Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to be a specific persona to join St. Martins?

No. St. Martins does not have a singlular period and location we are portraying. St. Martins is not a living history or reenacting group, however we do focus on medieval Europe during the "Age of Chivalry", and may host occasionaly special "period specific" private events where a certain standard of authenticity is expected. Our goal is St. Martins is for members to research and improve their costumes and accouter over time toward a higher level of authenticity for each individual's persona.

How "Period" do I have to be to join St. Martins?

We do not expect newcomers to walk in with perfectly accurate costumes from day one. Members and guests are expected to wear a pre-17th century costume when hanging in the "period encampment area" or for special events. We expect people to improve as time and finances permit toward a higher level of authenticity. While we don't "outfit" new members, and you will need to buy materials and some armour pieces from professionals, we will help you as much as possible with training and guidance to make your own costumes and supplemental armor pieces and gear.

We do expect members and guests to help keep the "period environmental area" free from obviously modern items, such as uncovered modern lawn chairs, soda cans, plastic bottles, etc. But there are portions of the encampment that are "mundane" areas, that are not subject to any authenticity requirements at all. Some members choose to immerse themselves into the period environment, while others do not. We are trying to get some period benches set up for the period area, so that those who forget to bring covers for their modern chairs have something to sit on.

How do I join St. Martins?

First thing we would suggest is to join the egroup and read through the egroup traffic. You will get an email asking for your identity upon subscription just to help prevent spammers from joining our group.

Then come to practices, parties and come try camping and fighting with us. If after a few times camping with us, you feel we may be a match, then ask to become a member. Sir Arion and Dame Juliana will check with the membership, and if there are no objections, you will be invested in the Company and swear to uphold its statutes.

What is the Tournament Company portion of St. Martin's mean?

Over time, we hope that the group will organize and sponsor period format tournaments. Our first tournament was an "Elizabethan Playing at the Prize" tournament at GWW 2003. Eventually we hope to sponsor other formats like Pas d'Arms or other behourd type tournaments. We will rely on indivuals in the group deciding to organize the tournament, and other members of the group will help support them as much as possible. At the Elizabethan tournament, Lord David made up flyers, contacted the site autocrat and made the arrangements. Others of us helped gather props, man the lists, manage the betting table and sponsored prizes.

What do you mean by Chivalry?

We encourage our members to study period Chivalric texts and to evaluate how they apply to our historic clubs, as well as our mundane lives.

Do you do community service?

One of the goals of St. Martin's is to support our SCA and Adrian communities educational goals by setting high standards for demos and other presentations. Several of us are also interested in community outreach and have discussed sponsoring tournaments with charity goals. After the San Diego fires this year, Sir Arion and Dame Juliana collected and delivered donations made by St. Martins and other members of the SCA and the Adrian Empire to burned out families on the San Pasqual Indian reservation (Juliana had 4 relatives loose homes there), the Valley Center region, the Red Cross distribution center while it was open, and the Humane Society. Members have had ideas from youth group outreach to fundraisers for needy charities.

Does the group vote on things?

Yes and no. The group is feudal, not democratic. Sir Arion and Dame Juliana have delineated their goals for the group within the statutes of the Company. Sir Arion and Dame Juliana may or may not poll the group for input on decisions, but also have a vision for the group's culture. However, Sir Arion and Dame Juliana know that to go against the wishes of the group would not be wise, and have open doors related to communication.

Can I eventually become the Commander of the Unit?

Each fighting member will have the opportunity to get leadership and command training and have opportunities for field commands on occasion if they are interested. We feel it is important to the unit and the SCA to increase the leadership experience on the field. Its as easy as indicating to Sir Arion that you are interested, and you will get some training before you get set loose. We want to do well on the field and no one has as much fun if we all die easy. However, the ultimate command is and always will be retained by Sir Arion and Dame Juliana, who are the Peers who are the heads of this group.

Do you guys hire mercenaries? Are you mercenaries?

No. St. Martin's fights for the Crown, and causes that are just and right - for free. Sir Arion and Dame Juliana are in fealty to the Crown and the unit is portraying "local landed nobility" rather than mercs in a foreign war. For Sir Arion and Dame Juliana's personas opinions on mercenaries, one should read Machiavelli's commentary. We welcome others to fight with us in good company and friendship, but do not pay them. However we are not opposed to shows of largesse on our part or on the part of others.

Do you have Drum Circles? Can I be Middle Eastern?

St. Martins is not a drum circle drinking party type of place. We are a singing, drinking, and gambling party type of place, however. This does not mean we won't occasionally invite some high quality Middle Eastern musicians and dancers over to entertain us. Some of the members of our group are phenominal middle eastern musicians themselves. We don't disallow Middle Eastern personas, but we do discourage them. We are striving toward a European presentation for our group, but we do not mind people occasionally dressing up in Middle Eastern costume.

What about Romans, Celts and Greeks and other "ancient" personas?

St. Martins prefers to focus on portraying European personas who would fit into the "Age of Chivalry". There are other groups who focus on earlier periods.

Do you have people to watch my kids while I fight?

No, we don't, there is no communal babysitting arrangement. However, there might be people willing to make trades for child care or help you find sitters for hire.

Does my wife/girlfriend/children automatically become members with me?

No, we assume that Significant Others are able to choose to be in the group or not on their own, but we also assume families are "package deals" in regards to children. Its wise to be sure your whole family fits in and accepts the culture and goals of the group before joining. If your wife ruffles at the thought of covering her metal and canvas lawn chair or being expected to wear something other than tennis shoes in the period area, this may not be the camp for you.

Do you have communal means and a camp kitchen?

No, we don't. We do usually have a group pot luck one night at a war. Otherwise people are on their own for food.