Vanderbilt Register:Security officer aims for accuracy in medieval reenactment group

Security officer aims for accuracy in medieval reenactment group

by Jamie Lawson Reeves

Chivalry is alive and well at Vanderbilt.

J.J. Oakley, a.k.a. The Honorable Lord Balderich Von Adlerberg, is a 10-year Vanderbilt security officer. The Maury County vanity plate on his blue pickup truck reads "LONGBOW," offering a glimpse at his medieval alter ego.

For more than a decade, Oakley has been a card-carrying member of the Society for Creative Anachronism, an international group dedicated to researching and recreating the European Middle Ages.

Founded in 1966, the SCA is a feudal society of 14 kingdoms. Tennessee falls under the Kingdom of Meridies, which includes most of the Southeast. The society has an elaborate system of rank, awards and honors which are granted to members by the royalty in return for various kinds of service to the society. And, yes, there is a king and queen.

The SCA sponsors several events a year, including battles between kingdoms, arts and science competitions and classes on everything from medieval dance to calligraphy to cooking.

Members of the SCA choose a persona they enact during society functions. Some members create a fictional story behind their character, and Oakley has a few tales to tell about the German archer he portrays.

J.J. Oakley has been honing his archery skills as a member of the Society for Creative Anachronism.

"When you are developing your persona you submit it to the SCA's heralds office to make sure it complies with rules and regulations and does not conflict with anyone else's persona," says Oakley. Members also design their own unique coat of arms.

Oakley's medieval wardrobe ranges from everyday tunics to a formal "Henry VIII-type puff and slash" outfit. He makes most of his costumes.

Oakley first heard about the SCA in college while attending the annual Tennessee Renaissance Festival (which is not connected with the SCA).

For Oakley, the SCA is a hobby that has grown into a small business. He makes and sells handcrafted arrows and bows.

He started out in the society as a heavy fighter, using swords and other weapons in battle reenactment, but switched to archery due to a previous shoulder injury.

"We wear full fighting armor in combat using rattan swords," he says. "It's not choreographed. It's just like a football game. It is a contact sport which is why we have so many rules and regulations."

The SCA is not just for men and women who relish a good fight a la "Braveheart," says Oakley. Many members specialize in the arts and sciences. All members are of the landed gentry, which means there are no peasants or beggars. The title of laurel is granted to those members who have achieved excellence in the arts and sciences. Pelicans are the "paper pushers," those members who run events, pay bills and publish the society's magazines and newsletters.

"There is something for everyone to do and be recognized for," Oakley says.

Oakley's hometown of Culleoka, Tenn., just south of Columbia, is the base for his medieval pastime. When he and his wife, Linda, were expecting a baby in 1995 Linda put forth the decree that all swords, longbows, armor and the like would have to be stored outside their home. Oakley's solution was a simple, albeit, expansive one. He added a 20- foot by 30-foot storage room off their garage to house his medieval gear - which includes costumes and archery equipment.

And what does his wife of 13 years think of all this "my lord and my ladyness?"

"She's all for it," Oakley says, although she doesn't share his passion for medieval history. Oakley recalls the one SCA event he and Linda attended together. He sewed a beautiful Italian Renaissance outfit for her to wear to the coronation.

"When we were driving home I asked her if she had a good time and she said, 'It was OK, but I felt like a stuffed couch all weekend," he says.

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