Newcomers

 We are the Society for Creative

Anachronism, Inc.; a nation-wide, non-profit, historical-educational organization, more commonly
known as the SCA.  We study and re-create the lifestyles of the Middle Ages and Renaissance as
know to the countries of Europe.  Our study is based around those peoples and cultures who were
WELL KNOWN to the Crown Heads of Europe, during the years 900-16250AD Approximately 
(While the Official SCA web site lists our years of study as 600-1600AD, our members actually
recreate the peoples and cultures of 900-1625AD).In the SCA we are not attempting to re-create
the past in exact detail.  We are merely interested in pursuing a dream of chivalry, honor and
pageantry; while we study or teach the cultural aspects of times past.  Throughout the year we hold:
feasts, arts & sciences competitions, classes, dances, celebrations, and armored tournaments.  
These activities are each designed to help make history ‘come alive’ for all who participate.  
We do this by dressing, acting, speaking, enjoying ‘old-time’ recreational activities and even 
feasting based (as thoroughly as possible) on historically researched styles.

The SCA is not a religious organization, not an off shoot of any fantasy role playing group, 
not affiliated with any science fiction club, nor are we directly associated with any other 
historical society.  While some members may have interests in and/or also belong to these
other groups, participants (while at SCA events) strive to always limit activities to those
that are known to have actually occurred during recorded, book referenced, history.

Everyone is welcome to join the SCA
Formally as a member, or casually as a drop-by participant.  We are open to anyone of any
faith, ability, culture or economic background who is interested in the study of actual 
history with a hands-on approach.  Our SCA participants range from the casual enthusiast 
to those with a Doctoral Degree. Many members have even done their masters or doctoral 
thesis based on the SCA as an organization or on historical concepts, first introduced 
to them through our SCA activities.  We, the SCA, are your neighbors: we are single 
adults, married couples, families and students.

While there are some privileges for being a paid member of the SCA, membership is not 
required to participate.  The SCA is run on the ideals of "Chivalry and Honor" as 
practiced by the Knights of England's past set forth by the ancient Anglican church; 
as documented in the codes of “Knightly virtue”.  However, the SCA does not require 
that participants personally hold to a particular set of beliefs in their private lives.
The only requirements for participation in SCA activities are: an interest in the study
of history through hands-on recreation, a willingness to put forth an appearance of 
actual times past in your looks, manner, and speech, and a commitment towards treating 
your fellow players with courtesy and tolerance.  Anyone interested in participating in
any armored combat, as practice by the SCA, must be at least 18 years of age 
(16 with parental consent) and must willingly adhere to all strictly enforced safety 
guidelines.

In order to better understand what life would have been like we take on the aspects of a 
person who would have lived during a particular time in history.  Each member/participant
chooses a historically accurate name to be known by within the SCA.  We then model our 
manners, speech, customs, and handy-crafts to reflect our chosen era.In addition to an 
appropriate name, we wear garments of historical look and design, (except at our monthly
administrative business meetings), to enhance the feeling of being in another time.  We 
construct our costumes to be as historically accurate as modern materials and our 
individual resources will allow.  Many members have superior skills in the design and 
creation of historical garments.  However, it is only asked that everyone make a decent
attempt to dress in a period fashion.  For those who do not yet have any historical styled
clothing, there are loaner garments available for use at most events. In addition to our 
name and our garments, we also like to participate in various historical activities.  
The "Art of Combat" is of primary interest to many SCA members.  After all, history is 
filled with battles. The SCA re-creates Broadsword & Shield combat and Rapier fencing-style
duels.  We use actual metal body armour which has been hand forged in authentic styles, 
with exacting detail, to replicate historical combat conditions.  We do not actually attempt
to injure our opponents, simply to simulate the warfare of past times.  We hold 'one-on-one'
tournaments where only a few do battle and ‘Wars’ in which several hundred combatants will 
fight simultaneously.

In addition to the combative arts, members also pursue: cooking, weaving, music & song, brewing,
 equestrian arts, dance, embroidery, pottery, scholarly arts, the teachings of the early church, 
illumination, poetry, botany, animal husbandry, and much more.  Everyone is encouraged to pursue 
any skills or interests which better help us all to understand the lifestyles, peoples, diverse religions 
and cultures of those long gone days. To motivate us all to strive for the highest levels of skill,  we 
have set up a system of royalty in the persons of a King & Queen or Baron & Baroness who 
present "Awards of Achievement" and “tokens of recognition” in celebration of our efforts.

 The SCA has non-profit tax-exempt status with the United States federal government as an 
Educational Corporation.  The "mundane" business affairs of the corporation are overseen 
by our elected Board of Directors, known affectionately as the "BoD." Within the actual 
historical re-creationist structure, regional areas are known as Kingdoms which are ruled 
by a King & Queen.  Kingdoms are a collection of small groups such as Barony, Shire, 
Canton, College, depending on size.

There are currently 17 Kingdoms which incorporate all of the members, participants and
their local groups within the entire SCA.   Each Kingdom is ruled by the King & Queen 
who enact laws, set policy, encourage pageantry, and recognize the achievements of their
people.  They also confer Peer of the Realm status, (which elevates a person to the level
of Nobility), and confer titles on those gentles whom they feel to be deserving. The 
senior administrative officer is the Seneschal, who acts as a regional President and CEO
for the Kingdom.

To reign as King & Queen a couple must both be paid members of the SCA, and one of 
them must compete and win a Crown Tournament.  In the Kingdom of Artemisia, 
(Montana, southern Idaho, most of Utah, and western Colorado and  Wyoming), 
our King & Queen reign for six months. About one month into ‘Their reign’ a
 "Crown Tournament" is held to determine successors.

In most cases Crown Tournament is open to all Authorized fighters, who are paid members of 
the SCA and a permanent residents of their Kingdom. An authorized fighter is one who has 
been recognized by the Marshallate (Referees) as knowing the rules of combat, and whose 
fighting capability and equipment meets all requirements for safety as outlined in their 
Kingdoms rules and the rules of the SCA.  Once a fighter has been authorized, he/she may 
enter the list at the King's will, and must fight for the glory of a consort of opposite 
gender. Your consort can be a spouse, relative or friend, but must be a paid member of the
SCA and permanent Kingdom resident. The victor, who has bested all comers in armored combat,
along with his/her consort, becomes the Crown Princess & Crown Princess.  At the end of the
Reign of the current King & Queen, a Coronation is held and the Crown Prince & Crown Princess
become the new King & Queen.  The former King & Queen receive the title of Count & Countess 
for the gift of their service to their Kingdom.  Those who have reigned as King & Queen two
times or more receive the title of Duke & Duchess for their service to their Kingdom.

Some SCA Kingdoms are broken down into sub regions known as Principalities.  (The Kingdom 
of Artemisia was once a Principality of the Kingdom of Atenveldt).  A Principality is 
Ruled by a Prince and Princess.  The Prince & Princess reign for 6 month during which time
a Coronet Tournament is held to decide their successors.  The combatants in a Coronet List
must meet the same eligibility requirements as those for a Crown Tournament.  The victor and
his/her consort become the Tanist and Tanista.  At the end of the reign of the current Prince
and Princess, an Investiture is held and the Tanist and Tanista are invested as the new 
Princess & Princess of the Principality.  The former Princess & Princess receive the title 
of VisCount & VisCountess for the gift of their service to their Principality.  (The title 
of Prince and Prince is different in rank from that of Crown Prince and Crown Princess).  
Although there are currently no Principalities within Artemisia, we do have several fine 
couples who bare the title of VisCount & VisCountess for their service to the former 
Principality of Artemisia.

Medium sized groups of about 75+ members are known as a Barony.  A Barony is ruled by a Baron and/
or Baroness. (Sometimes by a singly Individual but usually by a paired couple) We who live in and 
around the Treasure Valley reside In the Barony of Arn Hold within the Kingdom of Artemisia.  The 
Barony of Arn Hold includes: Boise, Meridian, Nampa, Caldwell, McCall, Kuna, Star, Eagle, Mountain 
Home and Glenns Ferry. The Baron and/or Baroness are the peoples’ representative to the Crown and 
the Crowns' representative to their people.  The Chief Administrative Officer within the Barony is the 
Seneschal, who acts as the "mundane" chapter President.  The Baron and/or Baroness act as a 
figurehead for courtly grace and Nobel behavior, and works with the Seneschal in the administration 
of the Barony.

The Baron and/or Baroness has the privilege to create and present awards of achievement 
to the members of their populace who are deemed worthy.  Baronial awards are lower in rank 
than Kingdom and Principality awards, but are still held in high esteem by those who 
receive them.  Typically a Baron and/or Baroness stays in office for a minimum of two years.
Once a need for new Baronial Royalty has been determined, an opinion polling of the populace 
is held.  This polling allows the Crown to gain insight into the feelings of Their populace
for a suitable successor, this is not a vote. The King & Queen make the final decision as to 
whom they feel would be best for the job.  Their decision is based on many different criteria
which may include consideration of the choice of the populace.  Neither the Baron and/or 
Baroness need to be a fighter as they do not win their title in a tournament, they are 
appointed to serve by the King & Queen.  The Baron and/or Baroness stay on even after the 
King & Queen who appointed them has left the thorn, until such time as they are no longer 
able to serve, or are deemed unsatisfactory by a subsequent King & Queen.

The SCA is a hobby.  It takes time and money, just as  any other hobby, it is a luxury and should be a last 
priority in your general life budgeting.  To happily participate in the SCA, it is highly recommended that 
you have available a minimum of one entire weekend and $40.00 cash free and clear each month to 
apply exclusively towards SCA participation.  This does not include the additional time and costs to 
acquire historical clothing, shoes, weapons, armour, or camping supplies, etc.  Those who wish to 
participate more often or have the financial means to consider more costly accoutrements are certainly
 welcome to do so.  The level and frequency of play is entirely up to the particular individual.

Participants in the SCA are encouraged to pick out a particular era and region, as a 
place to begin their SCA focus.  This is simply a starting off point; members are not
limited to any one culture or time. Remember that we re-create those peoples and 
cultures Who were well known to the Crown Heads of Europe.  
Just because it was on the planet, does not mean it may have been well known to the
Court. Think of a country or county and a time period (from 900-1625AD approximately)
where you would like to begin your character’s development.  In addition, you will 
want to think about an SCA name for others to know you by, (you can continue to use 
your regular legal first name if you prefer).  SCA names are based on those which 
were actually in use in times past as documented in historical records. There are 
many folks who can help direct you in your research.

It is helpful to join us at one of our themed events. There are many different types
of gatherings and regularly scheduled activities hosted by the many different SCA 
groups. Remember that SCA events almost always take place over Saturday & Sunday, 
with the bulk of the activities happening on a Saturday.  You will need to schedule 
your free time accordingly to participate. At our themed SCA events you can network 
with other people who have similar interests and can answer many of you questions.
You can also contact the local Hospitaler (Welcome Office) Directly.  Simply link on
our calendar of local events on this website, or set your Brower to www.sca.org for a
list of society wide activities.  Each event announcement will include: location, 
cost, scheduled activities, and contact people to answer your questions. Most SCA 
events are open to all participants regardless of hosting group.  Events may run 
anywhere from a single day up to several weeks in duration.  All SCA events have
required entry fees which you will need to consider in your planning.

For a one day Event you will need; a set of Garb (historical clothing), something 
for lunch or a snack (or money to buy it), and your own eating dishes & utensils 
(known as Feast Gear) if there is a feast scheduled. You may also need to make a 
fest reservation if space is limited, check the event announcement carefully for 
complete details, or call the listed contact people.

For a camping event you will need the usual camping equipment, drinking water, food, a few 
changes of historical clothing, and toiletries.  You will also want to have a cloak or warmer clothing
for the evenings.  While many SCA participants choose to use historical looking champing 
equipment, be assured that modern "Coleman" type stuff is acceptable.

Be aware that there are rules and regulations to participate in some of the special activities
scheduled as part of the events, such as armored combat, Rapier combat and Equestrian Games.  
Again, check the event announcements or get in touch with the contact people listed for 
additional information.

The entire issue of titles has to do with rank and “precedence” within any feudal structure, and 
is also a major issue within the SCA.  In keeping with our re-creation of history, the SCA has 
created ranks of title to designate those of royal or noble status. Within the title bearing award
structure, of the feudal (Monarchy) structure of the SCA, there are Award of Arms, Grant of 
Arms and Patent of Arms. There are also Royal titles that are given to those who have been
a ruler of a Kingdom, Principality and/or Barony.  These rulers, current or former royal heads 
of a place or region, are given the right to wear decorative metal head gear; known as either 
a Crown or Ccoronet,  to indicate their current or past royal rank.  Peer of the Realm is the 
term that confers Noble status, and Royal Peers are those who are currently or have 
formally ruled over lands

Titles in order of Precendence: King & Queen who are address as Your Majesty. The King 
may also be addressed as Sire or My Liege. They are the current ruler of a Kingdom. They 
are address by this title exclusively while they are ruling, regardless of whatever titles they 
may have held before or after their reign.

Crown Prince & Crown Princess are addressed as Your Royal Highness.  They 
have won the right to reign as the next King & Queen through being 
victorious in a Crown Tournament.  While awaiting their Coronation, this 
title supersedes all others they may hold, until their Coronation when 
they will become King & Queen of their Kingdom.

Prince & Princess are addressed as Your Highness. (This is NOT the same and is lower 
in rank then Crown Prince & Crown Princess).  They are the current ruler of a Principality.
They are address by this title exclusively while they are ruling, regardless of whatever titles
they may have held before or after their reign.  In the SCA today, this is less common as 
many of the former Principalities have grown into Kingdoms and are now ruled by a King & Queen.

Count & Countess are address as Your Excellency. They have ruled as King & Queen 
once over a Kingdom of the SCA.  Graf is the German variation of Count, which is 
used by several of our German persona Counts in the SCA, especially here in 
Artemisia.

Tanist & Tanista are addressed as Your Excellency. They have won the right to reign as the next
Prince & Princess of a Principality through being victorious in a Coronet Tournament. They hold 
this title until their Investiture, when they will become Prince & Princess of a Princepality.

VisCount & VisCountess are addressed as Your Excellency.  They have ruled as Prince & Princess 
of a Principality of the SCA.  (There is no additional title for those who have reigned as Prince & 
Princess multiple times).  Artemisia was formally a Principality of the Kingdom of Atenveldt, thus 
we still have several who hold this title here in our Kingdom.  LansGraft is the German variation 
of VisCount and is used by many of the VisCounts of the SCA and especially here in Artemisia.

Territorial Baron & Territorial Baroness are addressed as Your Excellency.  They 
are usually more simply known as Baron & Baroness.  They are appointed to rule 
over a Barony by the King & Queen, they do not win this title in an armored 
tournament.  When they step down, they retain the title of Baron & Baroness but 
are lower in rank then the next ruling Territorial Baron & Baroness to actively
rule over their Barony. There is another title of Baron & Baroness given via the
Court Baron & Court Baroness honorary award.  This is different then current or 
former Territorial Baron & Territorial Baroness as it holds no feudal rank.  
Court Baron and Court Baroness is simply an honorary title.  It is not equal to
Baron & Baroness who currently or have formally ruled a Barony. 
(See Court Baron & Court Baroness later in this list)

Patent of Arms is the highest feudal rank award, under Royal Peer.  This includes
the Noble Orders of Pelican, Laurel and Knight.  All of these Noble Orders are 
equivalent to Knighthood, it is simply that in the SCA we name or Orders of 
Knighood specifically to better identify the accomplishments of the individual
Noble.

Knights (known as KOS) are the master level achievers in the combative pursuits, defenders
 of the Monarchs and people of the Kingdom. All of these Noble orders are charged to uphold
 the ideals of Chivalry, honor and fairplay.  And all are expected to  Act as the finest examples 
of the SCA to inspire, teach and Encourage all other players of the SCA.

A member of one of these noble orders will often be proficient in the skills of 
one or both of the other noble orders as well.  Pelicans, Laurels and Knights 
are all equal in rank to each other. Knights have the exclusive privilege of 
wearing a solid white belt as token of their rank. Pelicans wear a medallion,
in a style they prefer, which displays a “Pelican in her piety;” a mother 
Pelican piercing her breast to feed her life’s blood to her young nesting below.  
Laurels wear a medallion, in a style of their preference, which displays a Laurel
wreath.  Peer of the Realm status is conferred at the desecration of the ruling 
King & Queen, with or without the consultation of the other members of the nobility.
Once given, a Peer of the Realm retains their rank through their SCA career and in 
all SCA Kingdoms. Male Knights of the SCA are address as Sir. Male Pelicans and 
Male Laurels are addressed as Master.  Females of all three Nobel Orders are 
addressed as either Dame or Mistress. (Unless any of the Noble men and women prefer
a culturally appropriate equivalent such as Meister -German for Master or Mu’allemah
- Middle Eastern for Mistress based on the historical flavor of their SCA Persona).  
If you are not certain, it is always appropriate to call a peer Sir / Master or Dame.

Grant of Arms is the mid level SCA feudal rank. Don & Dona are highest of the Grant of Arms rank.
Don & Dona (pronounced dawn & dawn-yah) is the title given to those who hold the White Scarf for
mastery of the Rapier combative arts. This rank is not an SCA wide title, but is one in 15 of the
17 SCA Kingdoms which includes Artemisia.  A Don & Dona with a Grant of Arms outrank all other 
Grant of Arms holders. Known as Lordship & Ladyship (also known as Honorable Lord & Honorable
 Lady).

Lordship and Ladyship (also known as Honorable Lord and Honorable Lady) are the second
tier of rank within the Grant of Arms level.  Lordship & Ladyship out rank those with 
an Award of Arm, but rank below Don & Dona here in Artemisia (and in any of the SCA 
Kingdom which have signed the ‘White Scarf Treaty’ where the title of Don & Dona are 
recognized).  Grant of Arms also ranks below that of Peer of the Realm (Patent of Arms) 
and Royal Peer (current or former rulers of land).

Award of Arms is the first level of feudal rank in the SCA.  Those who have been granted
their Award of Arms are addressed as Lord & Lady.  This award confers that they are now 
recognized as being of noble virtue (and optional noble birth).  Award of Arms ranks 
below Grant of Arms, Peer of the Realm (Patent of Arms) and Royal Peer (current or 
former land rulers).

Court Baron & Court Baroness, mentioned earlier, is an honorary title that holds no feudal
rank within the SCA.  They are also normally referred to simply as Baron & Baroness.  
They are addressed as Your Excellency.  This honorary title is granted at the will of a 
ruling King & Queen, it confers on the subject the right to wear a coronet; which would 
normally be reserved for Royal Peers only.  This honorary title can be conferred upon 
those with or without other rank bearing awards, but is never given to those who already
have a Royal Peer level title. Court Baron & Court Baroness are not equivalent to 
Territorial Baron & Territorial Baroness, although both are called simply Baron & 
Baroness. The name of the rank is the same, but those who have the honorary title of 
Court Baron & Court Baroness hold no feudal ranking, they simply are called Baron & 
Baroness as a courtesy which was granted to them so that they can wear a coronet.

The ruling Baron & Baroness of a Barony due hold feudal rank. M’Lord & M’Lady is a 
common affectation given to a person in the SCA who does not yet have a title bearing
award.  It will often been seen in printed newsletters or used when calling someone 
forth during court. It is used because there is a mistaken notion that it diminishes 
a person to be the only one named with out some form of prefix.  However, while M’Lord 
& M’Lady does not confer feudal rank, it is easily confused or mistaken for My Lord or 
My Lady which does confer feudal rank. Some far more historical, and less confusing, 
alternatives I would encourage my readers to use would be: Gentle Brian, Cousin Robert, 
Comely Rebecca, Right Worthy Adam, The Widow Ruth, Neighbor Karen, Good Wife Anne, 
Stalwart William, Our man Jeffrey or Cousin Angela, etc. All of these are period 
alternatives which are far less confusing.

Additional job description names are also given to those who hold an office in the SCA 
or have made a formal bond to a Peer of the Realm.  Some of these include: Squire 
(formal student to a Knight), Man-at-arms (personal retainer to a Knight), Apprentice 
(formal student to a Laurel), Protégé  formal student to a Pelican), Seneschal (mundane
 President of a group of the SCA), Reeve or Exchequer (chief financial officer of an SCA
 group), and still many others.  These offices and formal student status are job 
descriptions they do not confer feudal rank within the SCA.  However, the holder of these 
offices or bonds may have their own personal feudal rank additionally.

There are also the achievement awards and the local titles of champion within a regional
group, none of which confer feudal rank within the SCA.  Achievement awards are given to 
publicly encourage and recognize the skills and talents of an individual.  Local 
championship titles are held as evidence one has won a contest of skill, such as Arts & 
Sciences Champion or Archery Champion.  Champion titles are surrendered when a new 
contest winner is determined.  Achievement awards and local titles of champion do not 
confer feudal rank but do highly honor the recipient publicly for their efforts.  These 
can be earned or won regardless of any other feudal ranking award or title held.

Achievement awards are specific to a particular Kingdom or Barony.  Only feudal ranking 
titles are held as SCA wide rank (which is why they are a high honor and never to be 
taken lightly). With regard to achievement awards for example; the Golden Maple Leaf is
the Kingdom of Artemisia arts & sciences award.  In the Kingdom of the West, their 
Kingdom A&S award is The Rose Leaf.  If you are awarded the Golden Maple Leaf, from the 
Kingdom of Artemisia, you do not automatically hold a Rose Leaf from the Kingdom of the 
West as well.  The two awards are separately given for similar achievement; they are 
awarded for efforts done specifically for and on behalf of the individual Kingdom in 
question.  (It is certainly possibly to earn a similar award from more then one Kingdom
of the SCA, but they are not interchangeable).  As mentioned, Titles of feudal rank are
recognized SCA wide.  If you hold an Award of Arms, (and thus the title of Lord or Lady)
, from the Kingdom of Artemisia, then your retain that title always and everywhere within 
the entire SCA.

One final note.  There are also titles of address which are simple courtesy in polite 
society or are part of the persona of a particular SCA participant. Prioress would be the
title of a Mother Superior of an Abby, but is not a rank holding or an official title 
within the SCA.  “Good day My Lady,” would be a polite greeting to give to any female of 
rank you happened to encounter while out strolling at an event.  Good Cousins is a 
historically accurate way of addressing a group, as is Good Gentles.  When in doubt 
address all gentlemen as My Lord and all gentlewomen as My Lady, until you learn 
otherwise.  If you encounter anyone wearing a crown or coronet, address them as Your 
Excellency; you will have a 10 out of 18 chance of being right.