Terminology You Might Hear at Your First SCA Event

If you’ve just joined the Society, you may find conversations and event announcements hard to follow at first. SCA participants, chapters and offices all assume names with a historical flavor, and there’s a whole vocabulary for everyday things as well. You’ll get used to it quickly, but here are some of the most commonly used words to start with.

ABOUT PEOPLE
  • SCAdian (SKAY-dee-an) – as a noun: a member of the Society for Creative Anachronism. Also: SCAer. Used as an adjective to mean “of the SCA.”
  • Gentle – any person, not gender-specific.
  • Populace – the inhabitants of a kingdom or local group; the people present at an event.
  • Chivalry – fighters recognized by the King and Queen for their great skill on the tourney field. Companions of the Chivalry are the Knights, who swear fealty to the Crown, and Masters-of-Arms, who do not.
  • Laurel – someone recognized by the King and Queen for mastery of an art or science.
  • Pelican – someone recognized by the King and Queen for great service to their Kingdom and the SCA.
  • Squire – a student in a formal relationship with a Knight or Master of Arms.
  • Apprentice – a student in a formal relationship with a Master or Mistress of the Laurel.
  • Protégé – a student in a formal relationship with a Master or Mistress of the Pelican.
  • Peers – companions of the Chivalry, Laurel, and Pelican.
  • Royal Peers – Viscounts, Viscountesses, Counts, Countesses, Dukes, and Duchesses. A Viscount/ess has served as Prince/ess of a Principality. A Count/ess has served as King/Queen of a kingdom once, and a Duke/Duchess has served more than once.
  • Mistress/Master – title used by companions of the Orders of the Laurel and Pelican, and Masters-ofArms. Also part of some office names, i.e., “Mistress of the Lists”, “Master of Arts & Sciences”.
  • Dame – an alternate title used by female members of the Orders of Chivalry, the Laurel or the Pelican who do not wish to use the title “Mistress” or “Sir”.
TYPES OF EVENTS
  • Coronation – the event where the Crown Prince and Princess, heirs to a kingdom, are crowned.
  • Crown Tournament – the tournament held to determine the next heirs to the kingdom.
  • Investiture – the event at which the new Prince and Princess of a principality (or the new Baron and Baroness of a barony) are installed.
  • Collegium – events where classes are taught on a variety of subjects.
  • War – a gathering at which the main activity is one or more battles for large groups of participants, involving the use of fields, woodlands, or other broken terrain. War events can also include other martial activities, along with classes, court, dancing, performances, and merchants.
GENERAL TERMS
  • Anno Societatis (abbreviated “A.S.”) – The dating system we use in the SCA (translates to “In the Year of the Society”). May 1, 1966 was the first day of the year A.S. I, and May 1st is “New Year’s Day” for each Society year. The years are usually depicted in Roman numerals.
  • Arms (or device) .”) – the heraldic emblem that identifies a person or entity.
  • Award of Arms – a Society-wide award given by the royalty. Recipients can use the title “Lord” or “Lady” before their names.
  • Arts and Sciences – crafts and skills of the Middle Ages/Renaissance which we research and practice in the SCA. Also referred to as “A & S”.
  • Authorization – the process that fighters and fencers go through to be allowed to participate in combat.
  • Barony/Shire – types of SCA local chapters. Baronies are generally larger in size, and have a Baron and/or Baroness as their ceremonial heads. Sub-groups within a Barony’s territory are known as Cantons, or in some areas, Ridings or Strongholds. All these groups are officially recognized in the SCA and are administered by a slate of officers.
  • Bardic Circle – an informal gathering for singing and storytelling. Anyone who attends is welcome to perform appropriate material, but you can just sit and listen if you prefer. A bard is a person who sings, tells stories, recites poetry, etc.
  • Blue Card – an SCA membership card printed on blue cardstock, indicating that the card holder has a signed waiver on file at the SCA offices.
  • Court – a gathering where the King and Queen of a kingdom make announcements and present awards. Rulers of principalities hold Principality courts, and landed Barons and Baronesses hold Baronial courts.
  • Crash Space – informal lodgings with members of the group holding an event.
  • Demo – a demonstration of the activities in the SCA. SCA participants will usually perform martial activities as well as arts and sciences for the public.
  • Dry/Damp/Wet Site – alcoholic beverage policies. Dry sites allow no alcohol. Damp sites permit wine, beer, and mead, but no hard liquor. Wet sites do not restrict alcohol. “Discreetly” damp or wet means that the site is normally dry, but the owners will permit alcohol as long as the labeled containers are kept out of sight and are removed at the end of the event. Of course, at any site, local laws regarding alcohol consumption must be followed.
  • Event – any Society gathering. You’re welcome to go to any that are listed in the newsletter. You can take part in the activities, although some (mainly martial arts) take special training, and you’ll need to be “authorized” by a marshal before you can take part in those.
  • Feast – an elaborate meal, usually served in the evening, sometimes accompanied by entertainment.
  • Feast Gear – a place setting for a feast: at least a plate, bowl, goblet, spoon and knife. You can also include a napkin, fork, tablecloth, candles, etc. Assume you’ll need to bring basic feast gear for any feast unless the announcement says you don’t.
  • Garb – clothing based on that worn in the Middle Ages or Renaissance. Required at all events except some local meetings and activities – but your first attempt doesn’t have to be fancy! Many local chapters have loaner garb – contact their Chatelain(e).
  • Gate/ Troll – the place to check in or buy at-the-door admission to an event.
  • Gold Key – a collection of loaner garb and gear for the use of newcomers, generally maintained by the Chatelain(e).
  • Heavy Weapons/fighting – combat done by armored fighters, with rattan versions of swords, polearms, and spears.
  • HOLD! – a cry meaning “Stop whatever you are doing and freeze in place until you see where the hazard is!” Normally used during combat, but it’s been extended to cover all forms of activity.
  • Household – a voluntary association of friends or people with a common interest. Can be organized under whatever rules the members jointly accept. Households have no formal standing in the SCA.
  • Light Weapons/Fencing – in some kingdoms, refers to rapier combat
  • Lists / List Field – the roped-off area for combat. Also called “the eric” in the West Kingdom. The List Table is the location where competitors sign in and where the Minister of Lists keeps track of the paperwork necessary to actually run the tournament.
  • Melee – martial combat with many participants on each side.
  • Mundane – used to mean “non-SCA”, “everyday”, “in real life”. We encourage the use of the word “modern” instead, as we’re aware that “mundane” can sound insulting.
  • Non-Member Surcharge – an additional $3 (US or Canadian) paid by adult event attendees who are not card-carrying members of the SCA.
  • Oyez (OH-yay) – an attention-getting call, usually preceding an announcement, which means to stop talking and listen.
  • Period – of the time period studied in the SCA (the Middle Ages and Renaissance); also, authentic.
  • Persona – the Middle Ages / Renaissance person that you are posing as. Your persona can be detailed or simple – starting with the time period and country you are from, all the way to knowing the details of your persona’s place in society or your family history.
  • Privy – portable chemical toilets found at outdoor events.
  • Post-revel – a get-together after the event (or “revel”), for socializing and unwinding, usually held in someone’s home. Save the D&D and computer talk for this time.
  • SCA Name – the name someone uses in the Society.
  • Site – the place the event is being held.
  • Site Fee – the cost of admission to an event. Does not usually include the cost of the feast.
  • Tournament/Tourney – a competition in SCA fighting or fencing. Some types of tournaments are: Pas d’Arms, Bearpit, Double-Elimination, Round-Robin, and Ransom tourneys.
  • Waiver – a release of liability form signed when you purchase SCA membership. A blue membership card indicates that you have a signed waiver on file with the SCA, Inc. Non-members and members with white membership cards must sign waivers at events and martial practices.

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