To pass a group of 'sealed knot' type re-enacters

[Walkacrossthesand]

And wonder why their activities tend to attract faint derision, from people that probably include the men people who spend hours playing similar fantasy games on line?

[ForgettableTampon]

yes quite

they are getting fresh and exercise plus a whole heap of social contacts/interactions AND they get to wield swords and bownarrows and stuff

cool

[sooperdooper]

People are miserable buggers, sealed knot is a great organisation and as much of it is about socialising as anything else!!

[VivienStanshall]

I think it's great, there isn't a group near me or I would be joining up.

I've lifted old swords at demonstartions and the sheer weight of them, plus armour and shield, means you have to have years of strength training to swing them about like they do in the films.

[VivienStanshall]

And... rather than start a new thread on it I am always having to rein in my derision at adults (usually men but not exclusively, I'm a man and am so disappointed that it is usually men) who play these online fantasy / shoot em up games.

There may be great graphics and interaction but it is as much a waste as spending four hours a day playing space invaders.

[deemented]

A good friend of mine and her family are quite involved in Sealed Knot activities. They really seem to enjoy it and it's brought them much closer as a family. Even their mid teen girl loves it!

[scaevola]

I think there's quite an overlap between battle re-enactors and fantasy multiplayer computer game players. And D&D players.

[Joules68]

That's the key dee.... It's a family thing. But I'm guessing some of them are away from their families to do this. My ex was into it all. It's expensive, time consuming and quite obsessive

If your family don't share the enthusiasm then I can see why there would be derision from some

[Valdeeves]

I had a look - looks good to me - harmless fun for familes into history? Probably better than a day sitting in front of a play station?

[Timeforabiscuit]

Space invaders ffs

These games you're so derisory of are stunning works of art which are incredibly immersive and have brilliance in the way their executed.

Why are games derided where books, film and music are held on a pedestal?

Historical reenactments sound like awesome fun to me.

[Timeforabiscuit]

Vivien - you're on mumsnet - I bet you've spent an evening flicking through - how is that any different to spending an evening on skyrim? Are you really trying to kid yourself that one is more valuable than the other?

[Joules68]

Nothing wrong with gaming at all!

[VivienStanshall]

I would say Timeforabiscuit because they are games and games are for children and for adults at Christmastime, because they are there to pass the time.

Books (depending on the type of course) can give you insights, make you think, develop you as a person.

[VivienStanshall]

Well you do learn things on mumsnet, and on other forums, you contribute, debate, and above all think.

I confess to playing Candy Crush (275) and that's a waste of time but I specifically chose it because it is at absolute most half an hour a day, and usually less.

[KungFuBustle]

I'm with Dara O'Brien on the subject of video games. Vivien, I wept more at the end of Halo 4 than I did on reading book 14 of Wheel of Time. I waited years for that book. Both had amazing characters I cared for, but Halo did it better.

I would love to try historical reenactment, DH and DS would too.

[Timeforabiscuit]

wow games once a year! Games should be everyday - honing a skill, beating a personal best, seeking critique from your peers, developing strategy - these are skills to dedicate time to.

Coming as an avid reader as well as a gamer, I see the value of both.

If you don't play games, what makes you joyful?

[sadbodyblue]

hobbies are great. good on them. what's the problem. keeps a person rounded and happy. better than staring at the tv all day.

[LoveIsTheDrug]

I live in an area where SK are very active. I confess, I don't really get it, but it's harmless enough. It's often used around here as part of educational displays (sort of a living history type thing), so I can see that it's great for that, but u don't get it purely from the dressing up and pretending point of view (you know, battle reenactments just for sake of it etc). Especially as it all seems to be men roaring about the place being self important and women in big aprons stirring huge pots of gruel over campfires. What's in it for women, where's the fun?

[Joules68]

Who says games for adults are just for Christmas?? Someone on mumsnet? Oh well then.

[Timeforabiscuit]

kungfu - I was hooked from aerith in final fantasy 7,

[LoveIsTheDrug]

I not u. Stupid tulinyiPhone keyboard

[LoveIsTheDrug]

Tiny

[MmeGuillotine]

I was a member of the Sealed Knot for over a decade when I was younger as I was obsessed with the Civil War (it was one of my Aspergers Special Interests at the time). It was the most terrific fun. I had to give it up after an extremely messy break up with a fellow Sealed Knotter but often wish I could go back again.

My husband is less keen though, which is a shame as at 6'3, he'd be perfect pikeman material. He doesn't share my passion for history at all though and, despite being a geek himself, thinks that anything involving an element of role play is not for him. :)

[MmeGuillotine]

Loveisthedrug, women can roar about too. I used to go on the battlefield as a musketeer or armed with a massive sword in one of the Scottish regiments. I'd wear a dress too sometimes, but most of the women I knew in the Sealed Knot took part in the fighting rather than the camp following. :)

[BoneyBackJefferson]

OP its a shame that you have chosen to take a slightly sexist slant on this.

For what its worth though LARP and re-enactment is fantastic fun.

[LoveIsTheDrug]

Ah that's good to know Mme, thank you