What is the SCA?
The Society for Creative Anachronism is an educational nonprofit organization, recreating and teaching the arts and skills of pre-17th century Europe (and cultures that were in contact with Europe during that time period). While dressed in clothing of the Middle Ages and Renaissance (years 500 and 1600 AD.), members of the SCA study and take part in a variety of activities, including combat, archery, equestrian activities, costuming, cooking, metalwork, woodworking, music, dance, calligraphy, fiber arts, and much more.
What makes the SCA different from a class or a Renaissance Fair is that members are active participants in the learning process. To learn about the clothing of the period, you research it, then sew and wear it yourself. To learn to brew, you research period ways of wine and beer making, then use that knowledge to make your own.
Another difference is that, at our events, we are only entertaining ourselves, not the public.
The SCA has over 20,000 paid members as of 2020, with about 60,000 total participants.
Founding of the SCA
The Society For Creative Anachronism has its roots in a backyard graduation party held by science fiction author Diana Paxson in Berkeley, Calif., in 1964.
The name SCA was coined by another SF author, Marion Zimmer Bradley, when the group needed a name to reserve a place in a public park for an event.
In 1968, Bradley moved to Staten Island, N.Y., and established an SCA group there, giving the SCA two kingdoms, East and West. Over the years, more kingdoms were added and subdivided. Since 1966, the Society has grown to 20 kingdoms, which cover the U.S., Canada, Europe, Asia, South Africa, and Australia.
In 1974, groups began a weekend war at a private campground near Pittsburgh, PA, which has grown into the Pennsic War. This two-week camping event attracts 10,000 participants from all over the world each year.
In 2016, the SCA held a 10-day 50 Year Celebration in Danville, Indiana.
Things we do
Armored combat: Many SCA members recreate the armored combat of the Middle Ages, wearing replica armor and using rattan weapons that have the balance, but not the lethal effect, of real swords. Rattan, which looks like bamboo but has a solid core, is springy enough to absorb some of the force of the blow without snapping, and light enough to approximate the weight of a steel sword.
Members also practice Renaissance-style fencing, also known as rapier combat. Participants use real blades, regulation fencing masks, padded torso protection, and shirts and pants made from heavy fabric.
Another martial combat is archery, along with thrown weapons (knives, axes, spears). Equestrian and hounds are two relatively new SCA activities that have come along in recent years.
Then there are the arts and sciences, called A&S. This includes bardic performances (poems, songs, storytelling, music), armor making, dancing, needlework, calligraphy, brewing, and much more.
What is the Known World?
The SCA is divided geographically into kingdoms. New kingdoms are periodically added, usually because a geographically large area wants to split up to make it easier for members to meet. There are currently 20 Kingdoms, almost all in the United States and Canada. The Kingdom of Lochac is in Australia, and the Kingdom of Drachenwald includes Europe, South Africa and Israel.
Ohio is part of the Middle Kingdom, or the Midrealm, along with Indiana, Illinois, lower Michigan and parts of Kentucky, Iowa and Ontario.
The SCA’s kingdoms are divided into regions and smaller local groups. A barony is the largest local sub-group, and its smaller branches are cantons or shires. Some local groups are located on college campuses and military bases.
Northeast Ohio has the Barony of the Cleftlands (Cuyahoga County), the Barony of Brendoken (Summit, Portage, Stark, Carroll, Tuscarawas, Holmes, Wayne, Medina, Ashland, Richland, Crawford and Morrow counties), and the Shire of Falcon’s Quarry (Lorain County). The Shire of Eastwatch covered Lake and Ashtabula counties until it disbanded.
Who’s who in the SCA
King and Queen: Each kingdom holds at least two Crown Tournaments annually, open to armored combatants only. The winning fighter and his/her consort (usually a significant other) become prince and princess for six months. After their coronation, they reign as king and queen for an additional six months. Almost every weekend of their reigns, the prince/princess and king/queen are on the road traveling to hold court at local events.
Kings and queens have the ability to bestow awards at courts, which are held at local SCA events. They are addressed as “Your Majesty.”
Prince and Princess: They are addressed as “Your Royal Highness.”
Royal Peers: Those who have been King or Queen once are Counts and Countesses and are addressed as “Your Excellency.” Those who have been King or Queen more than once are Dukes and Duchesses and are addressed as “Your Grace.”
Peers of the Realm: Peers are members who have been elevated to one of four Orders: Chivalry (outstanding armored combat fighters), Laurel (great skill in A&S), Pelican (longstanding service to the Society) and Master of Defense (outstanding rapier fighters).
Members of the Chivalry, also called knights, are permitted to wear white belts, unadorned gold chains and spurs. They are addressed as “sir.” . Knights take on people to mentor, who are called squires. Squires wear red belts, silver chains and silver spurs.
Laurels are artisans recognized for their research and skill in crafts practiced during the Middle Ages and Renaissance, and their willingness to teach those skills to others. They wear the laurel wreath and are addressed as Master or Mistress. Their dependents are called students, and are given green belts.
Pelicans may have run Society-wide publications, organized large events, held kingdom offices, or managed complicated finances. Their insignia is a pelican piercing her breast to feed her young with her own blood. They are addressed as Master or Mistress. When a Pelican takes a dependent, or someone they wish to mentor, the dependent is called a protege and is given a yellow belt.
Masters of Defense, recognized for their skill at rapier, are called Master or Mistress, and their insignia is a white baldric or collar and a badge showing three rapiers with overlapping tips.
Kings and Queens consult with their kingdom's members of the Order before creating a new Peer to join that peerage.
Usually a person about to be inducted into a peerage is placed on “vigil,” which is a period of reflection and preparation. This takes place prior to their “elevation ceremony” during a royal court, during which they are formally admitted into one of the peerages.
Greenwood Company, Bronze Ring and Red Company
The Order of the Greenwood Company is given for leadership and prowess related to target archery or thrown weapons. Members of the Greenwood Company recommend new candidates to Their Majesties for inclusion in the order. Company members wear a green hood with red and white trim.
The Order of the Bronze Ring is given for leadership and prowess in rapier combat. Members of the Order recommend new candidates to Their Majesties for inclusion in the order. Company members wear a design showing two crossed swords. People in the Order of the Bronze Ring are called Warders, and they can take on apprentices called a ward, cadet or student.
The Order of the Red Company is given for prowess and leadership in armored combat. Recipients are called Sergeants of the Red Company.
All of these awards are bestowed by the crown.
Barons and Baronesses: Two Types
There are two types – territorial and court. Territorial barons/baronesses help to govern a barony. Every five years, a poll takes place to choose a new baron/baroness. The members of the barony vote, but the vote is not binding; it is to provide advice to the Crown, which chooses the new baron/baroness.
Court barons/baronesses are appointed by the Crown. Often, as a King and Queen step down, they will reward hard-working members of their staff by making them a court baron or baroness.
Both territorial and court barons/baronesses are called Your Excellency.
My Lord, My Lady
These titles are for members who have received an Award of Arms, also called an AoA. This is traditionally the first award given to new members.
Officers in the SCA
While the king and queen are the visible leaders, the behind-the-scenes running of the SCA is done by volunteer officers.
Every local group has a seneschal, or club president. The seneschal is the group’s official representative in matters pertaining to the modern world.
Other officers include the exchequer (treasurer), knight marshal (armored combat), minister of arts and sciences (crafting and classes), youth officer, and chatelaine (recruitment officer).
Kingdoms have kingdom-level officers. The Society as a whole has Society-level officers, who are overseen by a board of directors.
What to wear
In the SCA, everyone is a participant, not a spectator. We ask that everyone make an attempt at pre17th-century clothes, also called garb. Cleftlands has loaner garb; look up the Gold Key officer on the Cleftlands website to make arrangements to borrow garb.
You can also find inexpensive garb at Goodwill or other resale shops. For women, look for solid-colored long skirts, peasant-type blouses and flat shoes. Men can wear solid pants, and a peasant-style shirt that is not tucked in. Solid-colored scrub shirts and pants are good, too.
If you have garb that you’ve worn to or purchased at a Renaissance Fair, go ahead and wear it to an SCA event – you’ll be fine!
Personas (or why we have funny names)
Many people create a persona, which is a person they would have been had they lived during the Middle Ages. Some people just have a name, a place and a time period; others have detailed life stories.
For instance, I am a 16th century court musician employed to entertain and teach music to the lesser nobles in Queen Elizabeth’s court.
You cannot portray a real historic person, such as Queen Elizabeth or Henry VIII. You also cannot portray a fantasy creature such as an elf, Halfling or orc, or a fictional character from a book or movie. Titles such as Sir, Duke, Count, Earl, Lord, Lady, Master or Mistress must be earned.
Most people start building a persona by looking at their interest in a particular culture or era, clothing styles, family history or ethnic background. Developing a persona involves answering questions such as when were you born? What is your profession? What is your religion?
Popular personas are Tudor/ Elizabethan, Viking/ Norse, Slav/ Rus, Persian, Italian and French. But you can certainly explore beyond these.
The first step is deciding on a name. Your name does not have to match the clothes you wear (especially since you’ll need garb for many different kinds of weather and occasions).
The SCA’s College of Arms helps members select and register an SCA name and heraldic device. The College of Arms ensures that their names and devices are appropriate and that each registered name and device will be unique. A device, or “coat of arms, is the personal symbol of a Society member, household, or group. There is a fee for registering a name and device.
Many people go by <real first name> of <name of SCA group> for a while until they figure out what name they’d like to adopt.
What to know about events
If you are taking this class, you have already found your way to an event – huzzah! There are SCA events taking place almost every weekend of the year, including Tournaments, coronations, masked balls, collegiums, interkingdom wars, and more. Activities at events can include fighting, fencing, archery, classes, art exhibits/competitions, indoor games, feasts, and royal or baronial court.
Here are a few tips:
Check out the Kingdom Calendar to find a list of events happening in the Middle Kingdom. https://midrealm.org/events-calendar/
It’s a good idea to register for the event in advance, especially if you want to stay for feast. Feasts often sell out early. Bring feast gear: plates, bowls, utensils and a mug.
If you’re not fighting, feel free to bring a small hand project to work on. You might even find someone who can give you pointers!
Court typically takes place in the late afternoon. Often the day’s schedule does not list a specific time for court or feast, or might say “at Their Majesties’ pleasure.” This is partly out of tradition, and partly because lots of things need to happen before a hall and the royals are ready to start court. It’s also hard to say how long court will run.
Crowns and Coronets – What do they mean?
At any SCA event, you’ll see lots of people wearing fancy crowns. Are they all kings and queens? Probably not, but deciphering the meaning of crowns is complicated because many crowns are created to reflect the wearer’s personality and interests. But, there are some general rules that will help you determine what they mean.
These are the most common crowns and coronets you’ll see:
Unadorned Circlet:
This is reserved for people who have an Award of Arms, which is usually the first award received in the SCA. An unadorned circlet is just a simple metal circlet with no more than one protrusion (gems or decoration that are higher than the main band) and less than 1 inch in overall height.
Silver Coronet with Six Pearls:
Court barons and baronesses wear these coronets. Court baron/baroness are created by the pleasure of kings and queens, by a court proclamation. The pearls are protrusions.
Gold Coronet with Six Pearls:
Territorial barons and baronesses wear these coronets. Territorial barons and baronesses are the heads of territory, such as a barony. In Northeast Ohio, we have the baron/baroness of the Barony of the Cleftlands, and the baron/baroness of the Barony of Brendoken.
Laurel Wreath:
These coronets look like a laurel wreath and are worn only by members of the Order of the Laurel, the highest recognition one can receive for mastery in the Arts and Sciences within the Society.
Coronet with strawberry leaves:
Dukes and duchesses – anyone who has completed two or more reigns as king or queen – can wear a gold coronet decorated with strawberry leaves. Strawberry leaves were a popular medieval decorative motif.
King’s and Queen’s Crowns:
Reigning Kings and Queens wear crowns. The heirs to the kingdom, the Prince and Princess, wear coronets which are usually a little less elaborate than crowns.
After departing the thrones, former royalty become Royal Peers: Counts and Countesses (those who have reigned once as King or Queen), and Dukes and Duchesses (those who have reigned twice or more as King or Queen).
Yikes! I’m standing next to the king!
Newcomers often worry about how they can spot a king, queen, prince or princess at an event. Here are some tips:
Do some Internet sleuthing to find photos of the current royals. Royals generally wear elaborate garb.
Royals usually have attendants near them, holding their water mug and/or a large bag.
If everyone nearby is bowing, curtseying or standing aside to let someone pass, that someone is probably a royal. So do the same!
SOURCES (links were active as of 9/27/2023)
http://www.goldenstag.net/MiscSCA/CrownsAndCoronets.htm
What is the SCA?
http://socsen.sca.org/what-is-the-sca/
https://midrealm.org/newcomer-portal/