Glossary
Plain answers to SCA words
New to the SCA? These are the words you will see on this website and hear at the event. If something is not here, email the Event Steward at annabellaofthebay@gmail.com. No question is too small.
Getting Started
- SCA
- The Society for Creative Anachronism, a volunteer educational nonprofit that studies and re-creates the arts, skills, and customs of the world before 1600.
- Kingdom of Atlantia
- The SCA’s regional branch for Maryland, Virginia, the Carolinas, and nearby areas. Twelfth Night is hosted by the Kingdom itself.
- Populace
- Everyone attending the event. When you see “the populace,” it means you.
- Period
- Historical, from before about 1600. “Period” clothing or food is something that could have existed then. “Pre-1603” is the SCA’s official cutoff.
- Garb
- Medieval or Renaissance style clothing. Garb is required at Twelfth Night, and loaner garb is available on site.
- Kit
- Your clothing and gear for an event. “Period kit” means historical clothing, armor, or equipment.
- Gold Key
- Atlantia’s loaner garb program. Gold Key will be on site with clothing you can borrow for the day.
- Event Steward
- The event’s lead organizer.
At the Event
- Gate
- The check-in desk at the main entrance. You sign in, sign the waiver, and pick up your site token here.
- Waiver
- A liability release that every attendee signs at Gate.
- Site token
- A keepsake of the event that you receive when you check in at Gate. It is yours to keep.
- Voting tokens
- Small wooden tokens you receive at Gate. Use them to vote in the Arts and Sciences display and the Fasnacht Challenge.
- Day trip
- Coming for the day without camping overnight.
- Feast
- The five-course sit-down dinner on Saturday evening. Optional, and reserved when you register.
- Feast gear
- Your own plate, bowl, cup, and utensils for the feast. The SCA tradition is to bring your own rather than use disposables.
- Boondocking
- RV camping without water, sewer, or electric hookups.
- Pack-out
- Packing up and leaving the campground on Sunday.
Royalty, Ceremony, and People
- Their Majesties, the Crown
- The King and Queen of Atlantia.
- Court
- The formal ceremony where the King and Queen give awards and honors. Everyone is welcome to watch.
- Herald
- An announcer for court, the tournament, and the event.
- Royal Bard
- A performer chosen by competition to serve the King and Queen for one year.
- Order of the Rose
- The order of those who have reigned as Queen or royal consort of Atlantia.
- SCA name
- The name a member uses at events, often chosen for a historical persona. Newcomers are welcome to use their own name.
- Titles
- Lord, Lady, Baron, Baroness, Master, Mistress, Sir, Dame, Count, Countess, and similar titles are honors earned in the SCA. If you are not sure what to call someone, “my lord” or “my lady” is always polite.
Arts and Sciences
- Arts and Sciences (A&S)
- Historical crafts, cooking, music, performance, and research. Anything people made, did, or studied before 1600.
- Documentation
- A short written explanation of an A&S entry: what it is, the sources you used, and how you made it.
- Open Display
- A non-competitive table display where artisans show their work and talk with visitors.
- Tempore Atlantia
- A Kingdom-level Arts and Sciences competition held at Kingdom events throughout the year, including Twelfth Night.
- Gulf Wars
- A large SCA event held each spring in Mississippi.
Combat and the Tournament
- Pas d’armes
- A staged tournament in which fighters hold a place against all challengers. At Twelfth Night it includes both heavy and rapier combat.
- Heavy combat
- Fighting in full armor with rattan (cane) weapons.
- Rapier
- Fencing with steel blades, in lighter protective gear.
- Rebated steel
- Fighting with blunted steel swords.
- List field, lists
- The area where combat takes place.
- Marshal
- A safety officer who oversees combat, inspects armor and weapons, and runs the fighting.
- Authorization
- The SCA qualification a fighter needs before entering combat. Newcomers are welcome to watch.
- Helms
- Fighters’ helmets. On Friday evening fighters process and display their helms.
Money and Registration
- Exchequer
- The SCA officers who handle event money and refunds.
- Reservationist
- The staff member who handles registrations, PayPal invoices, and changes to your party.
- Site fee
- The basic admission fee for the event. Feast and camping are added separately.
- Merchant
- A vendor selling goods at the event.
Ready for more? Start with the Newcomers page, or see the FAQs.