Newcomers

Welcome to the Barony of Lyondemere, the Kingdom of Caid, and to the Society for Creative Anachronism!

Who We Are

The Society for Creative Anachronism (the SCA) is part of the living history movement. SCA members have a hands-on approach to history, engaging in activities that help them explore the culture, arts, and sciences of the Middle Ages and Renaissance. The “SCA Period” encompasses pre-17th century.

The SCA is a non-profit education and research group. We differ from most Renaissance Faires in that we are all active participants. With a few exceptions, in the SCA, there are no spectators.

What We Do

We research and re-create arts, sciences, and martial activities of pre-17th century, throughout the world. We provide venues and publications in which our knowledge can be shared with others. What sort of activities does the SCA offer? Here is a partial list.

  • Sewing (most people make their own clothing, aka garb)
  • Martial activities: Armored combat, Archery, and Rapier (medieval style fencing)
  • Cooking
  • Bardic arts (performance art): Singing, Playing instruments, Dancing, Song Writing, and Storytelling
  • Fiber Arts: Weaving, Embroidery, Knitting, Nalbinding (Viking single-needle knitting)
  • Calligraphy and Illumination
  • Leather work
  • Pewter casting
  • Armorsmithing (including chainmaille)
  • Equestrian

Many activities are adapted for children or depending on their age, children can participate in some activities.

Find out more about some of these activities: http://welcome.sca.org/

What Do You Mean?

Sometimes there are phrases or vocabulary (jargon) that don’t immediately seem to make sense. No problem! We have an SCA Glossary ready to help you understand what we mean!

Where Do We Do This?

Almost every local SCA group holds practices, classes, and guild (craft) meetings to learn and hone new skills. The things we learn and research are put into practice when we hold our regular activities (also called Events), re-creating what we can about the era.

Weekly practices are held in various areas. Check the Meetings page for a current list of practices for the Barony of Lyondemere. For more information, please contact the respective Marshall or the Chatelaine.

Event is a term for a gathering at which everyone dresses in garb based on styles worn in the Middle Ages and Renaissance. Most events have a variety of cultures and countries represented! Events have many different formats: martial arts tournament (Tourney), display of artistic or science skills (Arts and Sciences), feast, royal court or a combination of some of these. In Southern California, an event is usually a one-day Tourney or set of Classes and Workshops. Events that could run for many days where we camp are called a War.

During Spring and Summer, there are many tourneys scattered all over the Kingdom. The Kingdom of Caid spans from the California/US border in the south up through parts of Central California in the north. It also includes Las Vegas and Hawaii. Please check the Kingdom Calendar for a list of the events and where they are hosted.

The Calendar also lists information such as entrance fees, whether or not there will be food available for purchase at the event, whether dogs (non-service animals) are allowed, etc. On the Lyondemere website, you can find which events the Baronage will be attending, called Baronial Progress. For the listed events, the Barony will bring a Pavilion or day-shade under which the populace may gather. Many people bring a chair and spend at least part of the day with their Barony. Some sit with their friends in other Baronies or guilds.

What Should You Bring to an Event

Sites typically open at 8 or 9 AM for set up and the event runs until 5 or 6 PM (including tear-down).  Bring things you would usually bring to a park or the beach: a chair, water, sunscreen, snacks, something to drink from (the Chatelaine can give you ideas on cups and plates), etc. Depending on the event, you may want to bring your lunch or if a “donation lunch” is available, bring money for lunch. Sometimes, there will be a list of local restaurants, stores, etc. where you can get lunch. This list is usually at Gate.

How can you get involved in your local group?

Lyondemere encompasses the coastal cities in Los Angeles County. Your chatelaine can help you learn about local events, practices, and workshops. In the meantime, here are some ways you can get involved.

  • Attend a local council meeting. These are your local area’s monthly business meeting. Council Meetings in Lyondemere are typically the 1st Monday of the month. There, we discuss upcoming events, information about upcoming guild meetings (dates, topics, where it will be held), talk about local practices, and topics relating to the Barony.
  • Join the Lyondemere Facebook Group or Discord Server. We post upcoming events and general questions in the barony group.  It’s a great way to find out about upcoming meetings, events, and practices. https://www.facebook.com/groups/Lyondemere/ and https://discord.gg/vG7vAbeavJ
  • Join the Kingdom Facebook Group. You will be able to find out what events are happening and where! If you’re ready to get involved, the Kingdom FB Group will certainly draw you in. On the kingdom site, you can see our current Monarchs, look at the Kingdom Calendar, and look up general information about the Kingdom. Check out the Kingdom of Caid: http://places.sca-caid.org/caid and on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3533625108
  • Contact our Chatelaine about Newcomers workshops or events. We may have a sewing workshop coming up to help you create clothing for SCA events, or maybe there’s an Arts and Sciences class you could really enjoy.
  • Check out more newcomer’s information available from the Society: http://welcome.sca.org/how-to-get-started
  • Any additional questions, please feel free to contact our chatelaine – chatelaine.officer@Lyondemere.sca-caid.org.

ABOUT MEMBERSHIP IN THE SCA

There are several levels of membership in the Society: a Sustaining membership includes a year’s subscription to your kingdom’s newsletter, which contains kingdom news, announcements for events taking place in your area, and local group contacts. Lower-priced Associate and Family memberships are also available.

You are not required to purchase an SCA membership before attending SCA meetings and events. Membership is a requirement for holding office in SCA groups, for participation in combat and combat-related activities in some kingdoms, and for eligibility to receive awards in some kingdoms. To learn more about membership, click here: SCA Membership

BENEFTS OF MEMBERSHIP

Membership Card
By signing the waiver on the membership application, you can speed your check-in at events by presenting your card instead of signing waivers at the door.

Discounts on some event admissions

Voting privileges in your local group
The membership rolls are used when determining to whom to send polling letters on some specific local branch matters.

SCA Publications

  • Sustaining members receive their kingdom’s newsletter
  • Sustaining members can also purchase subscriptions to: