What is a Walk?

• A Walk is a Lust (a minimum of 7 or more wenches) taking a stroll around the shire in search of merriment and mayhem. It is also known as a hit-and-run event.

• “Walking” is part of our show and essential to allow us to move about the grounds and locate targets to be “wenched”.

• The song mistress or Walk Leader leads the lust in song until a target is located.

Who is a Target?

• Targets may be garbed playtrons , “known mundanes” (associated or known to a wench) or those simply visiting the shire.

• Targets are selected either in advance, or chosen by the Walk Leader or another wench out of the crowd. Those that look willing to play by will still blush nicely are highly regarded.

• The target is approached by the Walk Leader and his permission is requested (they usually say yes) He is also asked if he has a Significant Other (SO). If he says yes and she is present, then her permission is requested. If she isn’t present, then he is on his honor to state if she’d mind or not.

• If proper permission is granted, the target is asked to kneel on a “pillow of comfort.” A Walk Leader stands behind the target and he is asked to place his hands behind his back with his wrists crossed. The Walk Leader places her hands on his shoulders (this pretty much immobilizes him). He is then told that we may touch him; he may not touch us.

• The Wenches approach the target individually or in pairs, and leaves her mark on his face, following guidelines (a mark consists of a closed mouth kiss while wearing lipstick, see following page for more guidelines). The Walk Leader who held the target is allowed to mark him last.

• Targets may be marked from the collar up, on exposed skin only. Kissing on the lips is prohibited (unless it is with a SO behind a circle of skirts).

• If the target’s SO wishes to have the final marking, then she goes last. All the wenches, skirts lifted slightly to create a curtain of privacy so that they can kiss, encircle the pair.

Different kinds of Wenchings

• Target Wenchings are an event in which a target is predetermined. They are scheduled in advance of a Walk in a specific time/place or executed when the target is located during the walk and used to honor or embarrass. (If gifts are required, then the sister requesting the wenching must provide flowers, chocolate, candies…etc.)

• Honor Wenchings (there are two kinds) are done when the target cannot be marked with lipstick. These are also scheduled in advance of a Walk. Wenches will be given plenty of notice that these are to happen in order to give time to prepare sweet nothings, buy roses or acquire ribbons.

• Garter Wenchings (one of the honor wenchings, also known as Ribbon Wenching) are usually done targets that are in garb that requires much care. Wenches bring their own ribbons, cut into 18” lengths. The walk leader will tie her garter around the target’s arm, usually the right hand side to avoid weapons on the left. The wenching will commence as usual except instead of bestowing a mark; a ribbon is tied to the garter, creating a pom-pom like favor on the target’s arm.

• Rose Wenchings (the second kind of honor wenching) are reserved only for those most worthy. Such as a Tom Cat, Rogue who saved a life, Performer we admire greatly or a member of Court in high station just for example. Wenches must provide their own flowers. De-thorn the roses! The Wenching will commence as usual, except this time the roses are bestowed upon the target, instead of marking.

Walk Rules

• No official Guild representation (Walks) will happen without a Lust (7 wenches). If you participate in a non-IWG-sanctioned Walk, please remove your guild pin. Remember that you represent our Guild and determine how others see us.

• No unauthorized Walks. There may be unscheduled Walks, but there will not be Walks without the approval or presence of the appropriate members of the Local Council or Walk Leaders.

• The Madame, Vice-Madame, Captain of the Guard, or Drill Sergeant are the irrefutable authorities and leaders on the Walk. They are held accountable for all the actions of the wenches and their decisions for that particular Walk are law. All issues and disagreements are to be taken up AFTER hours for resolution and future Walk guidelines.

• No “walkers” under the age of 18.

• NO drinking to impairment (drugs included). It’s a Walk; if you can’t, you won’t. We are all responsible for our own actions.

• Please refrain from walking if you are injured or ill.

• Non-IWG members are invited to participate in Walks to more fully understand the Guild (or acquire a taste for walking) provided they adhere to all IWG Walk guidelines. However after a Walk without a badge, non-IWG participants will be required to obtain a badge if they plan to continue walking.

• Walk participants may suggest targets along the Walk route, but the final determination is up to the Walk leaders. Be on the lookout for targets and let your Walk leaders know when you find one.

• We don’t mark performers, cast or vendors, unless predetermined and cleared by BRF Management. (See Honor Wenchings)

• We don’t interfere with performances, sales, or other Faire activities. If we find a target to our liking but he is within range of another activity in progress, then he is not suitable and we will keep looking.

• We walk through the shire in two lines, not a pack. We are organized.

• Only the Walk leader approaches the target. We do not descend upon him like a flock of seagulls.

• Do not stand between the Sergeant and the target. She needs to see what is going on at all times for security reasons.

• Mark the target and then move over to the “done” area designated in the Pre-walk Drill.

• Showmanship is very important. We do not want to completely surround a target. We want mundanes to see the action. They do not know we are not paid performers or part of Faire. We are a show in their eyes. Take care to leave viewing space for the audience.

• During a Walk, try to stay in character. It is assumed by mundanes that everyone in garb works for Faire.

• Remember your station. We Wenches are peasants unless otherwise bestowed upon by the Queen. Peasants would never approach the Nobility unless the Nobility approached them first.

• We will reverence when in the presence of Nobility. (If you don’t know how, ask, we will be happy to teach you.)

• Don’t participate in a Wenching if you are uncomfortable with the target. You do not have to make a huge deal of it. Just wait until the Wenching has commenced and casually move to the “done” line. There is so much going on at that time that no one will notice.

• No kilt checks while on a Walk. They can be deemed above our rating by Faire management. Please use caution.

• Above all: HAVE FUN! Sashay, sway, smile, flirt, and give a little attitude.

Dress Code

• Bodice, chemise, two skirts, head covering (cap, straw hat, cavalier, scarf, flower/feather head dress, or fancy braid), and shoes. Natural fibers and period colors suggested. No fantasy garb. Elizabethan period, please (see costume guidelines).

• No Weapons.

• NO inappropriate garb for the Faire site can be worn during a Walk. If you happen to be wearing tights or slops that day (ex. pirate invasion) have skirts handy. You can store it at the Hostel.

• NO chain-maile. If you visit one of the chain-maile booths and advertise for them, you will not walk that day. You can always change if you’d like to Walk.

• There is borrow-able garb at the Hostel. Feel free to use it but please treat it well and return it.

• Bring and wear the boldest, longest-lasting lipstick that you can buy. Do not forget to reapply after every Target.

• We are Wenches, not Consort girls. We are seeking merriment and mayhem, not representing the pleasures of the flesh. Display them, but be discreet and leave a little to the imagination.

Protocol

• No tipping is allowed! Please do not accept money from any person. We mark men as a part of our “act.” Accepting money can be seen as a form of soliciting (yes, soliciting!) If anyone wants to bestow a gift upon you, have him or her buy you a drink after the show. Or better yet, have them give the guild a case of water or such.

• Grievances: We want to avoid strife among the sisterhood as much as possible. If an issue does arise, we want to settle it in the most adult and amicable manner possible. We will work it through the chain of command.

o Try to work it out yourselves between the two of you. Play nice.
o Engage a sister wench to be a mediator, but do not participate in gossip.
o Talk privately with one of the Local Council or e-mail one of us personally. Dame, Sergeant, Lieutenant Madame, Arbiter, and Madame
o We want to take care of our issues at home. Keeping resolution at the local level is very important. If we cannot resolve things in our own shire then we work up through the national ranks.

Regional/Local Council
Council of Madame’s
Head Guild Scribe (Lars)
National Vice Madame
Grand Madame
Grand Privvy Council

Disciplinary Action

• The Local Council will determine discipline (unless the charge is deemed appropriate to bring to National Attention, then THEY will decide the discipline.) The local leaders will make sure discipline is carried out.

• If a Guild member sees fit to behave in such an inconsiderate, foolish manner as to embarrass and disgrace the International Wenches Guild, she has three strikes: Warning, Suspension, and Expulsion. On the local level, a decision on disciplinary action must be made by the members of the Local Council (Madame, Lieutenant Madame, Dame, Arbiter, and Drill Sergeant). If unavailable, three ranking members (local or visiting Madames Cum Laude or Madames) can be asked to sit in judgment.

• The IWG is about fun but will not be used as a shield for drunken debauchery and irresponsible conduct in public.

• As an alternative to expulsion, the Order of the Biddy may be awarded (this is not a positive award.) The recipient will have her badge rescinded for safe keeping and will only be allowed to wear a red letter B- instead of her A+ until the Order is removed for good behavior.

Reasons for disciplinary action:
• Unreasonable insubordination or deceit.
• Breaking a real law (theft, larceny, assault, murder, soliciting)
• Narcotics possession/dealing
• Public intoxication while using the Guild as a shield.
• Public nudity (this is not Mardi Gras)
• Under-age alcoholic consumption
• Contributing to the delinquency of a minor (buying alcohol for one)
• Public sexual displays (higher that a PG-13 rating)
• Bearing false witness (continuous spreading of malicious untruths and causing disharmony)

Descriptions of Local Council Positions

Madame KissMeKate Burrill ~ locally elected representative and voice of reason on the ground level. point of connection to faire management. Works closely with the other officers to ensure proper function of the local. Runs the local charterhouse, leads walks, and elects/can be elected to the National Privvy Council. Madame Cum Laude rank or higher. Voting member.

Lieutenant Madame Kate Roundbosoms~ Madame’s second in command. Will run the roost when the Madame is otherwise occupied. May assume the duties of dame, drill sergeant or song mistress when those members are otherwise occupied. May lead walks. Madame rank or higher. Voting member.

Dame of Hostel Abbey “Candle Wench” Manalli~ Administrator of the local Hostel. She runs the house, answering to the LM and providing comfort/support to local and visiting Guild Members. Can carry water on a walk.

Drill Sergeant Elizabeth Fitzgerald, Lady Frisky~ Organizes Wenches while in a walk; maintains protocol, minds stragglers, distributes lipstick, assigns crowd control, policies alcohol/drugs, helps set song lists, helps chart walk course. Can carry water while on a walk. Jade rank or higher. Works closely with Captain of the Guard. Non-voting member.

Arbiter Wench Paradox-Beth Ward ~ Voice of calm, fact finder in disputes, tiebreaker on all votes. Voting member.

Song Mistress (Madame Singer) TBD if needed ~ Lead singer, leads Wenches in song while on a walk, sets song lists, approves of new songs and verses (along with Madame and Lt. Madame) helps second in command to Sergeant in walking control. Hussy rank or higher. Non-voting member.

Captain of the Guard Shelagh MacGillie ~ Co-ordinates security for the walks. Provides scouting, security, and crowd control (internal and external) during the walk. May wear pants, as she does not participate in Wenching while on a walk, unless a special circumstance. Works closely with the Drill Sergeant. Can be of Battle Bitch rank (renmercs guild membership). Non-voting member.