The SCA in brief

The Society for Creative Anachronism is a medieval recreation group, which practises the arts, crafts, skills, philosophies and chivalry of Western Europe between the years 600 to 1600 C.E. The society is a non-profit educational group that began in America at a backyard medieval party in 1966. From there it grew, somewhat haphazardly at first, into the world-wide organisation it is today.

(Anachronism means 'something out of time')

No, we aren't in a play, we're just wearing medieval clothes...

Dressing in the clothing of the Middle Ages (and Renaissance) make it easier to "play the Game". We not only wear them, we make them - ideally, just as they would have been made.

Many people are familiar with re-enactment groups such as the Vikings, Sealed Knot, or the Ermine Street Guard. These groups dress and recreate a very specific time and place, sometimes even a single event. Their standards of authenticity are high, and gaining membership requires a serious time commitment.

We are a re-creation group, rather than a re-enactment group. The simplest explanation of the distinction is:

With re-enactors, the public (in ordinary street clothes) attends an event to watch a display of fighting, cooking, dance or crafts, put on by re-enactors (in authentic period clothes). The re-enactors are the show: the public is the audience.
With re-creation, the participants are both the show, and the audience. All the participants dress in period clothes, and all the participants are 'performing', mainly for each other, by taking part in the fighting, cooking, dance or crafts. Occasionally, the SCA does do 'demos' of our activities, for public education or to recruit new members, but it's not the main goal of the Society.

Participation and interests in the society vary wildly, from fun enthusiasts who turn up to our feasts and revels, to others who go to our teaching collegiums and workshops, to people who do extensive research on their areas of interest and teach and run demonstrations for the general public. There are many activities in the SCA however. Here are some of the favourites:

Armoured Combat

The SCA form of armoured combat consists of full contact, full speed combat with rattan weapons, in protective metal and plastic armor. There are detailed safety regulations which are stringently enforced.

Rapier

Rapier combat is the 'art of defense' using schlagers or double-wide epees, blunted for safety, while wearing protective clothing (and modern fencing masks). Both armoured and rapier combat are a real adrenaline rush,and are entertaining to watch.

Feasting

This covers both the cooking and the eating! Several medieval feasts are put on during the year, composed of recipes from cookbooks of the period, and cooking tutorials (or "make and eat if you dare!") are held also.

Brewing

A favourite pastime, both in the making and drinking! Mead, beer, cider, ginger ale, cordials and fruit wines are all on the menu.

Sewing

Making medieval clothes is one of the more fun hobbies in the SCA, as is embroidery. Sewing Guild meetings are useful for the "sewing impaired" amongst us, and are a good time to socialise as well.

Dancing

The favourite dances in the SCA vary widely, from simple country side-steppers to Renaissance twirl and curtsies. This is a very popular pastime at social events, and even if you haven't done it since school, very easy to learn and join in.

Music

Another favourite at feasts (and after a few). Period music and instruments are a popular pastime, as is singing. Songs range from authentic medieval, fake medieval, SCA filk songs to ditties of dubious moral content.

Our re-creation of the Middle Ages doesn't stop with feasts and revels (parties) - although these are always a very popular part of the Society! Almost any aspect of life in the period AD 600 - AD 1600 has its place in the SCA. If there's something you're particularly interested in, then ask around. You may find one of us is able to teach you, or you may find others who are also interested in learning. If you already know all about something, let people know and share your skills with us.

To get into the spirit and mindset of the period, people choose a medieval name by which they are called at events (how medievally can you act if someone keeps calling you "Fred"? or "Debbie"?), and choose a place and time they come from.

Some members research what their lives would really have been like, their beliefs and attitudes and make up a whole character and history for this "persona", some members learn a little of the history of the time and roleplay how they would have behaved, whilst others are quite happy with just acquiring the three basics of name, place and time. The choice is personal.

The "Current Middle Ages" is what we call our recreation. Age, race, religion and gender roles are as nearly non-existent as possible. Some of the best embroiderers are male and there are many good women fighters amongst us - we have had one Queen by right-of-arms (see below for explanation), and 3 Princesses by right-of-arms, including one here in Drachenwald! If you want to wear breeches - go ahead. The SCA is also a totally non-religious organisation.

There are only two basic rules in the SCA, and these are very easy to follow:

When attending an event, please make an attempt to wear 600 - 1600 C.E. clothing.

Most Shires have clothing available for loan or hire, and can advise you on outfits. Just ask!

In the SCA, everyone is considered to be of noble birth, unless they prove themselves otherwise.

In other words, please be polite to everyone you meet! Chivalry in both word and deed is one of the mainstays of our society.

PS: There is a huge variety of clothing covered by the period 600 - 1600 C.E., for all tastes and levels of comfort.

Nothing.

No, seriously, you don't have to be a member to attend SCA events, tutorials, feasts, encampments, etc, either when you are a newcomer, or five years down the track. All monetary participation in the SCA is entirely voluntary, with the exception of when a fee is charged at an event, to cover costs.
Full SCA membership is only required for the three main Officers of the Shire, and fighters, for insurance purposes.

The SCA, or "Known World" as it is called internally, is formed of Kingdoms. Kingdoms are, predictably, headed by Kings and Queens. They earn that title by armed combat, in a tournament held every 4 to 6 months, depending on the kingdom's law. Kingdoms are divided into smaller groups called Shires or Baronies, depending on how many members they have.

SCA groups in the UK are Shires. If a Shire becomes quite large, it can become a Barony, with a Baron and/or Baroness as royal leaders of the group, who act as that group's representatives to the Crown. The next step up, for a growing, cohesive group of shires and baronies is to become a Principality.

There are other types of group also - Colleges, which are groups based in universities, and Strongholds, groups founded on military bases (there is even a Stronghold on one of the US Navy aircraft carriers!).

The United Kingdom, called Insulae Draconis, is part of the Kingdom of Drachenwald, which includes Europe, the UK, Russia and South Africa.

The Shire is run by a group of Officers, who volunteer (or are volunteered!) to run that Office for two years. Each organises a particular area, and often have sub-Officers under them, to help with the work. This is a brief list of the most important:

Seneschal

The "President" of the Shire, and person who does most of the dogsbody paperwork! General co-ordinator, organiser, etc, etc, etc....

Chancellor

of the Exchequer - Shire Bean-counter, and a very necessary office. The SCA is a not-for-profit organization, but must still account for its assets, and each group's expenditures to hold events.

Herald

The Herald is responsible for several areas - firstly, to help people design and authorise their personal armory and names, secondly, to ensure the smooth running of official functions such as royal courts, and to assist at tourneys, and events with announcements.

Arts and Sciences

This Officer co-ordinates the Shire's creative pastimes, including workshops.
A rough distinction between arts and sciences: If you hit it and it goes away, it's an Art, but if you hit it and it doesn't go away, it's a Science.

Marshal

The Marshal is responsible for overseeing fighters' practices, teaching fighting, and ensuring armor is within the SCA regulations.

Chatelaine

The Chatelaine (or Hospitaller) welcomes newcomers to our events, informs people about the society, answers lots of questions, and maintains the Gold Key, the Shire Loan Wardrobe.

People are encouraged to create their own armory in the SCA. Heraldry was an important art form of the Western European medieval world, and is a fascinating study by itself. You make up armory, sometimes called a 'coat of arms' (the artwork displayed on a shield) which is unique to you, and which will identify you. The Thamesreach Shire device is shown below. Any articles ie clothing, banners, etc which bear that device identify that person/item as coming from Thamesreach, and usually being on official Shire business. If you wish to, you can get your device officially recognised by the SCA's College of Arms.

You can also have one or two, or even more, badges which are uniquely yours. These can include elements from your device, symbols, sigils, etc which people will associate with you, and which you can put on your belongings to identify them.

The Shire is home to some Guilds. Guilds are informal organisations established to promote the study and practice of a particular Art or Science. A Guild can hold an official charter, and is sponsored by an SCA branch, although its activities aren't confined to that group.

These Guilds are based on the medieval craftsmen's Guilds. It was not uncommon for medieval guilds to have extensive entrance requirements. However, in these, the Current Middle Ages, anyone that expresses an interest in joining a Guild can do so, and in Thamesreach there are no entry requirements needed - just enthusiasm!

The Guilds research their field, train, run workshops, give demonstrations, and other such things. SCAdians can belong to as many Guilds as they wish. For more information on Thamesreach Shire Guilds, contact the Arts and Sciences Officer.

Some members of the Society decide to group themselves into "Households" - voluntary associations of friends or like-minded people, in order to spread the work of cooking at camps, making garb, training fighters, etc. The terms and conditions of household membership are left up to the households.

Some households are constantly looking for members, and will gladly take in any likely prospects; others like to remain smaller, more on a family basis. If you are interested in joining a particular household, it's all right to ask about joining them, but don't be disappointed if they don't offer you membership. This is not a rejection of you personally - reasons of size, organisation or previous commitments are more likely. If the Household is particularly interested in you, they may make overtures on their part.

The amount of dedication required from a household varies - some require participation weekly, or frequent activity, others may suggest a get together once every couple of months. Some households have their own distinctive Badge. This is not a Device (ie like your personal shield) but an emblem or symbol which identifies a person as belonging to that household.

Thamesreach is an active Shire in the Kingdom of Drachenwald, and is commonly known as London, England. It covers the area within the bounds of the M25. The word "reach" was commonly used to refer to a stretch of river in medieval times, hence the Shire name refers to a stretch of the Thames.

See also the official SCA introduction - link offsite.

If you�re interested in joining in, or just coming along to an event, look at our Calendar or you can contact:

Thamesreach Seneschal or the Chatelaine

To find your local SCA branch: worldwide, see the The SCA Worldwide Internet Directory or for branches in the UK, see the Insulae Draconis website.

Armoured Combat		The SCA form of armoured combat consists of full contact, full speed combat with rattan weapons, in protective metal and plastic armor. There are detailed safety regulations which are stringently enforced.
Rapier		Rapier combat is the 'art of defense' using schlagers or double-wide epees, blunted for safety, while wearing protective clothing (and modern fencing masks). Both armoured and rapier combat are a real adrenaline rush,and are entertaining to watch.
Feasting		This covers both the cooking and the eating! Several medieval feasts are put on during the year, composed of recipes from cookbooks of the period, and cooking tutorials (or "make and eat if you dare!") are held also.
Brewing		A favourite pastime, both in the making and drinking! Mead, beer, cider, ginger ale, cordials and fruit wines are all on the menu.
Sewing		Making medieval clothes is one of the more fun hobbies in the SCA, as is embroidery. Sewing Guild meetings are useful for the "sewing impaired" amongst us, and are a good time to socialise as well.
Dancing		The favourite dances in the SCA vary widely, from simple country side-steppers to Renaissance twirl and curtsies. This is a very popular pastime at social events, and even if you haven't done it since school, very easy to learn and join in.
Music		Another favourite at feasts (and after a few). Period music and instruments are a popular pastime, as is singing. Songs range from authentic medieval, fake medieval, SCA filk songs to ditties of dubious moral content.

Seneschal		The "President" of the Shire, and person who does most of the dogsbody paperwork! General co-ordinator, organiser, etc, etc, etc....
Chancellor		of the Exchequer - Shire Bean-counter, and a very necessary office. The SCA is a not-for-profit organization, but must still account for its assets, and each group's expenditures to hold events.
Herald		The Herald is responsible for several areas - firstly, to help people design and authorise their personal armory and names, secondly, to ensure the smooth running of official functions such as royal courts, and to assist at tourneys, and events with announcements.
Arts and Sciences		This Officer co-ordinates the Shire's creative pastimes, including workshops. A rough distinction between arts and sciences: If you hit it and it goes away, it's an Art, but if you hit it and it doesn't go away, it's a Science.
Marshal		The Marshal is responsible for overseeing fighters' practices, teaching fighting, and ensuring armor is within the SCA regulations.
Chatelaine		The Chatelaine (or Hospitaller) welcomes newcomers to our events, informs people about the society, answers lots of questions, and maintains the Gold Key, the Shire Loan Wardrobe.