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The Importance of Documentation

© Megan McConnell

As historical re-enactors, we have to be able to prove that what we do, and what we wear was done and worn in the period in which we re-enact.

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).

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