Society of Creative Anachronism

Don't just study the past... LIVE IT!

The Society of Creative Anachronism is a non-profit International organization.

I thoroughly enjoy my favorite hobby of learning more about history through living it today. Today’s armchair warrior pulls out their Game Station controller to fight some imagined foe. In my hobby I pull out a sword (a safe substitute at least) and can actually pummel my opponent. Of course this is not for the faint of heart for unlike video games this opponent has every intention of hitting you back.

Some say Chivalry is dead, but we live it every day. <Demo> Join me in discovering how our ancestors lived in earlier times as we build, dance, feast, fight, and strive to be Lords and Ladies, the nobility of our Society. The central theme of the SCA is that we are a participatory group. When we want to understand how people fought in medieval wars, we put on our armor. When we want insight into the courts of kings and queens, we dance and feast. We show what we have learned to each other and to the public.

The SCA has a focus on armored people (both men and women) but there is so much more to it! Archery, Siege Engines, Arts and sciences like the Illumination of the ancients with words of glorious deeds put down through Calligraphy. Archery is so much more than just being able to shoot a bow. I have learned how to make my own strings, my own arrows, and even my own bow. The history of the Trebuchet, Onager, and Ballista go far beyond the simple term of ‘catapult’ used in our modern world. I have enjoyed many hours learning techniques in wood working, leather working and other arts seemingly forgotten. I now have my own forge set up for metal working and look forward to casting my first bronze piece soon!

If you find such things interesting then take a little time to find out more at the SCA website.

Party SCA style!

Above and beyond the crafts and arts we practice, members of the Society strive to create an atmosphere of nobility and gentility in dealing with each other. We value chivalry and courtesy, and expect each of our members to behave as good and noble folk. Thus our organization is more than a hobby, more than people simply making things the way medieval folk did. Our Society is an ongoing attempt to make just that: a society of nobility that is open to everyone.

Located in Western North Carolina (Davidson, Guilford, Randolph, Rockingham and Stokes Counties), the Canton of Middlegate is a local chapter of the Society for Creative Anachronism, a 501c3 educational non-profit organization devoted to the research and recreation of most aspects of pre-17th-century Europe. The Canton of Middlegate is in turn part of an administrative region of the SCA known as a Barony, the Barony of Sacred Stone. Our Barony is in turn part of the Kingdom of Atlantia. There are currently nineteen Kingdoms in North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Australia. If you or any others you know have a similar interest in the Middle Ages or are just curious to see what it's all about, feel free to visit one of our local groups or contact me for more information! http://www.atlantia.sca.org/