The Pike and Musket Society is a historical re-enactment and Living History organisation whose main focus is reenacting the Green Band of the Trayned Bandes (Trained Bands) of London at the beginning of the English Civil War in 1642. They are based in Australia. Most members live in or near Sydney, and some in Melbourne and Newcastle.
Even though their main area of re-enactment is military, they also reenact the finer parts of Stuart culture. Some members of the Pike and Musket Society have branched out to form the Stoccata School of Defence, dedicated to the study of European Swordsmanship. Others are interested in dance, needlework, and much finer cookery than the average soldier's rations.
17th century military encampment life was a little different than today's military. Women and children often accompanied the soldiers, the richer members of society brought along quite an encampment indeed. According to 17th century documents, some of the soldiers were cleverly disguised women. The Trayned Bandes of London's weapons were the Musket and the Pike. The musket is a black powder weapon with a lead ball of 52-58 calibre. The gunpowder was held in the 12 'apostles' or 'charges' carried on a bandolier. The pike was a 17 foot long length of wood with an 8" steel head. These don't seem very effective compared to today's weapons, but were the height of military technology for the period.
Origin
As legend has it, the Society was formed from a discussion in a car on the way back from a re-enactment event in 1985, where historical authenticity was noticed to have been sadly lacking. The Founders resolved to stem the burgeoning influence of fantasy-oriented groups like the SCA by creating a re-enactment society where historical authenticity would be the primary goal, setting an example for others to follow. They have been very successful, and "The Routiers" are now acknowledged throughout Australia as a shining example of historical accuracy and authenticity. They are also well known for singing, carousing, and ability to have a good time - proving that "authenticity" and "fun" are not opposing concepts, despite what many in less enlightened groups will claim. Some members have been heavily involved in the creation of the umbrella group The Australian Living History Federation. Contrary to some rumours, the founding fathers of the Routiers were not members of the SCA.
Events
They sporadically practice marching according to Drill Manuals published in the late 1630s. This usually occurs once a month, according to the Trained Bands of London's regulations.
Every year they hold a couple of living history weekends. Setting up an authentic soldiers' campsite, living in period-style tents, eating and drinking appropriate food, and fireing muskets on a range (if available). Fencing, shooting and archery competitions and skirmishes add to the ambiance.
One of these events per year is designated as a General Muster, where Routiers must present their kit for inspection, to ensure that everyone is up to their ever-improving standard.
Even though their main area of re-enactment is military, they also reenact the finer parts of Stuart culture. Some members of the Pike and Musket Society have branched out to form the Stoccata School of Defence, dedicated to the study of European Swordsmanship. Others are interested in dance, needlework, and much finer cookery than the average soldier's rations.
17th century military encampment life was a little different than today's military. Women and children often accompanied the soldiers, the richer members of society brought along quite an encampment indeed. According to 17th century documents, some of the soldiers were cleverly disguised women. The Trayned Bandes of London's weapons were the Musket and the Pike. The musket is a black powder weapon with a lead ball of 52-58 calibre. The gunpowder was held in the 12 'apostles' or 'charges' carried on a bandolier. The pike was a 17 foot long length of wood with an 8" steel head. These don't seem very effective compared to today's weapons, but were the height of military technology for the period.
Origin
As legend has it, the Society was formed from a discussion in a car on the way back from a re-enactment event in 1985, where historical authenticity was noticed to have been sadly lacking. The Founders resolved to stem the burgeoning influence of fantasy-oriented groups like the SCA by creating a re-enactment society where historical authenticity would be the primary goal, setting an example for others to follow. They have been very successful, and "The Routiers" are now acknowledged throughout Australia as a shining example of historical accuracy and authenticity. They are also well known for singing, carousing, and ability to have a good time - proving that "authenticity" and "fun" are not opposing concepts, despite what many in less enlightened groups will claim. Some members have been heavily involved in the creation of the umbrella group The Australian Living History Federation. Contrary to some rumours, the founding fathers of the Routiers were not members of the SCA.
Events
They sporadically practice marching according to Drill Manuals published in the late 1630s. This usually occurs once a month, according to the Trained Bands of London's regulations.
Every year they hold a couple of living history weekends. Setting up an authentic soldiers' campsite, living in period-style tents, eating and drinking appropriate food, and fireing muskets on a range (if available). Fencing, shooting and archery competitions and skirmishes add to the ambiance.
One of these events per year is designated as a General Muster, where Routiers must present their kit for inspection, to ensure that everyone is up to their ever-improving standard.
Valhalla Herred is a sub group of The Vikings re-enactment society. It is one of the oldest continuously operating groups within the Vikings.
Origins
It was initially founded in 1984 by Mike Haywood from a small number of members of a group called "The Fantasy Army", a Live Action Role Play (LARP) group operating out of Peckforton Castle and using the Treasure Trap system.
LARP is normally conducted with rubber swords but the members of TFA were trained in the use of steel weapons as well, and as well as emgagimg in 'Steel' dungeons at Treasure Trap, they often attended other non-Treasure Trap events where they staged steel combat for a public audience. This included attendances at Games Day 1983 and 1984.
In the Spring of 1984 the group was told about the Battle of Hastings re-enactment which was in planning for that October. Since the event was being organised by FODAS (Federation Of Dark-Ages Societies) an invitation was sought by Mike Haywood on behalf of the members of TFA. An invitation was received, on condition that the warriors attending were members of the NFPS (Norse Film & Pagent Society)and were trained to their standards. As a result about 10 members of TFA joined the NFPS in July/August 1984 with Mike Haywood as their nominated group leader. Since they had previously been billed as Valhalla Vikings as part of TFA, they chose Valhalla as the group name for use within the NFPS.
The Early Years (1984 - 1989)
The Battle of Hastings event proved a turning point in the group history. Just as Treasure Trap began to fall apart, a whole new realm of events opened up and members of Valhalla were soon travelling all over the country to be part of the NFPS event schedule. Despite the growing split between FODAS and the NFPS, and the departure from the NFPS of the Wessex Sveiter (Regia Anglorum) Valhalla remained friends with members of these other organisations, and continued to attend events on both sides of the political divide.
First European Trips
During the early period group members travelled to the Dublin Viking millennium festival, as well as a number of events in Denmark. Contact with Danish and German re-enactors who's events had previously been mostly craft fairs, led to the growth of combat oriented groups and in time, Valhalla would grow sub groups in both Denmark and Germany. This culminated at the Moesgaard festival in 1994, where Valhalla alone fielded about 30 warriors led by Mike Haywood.
The Middle Years (1990-2000)
The early 1990s saw Valhalla participate in a number of major historical re-enactments including :
1990 - Battle of Hastings
1991 - Millennium Anniversary Battle of Maldon
1993 - 1200th Anniversary of the Viking attack on Lindisfarne Abbey
1995 - Battle of Hastings
2000 - Battle of Hastings
New Millennium - New Horizons
A the large Hastings 2000 event a number of friendships were struck up and the availability of email and internet access allowed Valhalla to spread it's influence well beyond Europe.
In June 2003, three of Valhalla's Steel Training Officers travelled to Kansas City, Missouri to begin a training program with Canadian and American Viking enthusiasts. The three years since then have seen The Vikings NA mushroom to a dozen groups with members from Florida to California and Toronto to Texas.
Origins
It was initially founded in 1984 by Mike Haywood from a small number of members of a group called "The Fantasy Army", a Live Action Role Play (LARP) group operating out of Peckforton Castle and using the Treasure Trap system.
LARP is normally conducted with rubber swords but the members of TFA were trained in the use of steel weapons as well, and as well as emgagimg in 'Steel' dungeons at Treasure Trap, they often attended other non-Treasure Trap events where they staged steel combat for a public audience. This included attendances at Games Day 1983 and 1984.
In the Spring of 1984 the group was told about the Battle of Hastings re-enactment which was in planning for that October. Since the event was being organised by FODAS (Federation Of Dark-Ages Societies) an invitation was sought by Mike Haywood on behalf of the members of TFA. An invitation was received, on condition that the warriors attending were members of the NFPS (Norse Film & Pagent Society)and were trained to their standards. As a result about 10 members of TFA joined the NFPS in July/August 1984 with Mike Haywood as their nominated group leader. Since they had previously been billed as Valhalla Vikings as part of TFA, they chose Valhalla as the group name for use within the NFPS.
The Early Years (1984 - 1989)
The Battle of Hastings event proved a turning point in the group history. Just as Treasure Trap began to fall apart, a whole new realm of events opened up and members of Valhalla were soon travelling all over the country to be part of the NFPS event schedule. Despite the growing split between FODAS and the NFPS, and the departure from the NFPS of the Wessex Sveiter (Regia Anglorum) Valhalla remained friends with members of these other organisations, and continued to attend events on both sides of the political divide.
First European Trips
During the early period group members travelled to the Dublin Viking millennium festival, as well as a number of events in Denmark. Contact with Danish and German re-enactors who's events had previously been mostly craft fairs, led to the growth of combat oriented groups and in time, Valhalla would grow sub groups in both Denmark and Germany. This culminated at the Moesgaard festival in 1994, where Valhalla alone fielded about 30 warriors led by Mike Haywood.
The Middle Years (1990-2000)
The early 1990s saw Valhalla participate in a number of major historical re-enactments including :
1990 - Battle of Hastings
1991 - Millennium Anniversary Battle of Maldon
1993 - 1200th Anniversary of the Viking attack on Lindisfarne Abbey
1995 - Battle of Hastings
2000 - Battle of Hastings
New Millennium - New Horizons
A the large Hastings 2000 event a number of friendships were struck up and the availability of email and internet access allowed Valhalla to spread it's influence well beyond Europe.
In June 2003, three of Valhalla's Steel Training Officers travelled to Kansas City, Missouri to begin a training program with Canadian and American Viking enthusiasts. The three years since then have seen The Vikings NA mushroom to a dozen groups with members from Florida to California and Toronto to Texas.
Kevin Burkhardt is a reporter for SNY's coverage of the Mets and is a Jets reporter for WFAN, where he is also a host. He is married and resides on the Jersey Shore. Kevin is part of the successful SNY crew which includes Gary Cohen and former Mets Ron Darling and Keith Hernandez.
Biography
Burkhardt graduated from William Patterson University in 1997. He spent four years announcing Minor League Baseball games in New Jersey before going to work in radio. He spent eight years at WGHT in New Jersey before moving to WCBS-AM in New York, where he had a part time job which he supplemented by working as a car salesman. In January of 2007 he was names the "field reporter" for the Mets, conducting interviews in the stands and doing other reporting during the game.
Biography
Burkhardt graduated from William Patterson University in 1997. He spent four years announcing Minor League Baseball games in New Jersey before going to work in radio. He spent eight years at WGHT in New Jersey before moving to WCBS-AM in New York, where he had a part time job which he supplemented by working as a car salesman. In January of 2007 he was names the "field reporter" for the Mets, conducting interviews in the stands and doing other reporting during the game.
The Society of the Perfect Right Triangle, is a number-based philosophy similar to that of existentialism. The Society is centered around the belief that man, in his ideal state, is represented by the Perfect Right Triangle. All other shapes are physical embodiments of the imperfections of mankind, and the only way to achieve perfection is to transcend these imperfect states of being in order to achieve the ideal state of the Perfect Right Triangle.
History
The Society of the Perfect Right Triangle was founded in 2007 after series of hours spent studying trigonometry by a small group of students in La Jolla, Calfornia. After achieving a thorough understanding of the importance of the triangle in every aspect of life, they formed a philosophical hypothesis about the nature of humanity as embodied by the Perfect Right Triangle. Over time, the group began to gather followers.
Beliefs
The philosophy of the Society is based around the universal idea of the right triangle is and the continuous appearance of the Golden Ratio throughout nature. The ideal human state is physically embodied in the Perfect Right Triangle, which is a triangle where the ratio of the hypotenuse to the shortest side is 1:1.618. The hypotenuse is commonly reffered to as θ. Because the highest form of being is the Perfect Right Triangle, three is seen as the perfect number. Any shape or figure without three sides is the physical embodiment of human imperfection. In order to achieve the ideal state, one must existentially transcend imperfection, or "Other Shapes," through the appropriate application of the mind towards becoming the Perfect Right Triangle.
History
The Society of the Perfect Right Triangle was founded in 2007 after series of hours spent studying trigonometry by a small group of students in La Jolla, Calfornia. After achieving a thorough understanding of the importance of the triangle in every aspect of life, they formed a philosophical hypothesis about the nature of humanity as embodied by the Perfect Right Triangle. Over time, the group began to gather followers.
Beliefs
The philosophy of the Society is based around the universal idea of the right triangle is and the continuous appearance of the Golden Ratio throughout nature. The ideal human state is physically embodied in the Perfect Right Triangle, which is a triangle where the ratio of the hypotenuse to the shortest side is 1:1.618. The hypotenuse is commonly reffered to as θ. Because the highest form of being is the Perfect Right Triangle, three is seen as the perfect number. Any shape or figure without three sides is the physical embodiment of human imperfection. In order to achieve the ideal state, one must existentially transcend imperfection, or "Other Shapes," through the appropriate application of the mind towards becoming the Perfect Right Triangle.