On Guidance for Gentles who Aspire to the Maunche

If you are an Artisan and Aspire to the Order

The Arts and Sciences in the SCA are so diverse, that there cannot be a simple checklist. Everyone’s path may differ. Furthermore, since the formal definition of the order does not provide much detailed information, members of the Order will often develop their own ideas about what makes a person deserving of a Maunch, to help them better advise the Crown.

To help artisans aspiring to this order we have created a space where order members can share those individual thoughts on what it means to become a member of the order.

How the Order Works

The Maunch is not a stepping stone to the Laurel, members may or may not have had a formal mentor, and there is certainly no set expectation for mundane credentials or how long you have been practicing your art.

Individuals are submitted for consideration to the Crown. The names are then submitted for consideration and advising to the Order. The Order provides feedback to the Crown, who makes the final decision. Typically the individual does not know they have been submitted for consideration. The Order’s proceedings are confidential.

Thoughts & Advice from Order Members

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Elysabeth Underhill (Lissa)

When I advise the Crown I look for an artisan who has worked to attain an intermedidate skill level in their art. However, more importantly, I'm looking for an artisan who has begun to show an interest in the Historical Context surrounding their art. How would their art have been done in period? What tools would have been used? Who engaged in this art, and what meaning did the art have to its society? These are all questions that I would like to see a Maunche express curiosity about, and begin to investigate.

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Lord John Kelton of Greyhorn

• An area of study which is pre-16th century. Cutoff dates can be a bit fuzzy depending on your area of study.
  • If it extends to post period, how does it relate to period?
• Excellence in a field /surpassing competence:
  • This does not presume complete in-depth mastery
• Research and quality documentation is very important
  • The ability to explain your process
• Quality documentation is important. This would preferentially include primary sources, i.e. period writings, art, and artifacts.
  • Original/innovative research is not a requirement or expectation
• Progress is important, this includes acknowledging and addressing stumbles and failures.
• An interest in teaching or sharing your knowledge and skills.
  • This is not an expectation of teaching formal classes or publishing
• Interest and enthusiasm in furthering your art/science
• Willingness to accept feedback and critique
• Courteous behavior. Although “Peer-like” qualities are not required, attitude and conduct does matter
• Publishing and Participating in A&S demos and competitions are helpful but not required. These are simply very high profile means of demonstrating your work. An advantage of competitions is the feedback you will receive from judges. You may find a blog, Facebook page, Wiki, etc, a convenient place to put information on your work.
  • Outside academic publishing is never an expectation or requirement
• Become an apprentice. Again, by no means required. However an apprenticeship provides and means of having typically a low overall help guide you, mentor you and provide feedback to the order.
• Be visible, sadly as in many areas of life, those who work quietly in the background may be overlooked. This is not malicious it is simply reality.
• Be nominated. Although humility is a noble trait, it does NOT mean you can’t express your interest in the various Orders, including peerages.
• Do not be afraid to approach a Maunch if you have questions