isabel Mure, a Scottish woman from the mid- to late-1400s.
She said that there are many groups on campus that are just for fun and many groups that are purely academic. The AMS is different because it falls somewhere in the middle of the two types.
The group will hold its first Yule Ball tomorrow at 8 p.m. and plans to make the dance an annual event.
These are not terribly fancy dances
Searles said. If you can walk
then you can do these dances.
The dances, set to the holiday music of the Renaissance and Victorian eras, will be taught at the beginning of the evening. No experience is required.
Tickets are $1 and are available at the door. All in attendance must wear dress clothes; jeans will not be permitted.
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