The Importance of Documentation

This is where documentation comes in, and is the biggest bone of contention amongst re-enactors as to authenticity and accuracy of the documented piece.

The problem is that most people go about this the wrong way round. They make an object, and then try to prove it is correct. (note - when I use the word "period" I mean it to refer to the period you are researching)

By far the best way to prove existence is to know what you want to do, and then go and do the research - only after you have done the research do you make the item. In this way, you will have found out about styles, techniques, colours and patterns used.

This article will give you my thoughts on documentation - what it is, and what sort of documentation you should try to have for your pieces. Remember, documentation shows that you know what you are doing, and even if you have not used completely period material and construction techniques, you know what you have done wrong, and have reasons for doing it differently (usually this is done because the period thing is (a) not available (b) too darn expensive or (c) not physically possible due to being illegal, immoral or offensive (did you know that in many areas, rendering fat to make lard is against the law in residential areas??).

Now this may not seem important, but if you are entering a competition where you have to describe your processes, it is vital that you can justify what you have done, and you will loose points if you do not show that you know the correct process, and explain why you have not followed it.

So - on we go.

The best rule I have heard I call the "Rule of 3", which means to find at least 3 examples of what you want to do. By that, I mean 3 different examples - not the same one in 3 different places - or 3 different paintings of the same person (in some cases)! Each example should be obviously the same object (or type of object) but made, worn or found in a different place.

This avoids leaps of illogic (eg: I found a helm with horns on it in a Viking village, so all Vikings wear horned helms).

This brings us onto the different types of documentation, and their validity. In this age of the Internet, many people rely on what they find there. This is a bit silly, as much of the information is not validated at all. If the information does not give a bibliography of some sort, then you should disregard it. After all, a bibliography gives you a chance to check the information yourself, and if you can't do that, then it does leave you open to problems.

There are 3 main types of documentation: Primary, Secondary and Tertiary, and I will look at these in turn.

PRIMARY documentation is an actual piece known to be from that period (eg: items found in burial sites, or archaeological digs. Midden finds are great!)

SECONDARY documentation is a period rendering of a piece (eg: using a painting by Holbein to take a blackwork embroidery pattern from, or from a written description in a document of the period) or a photograph of a period piece. Often, a drawing by an archaeologist in the field is good secondary documentation, as these drawings are usually excellent, and include notes as to dimensions, details of patterns, and designs, and notes as to what it is made out of.

TERTIARY documentation is a modern rendering of a period piece – usually from secondary (r other tertiary) documentation.Many costume books rely on this.

Of all of these, primary and secondary documentation are the ones you should try to use most.

Often, you will find the best primary or secondary documentation in very unlikely places.

Household Inventories, Court Records, and Newspapers are great sources. You would be surprised at what turns up in them. Wills are also great sources.

Newspapers can be important, especially for 19th century and later re-enactors as they contain advertisements - often of things for everyday use. The articles in all newspapers can contain bits of trivia about life in your period. Other things to look at are songs written at the time - as they are often about topical events, or give an idea as to the mindset of the people of the time.

For clothing and accessories, Paintings are your best idea. They give clothing, hairstyles, and accessories for you to look at.

When you have done your research, and the time comes to make your object, you should ask yourself the following questions:

1. What is this used for? 2. Who will be using it? 3. Where will it be used? 4. Why is it used?

Answering these 4 questions will determine the whole piece. For example, say you were making yourself a bucket to be used during the American Civil War (say about 1865).

1. What is this used for? Carrying water? Carrying Sand? make your decision as to its primary use.

2. Who will be using it? A soldier? An Officer? A civilian?

3. Where will it be used? In the winter? Outdoors? Indoors? On the battlefield? In the city? In the country?

4. Why is it used? Substitute for something else? Purpose made?

As you can see, it will start a number of different questions. A bucket made for use by a solder outdoors on the battlefield to carry water, will be very different to a bucket made for use by a civilian in the city to hold ice - and yet both are entirely normal pieces of equipment during the time. The materials will be different, as will the craftsmanship, and even the decoration!

To be continued...........