For those of you wondering, The Society For Creative Anachronism (SCA) is a non-profit educational organization. Members learn and re-create the middle ages for their own edification and entertainment, as well as to educate and often, entertain others. Anachronism means something out of it's time frame.
The SCA defines the 'middle ages' as a period of time approximately from 600 CE to 1600 CE, give or take a few decades. Unlike some other historical re-creation groups like Civil War re-creationist, SCA members do not attempt to re-create the middle ages as they actually were... we re-create them as they should have been! We include the chivalry, gallantry, artistic achievement, and much more; while excluding such things as poverty, plague, and prejudice.
The SCA primarily focuses on re-creating medieval Europe, however many people choose to re-create cultures in other parts of the globe, such as the Middle East, the Mongols of Asia, or other cultures that had contact with Europeans during the middle ages. We even have an Aztec! Some of the activities we re-create are the costuming, jousting (primarily on foot), archery, arts and sciences, and cooking. Local groups called Shires, baronies, or cantons hold weekend events for SCA members, where the day is spent in all of the listed activities. The day usually is filled with various tournament activities like foot jousting, archery or fencing. Those who do not participate in the tournament spend their time shopping among the merchants who've brought their wares, visiting, playing games, learning medieval dance, and more. In the evening a feast is held with entertainment, and if there are visiting Peers or Royalty, a formal court may be held, where awards are given. Often after the feast is much dancing and revelry.
Such events are held throughout the world, as the SCA is an international organization. Occasionally larger and longer events are held, that may last anywhere from 2 days to a week. The Pennsic War held in Pennsylvania annually is one such long event. Attendance at Pennsic is generally somewhere around 10,000+ people! For more information, see the links below, especially if you want to find a group near you.
The Shire of Dark River is the local group of which I am a member. It is located in the Quad Cities, Iowa/Illinois, on the Mississippi River. Our Shire has been around almost 20 years (we'll soon be celebrating with our Anniversary Event!), and is a part of the Midrealm. We have many activities in our shire, including jousting, Cooks Guild, Calligraphy Guild, archery, and much more. General meetings are held on the first and third thursdays of every month, fighter's practice is generally on tuesdays, Calligraphy on wednesdays, and other meetings scattered through the month. See below for a link to contact us if you are in the area, and would like to attend a meeting or join us!
One of the nice things about the SCA is the opportunity to travel and meet new people. I go as far as 4-6 hour drives to events, although I prefer 1-3 hour drives. :) This picture is of me in Florida, while visiting my mom. We're about to go to a RenFaire that is held there at the Ringling Brothers Museum. If you ever get an opportunity to see the Ringling Museum, DO! I think it has the largest collection of art by Rubens, which I really enjoyed seeing. It also had several medieval period peices, which my mom had to drag me away from eventually.
Speaking of RenFaires, they are another opportunity for SCA folk to wear their costumes, and see a great deal of performances, merchanting, ect. But RenFaires are open to the general public, unlike SCA events. If there is a RenFaire near you, I recommend going. You'll likely be able to find SCA contacts in your area, and have an opportunity to speak directly with them.
Below are some links to follow for more information, as well as our shire's local contact and any event or calendar information for our Shire. Do come visit us if you are in the area!
Illumination and Calligraphy Gallery This is some of the illumination and calligraphy I've done in our shire.
Middle Eastern Dance including Ethnic and folk dance of the middle east and North Africa. The primary focus on this page is the dance within the SCA, and the Shire of Dark River. Our local dancers are just starting out, so this page will follow our progress in learning and hopefully someday, performing.
Society for Creative Anachronism Check out this site if you want to know more about the SCA, find a group near you.
Middle Kingdom Check this site for more info about the Middle Kingdom (which includes Ohio thru Illinois and a tiny bit of Iowa, and north to the Dakotas and parts of Canada). You can find a group near you if you live in the Midrealm.
Shire of Dark River Live or visiting in the Quad Cities area? Visit our Shire's website to find out event and meeting info.
Milieux Costume Source The coolest web site I've found (there are many others) that has costumes and costume supplies for sale. The site has everything. Go there.
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Last modified February 23, 2003
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