With few words I can say as a foreign the ordem without first contact with the Portuguese culture with a positive perspective. I can only say that companion on times when values and principles are less appreciated.

Mi experiencia como Mexicana en On Re

Con pocas palabras puedo decir que como extranjera la orden fue un primer contacto con la cultura portuguesa desde una perspectiva positiva, solamente puedo decir que cada uno puedo describir a su manera la mía es que se encuentra compañerismo en una época donde los valores y principios cada día están menos de moda.

Ven e intentalo.

Note from a Lancastrian member

I first met the members of OCSP at Ourém, at the castle in 2008.They made me welcome and invited me to join the group on a trial basis, at their next event. After my third event with them I was offered membership.

In the year since I joined OCSP I have taken part in roman and medieval events in Central Portugal and the Alentejo. (Group events cover the whole country.) At every event I have been made welcome and enjoyed good company, and been able to make a contribution, whether helping with archery, drop spinning, or just keeping an eye on things while someone else took a break.

Most members speak English but would like me to master Portuguese (I wish!) as my lack of Portuguese limits me somewhat.

The group has its own headquarters and there are weekend research and general meetings there most months. We can suggest or test new ideas, practise swordplay, continue building the roman marching camp, use the library, etc. In future, we shall be making wider use of the hectares we own.

Welcome to ONRE

Comments from a "Californian" member

I have known of the OCSP for years through links in the SCA publication "Chronique," and have even spoken on the phone with members during various trips to Portugal. However, it was only beginning last year, in 2008, after I had moved to Portugal permanently, that I had the chance begin to attend events with them and finally join.

What I believe distinguishes us from re-enacting groups in general is a particular concern for the welfare and development of our members. Furthermore, the attitude and personal behaviour of those members is more important than the details of their impression, their clothes and equipment. However, rigorous authenticity has always been, and continues to be the goal of the OCSP in its public presentations. The Órdem is particularly welcoming to new members with limited re-enacting experience, and we possess a wide array of "loaner" equipment and clothing to ease the newcomer's entry.

The OCSP is currently undergoing unprecedented growth and consolidation. This page is but one aspect of a complete overhaul of the Órdem's web pages in an attempt to "internationalize" our activities and raise our profile in Europe. I am particularly happy to have joined the Órdem at such an exciting time in its development. Understanding our history is ever more important in our "virtual" world, so that we never forget where we have come from. If you feel as we do, come and participate in our activities, and spread the word that history is alive and well in Portugal!

Note from a Moldavian Member

I knew of the existence of the OCSP through my boyfriend, who has already belonged to the group for three years. My first contact with the OCSP was during a fair, in Aljubarrota in 2007, where I attended as a visitor. Two years later, when I finally began to have some free time, I joined the group.

What led me to join the OCSP was mainly the love for handicraft, designing the medieval clothing, curiosity about the daily life of the Middle Age and living with the other members. This come back in time to the Middle Ages has been helping me make a parallel between the present and past life and I have been realizing how different was the way of living. It is curious to see how things were made: the phases through which they passed to reach a final product (eg: writing ink, tissues, candles, etc.).

In the internal stages of the OCSP , we have done several handicraft workshops (eg: finger looping, knitting, tablet weaving, among others) and we have also had training. Therefore, we always learn new things and it motivates me to participate.

One of my goals at the OCSP is to beincreasingly in contact with History through the reenactment with the highest rigour and above all to understand it and not just imitate it!

Notã de la un membro moldovean

Am aflat de existenta OCSP-ului prin prietenul meu, care a apartinea deja grupului de trei ani. Primul meu contact cu OCSP-ul a fost în timpul unui tîrg, în Aljubarrota, la care am participat în calitate de vizitator. Doi ani mai tîrziu, cînd în sfîrsit am început sa am ceva timp liber, m-am alaturat grupului.

Ceea ce ma condus sã mã alãturez OCSP-ului a fost în deosebi dragostea pentru artizanat, confectionarea hainelor medievale, curiozitatea despre viata zilnicã din Evul Mediu si locuia cu ceilalti membri. Acestã întoarcere in timp pînã la Evul Mediu mã ajuta sa fac o paralela între viata prezenta si cea trecutã si mã ajutã sã înteleg cît de diferit era modul de viata. E curios sa vãd modul în care lucrurile au fost facute: etapele prin care au trecut pentru a ajunge la un produs final (de exemplu: cerneala de scris, tesuturi, lumînãri, etc.)

În stagiurile interne ale OCSP-ului, facem diferite ateliere de lucrãri manuale (de exemplu: finger looping, knitting, tablet weaving, printre altele) si avem deasemenea formare. Prin urmare, noi întotdeauna învatãm lucruri noi si asta ma motiveaza sa particip.
Unul din obiectivele mele la OCSP e sã mã aflu cît mai mult în contact cu istoria, prin recrearea cu cea mai mare rigoare si în deosebi sa o înteleg, si nu doar s-o imit!