Fitting In

NOTICE - This article was submitted by the author for inclusion in the Arts and Science Archives of the Barony of Dragon's Laire. Copyright to the contents of this file remains with the author. While the author will likely give permission for this work to be reprinted in SCA type publications, please check with the author first or check for any permissions granted at the end of this file.--- Thank you, Rycheza z Polska, webminster

Fitting In in the SCA

By H. L. Eric de Dragonslaire

The Society for Creative Anachronism is a recreational and re(-)creational organization (We have fun and we recreate the past). While many of us join because of a fascination with medieval history or the many medieval activities that are recreated in the SCA, the people in it our one of the reasons we continue to participate. The purpose of this article is to help new people find friends and acceptance in the SCA.

The basic requirements of the SCA are that you make your best efforts to dress in garb which is appropriate to the Middle Ages and that you comport yourself as a lord or lady. The Society does have rules and customs that you should familiarize yourself with as soon as possible. Read the Known World Handbook. It provides basic information. Another way to learn is through classes or ithras. Anyone can attend (there is a nominal charge for ithra classes). Don't be afraid to ask questions. Most of the people in the Society are chivalric and more than willing to try to help. (Understand that they will give you the best answer they have, although it may not be altogether correct.) Some of the best people to ask are the chatelaines. These are people who volunteer to work with new people. But most officers are good sources of information, and many may have access to specialized information; e.g., marshals know about fighting; heralds know about heraldry; scribes know about calligraphy; etc.

The SCA is a volunteer organization. While there are more than 22,000 paid members and between two and three times that number of other people just playing, there are less than a handful of paid staff. Everyone else helps because they realize that unless we all help, the SCA cannot be the type of experience that we all want it to be.

Not only does helping create a good impression of you, but is one of the fastest ways of getting to know people. Some good areas to help when you are still getting to know your way around (and after that period too) are: working at the gate; helping with set up and clean up; working in the kitchen; serving at feasts; and water bearing. Working with the constables at the gate has several advantages: you get to see the names of everyone coming onto the site and you normally will be working with at least one other person who you can get to know. Helping with set up and clean up helps you to become known as a "doer" and not just a "talker". Working in the kitchen is good because you get to know the people you are working with. Serving at feasts allows you to get to know the people you are serving. Water bearing is good because you get to know the fighters, marshals, chirurgeons (first aid providers) and people who are just watching the fighting. There are many more specialized jobs that we can help you to learn. Understand that there is no job in the SCA that is below anyone's station. I have seen a Queen working in the kitchen and cleaning up after a feast. Dukes serve at tables. Knights and royal peers work at the gate. We all help where and when we can.

Another way to learn more is by experiencing more. The people that are happiest in the Society are the people who have found those activities from the Middle Ages that they enjoy. (They are always on the lookout for more.) The things that I enjoy in the Society are probably going to be somewhat different than what you enjoy. But we have all the good things from more than a thousand years of history to choose from. If there is something that you want to learn there is probably someone to teach it. If there isn't, teach yourself and then teach others. If you want to be a bard, all you have to do is get up and perform. (Practice helps and performance materials from the middle ages or that are like those of the Middle Ages are preferred.) If you want to be an artist or artisan, all you have to do is create. Good taste and the need for what you to produce to be appropriate to the Middle Ages are your only limitations. You may wish to enter bardic or arts competitions. This is a way of sharing with others, of meeting people who share similar interests and of honing your skills.

Within the SCA there is also the chance to form a special learning relationship with a peer. The Pelicans (service) take protégés who they instruct on how to improve their service. The Laurels (arts & sciences) have apprentices who they instruct in the arts. Knights and Masters of Arms (chivalry and fighting) take squires who they instruct in fighting. All of the peerages teach their students the refined graces required of a peer. In addition, the Order of the White Scarf (a grant level award recognizing fencers one level below that of a peerage) has cadets, aka red scarves. The Order of the Grey Goose Shaft (a grant level award recognizing archers and light fighters [missile combatants] one level below that of a peerage) has arcarii.

One recommendation for newcomers, it is usually unadvisable to join a household until you have been actively participating in the SCA for at least a year. You may be judged by the company you keep and there are good households and very bad households. (It is also not a good idea to form a household within the first few years of entering the Society because there will be no one with adequate experience to teach you.) No one has to join a household. Many of us prefer not to join a household, but to simply play with everyone without letting artificial barriers get in the way.

The final key to the SCA: have fun and help others to have fun.

Permission is granted for republication in SCA-related publications, provided the author is credited and receives a copy. Contact the webminster for more information or additional permissions.

Return to: Article Archive/Arts and Science Archives/Home Page/Newcomer's Nook