Editing Society for Creative Anachronism

{{Short description|International living history group}}
{{Infobox organization
| logo   = [[File:Sca.svg|frameless|[[Coat of Arms|Arms]] of the Society for Creative Anachronism. Blazon: [[Or (heraldry)|Or]], a [[laurel wreath]] [[vert (heraldry)|vert]]]]
| type   = 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation
| founded_date      = {{start date and age|1966|5|1}} in [[Berkeley, California]], U.S.
| tax_id            =
| founder           =
| location          = <!-- this parameter modifies "Headquarters" -->
| origins           =
| key_people        =
| area_served       = Worldwide
| product           =
| mission           =
| focus             = [[Historical reenactment]]
| method            =
| revenue           =
| endowment         =
| num_volunteers    = About 30,000<ref name=Members>{{cite web|title=What is the SCA?|work=Society for Creative Anachronism|url=http://socsen.sca.org/what-is-the-sca/}}</ref>
| num_employees     =
| num_members       =
| subsid            =
| owner             =
| Non-profit_slogan =
| homepage          = {{URL|http://www.sca.org/}}
| dissolved         =
| coordinates = {{coord|37|23|45|N|121|56|15|W|region:US-CA_type:edu|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| headquarters = [[Milpitas, California]]
}}
[[File:ChivalryTournament.JPG|thumb|Society for Creative Anachronism [[SCA armoured combat|armored combat]] participants]]
The '''Society for Creative Anachronism''' ('''SCA''') is an international [[living history]] group with the aim of studying and recreating mainly Medieval European cultures and their histories before the 17th century. A quip often used within the SCA describes it as a group devoted to the [[Middle Ages]] "as they ought to have been",<ref name="What is the SCA?" /> choosing to "selectively recreate the culture, choosing elements of the culture that interest and attract us".<ref name="What is the SCA?">{{cite web | title = Life in the Current Middle Ages: What is the SCA? | publisher = Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc. | date = 2008-04-04 | url = http://socsen.sca.org/what-is-the-sca/ | access-date = 2020-02-18}}</ref> Founded in 1966, the non-profit educational corporation has over 20,000 paid members as of 2020<ref>{{Cite web |title=Membership Decline |url=https://www.sca.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/2020mem.pdf}}</ref> with about 60,000 total participants in the society, including members and non-member participants.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://socsen.sca.org/what-is-the-sca/ |title=What is the SCA? |publisher=Society for Creative Anachronism |access-date=2013-04-20}}</ref>

== History ==
[[File:SCA50DLP.jpg|thumb|Author [[Diana Paxson]] celebrating the 50th anniversary of the SCA in 2016]]
The SCA's roots can be traced to a backyard party of a [[UC Berkeley]] medieval studies graduate, the author [[Diana Paxson]], in [[Berkeley, California]], on [[May Day]] in 1966.<ref name="The Origins of the SCA">{{cite web | last = Keyes | first = William | title = The Origins of the SCA | publisher = Ken Mayer | year = 1980 | url = http://history.westkingdom.org/Year0/index.htm | access-date = 2007-06-07 | archive-date = 2007-06-09 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070609012447/http://history.westkingdom.org/Year0/index.htm | url-status = dead }}</ref> The party began with a "Grand Tournament" in which the participants wore [[helmets]], fencing masks, and usually some semblance of a costume, and sparred with each other using weapons such as plywood swords, padded maces, and fencing foils. It ended with a parade down [[Telegraph Avenue]] with everyone singing "[[Greensleeves]]". The SCA still measures dates within the society from the date of that party, calling the system ''Anno Societatis'' ([[Latin]] for "in the Year of the Society"). For example, 2009 May 1 to 2010 April 30 was A.S. XLIV (44). The name '''Berkeley 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.<ref name="SCA Intro">{{cite web | last = O'Roarke | first = Mistress Siobhan Medhbh | title = Life in the Current Middle Ages: How did the SCA begin? | publisher = Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc. | url = http://socsen.sca.org/what-is-the-sca/ | access-date = 2008-05-24}}</ref> "Berkeley" was dropped as the group expanded.<ref name="Drachenväter">{{cite book |last1=Hillenbrand |first1=Tom |last2=Lischka |first2=Konrad |date=2014 |title=Drachenväter: Die Interviews |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=67atBQAAQBAJ&pg=PA109 |publisher=MV-Verlag |page=109 |isbn=9783981700800}}</ref>  Three other co-founders were science fiction author [[Poul Anderson]], his wife, writer [[Karen Kruse Anderson]], and their daughter, Astrid.<ref>Martin, Douglas (August 3, 2001) [https://www.nytimes.com/2001/08/03/books/poul-anderson-science-fiction-novelist-dies-at-74.html?searchResultPosition=1 "Poul Anderson, Science Fiction Novelist, Dies at 74"] p.A23. ''[[The New York Times]]''</ref>

In 1968, Bradley and her husband [[Walter Breen]] moved to [[Staten Island]], [[New York City|New York]] where they co-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 [[26th World Science Fiction Convention]], which was 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 1968, the SCA was incorporated as a [[501(c)(3)]] [[Non-profit organization|non-profit corporation]] in [[California]].<ref name="The Origins of the SCA"/> By the end of 1969, the SCA's three original kingdoms had been established: [[West Kingdom]], 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 kingdoms now called the Outlands, Artemisia, Ansteorra, Gleann Abhann, Meridies, and Trimaris all are made up of lands originally belonging to the fourth kingdom, Atenveldt, which began as a branch of the West Kingdom.

==Activities==
{{main|Society for Creative Anachronism activities}}
[[File:SCA50horse.jpg|thumb|Equestrian combat in the SCA]]
The SCA engages in a broad range of activities, including [[SCA armoured combat]], [[SCA fencing]], [[archery]], [[equestrianism|equestrian activities]], [[Medieval cuisine|feasting]], [[medieval dance]] and recreating [[medieval art]]s and [[Science in the Middle Ages|sciences]], including a broad range of crafts as well as [[medieval music]] and [[medieval theatre|theatre]]. Other activities include the study and practice of [[heraldry]] and scribal arts ([[calligraphy]] and [[illuminated manuscript|illumination]]). Members are afforded opportunities to register a medieval personal name and [[coat of arms]] (often colloquially called a "[[Personal device|device]]" in SCA parlance). SCA [[scribe]]s produce illuminated [[scroll]]s to be given by SCA royalty as awards for various achievements.

Most local groups in the SCA hold weekly fighter practices, and many also hold regular archery practices, dance practices, A&S (Arts & Science) nights and other regular gatherings. Some kingdoms and regions also have occasional war practices, where fighters practice formations and group tactics in preparation for large scale "war" events.

The research and approach by members of the SCA toward the recreation of history has led to new discoveries about medieval life.<ref name="McLean Singman">{{cite book | title = Daily Life in Chaucer's England | last = McLean | first = Will | author2 = Jeffrey L. Singman | publisher = Greenwood Press | location = Westport, Connecticut | year = 1995 | page = [https://archive.org/details/dailylifeinchauc00forg/page/221 221] | isbn = 0-313-29375-9 | oclc = 32167609 | url = https://archive.org/details/dailylifeinchauc00forg/page/221 }}</ref> The SCA does not require participants to wear historically accurate clothing or equipment. According to the newcomer's guide:<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.sca.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/NewcomersGuide2021.pdf | title=A Newcomers Guide to the SCA | access-date=June 26, 2021 | website=SCA}}</ref>
{{blockquote|We request that all participants make "an attempt" at pre-17th-century clothing commonly referred to as "Garb"...As you pick items, always remember to try not to make them "obtrusively modern".}}

===Events===
[[File:HeatherDale.jpg|thumb|[[Heather Dale]] singing at an SCA event]]
The SCA holds its own events as a non-profit education organization for the benefit of SCA members and their guests. This is unlike most [[Renaissance fair]]s,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.scatoday.net/node/22187 |title=Medieval Fair of Norman |publisher=SCA Today |date=2012-02-10 |access-date=2013-04-20}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Event Details: Lakewood Ren Faire XXXII |publisher=East Kingdom of the Society for Creative Anachronism |date=2013-03-30 }}</ref> which are held mainly for profit to entertain customers and open to the public. Another noticeable difference is that SCA events are historically earlier than most Renaissance fairs. Each kingdom in the SCA runs its own schedule of events,  which are announced in their kingdom newsletters (and usually posted on the kingdom website), but some of the largest SCA-sanctioned events, often called "wars", attract members from many kingdoms. [[Pennsic War]], fought annually between the East Kingdom and Middle Kingdom, is the biggest event in the SCA. Likewise, Estrella War was held for over thirty years,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://estrellawar.org/faq/|title=Newcomer's Portal -|access-date=18 June 2017|date=2013-08-08}}</ref> mainly between two large regional SCA groups: the Kingdom of [[Atenveldt]] and the Kingdom of the [[Outlands]].<ref name="estrellawar.org">{{cite web|url=http://estrellawar.org/chronology/|title=Chronology -|access-date=18 June 2017|date=2013-08-08}}</ref> Most Estrella Wars were held near [[Phoenix, Arizona|Phoenix]], Arizona in late February and last around 7–9 days.<ref name="estrellawar.org"/> Several thousand people attended each year, some from as far as [[Sweden]], [[Germany]], [[France]], [[Italy]], [[Greece]], and [[Australia]].  On July 13, 2021 it was announced that Estrella War was cancelled permanently.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Webminister |first=Kingdom |date=2021-07-14 |title=Estrella War is Closed » Kingdom of Atenveldt |url=https://www.atenveldt.org/estrella-war-is-closed/ |access-date=2022-09-16 |website=Kingdom of Atenveldt |language=en-US}}</ref>  Other annual SCA wars include Gulf Wars in Gleann Abhann (formerly Meridies), Great Western War in Caid, War of the Lillies in Calontir and others. Other annual or semi-annual Kingdom-level events held analogously by most or all SCA kingdoms include Crown Tournament, Coronation, Kingdom Arts and Sciences competition and Queen's Prize. Additionally, most baronies in the SCA have their own traditional annual events such as Baronial Arts and Sciences competition, a championship tournament, and often a [[Yule]] or [[Twelfth Night (holiday)|Twelfth Night]] feast. Various SCA groups also sometimes host collegia or symposia, where members gather for classes on various medieval arts and sciences and other SCA-related topics.

The minimum standard for attendance at an SCA event is "an attempt at pre-17th century clothing",<ref>https://www.sca.org/resources/document-library/govdocs/ (page 4)</ref> and there is a general goal of maintaining a historical atmosphere. However, SCA members will use modern elements when necessary for personal comfort, medical needs, or to promote safety (e.g. wearing prescription eye-wear, using [[rattan]] for swords or [[Dilatant|shear thickening]] substances for padding). Unlike some other [[living history]] groups, most SCA gatherings do not reenact a specific time or place in history, leaving members free to dress as any culture within the SCA's time period.<ref name=":0" /><ref name="Lowenthal">{{Cite book | title = The Past is a Foreign Country | author = David Lowenthal | year = 1985 | publisher = Cambridge University Press | isbn = 0-521-29480-0 | page = [https://archive.org/details/pastisforeigncou0000lowe/page/363 363] | url = https://archive.org/details/pastisforeigncou0000lowe| url-access = registration | quote = Society for Creative Anachronism. }}</ref>

==Publications==
The SCA produces two quarterly publications, ''The Compleat Anachronist'' and ''Tournaments Illuminated'',<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sca.org/resources/publications/ |title=Publications |publisher=Society for Creative Anachronism |access-date=2020-02-18}}</ref> and each kingdom publishes a monthly newsletter.

''The Compleat Anachronist'' is a quarterly [[monographic series]], each issue focused on a specific topic related to the period of circa 600–1600 in history.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sca.org/publications-officer/ca/ |title=The Compleat Anachronist |publisher=Society for Creative Anachronism |access-date=2020-02-18}}</ref> Issues are written by SCA members and have covered a wide range of topics.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sca.org/resources/document-library/caindex/ |title=The Compleat Anachronist: Index of Issues |publisher=Society for Creative Anachronism |access-date=2020-02-18}}</ref>

''Tournaments Illuminated'' is a quarterly magazine, each issue covering a range of topics and including several features such as news, a humor column, book reviews, war reports and various articles on SCA-related topics of interest.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sca.org/publications-officer/ti/ |title=Tournaments Illuminated |publisher=Society for Creative Anachronism |access-date=2020-02-18}}</ref>

== Organization ==

=== Corporate organization ===
The SCA is incorporated as a [[501(c)(3)]] non-profit corporation in [[California]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sca.org/resources/document-library/exemptletter/|title=IRS Letter confirming the SCA's 501(c)(3) status}}</ref> with its current headquarters in the city of [[Milpitas, California]]. It is headed by a [[board of directors]], each of whom is nominated by the membership of the SCA, selected by sitting directors, and elected to serve for 3.5 years.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.sca.org/about/board-of-directors/ |title=SCA, Inc. – The Board of Directors |publisher=The Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc.}}</ref> Each director serves as an [[ombudsman]] for various kingdoms and society officers. The BoD, as it is called, is responsible for handling the corporate affairs of the SCA and is also in charge of certain disciplinary actions, such as revoking the membership status of participants who have broken [[wiktionary:corpus|Corpora]] regulations or modern law while participating in SCA activities.<ref name="GovDocs"/> Because the SCA now has groups all over the world, it has also been incorporated in other countries, e.g. SCAA in Australia, SCANZ in [[New Zealand]], SKA Nordmark in Sweden, SKA in [[Finland]], and the UK CIC which covers both the UK and [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]]. These affiliated bodies work with the U.S. BoD with regards to Societal issues, but make all decisions affected by local law independently of the U.S. parent body. Although they agree to work in unity with the U.S. SCA board of directors, they are autonomous and are not bound by any ruling of the U.S. body.<ref name="libdocs">{{cite web | url= https://www.sca.org/resources/document-library/ | title= Library of SCA Documents | publisher = Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc. | access-date = 2020-02-18 }}</ref>

=== Branches ===
The SCA is divided into administrative regions that it calls ''kingdoms''. Smaller branches within those kingdoms include ''Principalities'', ''Regions'', ''Baronies'', and ''Provinces''; and local chapters are known as ''Cantons'', ''Ridings'', ''Shires'', ''Colleges'', ''Strongholds'', and ''Ports''. Kingdoms, principalities, and baronies have ceremonial rulers who preside over activities and issue awards to individuals and groups. Colleges, strongholds, and ports are local chapters (like a shire) that are associated with an institution, such as a school, [[military base]], or even a military ship at sea.<ref name="GovDocs">{{cite book | title = The By-Laws and Corporate Policies of the SCA, Inc | year = 2020 | location = Milpitas, CA | url = https://www.sca.org/resources/document-library/govdocs/ | work= SCA Governing Documents | publisher = Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc. | access-date = 2020-02-18 }}</ref>

All SCA branches are organized in descending order as follows:<ref name="GovDocs"/>

* Kingdom: Area ruled by a King and Queen ''(typically covering several U.S. states or Canadian provinces, and can be as large as countries or collections of countries)''. Minimum members required 400.<ref name="GovDocs"/>
** Principality: Area within a kingdom ruled by a Prince and Princess ''(large area sometimes comprising entire states)''. Minimum members required 100.<ref name="GovDocs"/>
** Region: Equivalent of principality without ceremonial representative.
*** Barony: Area administered by a Baron and/or Baroness, the ceremonial representative(s) of the Crown. Minimum members required 25.<ref name="GovDocs"/>
**** Canton: Local branch reporting through a barony (local chapter, which may be on the way to becoming a shire).
*** Province: Equivalent of barony without ceremonial representative.
**** Riding: Local branch reporting through a province.
*** Shire: Local branch reporting directly to a kingdom or principality. Minimum members required 5.<ref name="GovDocs"/>
*** College: Institutional branch based at a school, research facility, etc. (may be a part of a larger local group or report directly to a principality or kingdom).
*** Stronghold: Institutional branch based at a military installation (may be a part of a larger local group or report directly to a principality or kingdom).
*** Port: Institutional branch based at a military installation in situations where groups of members will be detached for long periods, as with ships at sea (may be a part of a larger local group or report directly to a principality or kingdom).

Groups are active all over the [[United States]], [[Canada]], [[Europe]], [[Australia]], [[Japan]], [[South Africa]], and [[New Zealand]], with scattered groups elsewhere, including [[China]], [[Israel]], [[Panama]] and [[Thailand]]. At one time there was even a group on the aircraft carrier [[USS Nimitz|USS ''Nimitz'']], known as the "Shire of Curragh Mor" (anglicized [[Irish language|Irish]] for "Big Boat"), and the shire's arms played on the ''Nimitz's'' ship's badge.<ref name=Atlantia>{{Cite web|url=http://historian.atlantia.sca.org/branches/|title=Branches &#124; Atlantian History}}</ref> There is also an active chapter in [[South Korea]], the Stronghold of Warrior's Gate, with a mix of active duty military personnel from the several services and military-connected civilians. There are also non-territorial groups, usually called "households", which are not part of the Society's formal organization, the largest of which is the [[Mongol Empire]]-themed [[Great Dark Horde]].<ref name="Legio">{{cite web | author = "Gunnbjorn Gunnarsson" (Michael S. Rosecrans) | url = http://www.legiodraconis.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=pnSections&file=index&req=viewarticle&artid=234&POSTNUKESID=3bd76b5e1fb2666c8d4a7d227ea50795 | title = Households in the SCA | publisher = Legio Draconis | access-date =  2008-12-03 }}</ref>

=== Kingdoms ===
[[File:Kingdoms of the Knowne World 2005.jpeg|thumb|Kingdoms of the Knowne World, pre-2015]]
The twenty SCA Kingdoms and the geographic areas they cover<ref>{{cite web|title=SCA Geography|url=https://www.sca.org/about/kingdoms/|publisher=Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc.|access-date=2020-02-18}}</ref> are (in order of founding)<ref>{{cite web|title=SCA Geography - Kingdoms in Order of Founding|url=https://www.sca.org/about/kingdoms/|publisher=Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc.|access-date=2020-02-18}}</ref>

# ''[[The West Kingdom]]'' was created when the Society originated in 1966. It currently includes Northern California, most of [[Nevada]], and [[Alaska]], as well as [[Japan]], [[Korea]], and the [[Pacific Rim]] (excluding [[Australia]] and [[New Zealand]]).
# The ''Kingdom of the East'' was created in 1968. In the United States it covers eastern [[Pennsylvania]], eastern [[New York (state)|New York]], [[Delaware]], [[New Jersey]], [[Connecticut]], [[Rhode Island]], [[Massachusetts]], [[Vermont]], [[New Hampshire]], and [[Maine]]. In Canada, it covers [[Quebec]], [[Prince Edward Island]], [[Nova Scotia]], [[New Brunswick]], and [[Newfoundland and Labrador|Newfoundland]].
# The ''Middle Kingdom'' was created in 1969. Its current borders include [[Ohio]], [[Indiana]], [[Illinois]], lower [[Michigan]], and parts of [[Kentucky]], [[Iowa]] and [[Ontario]].
# The ''Kingdom of Atenveldt'' was created in 1971. It originally encompassed all the lands between the West, East, and Middle Kingdoms, and now consists of the state of [[Arizona]] and the northeastern part of [[Nevada]].
# The ''Kingdom of Meridies'' was created in 1978 from the Kingdom of Atenveldt. Its borders currently encompass [[Alabama]], southwestern [[Kentucky]], almost all of [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]]; [[Tennessee|East and Central Tennessee]]; and a bit of the [[Florida Panhandle|panhandle]] of [[Florida]].
# The ''Kingdom of Caid'' was created in 1978 from the Kingdom of the West. It currently encompasses Southern [[California]], the [[Las Vegas–Paradise, NV MSA|Las Vegas metropolitan area]], and [[Hawaii]].
# The ''Kingdom of Ansteorra'' was created in 1979 from the Kingdom of Atenveldt. Ansteorra covers [[Oklahoma]] and most of [[Texas]] as well as the [[International Space Station]].
# The ''Kingdom of Atlantia'' was created in 1981 from the Kingdom of the East. Its borders cover [[Maryland]], [[Virginia]], [[North Carolina]], and [[South Carolina]], [[Augusta, Georgia]], and [[Washington, D.C.]]
#  The ''Kingdom of An Tir'' was created in 1982 from the Kingdom of the West. It encompasses the US states of [[Oregon]], [[Washington (state)|Washington]], and the northern tips of [[Idaho]], and part of the Canadian province of [[British Columbia]].
# The ''[[Kingdom of Calontir]]'' was created in 1984 from the Kingdom of the Middle. It covers [[Kansas]], [[Missouri]], [[Iowa]], [[Nebraska]], and the 727xx Zip Code area around [[Fayetteville, Arkansas]].
# The ''Kingdom of Trimaris'' was created in 1985. It was split from the Kingdom of Meridies and is composed of the majority of [[Florida]], as well as [[Panama]], and falsely but humorously, [[Antarctica]] 
# The ''[[Kingdom of the Outlands]]'' was created in 1986 from the Kingdom of Atenveldt. It encompasses [[New Mexico]] and [[Colorado]], parts of [[Wyoming]], the [[Nebraska]] panhandle, [[El Paso County, Texas|El Paso County]] and the [[Hudspeth County, Texas|Hudspeth County]] in [[Texas]].
# The ''Kingdom of Drachenwald'' was created in 1993 from the Kingdom of the East. It is by far the largest kingdom in terms of land area, but not in population. It covers all of [[Europe]] (including islands), [[Africa]], and the [[Middle East]]. 
# The ''Kingdom of Artemisia'' was created in 1997 from the Kingdom of Atenveldt. It currently covers [[Montana]], southern [[Idaho]], most of [[Utah]], and southwestern [[Wyoming]].
# The ''Kingdom of Æthelmearc'' was created in 1997 from the Kingdom of the East. It covers northeastern/central/western [[Pennsylvania]], central/western [[New York (state)|New York]], and [[West Virginia]].
# The ''Kingdom of Ealdormere'' was created in 1998 from the Kingdom of the Middle. It comprises most of the Canadian province of [[Ontario]].
# The ''[[Kingdom of Lochac]]'' was created in 2002 from the [[West Kingdom]] (Australia) and the Kingdom of Caid (New Zealand). It encompasses the entirety of [[Australia]] and [[New Zealand]], and was granted prior title by the Board of the Society to the Australian administered parts of [[Antarctica]], in contradiction of the later claim put forward by the Kingdom of Trimaris. In 2017, the SCA groups in China became part of Lochac from the West Kingdom
# The ''Kingdom of Northshield'' was created in 2004 from the Kingdom of the Middle. It covers [[North Dakota]], [[South Dakota]], [[Minnesota]], [[Wisconsin]], and the upper peninsula of [[Michigan]]. It also extends into Canada, encompassing [[Manitoba]] and northwestern [[Ontario]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Marik syn|first=Kit|title=Northshield History|url=http://www.northshield.org/Posts/Display.aspx?ID=7|publisher=Northsheild|access-date=December 11, 2011}}</ref>
# The ''Kingdom of Gleann Abhann'' was created in 2005 from the Kingdom of Meridies. It covers [[Mississippi]], [[Louisiana]], most of [[Arkansas]], and the western edge of [[Tennessee]] including the [[Memphis, Tennessee|Memphis]] area.
# The ''Kingdom of Avacal'' was created in 2015<ref>{{cite web|title=East Kingdom Gazette|url=http://eastkingdomgazette.org/2015/01/18/avacal-approved-for-kingdom-status/|publisher=East Kingdom Gazette|access-date=April 8, 2015|date=2015-01-18}}</ref> from the Kingdom of An Tir. It covers [[Alberta]], [[Saskatchewan]], [[Yukon]], [[Northwest Territories]] and part of [[British Columbia]].

=== Officers ===
The Society as a whole, each kingdom, and each local group within a kingdom, all have a standard group of officers with titles loosely based on medieval equivalents.<ref name="GovDocs" />
* ''[[Seneschal]]'': The seneschal acts as the administrative head, or president of the group. Every local group is required to have a local seneschal who reports to the kingdom's seneschal.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=http://welcome.sca.org/history-and-culture/|title=SCA Newcomer's Portal|date=2013-05-11|work=SCA Interactive Demo|access-date=2018-03-25|language=en-US}}</ref>
* ''Chancellor of the [[Exchequer]]'' or [[Reeve (England)|Reeve]]: The treasurer, who handles the financial matters of the group. Every local group is required to have one. The Society Chancellor of the Exchequer, who administrates the kingdom and local reeves, reports to the Society Treasurer who handles the corporate finances. In most kingdoms the Exchequer (kingdom or local) are some of the only officers to have a financial warrant to collect gate fees and handle money for the society.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/17KKEWIR27ZOiRX5p-NpD-809zilMbx0M|title=Policies - Google Drive|website=drive.google.com|language=en|access-date=2018-03-25}}</ref>
* ''[[Knight Marshal]]'': The combat supervisor, the knight marshal administrates all combat activities for the branch, including [[SCA armoured combat|armored combat]], [[SCA fencing|rapier combat]], archery and equestrian. A local group is required to have one in order to host combat activities.
* ''[[Minister (government)|Minister]] of Arts and Sciences'': Sometimes split into two offices, one for arts and one for sciences, this office coordinates arts and sciences activities for the group, arranging both monthly classes and demonstrations as well as a larger yearly collegium (a two- to three-day workshop with multiple classes), and leading participants to others who work in fields of their interest.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://welcome.sca.org/crafting/|title=SCA Newcomer's Portal|date=2013-05-11|work=SCA Interactive Demo|access-date=2018-03-25|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.atenveldt.org/People/Officers/GreatOfficers/OfficeoftheMinisterofArtsSciences|title=Office of the Minister of Arts & Sciences|last=Atenveldt|first=Kingdom Of|website=www.atenveldt.org|language=en-US|access-date=2018-03-25}}</ref>
* ''[[Herald]]'': This officer is in charge of [[Heraldry|heraldic]] activities, such as the creation and registration of names and [[Coat of arms|arms]]. Each kingdom has a College of Heralds which prepares submissions to go to the Society [[College of Arms]], headed by the Laurel Sovereign of Arms.
*''[[Châtelain|Chatelaine]]'' or ''Hospitaller or Gold Key'': In charge of welcoming and facilitating new participants into the SCA including recruiting, onboarding, and transitioning members from other branches. They are also responsible for Gold Key, which provides loaner garb, and occasionally feast gear and introductory literature, for new members.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=http://welcome.sca.org/costuming/|title=SCA Newcomer's Portal|date=2013-05-09|work=SCA Interactive Demo|access-date=2018-03-25|language=en-US}}</ref>
* ''Marshal'': Supervises a specific combat-related activity, ensuring safety of participants and refereeing where applicable. A marshal must be certified for the type of activity they oversee; as such there are armored combat marshals, [[rapier]] marshals, target archery marshals, equestrian marshals, etc. A marshal of a given certification must be present for that particular activity to take place at an event.
* ''[[Constable]]'': In all kingdoms they handle public safety and security, and may collect gate fees depending on the policy of the kingdom the event is in.<ref>{{Cite web | title = Laws of the Kingdom of The West - Section 10 | work = westkingdom.org | access-date = 2016-10-25 | url = http://www.westkingdom.org/kingdom-information/laws-kingdom-west | quote = Section 10 }}</ref>
* ''Kingdom Waiver Secretary'': In charge of maintaining and tracking liability waivers for events.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.atenveldt.org/People/Officers/OtherOfficers/KingdomWaiverSecretary|title=Kingdom Waiver Secretary|last=Atenveldt|first=Kingdom Of|website=www.atenveldt.org|language=en-US|access-date=2018-03-25}}</ref>
* ''Chronicler'': Produces and edits the group's newsletter. The Society Chronicler monitors each of the kingdom and local group's chroniclers, while the SCA's two organization-wide publications, ''[[#Publications|Tournaments Illuminated]]'' and ''[[#Publications|The Compleat Anachronist]]'', each have their own [[editor-in-chief]].
* ''Minister of Children, Minister of Youth or Youth Activities Officer'': Arranging and officiating children's activities.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.atenveldt.org/People/Officers/OtherOfficers/OfficeofYouthActivities|title=Office of Youth Activities|last=Atenveldt|first=Kingdom Of|website=www.atenveldt.org|language=en-US|access-date=2018-03-25}}</ref>
* ''[[Historian]]'': Recording the history of the group, from the local to the Society level.
* ''Webminister'': Derived from [[webmaster]], this officer is in charge of maintaining the [[Internet]] presence of the group.
* ''Social Media'': Responsible for use of [[social media]] on a variety of platforms and to serve as the "official voice" of the branch groups of the SCA.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://socsen.sca.org/social-media/|title=Social Media|website=socsen.sca.org|access-date=28 January 2021|date=2021-01-28}}</ref>
* ''Chirurgeon'': In charge of safety and modern [[first aid]]. First formed in 1983, the office was dissolved on August 10, 2015 amid concerns of legal liability.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://socsen.sca.org/closure-of-the-office-of-the-chirurgeonate-august-10-2015/|title=Closure of the Office of the Chirurgeonate – August 10, 2015 - Society|website=socsen.sca.org|access-date=18 June 2017|date=2015-07-11}}</ref>

== Culture of the group ==
[[File:SCAfeastHromnice2008.JPG|thumb|An SCA participant in historically based clothing prepared for a feast]]
Members of the SCA study and take part in a variety of activities, including combat and [[chivalry]], [[archery]], [[heraldry]], equestrian activities, costuming, [[Medieval cuisine|cooking]], [[metalworking]], [[woodworking]], [[leather crafting]], [[Medieval music|music]], [[Medieval dance|dance]], [[calligraphy]], [[fiber art]]s, and others as practiced during the member's time period.<ref name="SCA Intro" />

=== Personae ===
To aid historical recreation, participants in the SCA create historically plausible characters known individually as ''personae''.<ref name="SCA Intro" /> To new members, a persona can simply be a costume and a name used for weekend events, while other members may study and create an elaborate personal history. The goal of a well-crafted persona is a historically accurate person who might have lived in a particular historical time and place. The SCA has members with an interest in [[onomastics]] who assist in creating appropriate persona names.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Standards for Evaluation of Names and Armory: The Rules for Submissions|url=http://heraldry.sca.org/sena.html|website=SCA College of Arms on the Web|access-date=27 January 2025}}</ref> 

In addition, claiming to be a specific historical individual, especially a familiar one such as [[Genghis Khan]], [[Julius Caesar]], or [[Queen Elizabeth I]], is not permitted. Likewise, one is not allowed to claim the ''persona'' of a fellow SCA member, or of a familiar fictional character such as [[Robin Hood]] or [[Aladdin]].<ref name="SCA Intro" /><ref name="GovDocs" />

=== Heraldry ===
A major dimension to the SCA is its internal system of [[Heraldry]]. Any member of the society may apply to register a name and [[Coat of arms|device]] for their persona, which are checked by the [[Officer of Arms|heralds]] for uniqueness and period authenticity, before being blazoned and recorded in the society's Armorial. The system has evolved since the formation of the society; and now has three [[King of Arms|Sovereigns of Arms]], with ''Principal Heralds'' for each Kingdom, who oversee deputy officers for matters such as heraldic education and processing registrations, and local officers (generally one for each local chapter) who assist the local participants.<ref name = "SCA Heraldry">{{cite web |author= Laurel Sovereign of Arms|title=Heraldry |url= http://heraldry.sca.org/|publisher=SCA |access-date=2009-07-11}}</ref> In addition to design of arms, heralds in the Society also provide services such as voice heraldry (similar to a [[master of ceremonies]]) at tournaments and official functions, and organizing tournament brackets or "lists."<ref>{{cite web|title=SCA College of Arms – Voice Heraldry Articles|url=http://heraldry.sca.org/laurel/voice.html|work=SCA College of Arms|publisher=Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc.|access-date=28 September 2012}}</ref>

=== Royalty ===
[[File:NorthshieldCourt2007-05-27.JPG|thumb|Northshield court at an outdoor SCA event]]
The SCA has ceremonial rulers chosen by winning tournaments (Kings/Queens, Princes/Princesses) in [[SCA armoured combat]]. Barons and Baronesses are appointed by Royalty, although some baronies hold elections or competitions to choose their preferred Baron and/or Baroness. One of the primary functions of state for reigning monarchs is to recognize participant achievement through awards. Most awards denote excellence in a specific pursuit such as local service, arts and sciences, and combat. Some awards change the precedence and title of the recipient, giving him or her the privilege of being known as "Lord"/"Lady", "Baron", "Duchess", "Master", and so forth. High level awards are often given with the consultation of the other people who have received the award, such as peerages and consulting orders.<ref name="GovDocs"/> The Crown has some authority over other matters relating to leadership, but the extent of this varies from kingdom to kingdom.

==== Rule by right of arms ====
[[File:SCAcourt.JPG|thumb|An SCA tournament of chivalry]]
Each SCA kingdom is "ruled" by a king and queen chosen by winning a Crown [[tournament (medieval)|Tournament]] in [[SCA armoured combat|armored combat]]. Corpora require this to be held as a "properly constituted armored combat" tournament.<ref name="GovDocs" /> The winner of the Crown Tournament and his/her consort are styled "Crown Prince and Princess" and serve an advisory period (three to six months, depending upon the scheduling of the Crown Tournament) under the current king and queen prior to acceding to the throne and ruling in their turn.<ref name="GovDocs"/>

This selection method is not based on how actual medieval [[monarch]]s were chosen, as there is no record of one being selected by [[Tournament (medieval)|tournament]] combat in this manner. There are, however, literary and historical bases for the custom, 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". Also, the medieval [[saga]]s contain accounts of uniting [[petty kingdom]]s under a single king through ''actual'' combat.<ref name="Laxdaela Saga">{{Cite book | author = Anonymous |author2=Magnusson, Magnus |author3=Palsson, Hermann | title = Laxdaela Saga | publisher = Penguin Classics | year = 1969 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=um91wPf9c7MC | access-date = 2008-05-24 | isbn = 978-0-14-044218-2}}</ref>

The SCA's first event did not 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".<ref name="The Origins of the SCA"/>

=== Peerage orders ===
The highest ranking titles in the SCA belong to the royalty, followed by the former royalty. Former kings and queens become counts and countesses (dukes and duchesses if they have reigned more than once), and former princes and princesses of principalities become viscounts and viscountesses.<ref name="GovDocs"/> This system is not historically based, but was developed out of practical necessity early in the Society's history.

Directly beneath this "landed" nobility (current and former royalty) rank the highest awards, the peerages. The SCA has four orders of peerage with one split into two parts: the Order of the Chivalry, awarded for skill at arms in armored combat, split into the knights and the masters of arms; the Order of the Laurel, awarded for skill in the arts and sciences; the Order of the Pelican, awarded for outstanding service to the Society; and the Order of Defense, awarded for skill at arms in rapier combat. In several kingdoms the Order of the Rose, made up of former consorts, is considered a peerage equal to the other four.<ref name="GovDocs"/>

==== Elevation to peerage ====
Peerages are bestowed by the Crown (the sovereign and consort) of a kingdom. In most cases, this is done with the consent of the members of a given peerage, often at their suggestion.<ref name="GovDocs" /> The Society's Bylaws state that "the Crown may elevate subjects to the peerage by granting membership in one of the orders conferring a Patent of Arms, after consultation with the members of the Order within the kingdom, and in accordance with the laws and customs of the kingdom. Restriction: to advance a candidate to the Order of the Chivalry, a knight of the Society (usually the king) must bestow the [[accolade]]".<ref name="GovDocs" />

== Cultural impact ==
In ''[[The Number of the Beast (novel)|Number of the Beast]]'' (1980), [[Robert A. Heinlein]] portrayed an SCA tournament where live weapons were used and the battles actually fought to the "death".<ref name="The Heinlein Society: A Heinlein Concordance">{{cite web |last=Cowan |first=M. E. |title=A Heinlein Concordance|url=http://www.heinleinsociety.org/concordance/books/nb_hc.htm#societyforcreativeanachronism|work=The Heinlein Society: A Heinlein Concordance|publisher=The Heinlein Society|access-date=20 June 2012}}</ref> The defeated combatants were either transported to an alternate reality where medical technology was advanced enough that they could be revived from any wound or transported to the alternate reality that was [[Valhalla]]. The contestants' desires were placed in sealed envelopes prior to the tournament, which were destroyed if the competitor won and obeyed if a competitor lost.<ref>Heinlein, Robert A. ''The Number of the Beast'' (New York: Fawcett Columbine Books, 1980), page 505.</ref>

In ''Ariel'' (1983), a [[post-apocalyptic]] fantasy by [[Steven R. Boyett]], technology suddenly stops working and sorcery and sword fight take over. Several characters who are former SCA members attribute their survival to their SCA experience.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Doctorow |first1=Cory |title=Ariel: post-apocalyptic sword-and-sorcery adventure that rocked my world|url=http://boingboing.net/2009/08/25/ariel-post-apocalypt.html|website=Boing Boing|date=25 August 2009 |access-date=29 October 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Boyett|first1=Steven R|title=Ariel : a book of the change |date=1983 |publisher=Ace Fantasy|location=New York|isbn=9780441029204|url=https://archive.org/details/arielbookofchang00boye}}</ref>

The 1986 fantasy novel ''[[The Folk of the Air]]'' by [[Peter S. Beagle]] was written after the author attended a few early SCA events ''circa'' 1968; but he has repeatedly stated that he then studiously avoided any contact with the SCA itself for almost two decades, so that his description of a fictitious "League for Archaic Pleasures" would not be "contaminated" by contact with the actual real-life organization.<ref>{{cite web|title=Peter Beagle, The Folk of the Air (Ballantine Books, 1986)|url=http://www.greenmanreview.com/book/book_beagle_folkoftheair.psb.html|work=Greenmanreview.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/20110418035700/http://www.greenmanreview.com/book/book_beagle_folkoftheair.psb.html|archive-date=2011-04-18}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=The Folk of the Air|work=Peterbeagle.com|url=http://www.peterbeagle.com/books/folkoftheair/}}</ref>

Members of the SCA are given pivotal roles in [[S. M. Stirling]]'s [[Emberverse]] series, where their skills in pre-industrial technology and warfare become invaluable in helping humanity adapt when all modern technology (including firearms) ceases working.<ref name="Stirling2004">{{cite book |author=S. M. Stirling|title=Dies the Fire|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=w-XusAq9Z84C|date=3 August 2004|publisher=Penguin Publishing Group|isbn=978-1-101-04391-2}}</ref>

The novel ''Murder at the War'' (''Knightfall'' in paperback edition) by [[Mary Monica Pulver Kuhfeld|Mary Monica Pulver]] is a [[detective fiction|murder mystery]] set entirely at the SCA's largest annual event, [[Pennsic War]].

In [[David Weber]]'s 1996 [[science fiction]] novel ''[[Honor Among Enemies]]'', main character [[Honor Harrington]] mentions that her uncle is a member of the SCA<ref>{{cite web|url=http://baencd.thefifthimperium.com/09-AtAllCostsCD/AtAllCostsCD/Honor%20Among%20Enemies/0671877232___3.htm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120707035429/http://baencd.thefifthimperium.com/09-AtAllCostsCD/AtAllCostsCD/Honor%20Among%20Enemies/0671877232___3.htm|url-status=dead|title="Honor Among Enemies", Chapter 3|archive-date=7 July 2012|access-date=18 June 2017}}</ref> and that he taught her to shoot from the hip (the time the SCA covers having been moved up to the 19th century in the future era in which the novel is set, to include [[cowboy]] and [[Civil War reenactors]]).

In May 1999, ''[[The Onion]]'' ran a front-page article headlined "Society for Creative Anachronism Seizes Control of Russia" featuring photos of actual SCA participants from the Barony of Jaravellir ([[Madison, Wisconsin]]).<ref>[https://www.theonion.com/society-for-creative-anachronism-seizes-control-of-russ-1819565189 "Society for Creative Anachronism Seizes Control of Russia"], ''[[The Onion]]'', 1999-05-26.</ref><ref>{{cite web|work=Desforges.meridies.org|title=Shire Des Forges|url=http://desforges.meridies.org/}}</ref>

In his conclusion to the ''[[The Space Odyssey series|Space Odyssey]]'' series, ''[[3001: The Final Odyssey]]'' (1997), [[Arthur C. Clarke]] portrays the SCA as still being active in the year [[3001 (year)|3001]].{{citation needed|date=March 2015}}

In [[Christopher Stasheff]]'s "Warlock" series, the inhabitants of the planet Gramarye are revealed to be descended from SCA participants.<ref>{{cite web|last=Bounacos|first=G.|title=Warlock Civics Teacher|url=http://book.consumerhelpweb.com/authors/stasheff/0441005608.htm|work=ConsumerHelpWeb: Reviews|publisher=ConsumerHelpWeb|access-date=20 June 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120315152917/https://book.consumerhelpweb.com/authors/stasheff/0441005608.htm|archive-date=15 March 2012}}</ref> A prequel, ''Escape Velocity'', describes how the SCAdians first came to Gramarye, and how lands were assigned to the royal peers.<ref>Stasheff, Christopher. ''Escape Velocity'' (New York: Ace Books, 1995</ref>

In [[John Ringo]]'s ''The Council Wars'' science fiction series, characters with SCA or SCA-like experience help their society recover from a catastrophic loss of technology.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sfsite.com/02b/tw170.htm |last=Speer |first=Cindy Lynn|title=Review: There Will Be Dragons |publisher=SF Site |year=2004 |access-date=2012-09-03}}</ref>

== Controversies and deaths ==
In 2012, the SCA agreed to pay $1.3 million to settle a lawsuit brought on behalf of 11 victims of [[child sexual abuse]]. The abuse was committed in [[Pennsylvania]] at the private residence of Ben Schragger, who pleaded guilty to criminal charges in 2004. Schragger was a member of the SCA at the time of the abuse. His membership was suspended on his arrest and permanently revoked after his plea. The lawsuit contended that the SCA had not conducted a background check on Schragger, though at the time the organization did not perform background checks in general and there is no legal requirement to do so.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lovigliothe |first=Joann |date=2007-05-08 |title=Six file federal complaint over sex abuse conviction |url=http://www.post-gazette.com/frontpage/2007/05/08/Six-file-federal-complaint-over-sex-abuse-conviction/stories/200705080198 |access-date=2017-12-17 |work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |agency=Associated Press}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=SCA Settlement FAQ |url=http://sca.org/BOD/announcements/settlementFAQ.pdf |access-date=2017-12-17 |website=sca.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Trembley |first=Andrew |date=2012-08-03 |title=SCA Will Pay $1.3M To Settle Abuse Case |url=http://file770.com/?p=9800 |access-date=2017-12-18 |work=File 770 |language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2018, Peter Barclay died after being impaled by a lance during equestrian activities at an SCA event. Barclay was an experienced equestrian and his death was deemed an accident.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-10-09 |title=Medieval knight impales himself on lance during Kentucky performance |url=https://www.king5.com/article/news/nation-world/medieval-knight-impales-himself-on-lance-during-kentucky-performance/507-602642560 |access-date=2025-01-27 |website=king5.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

== References ==

{{Reflist|30em}}

== Further reading ==
* Burns, C. (Director) and Cardinale, T. (director; 2001). ''In Service to the Dream'' [motion picture]. Burbank, CA: Mythos Productions LLC.
* {{Cite book |last=Cramer |first=Michael A. |year=2010 |title=Medieval Fantasy as Performance: The Society for Creative Anachronism and the Current Middle Ages |location=Lanham, MD |publisher=Scarecrow Press |isbn=978-0-8108-6995-0}}
* {{cite thesis |last=Erisman |first=W. E. |year=1998 |title=Forward into the Past: The Poetics and Politics of Community in Two Historical Re-Creation Groups |type=Ph.D. |publisher=University of Texas at Austin |oclc=44631432 |via=University Microfilms}}
* {{Cite journal |last1=Fincher |first1=J. |year=1981 |title=They 'Joust' as if Knighthood Were in Flower Today |journal=Smithsonian |volume=12 |issue=2|pages=94–104 }}
* Geist, B. (interviewer; May 7, 2000). "Weekend Warriors". ''CBS Sunday Morning'' [television program]. New York: CBS Television.
* {{Cite book |last=Hanna |first=R. Wesley |year=2010 |title=The Known World Handbook |edition=4th |location=Milpitas, CA |publisher=Society for Creative Anachronism |isbn=9780615361697}}
* {{cite book |last=O'Donnell |first=Patrick |year=2004 |title=The Knights Next Door: Everyday People Living Middle Ages Dreams |publisher=iUniverse Inc. |isbn=978-0-595-32530-6 |oclc=57352122}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
* {{Official website|http://www.sca.org/}}
* [http://history.westkingdom.org The Origins of the SCA]
* [https://www.npr.org/blogs/pictureshow/2010/09/14/129852912/knights "Gather Ye Olde Suburban Knights"] – slideshow by [[NPR]]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Society For Creative Anachronism}}
[[Category:Society for Creative Anachronism| ]]
[[Category:1966 establishments in California]]
[[Category:1966 in California]]
[[Category:Charities based in California]]
[[Category:Culture of Berkeley, California]]
[[Category:Historical reenactment groups]]
[[Category:History of Berkeley, California]]
[[Category:Medieval reenactment]]
[[Category:Non-profit organizations based in the San Francisco Bay Area]]