Society for Creative Anachronism

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The Society for Creative Anachronism (usually shortened to SCA) is a nonprofit educational organization whose goal is described in their By-Laws and Corporate Policies as a group devoted to the study of the Middle Ages and Renaissance life and culture of the landed nobility in Europe prior to 1600 CE. Since individual members have free choice in what actual areas of the world they explore and study, many branch out and include other regions such as the Middle East and Japan. Although the corporate offices are in Milpitas, California; the Society has active branches in the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, Asia, and Africa and as of 2006 has approximately 30,000 paid members.

[edit] Description

The Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) is a historical reenactment and living history group approximating mainly pre-17th century Western European history and culture. The SCA’s roots can be traced to a backyard graduation party of a medieval studies graduate in Berkeley, California on May 1, 1966. After several more backyard medieval parties, the SCA was formed and over the last forty or so years, the SCA has grown to tens of thousands of members all over the world. While some people say the SCA is still just a big medieval costume party that has been going on since the 60s, the scholarship and historical documentation of many members are professional. Unlike strict reenactment groups, the SCA will utilize modern elements when necessary (like plastic-framed eyeglasses) or to promote safety (like replacing steel swords with rattan during combat) this is “Creative Anachronism” at its best. An oft-quoted though unofficial SCA motto is, "The Middle Ages as they should have been" — that is to say, lacking such undesirable elements as religious persecution, bubonic plague and open-pit sewers. The level of historical authenticity in the SCA varies greatly from casual participants to participants who are historically exacting and detailed. For instance, new members may make armor from plastic or garb (clothes) from poly/cotton broadcloth to save money, while others may spend weeks creating museum quality items. Many SCA participants see these open requirements as one of the main strengths of the SCA, allowing members to choose their level of commitment and enjoy playing with others in the SCA.

Some participants have also described the SCA as a large group of people with interlocking skills and hobbies that are rarely used or needed in a technological society. Some have joked, that after leaving Boy Scouts, where else can people still use all their merit badge skills but in the SCA? During a typical SCA event one can see such interactions. Dancers can work with the musicians in a performance. Cooks plan and prepare meals for feasts. Weavers and costumers find people to wear their creations. Leather and metal smiths make combat armor for fighters, and so on. Because of the diversity of SCA members, most medieval trades or hobbies are practiced and valued within the SCA. (See "Activities" below.)

[edit] Persona

SCA members each create their own persona. For some, a persona is simply a costume and a name, an alter ego for a weekend costume party. Others craft an elaborate personal history of a medieval person who never lived, but might have, opening the door to years of scholarly research and hands-on re-creation. This focus on a persona can help participants to put a human face on what they learn.

At events (see below) members may attempt to remain "in persona", speaking only of things that their period alter-ego would know about (assuming they have researched these things). They may use codewords to refer to modern or 'mundane' items such as automobiles ("chariots," "wains," "wagons", and very occasionally "dragons") or telephones ("farspeakers"), although these usages appear to be fading. A certain amount of willing suspension of disbelief is accepted, such as when dealing with an 8th century Norseman wearing eyeglasses and a wristwatch.

The SCA can also be seen as a large, roving piece of performance art by committee. Participants are creating an impression of the Middle Ages made up of their personal ideas of what the Middle Ages were (or should have been) like. There are those whose SCA participation draws heavily on sources from Hollywood, notably the chivalric epics of the 1950s; others whose interpretation stems from the Victorian idea of what the Age of Chivalry was, which is heavily influenced by the works of Sir Walter Scott and Sir Thomas Malory; fantastic elements drawn from novelists such as J.R.R. Tolkien (a big influence on the early SCA members), Marion Zimmer Bradley, and T.H. White; and those who draw their inspiration from primary source materials. As a result, there is often tension in the SCA between people desiring more authenticity (sometimes known as the "Period Police" or "Authenticity Freaks") in Society activities, and the people who base their ideas on fantasy.

[edit] Events

Members, dressed in clothing of the Middle Ages and Renaissance, attend events which may feature tournaments, arts exhibits, classes, workshops, dancing, feasts, and more. Events, which occur on rented sites, vary enormously, offering a wide variety of activities and are attended by garbed participants. SCA events are not typically spectator-oriented so attendees are expected to follow SCA norms including an attempt to dress in pre-17th century garb. This is one of the primary differences between SCA events and Renaissance Fairs.

A family attending an SCA event
A family attending an SCA event

SCA events fall into several general categories:

[edit] Combat Events and Wars

Combat events involve either tournaments with one-on-one combat, or wars where teams compete against each other. Events focused on combat often have other activities happening at the same time.

Where a typical event may host anywhere from 20-800 participants over a weekend, the largest wars typically draw thousands from across the Society for up to two weeks. The longest and largest of these events is the Pennsic War--a two-week event in August catering to over 11,000 people participating in everything from combat to dance to history lessons. Combat at a war can involve forces numbering 100 to 3,000 participants on each side and can include safe versions of archery and siege engines.

Several combat-related activities happen independently at an event. Heavy weapons (swords, axes, etc.), fencing, and target archery may happen simultaneously on separate fields.

[edit] Arts and sciences

The SCA promotes the crafts, skills, and technologies practiced in the time period and cultures that the SCA covers. Arts & Sciences range from the recipes used for a feast to the armor used in combat, the clothes and costumes that are worn to the bardic arts of singing, storytelling, poetry and instrumental pieces. An officer in the local group called the Minister of Arts and Sciences is usually in charge of promoting these crafts and aiding members in finding appropriate information. Other events are set up as a learning experience for the members. Typically, classes are given in history or crafts of the period, or in how to better perform activities within the SCA. Topics can range from heraldry, philosophy, and history to costuming, calligraphy, and metalwork. Some "A & S" events have competitions, with the largest offering overall prizes or championships in the arts.

The Known World A&S Directory is a database of people who are willing to share their knowledge of various arts and sciences.

[edit] Coronations and investitures

These events center on the changing of the ceremonial leadership of sub-groups from the local Barony up to the Kingdoms. These events typically are more focused on ceremonial affairs, concentrating more on meetings and organization than combat or arts and sciences.

Most events will normally finish with a Court to allow for the awarding of honors, and (in some areas) a feast. Evening activities can include bardic circles (formal and informal), medieval dancing, and post-revels (a party usually held at an individual's home).

[edit] Demonstrations

Demonstrations or Demos are intended for audiences and are put on by volunteers for a variety of purposes. Schools and community groups may request or be offered demos for education or entertainment. Demos are typically much shorter and more focused on appearances. The SCA provides demonstrations of Medieval arts and sciences. Combat demonstrations are usually limited to SCA-style combat using rattan weapons rather than representing historic fighting with steel weapons.

The Society has attempted, somewhat successfully, to become a more family-friendly environment since its founding. Demos provide an opportunity for interested people to get more information about participation in their local branch of the SCA.

[edit] Practices

As interest levels allow, SCA groups hold regular practices for a variety of activities. These tend to be unofficial and informal affairs where garb, while always welcome, is not required. Some practices are ostensibly for one activity but attract people interested not necessarily in the activity itself but more in socializing. A dance practice, for example, may draw the entire local group together to hang out, while a small percentage actually dance. This serves to help integrate the group and prevent segmentation.

[edit] Activities

[edit] Costume

The first thing one notices about an SCA event is that everyone is wearing at least an attempt at clothing similar to that worn between 900 and 1600. This type of clothing is often called "garb". Wearing garb to events is one of the basic requirements of the SCA. Garb may range from a polyester-blend T-tunic for a newcomer to a hand-embroidered and beaded Elizabethan era gown complete with hoops, bumroll and ruffled collar or a set of ruffs that may take more than six months to a year to complete. Typically, men wear a tunic and pants and women wear a long gown. Members often have "field" garb, simple cotton tunics or gowns that they wear to camping or other outdoor events, and "court" garb made of expensive brocades and silks that are reserved for fancy-dress events. Many SCA members make their own clothing, though the needlework-challenged can purchase their garb from merchants or barter with other SCA members. Newcomers to the SCA can usually borrow garb for their first event or two by contacting the local group's Gold Key officer or Chatelaine/Castellan, who is responsible for helping acclimatize new members.

[edit] Armed combat

Fighters practicing at Gulf Wars XIII (2004). Note the use of rattan swords and edge padding on the shields.
Enlarge
Fighters practicing at Gulf Wars XIII (2004). Note the use of rattan swords and edge padding on the shields.

Three forms of armed combat are re-created in the SCA:

Armored Combat (sometimes referred to as "Heavy Combat", "Heavy List", or "Heavy Fighting") using weapons fashioned to generally approximate the sword-and-shield, hauberk and halberd of the High Middle Ages.

Fencing or Rapier Combat, generally approximating the lightly-armored "swashbuckling" of the 15th century and the 16th century, emphasizing the rapier over cutting swords. Many members of the Society study and practice period manuals from the salons of Western Europe whose Sword Masters taught the "Arte of Defence", where the term "fencing" came from.

Combat Archery using bows and crossbows - generally in combination with armored combatants in a war scenario, or as archer vs. archer scenarios. The arrows used specially designed tips and are built for safety.

In Thrown Weapons activities, knives and axes are thrown at wooden targets.

The martial arts as practiced in the SCA are notable in that there are no referees to declare a winner. "Marshals" are on the field to maintain safety (e.g. watch for loose or broken equipment or to protect bystanders). It is the combatants who acknowledge the effect of blows. A combatant is on his or her own honor to "call" a "good shot", feigning its effect. For example, a good blow to the arm renders that arm useless, so the combatant will stop using it for the duration of the fight. Calling a leg shot, the combatant drops to his or her knees.

[edit] Armored combat

The Armored Combat or "Heavy Weapons Fighting" forms practiced in the SCA roughly mirror those of medieval infantry, and both tournaments and battles are fought. The fighters wear armor (often of their own making) made of plastic, leather, carbon steel, stainless steel, spring steel, or any combination thereof.

This is a serious full-contact sport; moves are not planned or signalled and fighters strike each other with considerable force and speed. Weapons are primarily made of rattan to resemble swords, pikes, spears, axes and other medieval weapon types. Maces and axes have heads made of rubber or stiff foam, and pole weapons (resembling medieval pole-axes, glaives, halberds or bills, etc.) may or may not be required to be similarly padded, depending upon the regulations in a given SCA kingdom.

For the purposes of calling blows, all heavy-weapons combatants are considered to be armored in a chain mail hauberk, with an open-faced helmet similar to the barbute. For that reason, a draw cut or glancing blow would have no effect, while a solid blow would. (Testing with armored animal carcasses shows that while mail protects well against a slicing blade, it transmits most of the perpendicular force of a blow. A solid shot to an arm or leg would cause contusion of the muscle and perhaps break the bone, rendering the limb useless at least temporarily). Shots to the torso and head are treated as a 'killing blow'.

Most SCA fighters use a one-handed weapon in combination with a shield of some kind. With centuries of historical examples to draw upon, shields may range from large rectangular Roman-style scuta to small bucklers, with common styles including the "kite", center-grip (round or oval), and "heater" (so called because it resembles the shape of a flatiron). Other popular weapon choices include two-handed weapons---such as greatswords, glaives, or katana---and two-weapon (one in each hand). Some Kingdoms are also starting to experiment with thrown weapons such as javelins and throwing axes for use in melees and battles.

Most groups hold "fighter practices" where individual and group combat is practiced and informal instruction occurs, but in some areas there may be more formalized and structured training in a local style. Typically several years of direct experience in the SCA's Armored Combat are needed to excel in tournaments.

[edit] Forbidden weapons

Some weapons, while actively used within the SCA's target period, have been barred from use in SCA combat because it is difficult or impossible to make them safe. These include staves (the typical style involves a large amount of force on impact), punching weapons (Katars, punch daggers and offensive shields such as the targe), and flexible weapons such as the flail or ball-and-chain, which can wrap around heads, limbs or shields to cause injury. Some flails may be acceptable if the flexible length is very short. (In practice they are used like a mace, albeit a floppy one.) Some of these weapons are permitted in some kingdoms, and can often be used elsewhere under the "experimental weapon" rules. Under this rule they have to be approved both by the marshal in charge of the event and one's opponent in a given bout.

Period firearms are only allowed in certain kingdoms and always under very strict guidelines.

[edit] Fencing or Rapier Combat

SCA fencing rules differ substantially from Olympic fencing rules. Instead of fencing for points, fencers attempt to 'disable' or 'kill' their opponent by striking at target areas. Rapier Combatants are considered to be wearing street clothes and leather gloves, so both thrusts and cuts are accepted as attacks. SCA rules do not recognize lanes or right of way. Opponents fight "in the round". Body-to-body contact is prohibited, but hand-on-blade contact is allowed, so the off hand becomes an important factor.

While many SCA members attempt to re-create rapier combat of the 16th and early 17th centuries, in practice it often becomes a blend of Society rules and modern fencing. Many rapier and smallsword enthusiasts study fencing manuals of the 15th and 16th centuries, and use rapier simulators made with schlaeger or bated rapier blades, rather than the more sport-oriented foil and epee blades. Some kingdoms are reviewing an experimental style called "side-sword", which allows percussive cuts and thrusts with blades suitable for cut-and-thrust style fencing.

Once unpopular, fencing has grown in acceptance and prestige over the past three decades. In most kingdoms, rapier fighters can be granted awards in acknowledgement of prowess and respect within the rapier community and there is a broadening recognition of the importance of the study of period combat manuals. Even with this growing respect for the study of period rapier fighting, the Society does not have a Peerage for the fencers. Despite the recognition of skill awarded to light weapons in the SCA, some common nicknames are often used by those outside of the 'rapier community' to refer to those that choose to fight in the rapier arena: Wire Weenie, Swishy Poker, Antenna Swinger, and so forth. These names are usually used in good natured jocularity despite their negative connotations. The light weapons form is also seen as an alternative for those who wish to compete but are not able to meet the physical demands of heavy combat.

Some kingdoms have begun to award Laurels to those who have shown a mastery of fencing as an art. This is not without controversy in the Society, not least because the Order of the Laurel has traditionally been reserved to highly skilled artisans rather than to fighters. In compensation for the lack of a rapier peerage, a number of Kingdoms have signed the White Scarf treaty which gives recognition of excellent fighting abilities, superior conduct on the field and a willingness to teach new fencers. There are some kingdoms with equivalent awards such as the Bronze Ring in the Middle Kingdom and Order of the Golden Rapier (OGR) in the Kingdom of the East. It is important to note though that while the level of skill and comportment for these awards are equivalent to what is required for Knighthood, they do not carry the feudal obligations or privileges of a knight.

Some Fencing Melees allow some firearm simulation (rubber band guns) as well. This practice is not universal across the Society and is not without controversy.

All kingdoms except the Kingdom of Calontir now have organized fencing.

[edit] Combat Archery

Combat Archery allows the introduction of bows, crossbows, javelins, and slings to Heavy Weapons combat. Strict rules are in place to limit the launch force of field weapons, and the projectiles are specially built with large blunted tips and special backs to minimize the risk of true injury. Shields are considered to stop arrows and one shieldman can trivially defend himself against a lone archer. Due to the space requirements and targeting selection, combat archery is only used in large melees.

The vulnerability of archers varies from Kingdom to Kingdom (and often within a Kingdom). In some cases, archers are allowed to carry melee weapons and must be physically struck down like any other field combatant. In other cases, if a melee fighter gets within a set range, typically 10 feet (3 m), the archer is automatically considered dead. Under either system, archers must still wear the same level of armor protection as the heavy fighters, with the exception of hand protection to allow for the use of their weapons, and lighter helmets in some cases.

[edit] Bardic Arts

The "Bardic Arts" are also popular. The bard in pre-Medieval Celtic society held a specific social class and had specific duties. In the SCA context, though, "bard" is a general term that refers to most storytellers, poets, and musicians.

SCA bards not only perform historical period pieces but often compose new period-style works, some of which are based on SCA culture. These may be in the style of ancient forms, such as a new version of a Child Ballad, or a piece recounting (in period style) some aspect of the "Current Middle Ages" such as a history of an SCA kingdom, a tribute to an individual, or an account of an event.

One crossover from science fiction fandom found in the SCA is "filking." A filk is a new lyric set to an existing melody. This practice has ample historical antecedent; ancient musical codices are full of tropes that set new lyrics to existing tunes. For example, The Codex Carmina Burana is a collection of often-ribald lyrics set to the Gregorian chant tunes that were used in worship at the time. What sets filks apart is that the tunes are generally modern: Broadway show tunes, top-40 radio hits (going back to the 1960s when the SCA got its start), and so on. Filk has been used to teach novice members something about the organization's history (e.g., 'Imperium Compound,' versions of which were unique to each early kingdom and chronicled the reigns of the kings by the supposed foibles of each). SCA filksongs have also been used to protest Society policies or customs, with some success; for example, the famous 'Berzark Rag' protesting the use of excessive striking force advocated by the Society's Earl Marshal in the late 1960s resulted in his removal from office; and the strains of 'Causes of Rebellion' (aka 'Lie to the Council') by Astra of the Grey Shadows have stirred many a political tempest in their day.

Sometimes, awards are given for prowess in the Bardic Arts; though not as developed or common as the martial arts awards, Bards prize this recognition by their peers. Kingdoms and principalities may have a College of Bards. These may be highly structured or very loosely organized.

Many early music performers resist being categorized only as a "bard," because they may have specific cultural interests and prefer to style themselves as minstrels, troubadours, trouvères, minnesingers, skalds, etc.

A common bardic activity is the "Bardic Circle," where performers take turns sharing pieces. Circles may be structured, with participants passing a token to indicate who has the floor, or they may be informal, with performers following each other in no set order. Some circles may have a theme. Feasts are another common venue for musicians to perform individually or in groups (i.e. consorts and plays).

During camping events at night, bards may practice "firewalking" (also known as fyrewalking or fire-crawling): where a performer or small group travel from campsite to campsite offering entertainment or joining other bardic circles in progress. Generally, it is considered polite to welcome a new bard who enters an encampment to perform (harkening back to the days when traveling bards were mostly the only entertainment or news to be had). Besides the applause, Bards may be offered drink, food or other refreshments for their performances.

[edit] Equestrian activities

The Equestrian Guilds promote the study, practice, demonstration, and teaching of equestrian-related activities in the Knowne World. The EQ Guilds encourage participation in games that are modeled on training techniques used by medieval armies, as well as a version of jousting.

At an equestrian event you may see riders competing in such games as: Rings, where the rider uses a lance to collect variously-sized rings from tall stands placed in a row; Heads, where the rider must weave through a line of poles that have "heads" placed atop, while attempting to knock the heads off with a padded (or "boffer") sword; Reeds, where the rider must ride in a straight line between poles that have reeds set atop them, while attempting to knock the reeds off the poles with a padded sword; The Quintain, where the rider uses a lance to strike a shield-shaped target mounted on a pole (to simulate striking an opponent in the Joust); Pig Sticking, where a rider attempts to put a spear into a target on the ground (not a real pig); Mounted Archery, where the rider must control his/her mount while shooting arrows at a target; Mounted Crest Combat, where two opponents, wearing steel helmets, "attack" each other with boffer swords, attempting to knock the crest off the other's helmet; and Jousting. (Note, SCA Equestrian rules prohibit full-contact jousting at this time. Lances are constructed with breakaway foam tips, and riders must be able to easily release the lance if enough force is made upon contact with their opponent.)

Some of these games are designed to teach the rider to control his/her mount and weapon while in a combat situation. Others simulate hunting from horseback. Riders who wish to participate must demonstrate their ability to control a horse at various gaits, and control a horse while holding a weapon. Riders start at the Beginner level riding at a walk, and then advance through intermediate (trot) and advanced (canter or gallop) when they have proven their abilities to the Equestrian marshallate.

The SCA Equestrian Marshal's website is located at http://equestrian.sca.org/.

[edit] Heraldry

The SCA maintains its own College of Arms to register and protect heraldic devices of its members (at least within the Society).

For the first three decades of the Society's existence, all heraldic device submissions had to be checked against extant SCA arms, heraldry taken from or alluding to works of fiction, and coats of arms granted to families alive or extinct. Following a major revision of the SCA's rules for heraldic submissions (known, ironically, as the "Modest Proposal"), SCA armorial bearings are now checked for conflict only against major coats of arms, devices and symbols that exist in the real world, and arms awarded within the Society itself.

Thus, while a person cannot register the Coat of Arms of Queen Elizabeth II or of France, for example, the SCA's College of Arms no longer checks for device conflicts with arms registered with the several European colleges of arms. In practical terms, the Modest Proposal rendered the Society as autonomous in matters of heraldry as the Colleges of Arms of various nations are in reality.

The Society's College of Arms also registers and maintains SCA names, checking against duplication and ensuring at least minimal period authenticity. In some cases, names that were once acceptable (for example, Rhiannon) have been shown to be of modern origin and are no longer allowed. Though bearers whose names were approved before such research are not required to change them, no new submissions with names the heralds have documented as having come into use outside the SCA's period will be accepted.

While there is no requirement to register a name and/or device, members are encouraged to do so. Newcomers are often counseled by experienced members on choosing a suitable persona name, and local heralds are usually enthusiastic about helping new members create and register a unique device that represents their personality and interests.

[edit] Cooking

Many SCA events feature food ranging from simple "fighter's fare" or a "peasant lunch" of bread, cheese, hard-boiled eggs, and a simple vegetable or meat soup, to elaborate multi-course feasts served over a period of several hours. Such feasts may focus on dishes from England, France, Italy, Germany, Spain, or other locations and times within the SCA's period of study. Common dishes are roasted beef or chickens with mustard or other sauces on the side, meat pies, cheese-filled ravioli, green salads, "armored turnips" (turnips sliced and layered with cheese and spices), glazed carrots, applesauce, and pears or apples cooked in wine.

Feasts are not always limited to strictly period foods and recipes, but they rarely include glaringly non-period items such as hamburgers or corndogs (though there was at least one group which put on a feast in which they documented 'beans and weenies'). As with period feasts, there is often an elaborate main dish or dessert called a subtlety. (One group has a running gag at their annual feast in which the main dish is a mythical beast. To make a "sea dragon", for example, they assembled a five-foot long meatloaf with a dozen chicken drumsticks arrayed along each side.)

Cooks who strive to stick to period recipes for their dishes make an effort to ensure that their menus are balanced to allow for modern palates, ingredients, and equipment, or to compensate for tight budgets or labor shortages.

A running joke in the SCA (and at least one song in very deliberate bad taste) concerns the supposed inedibility of feast food. On the contrary, SCA feasts are typically prepared by talented and capable volunteers who work long hours to prepare a good and filling meal—and usually at a cost of only a few dollars per person. Sometimes these amateur efforts even equal or surpass the quality of many expensive restaurants.

Those who work to prepare feasts are highly regarded, customarily being called into the dining area at the conclusion of the feast and thanked with thunderous applause, and many kingdoms provide for awards and titles to be granted to those who excel in this field.

Included in the fare at many revels are various medieval brews such as stout, ale, lager, wine and mead. The mead found in many parts of the SCA was derived from two West Kingdom brewers in the late 1960s, Lady Geraldine of Toad Hall and Jon deClis, the organizer of the SCA's very first event. Geraldine preferred the very sweet variety which was generally started with 30% honey to water and brewed as an ale, whereas Jon deClis preferred the dry to semi-sweet recipe brewed more like a wine. A compromise recipe was generated from the Atenveldt Brewers and Vintner's Guild which called for one gallon of honey to 4 gallons of warm water. A teaspoon of yeast and a handful of raisins was added to the solution and then the 5 gallon carboy was sealed with several layers of plastic wrap held in place with a rubber band. The mix was set aside for 3 months and then filtered and bottled. Aten brewers experimented with mellomels using fruit juices such as grapes, cherries and elderberry, and metheglin using various spice mixes. In the East Kingdom, it has been suggested that the taste is improved if the spice mixes are suspended in an old sock (preferably freshly washed) while being simmered in the honey-water mixture.

Some of the Revels held by the Associated Guilds were punctuated by the sounds of one gallon jugs of Atenmead blowing their tops when badly filtered. It was suggested that tourney rules be revised to allow for battles to be fought using shaken bottles of new mead. Nothing came of this, most likely because the people involved sobered up enough to recognize the ramifications of such combat: the waste of good mead.

[edit] Calligraphy and illumination

Calligraphy is the art of writing beautifully, while illumination is the artwork decorating the page, usually with paint and gold leaf. Together these arts are used to create illuminated manuscripts, commonly called "scrolls" within the SCA. In many kingdoms, the awards that the royalty give in court are accompanied by an illuminated scroll made by a volunteer. Scrolls are also sometimes made to commemorate winning a tournament or competition, or an agreement between two parties within the context of the SCA. Despite the fact that period documents of this sort usually contained little illumination, scrolls are commonly modeled after the pages in Books of Hours, Bibles or other medieval and renaissance manuscripts, including elaborately painted borders around the text. Scribes use a variety of materials to produce these works. As with other arts, the authenticity of the materials used varies from scribe to scribe: paper, parchment or vellum for the writing surface; watercolor, gouache, acrylic or dry pigments mixed with a binder like gum arabic, tempera (egg yolk) or glair (egg white) for paint; fountain pens, dip pens or quills for writing. Over the Society's history, the arts of calligraphy and illumination have advanced substantially, so that many scribes now use completely authentic materials and tools.

Scribes often attempt to match the period and style of a scroll to the persona of the recipient. While most scrolls are done on paper or vellum, this has occasionally led to SCA scribes creating works on objects ranging from stone tablets to drinking horns. This kind of creativity is generally encouraged, as long as the resulting object maintains a reasonable level of authenticity.

Most SCA Kingdoms have an officer whose responsibility it is to train and nurture scribes and, if the kingdom gives scrolls with its awards, coordinate the production of those scrolls. That officer's title often includes the word "Signet" from the word for a seal used to sign documents in period.

[edit] Dance

Dance practices are held where Renaissance Dance and English Country Dance are taught in preparation for events and demos. There are also subsets within the SCA that practice and teach Middle Eastern (Egyptian Cabaret, Folkloric and American Tribal Style bellydance) and South Asian (Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kuchipudi) styles of dance to be performed at events and around campfires.

[edit] Fiber Arts

Many members, including men, enjoy practicing the arts of needlepoint, embroidery, cross-stitch, weaving, lace-making, kumihimo, spinning, nalbinding, sprang, braiding and dyeing. Period techniques are employed when possible, yielding intricately detailed and useful artwork which beautifies clothing and objects. Embroidery and cross-stitch in particular are often employed to create favors [1], given as gifts, tokens of affection or awards and often bear the arms or device of the person (usually a lady) giving the favor, or the arms of the Order for which the award is being bestowed (Pelican, Laurel, etc). Many guilds exist to preserve and teach the fiber arts, including: The Atlantian Embroiderers Guild[2] Lace Making Guild of Atlantia [3] Fiber & Needle Guild of Calontir [4] The West Kingdom Needle Worker's Guild [5] Royal Needlework Guild of Artemisia [6] Athena's Thimble of the East [7] The Worshipful Company of Embroiderers of Lochac [8] Meridian Embroidery Guild [9] and The Guild of Withie and Woolmongers of the Midrealm [10]. (This list is not exhaustive).

[edit] Scope

The SCA is worldwide in scope. The Knowne World is divided into Kingdoms. As of September 2006, there are 19 SCA Kingdoms worldwide, and about 32,000[11] paid members. Many people participate without purchasing a membership, as it is not required in order to participate in most activities. Participants are required to become paid members if they wish to hold offices in the group.

There are active groups all over the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand, with scattered groups elsewhere. (At one time there was even a group on the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz, known as the "Shire of Curragh Mor" (anglicized Irish for "Big Boat"), and the shire's arms played on the Nimitz's ship's badge.)

[edit] Kingdoms

As of April 2005 the SCA Kingdoms are (in order of founding):

[edit] Peerages

This use of the term "peerage" is unique to the Society and should not be construed as bearing any resemblance whatsoever to historical peerage as practiced in the United Kingdom or similar countries, although the SCA's peerages are inspired by medieval concepts.

SCA peerages are bestowed as lifetime awards to those who receive them, though the recipient may surrender the title if he or she so wishes. It is possible, though usually difficult, to receive again a peerage so surrendered. Peerages are bestowed by the Crown (the Sovereign and Consort) of a Kingdom. In most cases (with the exception of Royal Peers - see below), this is done at the request of the members of a given peerage. There have been rare instances in which the King has bestowed the honor on one not considered by (or even against the wishes of) a given peerage. Such an action leads to vocal protest on the parts of the peerage order and others within the given kingdom. It has sometimes resulted in members of that peerage surrendering their rank in protest over the elevation of the person receiving the honour. The source of this conflict is a difference of opinion between two schools of thought.

The first school of thought on the subject, known as "Royalism" or "Absolutism," argues that the Crown's power is absolute. The Society's bylaws state quite clearly that while it is the privilege of the peers to advise the Crown concerning nominees to their order, it is the duty of the Crown to decide who will receive the accolade. Royalists understand that while the Crown considers their opinions, those who sit the Throne are not bound by them and have the obligation to their people to do what the Crown feels is right in each case.

While this is true if a literal interpretation of the bylaws is made, those who ascribe to the "Feudalist" school of thought believe as much (or more) weight should be given to the collective opinion of the peerage order to which a candidate would be admitted. Feudalists maintain that the Crown sits the throne for only a short period. The members of the peerage have to deal with the consequences of the Crown's action (i.e., a candidate they may feel unworthy of the honour) for much longer, and thus to some extent the Crown should be guided by the collective wisdom of the Order. Followers of this philosophy argue that absolute monarchy as practiced in the SCA does not come close to historical fact. Real monarchs had to maintain a certain level of contentment among their constituents to avoid open rebellion and possibly forcible removal from the throne.

Whichever philosophy one ascribes to, such rifts between the Crown and their most highly placed subjects are undoubtedly divisive, and detract from the more pleasant task of rewarding individuals who clearly stand out in their art, science or fighting discipline.

  • Knights represent the epitome of combat arts and chivalry. Knights are expected to be well-rounded, and to be working for the good of the Kingdom and Society. Knights are recognized by their white belts, and also gold spurs and gold chains (in some Kingdoms, all spurs and unadorned open-linked chains regardless of color are reserved for knights only). Knighted men are addressed as Sir, and Knighted women as Sir or Dame (as the Knight chooses). Knights may take Squires, promising younger fighters, as students of chivalry and martial art. Squires are usually recognizable by their red belts (note: the red belt is not customary in all Kingdoms). Some Knights serve as squires first, but this is not a requirement.
    • Because Knights are required to swear fealty to the crown, no matter their feeling towards the individuals on the throne, some have chosen an alternate title of Master of Arms. They wear a white baldric rather than a white belt, and swear fealty only when they choose, or not at all. This allows those whose religious convictions forbid them to swear an oath, or those who refuse to be bound by oaths not of their choosing, to still accept the honor of a Knighting should it be offered. Masters of Arms (addressed as Master or Mistress) are common in some regions, and almost non-existent in others. In regions where the practice is common, a Master of Arms enjoys the same privileges and honors as a Knight, but bears a different responsibility: a Master of Arms generally holds his or her loyalty to be with the Kingdom, not with the King, and acts accordingly. Knights and Masters of Arms are referred to collectively as the Order of Chivalry and by SCA law (if not always by custom) are equal members of the same Order.
    • Members of the Order of Chivalry are considered to be authorities regarding armored combat activities, and are empowered to act as field marshalls without necessarily going through the examination process required of other field marshalls. The consent of a member of the Chivalry is also required to authorize new fighters before they can participate in armored combat.
    • There is a very strong tradition, actually law in some kingdoms, that "only a knight can make a knight". This means that on the rare occasions when someone not a knight has won the throne, he must have a knight bestow the accolade (the gentle stroke on the shoulder with a sword) to make a new knight, thus maintaining the unbroken line of "true knights". (Incidentally, the first SCA knight was given the accolade by a man who had received a knighthood from the King of the Belgians, so the Chivalry of the SCA actually is rooted in real-world royalty.)[verification needed]

It is worth noting that the Order of the Chivalry in the SCA includes a number of female knights; many women fight in the SCA, as enthusiastically and skillfully as their male fellows.

  • Laurels are the artisans of the Society. They are considered experts in their fields, researching, practicing, and teaching their arts and sciences to others in the Society. They are recognised by a medallion or brooch bearing a picture of a laurel wreath, or even an actual laurel wreath (frequently made of metal, cloth, leather, or other durable material). Laurels vary in art from armor making, to singing, to weaving, to any other art and craft performed within the medieval period. They are expected to use and be knowledgeable about medieval and Renaissance materials, techniques for construction, and styles in their art. They often have green-belted Apprentices learning from them (note: the green belt is not customary in all Kingdoms).
  • Pelicans are so named for the medieval legend that a mother pelican will, in times of need, prick her own breast to feed her lifeblood to her brood. They are recognised by a medallion bearing the image of a pelican feeding her young in this manner (referred to heraldically as "a pelican in her piety"), and in some places by a particular style of brimless round hat trimmed with fur and banded with white feathers, called a cap of maintenance. (This cap of maintenance is not a reserved symbol and is not recognized as a mark of rank in all kingdoms.) Masters and Mistresses (Dames) of the Pelican have shown such devotion in the service of the SCA in general. Often, these are among the leaders running the day-to-day business of the Society, holding offices, running events, and assisting with the organizational aspects of their local or regional group, their Kingdom, or even the Society as a whole. Their associates, called Protégés, wear yellow belts to indicate they have been taken under the wing of a Pelican as a protégé (note: the yellow belt is not customary in all Kingdoms). A longstanding joke has it that the custom of the yellow belt originated to allow them to be easily spotted in a crowd when you need someone to do a job.
  • Royal Peers are members of both the simplest and most difficult peerage to join. One simply must have ruled as monarch of a Principality or Kingdom. For more information on how this is accomplished, see Royalty below. Royal Peers go by a range of titles, from Viscount/Viscountess (former prince/princess), Count (or Earl) /Countess (who have served once on a Kingdom throne), and Duke/Duchess (who have served as king/queen two or more times).

There is a very old aphorism in the SCA: "Win the Crown once, and they call you a Count. Win the Crown twice, and they call you a Duke. Win the Crown three times, and they call you an Idiot." Serving as a Royal is so demanding, it is said, that nobody in their right mind would want the job. (Graf Albert von Dreckenveldt, former king of the Midrealm, described being King as "having a second full-time job for which you pay.") In some areas the (entirely unofficial) title of Archduke is used for those who have reigned five times or more. Usually these people are simply referred to as masochists.

[edit] Royalty

Thrones from which SCA royalty hold court (left, Calontir; right, Northshield).
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Thrones from which SCA royalty hold court (left, Calontir; right, Northshield).

Each SCA kingdom is ruled by a king and queen chosen by winning a Crown Tournament. This is typically held as a double-elimination, one-on-one, heavy-weapon-combat tournament; but the actual format of the tournament is largely at the whim of the reigning monarch and may even include melee (or group) combat in some places, with the candidates for the Crown raising an army from fighters not seeking the throne and contending against the armies raised by their opponents. The winner of the Crown Tournament and his/her Consort are styled "Crown Prince and Princess" and serve a training period under the current King and Queen prior to acceding to the throne and ruling in their turn. The training period can last anywhere from three to six months depending upon the scheduling of the Crown Tournament.

While this isn't how actual medieval monarchs were chosen, there is a literary and an historical basis for the custom. The SCA's first event didn't choose a "king". Fighters vied for the right to declare their ladies (only men fought at the first event) "fairest," later called the Queen of Love and Beauty. This has a number of literary sources, most famously the tournament in Sir Walter Scott's Ivanhoe. In the Middle Ages, there were a number of different "mock king" games, some of which involved some form of combat, such as King of the Mountain or the King of Archers. In the 17th Century The Cotswold Games were developed, the winner of which was declared to be "king".

However, as with many Society customs the selection of a king by tournament combat "wasn't planned, it just growed." According to the Dinosaurs (see below), in the very early days of the SCA (before there were kingdoms) there was one fighter who seemed to win every tournament he entered. This was discouraging to the other fighters and their ladies. Thus, the idea of a Crown Tournament was devised, for the express purpose of this fighter's winning it, being crowned King - and as King, being unable to participate in tournaments because duty required he preside over them. At this remove, none of the Dinosaurs is able to recall the name of that fighter; although all agree he was not Duke Paul of Bellatrix, also known as "The God of War," who has served as sovereign more times than he can count. His Grace himself swears he's not the King who started it all.

As of 2005, only one Queen has been made 'by her own hand' (that is, by winning a Crown Tournament), though two other Queens have served as Sovereign rather than Consort when their Prince or King died before or during their reign. There has also been one instance of a Queen serving as Queen Regent because the King, a military reservist, was summoned to active duty with the armed forces in the real world after taking the throne; and one in which the King abdicated the throne as a result of SCA politics and his own personality difficulties. There have also been at least seven instances of reigning Princesses who have won the Coronet List for their Principality.[1] In such cases, the male consort becomes Prince.

While the Kings and Queens do have a significant influence within their individual kingdoms and the larger Society during their reigns, their duties are primarily ceremonial. The day-to-day business of running the Society is performed by volunteers or appointees in kingdom-level offices, and by the Society's Board of Directors. In fact, the Board of Directors can strip any crown of its authority (retroactively to the beginning of their reign, even after it has ended) if they abuse their authority. To date this has never occurred, although the Board has on several occasions voided individual awards made by Kings and Queens (usually for raising an individual from another kingdom into the peerage without obtaining permission from their fellow sovereign before doing so), or banned individuals from competing for the Crown for a certain period.

The amount of authority a king has also varries from kingdom to kingdom. In so-called "Western Rite" kingdoms (those that split directly from the first kingdom, the Kingdom of the West), many people consider the king's word to be "law", which often runs them afoul of the SCA's official governing body, the SCA's Board of Directors. These kingdoms often have a more fantasy based version of SCA kingship, drawing heavily from J. R. R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, (one of Aragorn's titles in The Lord of the Rings is "King of the West") and place the institution of SCA monarchy at the center of SCA activity.

[edit] History

The SCA traces its origins to a theme party organized by Jon deClis held in a backyard in Berkeley, California on 1 May 1966. The occasion was a going-away party for Diana Paxson, SCA name Diana Listmaker (later a writer of fantasy novels), who was going abroad to pursue medieval studies at Oxford University for a year.

The event began with a "Grand Tournament" in which the participants wore motorcycle helmets, fencing masks, and usually some semblence of a costume, and whacked away at each other with weapons including plywood swords, padded maces, and even a fencing foil. It ended with a parade down Telegraph Avenue with everyone singing "Greensleeves", the only medieval or Renaissance song everyone knew. It was styled as a "protest against the 20th century" (typical of Berkeley in the mid-60's). It was such a success that the participants went on to organize more. The name "Society for Creative Anachronism" was coined by science fiction author Marion Zimmer Bradley, an early participant, when the nascent group needed an official name in order to reserve a park for a tournament.

In 1968 Marion Zimmer Bradley moved to Staten Island, New York State and founded the Kingdom of the East, holding a tournament that summer to determine the first Eastern King of the SCA. That September a tournament was held at the World Science Fiction Convention, which was held in Berkeley that year. The SCA had produced a book for the convention called A Handbook for the Current Middle Ages, which was a how-to book for people wanting to start their own SCA chapters. Convention goers purchased the book and the idea spread. Soon other local chapters began to form. In October of 1968 the SCA was incorporated as a 501(c)3 not for profit corporation in California. By the end of 1969 the SCA's three original kingdoms had been established: West, East and Middle. All SCA kingdoms trace their roots to these original three. The number of SCA kingdoms has continued to grow by the expansion and division of existing kingdoms; for example, the Outlands, Artemisia, Ansteorra, Gleann Abhann, Meridies, and Trimaris all originally belonged to the fourth kingdom, Atenveldt, which began as a branch of the West.

The SCA still measures dates within the society from the date of that party, calling the system Anno Societatis (Latin for "Year of the Society"). For example, 1 May 2005–30 April 2006 is A.S. XL (40). The individuals who attended that first event are collectively known as "The Dinosaurs", and those who are still active in the Society are regarded with a respect bordering on veneration.

[edit] Shortcomings / Criticism

[edit] Politics

As with any human organization, personalities and agendas can clash. Some people have had bad experiences with local groups or individuals, which color their impression of the organization as a whole. In addition, there are internal stresses within the Society due to inevitable conflicts between local autonomy and central organization (the Society's Board of Directors is a frequent target of controversy).

Within the organization, it is worth remembering that founders of the Society included veterans of science fiction fandom. The same sort of cliques, backbiting and big-frog-in-the-small-pond machinations and behavior with regard to status in science fiction fandom carried over into the SCA and persist today.

The major difference between the Society and Fandom comes from the fact that many of the symbols of status within the SCA are visible and convey immediate respect to their holders and that in general, status within the Society depends on actual accomplishment. It is uncommon but not unheard of for the Society's awards structure to be used as a personal weapon by those who sit the thrones or by members of the several peerage orders for or against individuals of whom a Crown or Order approve or disapprove. This behavior is despicable but the SCA's bylaws provide no practical means of addressing and/or redressing the problem. Of course this is actually quite historically accurate ("Help, help, I'm being repressed!"). 'Social climbing' within the organization is not an unheard-of occurrence either, though those who choose to engage in that behavior become obvious about it over time.

The internal politics of the Society are one of the reasons why the Great Dark Horde is popular in some regions and Kingdoms, although the Horde is by no means immune to internal politics itself.

[edit] Authenticity

Some people criticize the SCA because it does not require its members to adhere to as high a standard of authenticity as other living-history or re-enactment groups. Activities, such as battles or duels, are said to "re-create" history but are not faithful reproductions of actual events. SCA participants are more interested in performing activities that would not be out of place in period. Attempts have been made in the past to create a venue for more serious research done on the medieval period, in particular peer-reviewed articles to be published in a journal was suggested. The difficulty in finding researchers willing to publish in an SCA journal killed that plan.

In particular, SCA "heavy combat" is criticized because the emphasis on safety creates an inauthentic style of fighting:

  • The look and sound of SCA combat suffers from using rattan rather than steel weapons.
  • The way some weapons are used is not authentic; an SCA mace for example has much less mass than the real item.
  • Combatants fighting while kneeling (after leg shots) are certainly not 'authentic.'
  • Personal integrity and honesty play an important role in how bouts are fought, but it is possible within the SCA's rules to refuse to acknowledge a valid hit in order to win a bout.
  • While SCA combat techniques are well developed, they are based on what works with SCA weapons and armor rather than those actually used historically. An ongoing problem is the tendency of the Society's Marshalate to increase the armor standard in response to reported injuries, rather than seeing that the fighter who inflicted the injury is retrained to prevent a recurrence. It has been observed by detractors that in a mere 30 years the SCA recapitulated 400 years of armor development!
  • The SCA rattan or 'heavy' fighting is intended to recreate the style of the Age of High Chivalry in Europe of the early to mid-13th century, but the armor of that era was chain mail over a padded gambeson, with steel plate helmets of varying pattern. However, for safety reasons the SCA armor standards are much closer to that of the tilting-armor worn by Henry VIII of England and Francis I of France at the Field of the Cloth of Gold in the 16th century A form of combat called "8 and 4" was developed by the College of Sciences which recreated the stylized combat in some medieval tournaments, giving each combatant 8 blows to land on their opponent's body or shield. If, after 8 blows were landed by each fighter no clear victor was determined 4 more blows were given. Ultimately, if both fighters were too evenly matched a panel of three judges, chosen by the 'King', decided the victor based on style and form. The 8 and 4 form was used primarily in Atenveldt during Crown tournies as an example of how the period tournaments were run with regards to combat on foot as opposed to mounted combat.

The SCA members usually acknowledge the fact that they are not 100% authentic in their re-creations, and merely add that this is the reason they have the word "creative" in their name. This attitude has created the unofficial motto: "The Middle-Ages not as they were, but as they should have been."

[edit] Sources

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ http://www.ealdormere.sca.org/scaroyalty/lineage.cgi?TYPE=people&VALUE=reigns

[edit] External links

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