About the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA)

What is the SCA? Well, the Society's website says that "the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) is an international organization dedicated to researching and recreating pre-17th-century European history."

This is an excellent place to start, if you're at all interested in medieval history, meeting people, having a lot of fun, recreating period arts and crafts, and partaking in medieval combat.

If you live in the area of Kitchener/Waterloo, Ontario, Canada and want to get involved, we'd be more than happy to meet you! Our local group is named Bryniau Tywynnog: check out our local information page to find out where and when to meet us.

If you don't live in our area, there is very likely a local group where you live. Check out the People and Groups in the SCA website. It's got links to many many groups all over the world.

The pages and articles that follow are intended to help newcomers to the SCA get their feet wet.

Getting Started

Bryniau presents a number of articles to help newcomers to the SCA get started.

A Guide to Surviving Your First Event (currently unavailable)

Other organizations have great Primers as well:

An SCA Primer - a guide for newcomers into the SCA.

Applying for Membership in SCA, Inc.

Not to be confused with our own local event, using the same title, this webpage from the Kingdom of Ansteorra has a great collection of links to primer-type articles: Forward Into the Past

Articles on Developing a Persona

Now that you understand a little bit about the SCA in general, how about refining the scope of your involvement, by focusing on a time period which most interests you? Pick a time and place, perhaps some appropriate activities which interest you, and use that as a springboard for a little bit of research.

What would you have worn? Where would you have lived? What would you have eaten for breakfast? And how do you go about researching all the fine details of medieval characters?

This page is awaiting articles. If you wish to write one, we'd be happy to host it here, whether you be from Bryniau or abroad...

In the meantime, a very good place to start is the articles on persona in Cariadoc's Miscelleny. Cariadoc of the Bow, Knight, Master of the Laurel, Master of the Pelican, and Duke has done some very fine work.

SCA Awards

From the Kingdom of Ealdormere web site:

Awards and other honours are given to people in recognition of service, achievement, excellence, good deeds, and for many other reasons. They are given by the [King, Queen] Crown and the [Prince, Princess] Barons, and they each have their own level of awards and honours. The giving of these awards and honours could not be done if not for the recommendations of the good citizens of Ealdormere.

You may and should recommend any person(s) whom you fell is deserving of recognition for their excellence, their deeds, or any service to the Kingdom. To make a recommendation simply mail the King or Queen and tell them why, or use the On-line Awards Recommendation form which will allow you to make recommendations directly to the King and Queen of Ealdormere.

Ealdormerean Awards and Orders

Text stolen from the Kingdom of Ealdormere web site.

Basic-level Awards

The Awards of Arms
Usually the first award a gentle will receive in the Society. Given for service that enhances the game for others in some way. Recipients may style themselves 'Lord' or 'Lady'.

The Wolf's Cub
Given to children of twelve years and under who have served beyond their years and set an example to others. Recipients may style themselves as "Wolf's Cubs".

The Scroll of Honour
The Scroll of Honour is a record of worthy deeds of the people and friends of Ealdormere. Such worthy deeds may include, but not be restricted to, the receipt of any Kingdom awards. The names of those accomplishing such worthy deeds shall be entered fittingly on the Scroll of Honour at the discretion of the Crown.

Mid-level Awards

The Award of Orion

Given to individuals who have demonstrated skill in the arts and sciences and who demonstrate courteous and chivalrous behaviour. Recipients who do not already have an Award of Arms receive one automatically with this award; and may style themselves 'Lord' or 'Lady'.

The Award of Maiden's Heart

Given to individuals who have performed exemplary service to Ealdormere and who demonstrate courteous and chivalrous behaviour. Recipients who do not already have an Award of Arms receive one automatically with this award; and may style themselves 'Lord' or 'Lady'.

The Award of the Scarlet Banner

Given to individuals who have demonstrated skill in a martial discipline approved within Ealdormere, and who demonstrate courteous and chivalrous behaviour both on and off the field. Recipients who do not already have an Award of Arms receive one automatically with this award; and may style themselves 'Lord' or 'Lady'.

Upper-level Awards

Grants of Arms
Given at the pleasure of the Crown, generally for an outstanding achievement which cannot be encompassed by any of the Grant-level Orders. Recipients may style themselves 'The Honourable Lord' or 'The Honourable Lady' and may be addressed as 'Your Ladyship' or 'Your Lordship'.

Court Barony
Given at the pleasure of the Crown to individuals who provide the gift of inspiration and uphold the ideals of the Society; who present a reasonably authentic appearance; and who provide an example of courtesy and honour worthy of emulation. Often given to retiring Territorial Barons and Baronesses (see below). Recipients may wear a silver coronet adorned with six spheroids (generally pearls), may style themselves as 'Baron' or 'Baroness', and may be addressed as 'Your Excellency'.

The Order of the Crucible

Given to individuals who have demonstrated skill in a variety of arts and sciences, including a high level (journeyman) skill in at least one discipline; who have demonstrated a knowledge of period techniques; who have demonstrated the ability to research and the willingness to teach arts and sciences-related skills; and who provide an example of courtesy and chivalry worthy of emulation. Recipients who do not already have a Grant of Arms receive one automatically with this award. Recipients may style themselves 'The Honourable Lord' or 'The Honourable Lady' and may be addressed as 'Your Ladyship' or 'Your Lordship'.

The Order of the Wain

Given to individuals who have performed exemplary and long-standing service to Ealdormere in a variety of different areas; who present a reasonably authentic appearance; and who provide an example of courtesy and chivalry worthy of emulation. Recipients who do not already have a Grant of Arms receive one automatically with this award. Recipients may style themselves 'The Honourable Lord' or 'The Honourable Lady' and may be addressed as 'Your Ladyship' or 'Your Lordship'.

The Order of Thorbjorn's Hammer

Given to individuals who have exhibited excellence in a martial activity approved in Ealdormere; who demonstrate a knowledge of related skills and/or of other martial disciplines; who demonstrate a leadership role in a martial activity, including a willingness to teach; who present a reasonably authentic appearance; and who provide an example of courtesy and chivalry worthy of emulation. Recipients who do not already have a Grant of Arms receive one automatically with this award. Recipients may style themselves 'The Honourable Lord' or 'The Honourable Lady' and may be addressed as 'Your Ladyship' or 'Your Lordship'.

The Order for Mastery

the Order of the Laurel

Given to individuals for mastery in an art or science. Recipients may style themselves as 'Master' or 'Mistress'.

the Order of the Pelican

Given to individuals for mastery of service to the realm or the Society. Recipients may style themselves as 'Master' or 'Mistress'.

the Order of the Chivalry

Given to individuals for mastery in armoured combat. Upon entering this order, recipients must choose to be part of one of two branches within this order. Those who choose to become Knights may style themselves as 'Sir'. Those who choose to become Masters-at-Arms may style themselves as 'Master' or 'Mistress'.

Other Awards

the Order of the Rose
Given automatically to individuals who complete a reign as consort. Recipients
may style themselves as 'Lady of the Rose' or 'Lord of the Rose'.

Territorial Baronetcy
Territorial Barons and Baronesses are chosen by the Crown (based on
recommendations provided by the populace) to hold a Barony in fief.
Territorial Barons and Baronesses may wear a gold coronet adorned with six
spheriods (generally pearls), may style themselves as 'Baron' or 'Baroness',
and may be addressed as 'Your Excellency'.

Viscounty
Given automatically to individuals who complete a reign as Territorial Prince or
Princess. Recipients may wear an embattled silver coronet, may style
themselves as 'Viscount' or 'Viscountess', and may be addressed as 'Your
Excellency'.

County
Given automatically to individuals who complete one reign as King or Queen.
Recipients may wear an embattled gold coronet, may style themselves as
'Count' (or Earl) or 'Countess', and may be addressed as 'Your Excellency'.

Duchy
Given automatically to individuals who complete a second reign as King or
Queen. Recipients may wear a coronet adorned with strawberry leaves, may
style themselves as 'Duke' or 'Duchess', and may be addressed as 'Your
Grace'.

Award of the Queen's Favour
Given by the Queen of Ealdormere as She sees fit.

Award of the King's Favour
Given by the King of Ealdormere as He sees fit.

The Principality of Ealdormere Awards and Orders

This section lists the awards granted by Ealdormere when it was still a principality. The old Principality orders were closed Saturday, October 17^th, 1998.

the Order of the Peregrin