How to Become a Member of the Knygts Erraunt of Edmonton

How to Become a Member of the Knygts Erraunt

Are you interested in joining our club? Here’s what you should know:

Member Requirements

1. You must be 18+ years old and live in the Edmonton, Alberta area.

At this time, the Knygts Erraunt of Edmonton can only accept members who are 18 years of age or older. As our name suggests, it will be difficult to participate in our club if you do not live in Edmonton, Alberta or surrounding area.

2. You must be prepared to contribute financially.

Members are expected to contribute financially to the club. We currently charge an annual membership fee of $20, which covers the cost of this website. Additional financial commitments have involved splitting major club related expenses as needed. Some examples have included our club sunshades, fire boxes, tables, and benches -- all of which are capital investments that occur infrequently. Any such expenses are pre-approved by all club members. Club members must also be prepared for the expenses involved in building their historically accurate kit (e.g., costumes or armour); assembling high quality historical impressions takes both time and money!

3. Participation in public events is encouraged.

Member participation in public appearances is important because it is the primary source of revenue for the club and how we secure our clubhouse. It's also a lot of fun, even if you're shy!

4. Adhere to our code of conduct.

Club members are expected to hold themselves to a high standard of conduct, treating other club members and members of the public with civility and honour. All members sign our code of conduct document as part of the application process (see below).

Member Responsibilities

1. Authentic Medieval Costume

Club members are required to work towards building, at minimum, a complete medieval 14th century Western European costume (i.e., “soft kit”) that can be used for both public appearances and immersive in-club events (a full list of basic costume requirements is at the bottom of this page). Soft and hard kit for public display are subject to approval from the club's Authenticity Officer. Medieval clothing is not necessary for participation in regular club meetings, like crafternoons, discussions, or martial arts training.

2. Ongoing Research and Practice.

Club members do not normally assume or act out medieval ‘personas,’ but a member’s costume should represent a particular social role (e.g., wool merchant, knight, etc.). Club members should engage in careful historical research to ensure the authenticity of their equipment and the accuracy of their understanding of our historical time period and location. There are many misconceptions about the middle ages, and club members should be able to help dispel these (even though we will never know everything, and are constantly learning and correcting our own historical understandings).

Application Process

“Sounds great, but I'd like to see what you do first.”

If you are interested and want to learn more before applying, please contact us through one of the methods below to arrange a public meet & greet. We usually arrange to meet you in a coffee shop, do some crafting, and chat about all things 14th century. We also highly encourage anyone interested to speak with us at any of our public events.

“Say no more, I'm ready to join!”

Please print and complete our application package. The application package contains three documents: an application form, our code of conduct, and a liability waiver. Membership is not automatic; new members undergo a vetting process by the executive council of the Knygts Erraunt.

Once these three documents have been completed and signed, scan them and email it all to us. (You can also submit hardcopy -- contact us for instructions.) The executive committee of the club will review your application, and may request a meeting with you before making a decision.

Contact Information

You may contact us via any of the following means:

Our website's contact form
Email: kerraunt@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/knygtserraunt/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/knygtse/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KnygtsE
Telephone or post (please email or PM a request for phone number or mailing address)

Basic Costume Requirements (Authenticity Minimums)

Note on colours: plant fibers (i.e., linen) should be bleached white or undyed only. Animal fibres (i.e., wool or silk), if chemically dyed, should be as close to period colours as possible. When available, dye animal fabrics with vegetable dyes (or leave the fabric in its natural, undyed colour if available).

Male Representations:

Braies (medieval ‘boxers’) in white or unbleached linen
Undershirt in white or unbleached linen
Chausses or hose (medieval ‘pants’) in wool
Cote, overtunic, or cotehardie (medieval ‘shirt’) in wool or, exceptionally, silk
Headwear: hairstyle in a documented period fashion, or a wool hood/liripipe, or a wool hat, or a linen coif (rare in our period)
Leather turnshoes (except for decalced monks and paupers)
Leather or rope belt
Leather belt pouch is not required but highly recommended!
Note: braies should not be unduly exposed. Therefore, male tunics should be at minimum mid-thigh length, and adequate to cover the braies completely while standing and walking.

Female Representations:

Chemise (underdress) in white or unbleached linen
Chausses or hose (medieval ‘socks’) in wool, with fabric or leather garters at the knee
Cote, gown, kirtle, or cotehardie (medieval ‘dress’) in wool or, exceptionally, silk
Headwear: linen cap or veil (except for young, unmarried women and prostitutes)
Leather turnshoes (except for decalced nuns and paupers)
A belt (leather or rope) and drawstring pouch (linen, wool, or embroidered) is not required but highly recommended!

Final Note:

We recognise that not everyone’s kit will immediately conform to these authenticity requirements, especially if you are working with existing items from involvement with other clubs. However, the first goal of each member shall be to assemble a kit that does meet these requirements, within reasonable financial and time constraints. With approval of the authenticity officer, members with non-conforming kits may be permitted to participate in public appearances and in-club immersive events.