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==Flavour==
{{CaptionedImage|file=Joyous Wassail.jpg|align=left|width=550}}
The Marches: Hearth and home; loyalty and land. Rivalry, pride and a nation of
traditions. Sentinel hills, silent marshes, and standing stones that mark the roads to
Elsewhere. Generation to generation tilling the good, dark earth as their forebears did
and reaping the harvests that feed all the Empire.
 
For centuries the Marcher Households have marched with the Empire’s armies, reliant
not so much on magic or shining faith, but on the strength of their arms, the courage
of their hearts, and the knowledge that they fought for the green fields of home.
 
Greybeards tell of glorious conquest in their grandsires’ time, of defeat in their own,
and hope for victory in years to come. Lanes once clogged with refugees in unfamiliar
colours see change come to the Marches, change born in fire and darkness. The
woodsman and the smith turn their hands to things of war. The merchant’s clerk lists
supplies for the baggage train. Those granted stewardship remember wicker men.
 
Those who choose to follow know the power of sacrifice. Those versed in lore, revisit
darker magics. The ceremonies of the harvest are marked with blood.
The Marches is the sleeping giant of the Empire. Enemy boots churn up the rich soil,
as the dog days of Summer give way to the cold dawn of Autumn – and to war.
 
==Overview==
==Overview==
The nation draws strongly on English history from the 12th century through to the  
'''Gritty, solid, practical, traditional, mud, blood, green fields, rural, iron.'''<br>
War of the Roses for costume, weaponry and armour. This nation is intended to appeal
[[The Marches]] draws strongly on English history from the 12th century through to the War of the Roses for costume, weaponry and armour.  
strongly to re-enactors and particularly to people who re-enact this period, partly
because of the brief and style of the nation and partly because of the “low-fantasy”
nature of the characters. To avoid “creep” please do not use anything from the Tudor 
period including later-period doublets. This is outside the scope of the Marches setting.


The magical element comes from the [[Landkeepers]], the myserious ritual magicians
The costume of the Marches has a 'solidity' to it, a worn, lived-in look that contrasts with its neighbour [[Dawn]]'s high romance, gleaming plate and vivid hues. The Marches is Kenneth Brannagh’s Henry V rather than Laurence Olivier’s.
who wield power and political influence in Marcher politics. These characters are
part English peasant superstition, part druid and part typical LRP ritual team. The
key difference between Landkeepers and druids is that the Marcher Landkeepers are
agriculturalists - they support a society of farmers, not hunter-gatherers.
 
The nation needs to contrast with its neighbour [[Dawn]]. That nation is Arthurian high  
romance, the plate is gleaming, the colours glorious, bright and vivid. In the Marches
everything should have a grubby, worn, lived in look to it. The Marches is Kenneth  
Brannagh’s Henry V rather than Laurence Olivier’s.


==Breakdown==
==Breakdown==
===Influences===
<big>'''Influences</big><br>
Wars of the Roses England, Rangers of Ithilien (Beaters), Cadfael  
Wars of the Roses England, Rangers of Ithilien (Beaters), Cadfael (Monks and Landskeepers).
(Monks and Landkeepers).


===Materials===
<big>'''Materials</big><br>
Wool, calico, linen, leather.
Wool, calico, linen, leather.
===Colours===
Plain flat colours, mostly the soft colours of natural dyes or unbleached
cloth. The palette is autumnal and natural dull blues, greys, browns/
rusts, mustards and greens, dull reds etc. especially at the lower end of
the social scale. Wealthier Marchers have deeper, brighter shades.
===Clothing===
Marchers favour simple hoods, hose and plain clothes. Workers might
wear sleeveless jerkins and leather trousers. Wealthier characters might
wear finer robes but wool not silk. Headwear is comomon, either a
simple cap, or something like a liripipe or chaperon.


Ladies generally wear shifts and kirtles. The look of the dresses is long,  
<big>'''Colours</big><br>
lean and smooth and laced to fit. Back lacing shows higher status and
Plain flat colours, mostly the soft colours of natural dyes or unbleached cloth. The palette is autumnal suggesting natural dull blues, greys, browns/rusts, mustards and greens, dull reds etc. especially at the lower end of the social scale. Wealthier Marchers may use deeper, brighter shades.
gives a better line. Side lacing is more usual.  
{{CaptionedImage|file=Marches_colour_scheme.png|width=400align=right}}


Hose, either joined or split, are acceptable. If you wear split hose you
==Clothing==
will require a longer shirt than a 20th century one – say 3” above the knee
Marchers favour plain clothes, tunics, simple hoods, hose and shirts. Wealthier characters might wear finer robes, cotehardies or a simple doublet, but even then plain wool or heavy linen will be more appropriate than fancy patterns or embroidery. Medieval re-enactments are a great source of inspiration for the look and feel of the Marches territories - although unlike history, its worth noting that Marches society is gender neutral. Marcher leg wear is practical and slim fitting. Close fitting trousers are practical and easy to come by or make. Hose, either joined or split, are worn with [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Braies braies] and a long shirt. An extremely simple untailored cut for shirts fits the Marches very well: Full in the body and sleeve, possibly gathered at neck and wrist. Doublets are popular in the Marches, a snug-fitting buttoned jacket that is shaped and fitted to the body. It can be worn over the shirt or under another layer of clothing. They tend to be short and simple – fancy slash work doesn't really fit the Marchers practical approach.
- as it is normal for the shirt to hang out front and rear (thus covering
one’s embarrassment). Shirts are an extremely simple untailored cut,
full in the body and sleeve, possibly gathered at neck and wrist.


Doublets are common but should be short and simple, not the fancy
A woollen or heavy linen overdress such as a [[kirtle]] or [[cotehardie]] over a shirt or shift is be a good alternative to shirts and hose. The look is long, lean and smooth and laced to fit. Back lacing shows higher status and gives a better line. Side lacing is more common. It would be rare to see a gathered skirt (common to Tudor kirtles) in the Marches.
slashed doublets of the Tudor period and later. Tunics are generally
woollen (or linen in summer) and come down to somewhere between
mid-thigh and the knee.  


Marchers, have no pockets so a pouch is invaluable – bollock pouches  
Marchers prefer pouches to pockets – bollock or kidney pouches or leather bags are perfect. Belts are often very long, wrapped round, looped at the front and left to dangle. The [[#Monks and Friars|typical clothing]] of  [[The_Marches_religious_beliefs|monks and friars]] consists of a traditional plain monk's habit.
or leather bags are perfect. Belts are often very long, wrapped round,  
<gallery heights=275 mode="packed">
looped at the front and left to dangle.
Plain White Shirts.jpg
Spilling the Tea.jpg
Innocence Personified.jpg
Tired Mustard Comfort.jpg
Layers in Kings Stoke.jpg
Guest in the Camp.jpg
Hiking Happistons.jpg
Good Cider Takes Good Apples.jpg
Stroll in the camp.jpg
Undisputed Union.jpg
Glancing Bree.jpg
Over the shoulder thresher.jpg
Cold with a chance of mandowla.jpg
</gallery>


Both male and female monks wear traditioanl plain monks habit either
===Hats===
in dark colours, or white with a dark scapula.
Headwear is frequently worn, from a simple cap or coif, to hats or something like a hood with liripipe or a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaperon_(headgear) chaperon].
<gallery heights=300 mode="packed">
Peak Hat.jpg
Bedecked Hat.jpg
Wassailing Hat.jpg
Ignore the Violence Its About the Hats.jpg
Concerned with Hat.jpg
Selection of Fine Hats.jpg
Always More Hats.jpg
</gallery>


===Armour===  
===Stewards===
Padded or leather jacks are common for the poor with a harness of plate  
The head of a household, a [[steward]], may wear richer colours, but most likely in home grown wool not rarer silk. Wealthy Marchers may show their wealth with ornamentation, while maintaining the practical styles favoured by all yeomen. Rich Marchers are often seen in full harness of plate in battle.
for richer individuals. Households often wear matching livery jackets,
<gallery heights=300 mode="packed">
although simple sashes or badges are also used to denote afiliation.
Fancy Stewards.jpg
Smart Marchers.jpg
Talbot Reading Paper.jpg
Fine Young Dunlains.jpg
Marius.jpg
Friendly Steward.jpg
</gallery>


===Shields===
===Beaters===
Not common. Small metal bucklers are sometimes used.
[[The_Marches_military_concerns#Beaters|Beaters]] are skilled trackers and gamekeepers. They watch the borders of the Marches. They are inspired by the classic British archers of the period mixed with the Rangers of Ithilien from Lord of the Rings. Beaters usually wear lighter armour, either just a padded or leather jack or else a leather tunic like the ones worn by the Rangers in Lord of the Rings.
<gallery heights=300 mode="packed">
Beater Andrew Daybell.jpg
Morgan Archer.jpg
Wild Man Of The Mourn.jpg
</gallery>


===Weapons===
===Alders and Townsfolk===
Bows are common. In hand-to-hand combat Marchers favour bills and
Many [[alders]] take great pride in their ceremonial chains of office, sometimes referred to as "Chains of Prosperity". Some go so far as to commission them as magical items, such as an [[Alder's Edge]].
other pole-arms. Two handed swords are common for richer characters
<gallery heights=300 mode="packed">
in heavier armour, or warhammers, maces or poleaxes.4
Tea-dious Business.jpg
Householder.jpg
Alderman with Hats.jpg
Canny Businessman.jpg
</gallery>


==Feel==
===Monks and Friars===
Gritty, solid, practical, superstitious, mud, blood, green fields, rural, iron.
[[The Marches religious beliefs|Monks and friars]] of all genders wear traditional plain monk's habit either in dark colours, or white with a dark [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scapular scapular]. A simple brown cassock works well but it might also be seen in black or grey. A more complex arrangement with dark scapular over white undergarments is also a popular choice. A chasuble or cowl may be worn over the habit, in particular during the cold seasons, but monks and friars alike tend toward simple outfits.
<gallery heights=275 mode="packed">
Monky Business.jpg
Edward_Watcher.jpg
Friars.jpg
Marcher with Flag.jpg
Multiclass_Monk.jpg
</gallery>


==Icons and important Images==
===Landskeepers and Mummers===
Some [[The Marches magical traditions#Landskeepers|landskeepers]] wear robes, similar to the monk, but hose, jerkin, and a shirt with rolled-up sleeves is just as good an alternative. A landskeeper is well used to hard work in the fields and their look reflects that. By contrast, Mummers are more likely to wear flamboyant costumes as suits magicians whose tradition involves performing plays.
<gallery heights=275 mode="packed">
Observant Mummer.jpg
Watt Lambrook.jpg
Mummer.jpg
Marcher Musicians.jpg
</gallery>


Any Marcher who owns farmland is a member of a Household, albeit perhaps a
==Weapons and Armour==
Household of one, and any Marcher Household can declare a livery. Members of the
===Weapons===
Household wear the livery in some way – perhaps as a coat, or perhaps as a simple sash
The classic Marcher fighting unit is a block of bills and other polearms recruited from the yeomanry. Two handed swords are common for richer characters in heavier armour, as well as warhammers, maces or poleaxes. Any historical weapons from the Hundred Years War and the War of the Roses are typical: poleaxes, bills and other polearms are iconic; warhammers, bollock daggers, axes, falchions and mauls.  
or badge. Stewards of a Household that  alies to a more powerful Household usually
<gallery heights=300 mode="packed">
retain their own livery, or combine it with the new Households’ colours in some way.
Field of Arms.jpg
Billy Columny.jpg
Bill Column.jpg
Marcher Halberds.jpg
Unconvinced.jpg
Balston and Talbot.jpg
</gallery>


Poppets and other symbols of the land are commonplace. Gates and doors are
<big>'''Bows</big><br>
traditionally decorated with woven bundles of grain on either side, the respect shown
Bows, in particular longbows, are also a common sight among the Marchers units on the battlefield. They are especially popular with [[The Marches military concerns#Beaters|beaters]].
to the land prevents evil doers from entering. The hearth is where food taken from the
<gallery heights=300 mode="packed">
land is prepared. It should always be kept clean and ideally be decorated with fresh cut
Aiming Hog.jpg
flowers to prevent food cooked there causing a poison of the blood. Poor March Folk
Armoured Beater.jpg
or those on campaign will make do with bundles of grass or common meadow flowers.
</gallery>


The symbol of the seed or apple and seed is a common representation of the soul and
===Armour===
the cycle of rebirth. The crow and the rat are both images of ill-omen and bad luck.5
Poor [[Yeoman of the Marches|Yeomen]] may wear just a plain coloured jack or padded [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gambeson gambeson] as their only armour. Wealthier Yeomen usually have livery coats in their household colours and mail or plate over the top if they have it. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigandine Brigandine] is an intermediate option. Households often wear matching livery coats, although simple sashes or badges are also used to denote affiliation
<gallery heights=300 mode="packed">
Fire of the Marches.jpg
Varied Marcher Armour.jpg
Marcher Chain Shot.jpg
Full Plate And Packing Steel.jpg
A helmet is a type of hat.jpg
MarcherThugs.jpg
</gallery>


==Details==
===Mage Armour===
===Marcher Household===
[[Weapons_%26_armour#Mage_Armour|Mage armour]] is often from similar materials - fabric, leather and possibly pieces of chain mail - in both natural and household colours, but is more likely to be adorned and decorated with elements of no immediately obvious use.
A prosperous Marcher Household will wear often wear matching livery jackets, although
<gallery heights=275 mode="packed">
simple sashes or badges are also used to denote afiliation. Padded jacks are common for the
Landskeeper with a Hat.png
poor with a harness of plate for wealthier individuals.
Furious Landskeeper.jpg
Rosamund_Mage_Armour.jpg
Coal-Eyed Battlemage.jpg
</gallery>


===Yeomen===
===Shields===
Poor Yeomen may wear just a plain coloured padded jack or gambeson as their only armour.  
Large shields are much less common than in other nations; shield-walls are seen as a tactic best left behind in Dawn. Marchers who have a good reason not to use a polearm or a great sword, such as martial Landskeepers fearing arrows, or skirmish groups protecting the flanks will often use a small buckler to go alongside their weapon of choice.
Wealthier Yeomen have jacks in their Household colours and mail or prferably plate over the
<gallery heights=300 mode="packed">
top if they have it.
Getting into a Habit.jpg
 
</gallery>
===Stewards and Electors===
The head of a Household, a Steward, wear richer colours, but wool not silk. Wealthy Marcher
characters wear a full harness of plate in battle if they have it.
 
===Beaters===
Beaters are skilled trackers and
gamekeepers. They watch the borders
of the Marches. They are inspired by
the classic English Bowman of the
period mixed with the Rangers of
Ithilien from Lord of the Rings.
 
Beaters usually wear lighter armour,
either just a padded or leather jack or
else a leather tuniclike the ones worn
by the Rangers in Lord of the Rings.
 
===Marcher Costume===
Marcher costume is in natural autumnal colours using
plain fabrics like wool, calico and linen. Shirt and tunic is
common for men, skirt and kirtle for women, headwear for
both genders.
 
Robes of wool – either with
a neck opening or opening
all the way down the front
in coat style. They are long,
anywhere between knee
length and full length.
 
Belts are often very long,
wrapped round, looped at
the front and left to dangle.
 
Hose, either joined or split, are acceptable. If you wear split
hose you will require a longer shirt. Shirts are an extremely
simple untailored cut, full in the body and sleeve, possibly
gathered at neck and wrist.


Ladies generally wear shifts and kirtles. The look of the  
==Household==
dresses is long, lean and smooth and laced to fit.
Any Marcher who owns farmland is a member of a [[Marcher_Household|household]], albeit perhaps a household of one, and any Marcher Household can declare a '''livery'''. Members of the household tend to wear the livery colours in some way. Stewards of a household that allies to a more powerful household usually retain their own livery, or combine it with the new households’ colours in some way. Households often wear matching livery coat or jackets, although simple sashes or badges are also effective ways of showing affiliation. Many households own a banner showing their livery.
Headwear is comomon, either a simple cap, or something
<gallery heights=300 mode="packed">
like a liripipe or chaperon.
Coppice Collective.jpg
Household Marching.jpg
Those Damn Dunlains.jpg
Peering Talbots.jpg
Kings Stoke Fighters.jpg
Impish and Sitting.jpg
Balston Household.jpg
Not All Gloom And Doom.jpg
</gallery>


Doublets are common in the Marches, a snug-fitting buttoned jacket that is shaped and fitted
==Camps==
to the body. It can be worn over the shirt or drawers or under another layer of clothing such
Gates and doors are traditionally decorated with woven bundles of grain on either side, the respect shown to the land prevents evil doers from entering. The hearth is where food taken from the land is prepared. It is the core of a Marcher home and should always be kept clean, ideally decorated with fresh cut flowers to prevent food cooked there causing a poison of the blood. Poor March Folk or those on campaign will make do with bundles of grass or common meadow flowers.
as a gown, mantle, or overtunic.
<gallery heights=275 mode="packed">
Marcher Camp.jpg
Shanks_Awning.jpg
Herb Business.jpg
Dancing Pole.jpg
Stay Off My Land.jpg
Boundaryman Tarp.jpg
Selection of Hats.jpg
</gallery>


Marcher doublets should be appropriate for the period and feel of the Nation. They are in
==Children==
simple autumnal colours. The fancy doublets that appear later in history, particularly anything
[[The Marches children|Children in the Marches]] can be dressed in scaled down versions of their parent's clothes. For toddlers and babies, traditional smocks, or simple t-tunics and drawstring trousers are simple and easy to pull-on garments, that can be made in linen or cotton for easy washing! These types of clothes also have plenty of flexibility in terms of size, meaning you'll get more than one year's use out of them. Small [[coif]]s are great for keeping the sun off a baby's head and simple straw hats can also be used to stop children burning. Older children can either have their own costumes, or be given adult clothes which are then rolled up and belted to fit - the practical Marchers are unlikely to waste any clothing and hand me downs are a cheap (in and out of character!) way to clothe children.
with slashed sleeves or similar should be avoided for the Marches.
<gallery heights=300 mode="packed">
Walking the Boundary.jpg
CM-130726-0034.jpg
MG0690.jpg
MarchesChild4.jpg
MarcherFamily.jpg
</gallery>


===Monks and FrIars===
General tips for costume for children:
Monks and friars wearing similar robes. A simple
* Robes that stop at knee - mid-calf will be less of a trip hazard
brown cassock is acceptable but it can also be black or
* Headgear that can be very simply retied is great
grey. A more complex arrangement with dark scapula
* Avoiding things that can pull around the neck is wise (strings on cloaks/hats on cords/ tabards that don't secure under the arms
over white undergarments is also excellent.
* Wider neck holes, sleeves and armholes will help with getting costume on and off, and leave room for growth


===Landkeepers===
*[https://neheleniapatterns.com/produkt/kinder-des-mittelalters-mae1215/?lang=en Patterns for Medieval children's clothes]
Some landkeepers wear robes, similar to the
*[https://revivalclothing.com/product-category/all-products/childrens-clothing/ Revival Clothing's Premade items for children]
monk, but waistcoat-shirt-and-hose, with
rolled-up sleeves is a good alternartive.


===Marcher Weapons and Armour===
==Inappropriate Costume==
Shields are uncommon in the Marches, the most common are small metal bucklers when
Whilst this look and feel page provides the ideal costume for the nation, it is important for players to familiarise themselves with the [[Costume|general costume rules]] for further guidelines, including those for [[Costume#Inappropriate_Costume|inappropriate costume]]
they are used at all. Any historical weapons from the Hundred Years War and the War of the  
Roses are good, bollock daggers, axes, falchions, mauls, warhammers, poleaxes and bills.


[[Category:The Marches]]
{{The Marches Links}}
[[Category:Nations]]

Latest revision as of 15:37, 15 April 2024

Joyous Wassail.jpg

Overview

Gritty, solid, practical, traditional, mud, blood, green fields, rural, iron.
The Marches draws strongly on English history from the 12th century through to the War of the Roses for costume, weaponry and armour.

The costume of the Marches has a 'solidity' to it, a worn, lived-in look that contrasts with its neighbour Dawn's high romance, gleaming plate and vivid hues. The Marches is Kenneth Brannagh’s Henry V rather than Laurence Olivier’s.

Breakdown

Influences
Wars of the Roses England, Rangers of Ithilien (Beaters), Cadfael (Monks and Landskeepers).

Materials
Wool, calico, linen, leather.

Colours
Plain flat colours, mostly the soft colours of natural dyes or unbleached cloth. The palette is autumnal suggesting natural dull blues, greys, browns/rusts, mustards and greens, dull reds etc. especially at the lower end of the social scale. Wealthier Marchers may use deeper, brighter shades.

Marches colour scheme.png

Clothing

Marchers favour plain clothes, tunics, simple hoods, hose and shirts. Wealthier characters might wear finer robes, cotehardies or a simple doublet, but even then plain wool or heavy linen will be more appropriate than fancy patterns or embroidery. Medieval re-enactments are a great source of inspiration for the look and feel of the Marches territories - although unlike history, its worth noting that Marches society is gender neutral. Marcher leg wear is practical and slim fitting. Close fitting trousers are practical and easy to come by or make. Hose, either joined or split, are worn with braies and a long shirt. An extremely simple untailored cut for shirts fits the Marches very well: Full in the body and sleeve, possibly gathered at neck and wrist. Doublets are popular in the Marches, a snug-fitting buttoned jacket that is shaped and fitted to the body. It can be worn over the shirt or under another layer of clothing. They tend to be short and simple – fancy slash work doesn't really fit the Marchers practical approach.

A woollen or heavy linen overdress such as a kirtle or cotehardie over a shirt or shift is be a good alternative to shirts and hose. The look is long, lean and smooth and laced to fit. Back lacing shows higher status and gives a better line. Side lacing is more common. It would be rare to see a gathered skirt (common to Tudor kirtles) in the Marches.

Marchers prefer pouches to pockets – bollock or kidney pouches or leather bags are perfect. Belts are often very long, wrapped round, looped at the front and left to dangle. The typical clothing of monks and friars consists of a traditional plain monk's habit.

Hats

Headwear is frequently worn, from a simple cap or coif, to hats or something like a hood with liripipe or a chaperon.

Stewards

The head of a household, a steward, may wear richer colours, but most likely in home grown wool not rarer silk. Wealthy Marchers may show their wealth with ornamentation, while maintaining the practical styles favoured by all yeomen. Rich Marchers are often seen in full harness of plate in battle.

Beaters

Beaters are skilled trackers and gamekeepers. They watch the borders of the Marches. They are inspired by the classic British archers of the period mixed with the Rangers of Ithilien from Lord of the Rings. Beaters usually wear lighter armour, either just a padded or leather jack or else a leather tunic like the ones worn by the Rangers in Lord of the Rings.

Alders and Townsfolk

Many alders take great pride in their ceremonial chains of office, sometimes referred to as "Chains of Prosperity". Some go so far as to commission them as magical items, such as an Alder's Edge.

Monks and Friars

Monks and friars of all genders wear traditional plain monk's habit either in dark colours, or white with a dark scapular. A simple brown cassock works well but it might also be seen in black or grey. A more complex arrangement with dark scapular over white undergarments is also a popular choice. A chasuble or cowl may be worn over the habit, in particular during the cold seasons, but monks and friars alike tend toward simple outfits.

Landskeepers and Mummers

Some landskeepers wear robes, similar to the monk, but hose, jerkin, and a shirt with rolled-up sleeves is just as good an alternative. A landskeeper is well used to hard work in the fields and their look reflects that. By contrast, Mummers are more likely to wear flamboyant costumes as suits magicians whose tradition involves performing plays.

Weapons and Armour

Weapons

The classic Marcher fighting unit is a block of bills and other polearms recruited from the yeomanry. Two handed swords are common for richer characters in heavier armour, as well as warhammers, maces or poleaxes. Any historical weapons from the Hundred Years War and the War of the Roses are typical: poleaxes, bills and other polearms are iconic; warhammers, bollock daggers, axes, falchions and mauls.

Bows
Bows, in particular longbows, are also a common sight among the Marchers units on the battlefield. They are especially popular with beaters.

Armour

Poor Yeomen may wear just a plain coloured jack or padded gambeson as their only armour. Wealthier Yeomen usually have livery coats in their household colours and mail or plate over the top if they have it. Brigandine is an intermediate option. Households often wear matching livery coats, although simple sashes or badges are also used to denote affiliation

Mage Armour

Mage armour is often from similar materials - fabric, leather and possibly pieces of chain mail - in both natural and household colours, but is more likely to be adorned and decorated with elements of no immediately obvious use.

Shields

Large shields are much less common than in other nations; shield-walls are seen as a tactic best left behind in Dawn. Marchers who have a good reason not to use a polearm or a great sword, such as martial Landskeepers fearing arrows, or skirmish groups protecting the flanks will often use a small buckler to go alongside their weapon of choice.

Household

Any Marcher who owns farmland is a member of a household, albeit perhaps a household of one, and any Marcher Household can declare a livery. Members of the household tend to wear the livery colours in some way. Stewards of a household that allies to a more powerful household usually retain their own livery, or combine it with the new households’ colours in some way. Households often wear matching livery coat or jackets, although simple sashes or badges are also effective ways of showing affiliation. Many households own a banner showing their livery.

Camps

Gates and doors are traditionally decorated with woven bundles of grain on either side, the respect shown to the land prevents evil doers from entering. The hearth is where food taken from the land is prepared. It is the core of a Marcher home and should always be kept clean, ideally decorated with fresh cut flowers to prevent food cooked there causing a poison of the blood. Poor March Folk or those on campaign will make do with bundles of grass or common meadow flowers.

Children

Children in the Marches can be dressed in scaled down versions of their parent's clothes. For toddlers and babies, traditional smocks, or simple t-tunics and drawstring trousers are simple and easy to pull-on garments, that can be made in linen or cotton for easy washing! These types of clothes also have plenty of flexibility in terms of size, meaning you'll get more than one year's use out of them. Small coifs are great for keeping the sun off a baby's head and simple straw hats can also be used to stop children burning. Older children can either have their own costumes, or be given adult clothes which are then rolled up and belted to fit - the practical Marchers are unlikely to waste any clothing and hand me downs are a cheap (in and out of character!) way to clothe children.

General tips for costume for children:

  • Robes that stop at knee - mid-calf will be less of a trip hazard
  • Headgear that can be very simply retied is great
  • Avoiding things that can pull around the neck is wise (strings on cloaks/hats on cords/ tabards that don't secure under the arms
  • Wider neck holes, sleeves and armholes will help with getting costume on and off, and leave room for growth

Inappropriate Costume

Whilst this look and feel page provides the ideal costume for the nation, it is important for players to familiarise themselves with the general costume rules for further guidelines, including those for inappropriate costume

Further Reading

Core Brief

Additional Information