Frequently Asked Questions
How do I become a member?
Come to our meetings on a regular basis and participate in some of our activities.
What if I am busy on Monday or Tuesday nights?
If you can not make it to our weekly meetings, you can still be a member. Most of our big events occur on weekends and members often gather informally during the week to work on projects and learn about history.
Do I have to pay to be a member?
There is no membership fee to join Maryland Medieval Mercenary Militia. Our parent organization, Markland, has a $15 student member fee.
What is Markland?
Markland is a confederacy of medieval history themed groups similar to ours. It has hundreds of members and has groups located in Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey. Markland rules apply to all of these groups so that when we get together for events, there are no questions regarding whose rules to follow. More information about Markland can be found here.
Do I have to be a Markland member?
No, you do not have to be a Markland member to join our club. However, we do encourage you to join because it allows you to participate at althyngs and council meetings and is required to fight at Crown War.
If I become a member, do I have to fight?
No. While fighting is the most popular club activity, we offer other activities as well like garb making, armor making, leather working, metal working, and living history.
Does frat fighting hurt?
Frat fighting is a full contact sport, and like in other full contact sports, pain and injuries may occur. Practice and playing safely will reduce the chances of injury.
Does rec fighting hurt?
The point of rec fighting is to give the appearance of combat without actually hitting your opponent. Rec fighters must practice and train before participating in any battles. Experienced fighters are safe fighters. However, accidents can happen.
Is your group part of the SCA?
No. We are not associated with the Society for Creative Anachronism, although some or our members are also members of the SCA and participate in some of their events.
Does your club do larping?
NO. Our group does NOT participate in Live Action Role Playing. We are historically based, representing historical cultures, and recreating historical fighting techniques. There are no elves, dwarves, trolls, magicians, vampires, werewolves, or any other fantasy characters in Markland.
What is a persona?
An experienced reenactor will usually develop a persona. This is a character they portray in reenactment and living history events. Persona usually includes: name, culture, occupation, personal history, religion, and any other aspects of life they might chose to create.
Do I have to have a European persona?
No. While most members of our club portray European cultures, there are many members of Markland who have Asian or Middle Eastern personas. However, that may limit your ability to participate in certain battles. For example: we can not have a samurai in the Battle of Hastings. For these occasions you may want to make extra European garb so that you can join in.
Do you really have a castle?
Yes. The castle is about 40 feet wide and 20 feet tall. It is made of wood and has two catwalks from which archers can fire down at fighters on the ground. It is located at one of our most popular event sites on a farm in Cecil County, Maryland.
What's up with the squirrel?
The squirrel is Maryland Medieval Mercenary Militia's mascot. A terrapin would have been too obvious. Besides, there are a lot more squirrels on campus then there are turtles.
How do I become a member?
Come to our meetings on a regular basis and participate in some of our activities.
What if I am busy on Monday or Tuesday nights?
If you can not make it to our weekly meetings, you can still be a member. Most of our big events occur on weekends and members often gather informally during the week to work on projects and learn about history.
Do I have to pay to be a member?
There is no membership fee to join Maryland Medieval Mercenary Militia. Our parent organization, Markland, has a $15 student member fee.
What is Markland?
Markland is a confederacy of medieval history themed groups similar to ours. It has hundreds of members and has groups located in Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey. Markland rules apply to all of these groups so that when we get together for events, there are no questions regarding whose rules to follow. More information about Markland can be found here.
Do I have to be a Markland member?
No, you do not have to be a Markland member to join our club. However, we do encourage you to join because it allows you to participate at althyngs and council meetings and is required to fight at Crown War.
If I become a member, do I have to fight?
No. While fighting is the most popular club activity, we offer other activities as well like garb making, armor making, leather working, metal working, and living history.
Does frat fighting hurt?
Frat fighting is a full contact sport, and like in other full contact sports, pain and injuries may occur. Practice and playing safely will reduce the chances of injury.
Does rec fighting hurt?
The point of rec fighting is to give the appearance of combat without actually hitting your opponent. Rec fighters must practice and train before participating in any battles. Experienced fighters are safe fighters. However, accidents can happen.
Is your group part of the SCA?
No. We are not associated with the Society for Creative Anachronism, although some or our members are also members of the SCA and participate in some of their events.
Does your club do larping?
NO. Our group does NOT participate in Live Action Role Playing. We are historically based, representing historical cultures, and recreating historical fighting techniques. There are no elves, dwarves, trolls, magicians, vampires, werewolves, or any other fantasy characters in Markland.
What is a persona?
An experienced reenactor will usually develop a persona. This is a character they portray in reenactment and living history events. Persona usually includes: name, culture, occupation, personal history, religion, and any other aspects of life they might chose to create.
Do I have to have a European persona?
No. While most members of our club portray European cultures, there are many members of Markland who have Asian or Middle Eastern personas. However, that may limit your ability to participate in certain battles. For example: we can not have a samurai in the Battle of Hastings. For these occasions you may want to make extra European garb so that you can join in.
Do you really have a castle?
Yes. The castle is about 40 feet wide and 20 feet tall. It is made of wood and has two catwalks from which archers can fire down at fighters on the ground. It is located at one of our most popular event sites on a farm in Cecil County, Maryland.
What's up with the squirrel?
The squirrel is Maryland Medieval Mercenary Militia's mascot. A terrapin would have been too obvious. Besides, there are a lot more squirrels on campus then there are turtles.
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