Arts & Sciences Minister:
Arontius of Bygelswade 
Arts and Sciences
(© 2012 Derek Lyons)
Although Martial activities are perhaps the most visible aspect of SCA life, study of the Arts and Sciences supports every facet of life in the Current Middle Ages. Without them life would be both less colorful and less comfortable. What would happen to the pageantry of court and tournament without the skills of costumers, musicians, and craftsmen in disciplines like banner making, metalwork, woodwork, calligraphy, and illumination? What would the feast be without the culinary arts, dancing, or the bardic arts?
Many arts and science activities are scheduled each month in the Barony. We have arts and sciences activities at nearly every social and get-together, including Guild meetings, workshops, and bardic practices. See the Baronial news feed for more information.
Guilds
Guilds in the SCA are inspired by historical medieval and renaissance guilds — these are community-level organizations that promote a specific craft or skill. Dragon’s Laire has several active guilds. Some of these are local “chapters” of a Kingdom-wide guild, others are local to Dragon’s Laire only, and still other guilds are active primarily at the Kingdom level. Click here to learn more about our guilds.
Bardic Activities
The Bardic Deputy to the Arts & Sciences Minister is Arontius of Bygelswade , who organizes many great activities for our Barony.
Dragon’s Laire Reader’s Theater:
The AnTirrable Players perform dramatic readings of Shakespeare and other period pieces. During COVID-19 closures, they completed an adaptation of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, which you can watch on YouTube. If you want to participate in future readings, including in-person performances, please reach out! No acting experience is required, just a willingness to want to have fun with a group of rather nice people.
Instrumental Chorus:
This is a new activity for Dragon’s Laire. All levels of instrumental skill are invited, from beginners to experts with years of skill. Music is available for all levels of experience, and you can even borrow an instrument (recorder)! The group members practice on their own and meet together once or twice a month. Right now, they have mastered a handful of music pieces and are looking forward to, perhaps, performing at an event soon. The group has a private Facebook group for organizational and planning purposes: Dragon’s Laire Instrumental Chorus.
Champions and Scholars
See the Champions and Scholars page for a list of current and former baronial scholars and A&S champions.
Our champions are selected by an annual competition held at Candlemas. Champions serve for a year as representatives of the Barony. Learn more about how our A&S and Bardic championship competitions work.
The Scholar’s Assembly focuses on scholarly research, with the intent to build a community of scholars within the Barony. Research papers are selected, on the basis of scholarly merit, for presentation at the Scholar’s Assembly at Candlemas. Successful applicants are recognized as Scholars of Dragon’s Laire. Learn more about how the Scholar’s Assembly works.
Borrowing the Drum Carder
The Barony of Dragon’s Laire has this fiber drum carder available for loan, with the attachments and accessories pictured here. We loan it out upon request on an e-mail sent to the Arts and Sciences Minister, Arontius of Bygelswade (click to email). We can negotiate the length-of-time needed, dependent on what is being processed. We can also provide instruction on its use when transfer occurs. We expect the drum carder to be returned in the same condition as when it was loaned. If you have any questions, please contact the Arts and Sciences Minister at the e-mail address above.
A&S Classes
Classes are held frequently during our Tuesday night Baronial Social/Fighter Practice at the VFW Hall. Want to take part? Try out an upcoming presentation? Convene a round table discussion on a topic of interest? Bring some books to show? Have an idea or wish for a class? Contact the arts and sciences minister, Arontius of Bygelswade .
Class information is usually posted in the Dragon’s Laire Facebook group and on the Baronial newsfeed.
Want to Teach?
We are always looking for teachers for our events, our weekly social and more. If you are interested in teaching, contact the Arts and Sciences Minister.
Kingdom Arts and Sciences Information:
Kingdom Arts and Sciences Information is found on the Kingdom Arts and Sciences Webpage.
We LOVE our Day Camp
The Barony holds Arts and Sciences Day Camps at various times in the year; generally one in the Spring and one in the Fall. This is an all day, casual (no garb required), socializing, teaching, learning, and doing event. Day Camp encourages the Arts & Sciences spirit in all who participate! We often have instructors and participants from across the region.