Authenticity (reenactment) - The Quest For Authenticity

The Quest For Authenticity

Since authenticity of certain equipment vary between periods and regions, it can be difficult to ensure an entire set or kit of clothing and gear is authentic for a particular historical persona. Most organized societies have recognized norms for kit and garb for their historic and regional specialty. A key philosophy is to research items in advance, vs. buying things and then trying to "fit them in" to the time and place being reenacted. For example, the Vikings are not known to have used plate armour, but some would try to justify it because the earlier Roman Army did. Or a person might try to pass off an interesting Polish hat by claiming their French persona had traveled to Poland. Such tactics serve to confuse an uneducated audience, however, since many will simply assume that if everyone is portraying Vikings, French pikemen, Prussians grenadiers, etc. that they are also wearing and using items common to that era and people.

Authenticity can apply to other things. For example a card game, song, or military tactic is authentic if known to be popular during the period.

The quest for authentic clothes and equipment often requires archaeological evidence and other historical sources that reveal what was used at the time. A reenactor may become a scholar of history in pursuit of an accurate persona. Many time-periods now have on-line discussion boards where reenactors and historians argue the merits of various items, how to make them, or where to purchase them.

Several factors commonly limit the attainable level of authenticity. These include:

• Safety considerations
• Climate/weather
• Available information
• Cost in money and/or time