When you’re brand new to the SCA, everything will seem pretty daunting. It’s an entirely new world, and so many new things thrown at you all at once. What does that symbol mean? Why did they call that person a peer? What should I wear?
This section should be able to help you get started and begin familiarizing with the workings of the Society. Be sure to check out the Newcomer’s Portal to for more information on specific activity types.
More comprehensive information to get you started in SCA can be found at the following links:
- Newcomer’s Portal – A welcome website devoted to giving a run-down of the SCA and its activities.
- SCA Home Page – The official website of the SCA
- SCA Membership – Registering as a paid member, which provides benefits such as discounts to event admission, access to paper publications, and the ability to authorize and fight in martial (combat) tournaments.
- Newcomer Resources – The official website’s page for newcomers, it contains more detail on the SCA and its history, and a much more comprehensive guide for newcomers to the Society.
- Forward into the Past – Another useful guide for getting started in and familiarizing with the SCA.
You can also contact our Chatelaine or any of the local officers if you have any questions or are having trouble getting started.
What is the SCA?
The Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) is a worldwide nonprofit organization devoted to the study and recreation of pre-17th century culture across the world, with a focus on the Middle Ages and Renaissance (approx. 500 AD – 1600 AD).
The Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) is an international non-profit volunteer educational organization that focuses on the study and recreation of pre-17th century skills and activities.
An “anachronism” is something that is out of its proper time frame. “Creative anachronism” takes the best qualities of the Middle Ages and selectively re-creates them in the modern world. The SCA is not about reenacting real historical events and portraying historical figures, but rather recreating the culture, arts, and atmosphere of the Middle Ages in an alternate version of the present, also referred to as the “Current Middle Ages”.
The SCA operates as a series of kingdoms, the majority of which are located in the United States and Canada. Every Kingdom is lead by a king and queen, chosen through a tournament of combat. You are a subject of a kingdom by virtue of where you live for the majority of the year.
Our “Known World” consists of 20 kingdoms, with over 30,000 members residing in countries around the world. Participants, dressed in clothing of the Middle Ages and Renaissance, attend events which may feature tournaments, arts exhibits, classes, workshops, dancing, feasts, and more. Our “royalty” hold courts at which they recognize and honor members for their contributions to the group.
Each kingdom is largely independent, and there is a considerable amount of variation among them. Each kingdom has a body of written “law” established by the King and Queen to define the specific rules it follows, and a larger body of generally accepted custom that gives each kingdom its unique personality (see Midrealm Laws). All the kingdoms build their laws and customs on a framework called the Corpora, which sets overall rules for the Society.
Mynydd Seren is located in the Middle Kingdom (also known as Midrealm or the Kingdom of the Middle), which comprises of the regions of Constellation (Indiana), Midlands (Illinois), Pentamere (Michigan), North Oaken (Ohio), and South Oaken (Kentucky).
What is there to do?
The short version: Anything! If it existed pre-1600 then it is fair game (provided it does not violate any laws or the ethical and safety standards of the Society). There are several broad categories into which activities can be sorted, but this list is not all-encompassing.
- Armored Combat
- Rapier Combat
- History and Culture
- Crafting
- Equestrian
- Youth and Family
- Archery and Thrown Weapons
- Costuming
- Heraldry and Scribal
- Performing Arts
- Food and Drink
- Service
- Games and Pastimes
How do I get started?
At the beginning, all you need to do is show up! The SCA welcomes any and all who wish to participate regardless of historical knowledge or resources. Many people have found the SCA by walking into an event off the street!
Though if you want to prepare beforehand, you can start by reaching out to the officers of your local group. They will be more than happy to fill you in on the local attendance and activities and help you start to get situated.