Results and comments from the Aug/Sep 2003 survey.
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Ýves’ big SCA rapier survey #1 ~ Demographics |
| Updated: May 24, 2005 |
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Policy blurb
By default, authors of comments sent in response to this survey are named only by their permission. Usually, other people mentioned in a comment are named only with their permission as well. Each comment represents only what the author typed in for the survey at the time.
» This survey was conducted during August-September 2003. Things change over time. «
Some comments were edited for content. Certain harsh words have been changed for your amusement. Opinions expressed by the authors do not necessarily reflect those of the surveyor.
To get YOUR name listed with YOUR comments, just give me permission. See the e-mail button and information at the bottom of the page. Let me know your SCA name and kingdom (as of Aug/Sep 2003), and I'll add the attribution to your entries.
# of Responses by Kingdom AEth. = 34/235 Anst. = 36/240 An Tir = 56/347 Art. = 12/124 Aten. = 27/460 Atl. = 60/425 Caid = 49/400 Drach. = 21/76 Eald. = 12/77 East = 46/480 Loch. = 22/120 Mer. = 27/140 Mid. = 52/640 Nor. = 25/164 Out. = 26/214 Tri. = 46/237 West = 14/70 Unk. = 2
The gist
This page covers several questions regarding the demographics of the respondents — gender, service award rank in the SCA, the level of rapier-oriented award (if any) that they have received, where they are now, and kingdoms of residence.
The response distribution for these questions fits nice, normal bell curves. This means the responses do not appear to favor one segment of the population over another. However, some kingdoms are better represented than others.
For more comments and stats, see the links at the bottom of the page.
Question 19. More about you
Your gender is:
Male: 406 (71.6%). Female: 161 (28.4%).
Question 20. Alphabet soup
What kingdom-level awards have you received that were given for your contributions in SCA rapier? (Meaning, the award is listed in your kingdom law.)
Percentages do not include the "No answer" responses.
| None | 384 | 68.2% |
| Lesser award | 73 | 13.0% |
| Greater award | 106 | 18.8% |
| No answer | 4 | n/a |
A lesser award may or may not come with a Award of Arms (or the equivalent). From the time of the survey, if a kingdom has more than one rapier award, this includes the lower award(s) reported. If a kingdom has only one rapier award (such as Meridies did during the survey), it's included here.
A greater award often comes with a GoA, but perhaps just an AoA (such as in the East and Meridies). This includes the highest award from a kingdom that had more than one rapier award.
In January 2005, I received this request: "Could you break out the awards by gender, please?"
The result of my calculations are below. Percentages do not include the "No answer" responses.
Ladies only |
Lords only |
|||||
| None | 126 | 78.8% | 258 | 64.0% | ||
| Lesser award | 19 | 11.9% | 54 | 13.4% | ||
| Greater award | 15 | 9.4% | 91 | 22.6% | ||
| No answer | 1 | n/a | 3 | n/a | ||
Question 21
What is the highest ranking award you have received in the SCA?
Percentages do not include the "No answer" responses.
| None | 139 | 24.3% |
| Non-armigerous kingdom-level award | 8 | 1.4% |
| Award of Arms | 174 | 30.4% |
| Something that comes with an AoA (such as a CB) | 87 | 15.2% |
| Grant of Arms (or something that comes with it) | 124 | 21.7% |
| Patent of Arms | 40 | 7.0% |
| No answer | 5 | n/a |
If you know someone who you think deserves an award, rapier-related or not, and you want to know how to write a recommendation letter to the Crown, I might be of some service.
Question 8. Numbers
What kingdoms have you lived in and how much SCA fencing have you done there?
If the area you lived in changed names (such as Atenveldt to Artemisia), give the
NEWER name.
(Also, treat Northshield as a kingdom though it is still a principality.)
Later in the survey, I split this into two questions: current kingdom of residence, then other kingdoms. For the earlier responses, it was often apparent from the comments in the survey. When necessary and feasible, I asked via e-mail.
| ONLY | % | CURR | % | ANY | % | Auth | Top | |||
| Æthelmearc | 28 | 5.0% | 34 | 7.2% | 43 | 7.6% | 235 | 17.50 | ||
| Ansteorra | 33 | 5.8% | 35 | 7.6% | 53 | 9.6% | 240 | 25.00 | ||
| An Tir | 49 | 8.7% | 56 | 11.8% | 64 | 11.3% | 347 | 16.50 | ||
| Artemisia | 9 | 1.6% | 11 | 2.5% | 15 | 2.8% | 124 | 11.00 | ||
| Atenveldt | 20 | 3.5% | 27 | 5.7% | 35 | 6.2% | 460 | 15.50 | ||
| Atlantia | 48 | 8.5% | 62 | 12.7% | 66 | 11.3% | 425 | 14.25 | ||
| Caid | 45 | 7.1% | 52 | 10.3% | 60 | 10.1% | 400 | 19.00 | ||
| Drachenwald | 19 | 3.0% | 24 | 4.4% | 34 | 5.7% | 76 | 10.00 | ||
| Ealdormere | 11 | 1.9% | 12 | 2.5% | 13 | 2.3% | 77 | 11.25 | ||
| East | 39 | 6.9% | 46 | 9.7% | 60 | 10.6% | 480 | 19.00 | ||
| Lochac | 22 | 3.5% | 24 | 4.6% | 25 | 4.1% | 120 | 16.50 | ||
| Meridies | 23 | 4.1% | 28 | 5.7% | 32 | 5.5% | 140 | 11.00 | ||
| Midrealm | 43 | 7.6% | 53 | 11.0% | 60 | 10.6% | 640 | 13.00 | ||
| Northshield | 23 | 4.1% | 25 | 5.3% | 29 | 5.1% | 164 | 11.00 | ||
| Outlands | 19 | 3.4% | 26 | 5.5% | 42 | 7.6% | 214 | 19.00 | ||
| Trimaris | 39 | 7.1% | 45 | 9.7% | 50 | 8.7% | 237 | 16.25 | ||
| West | 12 | 2.1% | 14 | 3.0% | 19 | 3.5% | 70 | 16.00 | ||
| No answer | 2 |
KEY
Only: Number of people who have done SCA fencing as a resident of only that one kingdom.
Only %: Only / (Total - N/A).
Curr: Number of people for whom this is their current kingdom of residence (or the last one they did any fencing in as a resident).
Curr %: Curr / (Total - Multiple - N/A). "Multiple" was assigned for "current kingdom" when a response indicated that the person did SCA fencing as a resident of more than one kingdom.
Any: Number of responses for that kingdom, including multiples. Answers how many people who took the survey indicated that they've ever done SCA fencing in that kingdom as a resident.
Any %: Any / (Total - N/A of Only).
Auth: Approximate number of authorized fencers at time of survey (Aug/Sep 2003).
Top: Most experience reported by a native, in number of years.
Total years of SCA fencing experience from people in survey: 3200+
The comments
Note: Any remarks in the comments below from Yves look like this.
For more comments and stats, see the links at the bottom of the page.
Artemisia
Φ I was one of the first women rapier fighter's in Artemisia, and it's been great to see so many other women take up the blade, since I started playing . . . ``KyneWynn
Atenveldt
Φ My spine has taken a dive and almost totally crippled me ..but actually getting better but that is the reason for no real fighting over the last 2 years. ``Lann-Valdis
Caid
Φ I've only just discovered fencing. And I'm returning to the SCA after 10 years. ``Iliana
Φ Left SCA for about a decade, visted some friends at Pennsic, found out about schlagers, got back into SCA. ``David
Drachenwald
Φ I don't fence, but am an avid specatator, appreciator of the male fencer's form, in general a fencing "enablor".
Φ My situation is a bit unusual because my shire is at the southern tip of Africa - the nearest other fencing shires are in the other hemisphere... ``Guntram
Ealdormere
Φ ... approx once a week attending whatever event is within reasonable driving distance. Camping events I am willing to drive further. ``Gerrard
Φ I was active in the SCA 25 years ago. I dropped out when I became physically unable to take part in hardsuit (and after my authorization lapsed, I had to give up my marshalling warrant). Rapier was what brought me back to the SCA. ``Nicholas
East
Φ I lived in Calontir before (therefore I did no SCA fencing--grrh). ``Domenego
Φ Lived in Calontir for 20+ years prior to 1993, but never joined the SCA there since there is no fencing and late period personas are, er, discouraged. ``Jeanne
Φ I started in 1991, and fenced for about a year and a half, then took a break for about 8 or nine years and have been fencing again regularly for the last three years... ``Ronan
Φ I've been fencing for about 18 months I believe... had to stop for a while for reason of wedding and then bursitis in my fencing shoulder. But now I defy the bursitis and fence anyways. Hah!
Meridies
Φ I am isolated from groups that do rapier. The closest to me is approx. 1.25 hrs away.
Φ I first authorized under a prior experiment in 1996 (I think). Shortly after authorizing the experiment was cancelled. I re-authorized at Border Raids in 1999 after observing the new conventions in place. My fencing participation is beginning to pick back up now that I'm no longer saving/paying for my wedding. ``Sigurd
Midrealm
Φ I was one of the first fencers in the kingdom - actually authorized before rapier combat was legalized so I could participate in the demos leading up to legalization.
Outlands
Φ Fencing is where I started my SCA "career". I"ve been associated and playing in some form for almost 20 years. More active in later years, since I am older and less broke. ``Rivka
Trimaris
Φ Been doing light about 6 months. Been doing heavy about 20 years.
Φ I lived in the East, but fenced at Atlantia events. This was many years ago and I played about a year. ``Francis
West
Φ The Palatine barony of the Far West (South Korea). Not nearly enough but I am bringing some new people into the sport. ``Crispy
Φ I have not done much as of yet but I have been fencing outside the SCA for about 4 years and havebeen active in the SCA for 27 years. ``Tallon
| Up to index | Question 20 Other awards |
| Question 4 Activity |
Question 9 Weapon forms |
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Original page posted: October 18, 2004. Last tweaked:
July 1, 2006.
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