The Market Green Hansa 

Many of the problems that come up with the merchant quarter at an event could be addressed through the addition of a couple of people who might cover some bases normally left uncovered at an event. While it is true that there are Constables on site it is a lot to ask for them to watch for problems in the merchant quarter above their other duties. It would probably take at least one full time constable to do the job right.

We propose to have on duty through the Market Green, a Market Crier. This position would be a roving position based out of the Market Square. The Market Crier would keep an eye out for trouble calling on the Constables in event of any problems, but mostly acting as an active set of eyes to prevent trouble. The Market Crier would make it their business to get to know all the other Merchants in the Merchant Quarter and who belongs so as to realize who is a client or guest. The Market Crier of course is very unofficial, but hopefully will become recognized as someone useful to know. The Market Crier would also at regular intervals cry out messages and announcements across the Market Quarter. The Market Crier also would keep an eye out for the pages associated with the Market Green as they do their duties.

There would also be a Market Square Administrator who would stay at the Market Green, normally at Crier's Point. They would keep track of what was happening in the Square including the Penny-Blanket Market and the Busking Area. They would also take messages and announcements for the Market Crier to cry and ensure that the Bell would chime the hours. These duties would include taking care of the donations from things such as the Penny-Blanket Market, Buskers, and other sources. The Administrator would also direct the pages and confirm their duties.

Normally there would be some pages to help out with the operation of the Market Green. Their duties include running errands like messages from the Crier to the Administrator and back. They could also help merchants by running some errands for them with the okay of the Crier or Administrator. One possible duty would be to temporarily watch a lone merchant's booth for a short time when they go off for 10 minutes or so for "personal" reasons. This would be with the Market Crier being in the vicinity in case of problems. Pages would not be given responsibilities greater than their age would allow and that would in part be judged by their parents. This will take some looking into to make sure there will be a safe secure environment for young people that will allow them a chance to take on responsibility and feel useful, yet not take advantage of them or imperil them or even make them feel insecure.

Regardless, proper authorities will be sought out in all situations whether they be the Constables, Chirugeon, Autocrat, Parents of Minors, or the Mundane authorities of Paramedic, Fire, or Police Departments.

Potential Problems?

There are potential problems with the idea:

• Autocrats might feel intimidated by the concept and worry that this will add to the burden of their organization of the event and their workload. The Deputy in charge of Merchants might feel that their position is being usurped. By doing the Market Green as essentially another Merchant, these fears should be reduced and if explained properly the benefits of the Market Green should be recognized.
• One problem in the beginning might come from Merchants who would take issue of someone essentially paying for Merchant Space and "sub-letting" it in the form of the Penny-Blanket Market. I think that in time the concept would be accepted, but their could potentially be friction to start. Of course this would be more likely at events where space might be a bit tight and merchants are charged by the booth rather than by space the booth takes up.
• At events were merchants are charged by space, there could be potential problems in affording the amount of room to do a good sized Market Green. Eventually when the value that the Market Green can offer is discovered perhaps either the fees might be discounted or perhaps merchants might help donate part of the fee.
• The Penny-Blanket Market might take a while to take hold. At events where all merchants must pay the fee for the full duration of the event to market their goods and services, folks likely will have decided not to bring the few items they might otherwise have taken a few hours out of their event to try sell. Once the concept takes hold I think it will become popular. Perhaps like a mini-bazaar.
• The Penny-Blanket Market might become too popular. If the Penny-Blanket Market becomes too popular it will pay for itself to expand the Market Green. Of course different events will have different demographics for which allowance must be made.
• If only a very few people are involved in the Market Green Hansa it will be very easy to have "Burn Out". Spending the whole event only doing one thing can be a strain and there are many things that a typical SCA member will want to do at an event. There will be a need to have more than one person to take the part of Market Crier and Market Administrator. The same would go for pages. Though if need be the concept would work even without pages.

The Future?

In the future there could be groups of members of the Market Green Hansa throughout the Principality of Tir Righ and in fact throughout the Kingdom of An Tir with enough members that it is not a burden to any one member. The Market Green would allow the Merchants' Quarter to be a vibrant vital part of Society which greatly adds to the atmosphere and experience of all who attend events by providing services beyond those in exchange of money or barter.

• Merchants' Quarter: Section of the Event devoted to Merchants and the selling and bartering of goods, services, and entertainments.
• Market Green Hansa: Group that runs the Market Green.
• Market Green: The area encompassed by the boundaries booked by the Hansa to operate from. Same as the area a merchant would book for their booth.
• Market Green Fund: The Market Green Fund having first paid for the site fee for the "booth" will be collected for an appropriate charity or fund which will be chosen before the event. This might be something like a Travel Fund for Principality or Kingdom Royalty or a deserving Mundane Charity. There may be separate fund raising done as well for other expenses incurred for items the Market Green might require or need to acquire. It is hoped that most things will be donated.
• Market Square: The part of the Market Green which is open for the Penny-Blanket Market, Busking Area, and the area for the public to gather and enjoy the Buskers.
• Market Crier: Person who wanders about the Merchant Quarter to keep an eye on things, cry out messages, and make announcements.
• Crier's Point: Market Administration Booth where messages can be left and the Market Green Administrator can be found. This is also where the bell to chime the hours will be found. Donations for a spot in the Penny-Blanket Market can be made here as well as arrangements be made to use the Busking Area. The Message Board will normally also be near here if not here.
• Penny-Blanket Market: This is an area where people with one or two items to sell, or perhaps a service can throw down a blanket or set up a card table for a few hours for a small donation rather than pay for a booth for the duration of the event.
• Busking Area: We hope to have frequent entertainment here during events. Musicians, jugglers, dancers, or whoever wishes to try entertaining might try their hand at it. If things get busy they may have to book time with the Market Green Administrator. If they wish to put out a hat for donations they might want to make a donation to the Market Green fund.