Glossary of SCA Terms

GLOSSARY

A

• Activities happen at events, practices, or in the home.
• Al-Caid, Heir to the Throne of Caid
• Anachronism: a thing belonging or appropriate to a period other than that in which it exists, especially a thing that is conspicuously old-fashioned. (See Back In Time).
• Anno Societatis (A.S.): The designation used to mark years passed since our inception in 1966. The SCA new year begins on May 1st.
• Armiger: A person who has been awarded the right to bear (heraldic) arms for being of diverse great service to the Realm.
• Apprentice: a formalized student of a Laurel in one or many of the arts & sciences. Some Apprentices wear a green belt in recognition of their relationship with their Laurel (not restricted by sumptuary).
• Arms: the heraldic emblem that identifies a person or entity. People who have been awarded arms by the Crown of a kingdom may call their heraldic device "arms."
• Armored Combat / Heavy (Combat): recreation of martial combat including “heavy” weapons (swords, axes, spears, etc.), armor, and shields.
• Arts & Sciences: refers broadly to all arts and sciences practiced in the Medieval and Renaissance periods, and in the SCA generally excludes combat/martial arts. The term is commonly abbreviated "A&S."
• Authorization: the process that fighters and fencers go through to be allowed to participate in combat. A term used specifically for the martial activities (armored or rapier combat, siege weapons) meaning someone who is both a paid member and has proven their ability to be safe in the performance of a particular martial activity by passing a basic skills test administered by a group of marshals. I.e., an authorized fighter.
• Autocrat: The person(s) in charge of coordinating an SCA event. While the term “Autocrat” is still used, the preferred term now is “Event Steward.”
• Awards and Honors: Recognitions granted at various levels.

B

• Badge: A piece of heraldic armory used by an individual or group to identify retainers, members, possessions, or items.
• Banner: An heraldic flag showing the arms of an individual or group. The banner indicates the actual presence of an individual or group and should not otherwise be flown.
• Bard: An SCA performing artist, generally a singer, poet, storyteller, or other performer.
• Bardic Circle – A formal or an informal gathering for singing and storytelling. (see Circle of Bards)
• Barony: A geo-political subdivision within a Kingdom. (See Territories}.
• Blazon: The description in words of a piece of heralic armory.
• Board of Directors (or BoD): The group of publicly (from within the membership of the Society) nominated individuals who direct the non-profit organization of the SCA Inc.
• Boke of Caidan Law: The the primary law of the Kingdom of Caid.

C

• Canting arms: (also called "armes parlantes") To use heraldic charges that represent the bearer's name (or, less often, some attribute or function) in a visual pun or rebus. Heralds don't pun, they Cant.
• Canton: A geo-political subdivision within a Barony. (See Territories}.
• Ceremonial Head: A king, queen, prince, princess, territorial baron or baroness; someone able to hold court for their territorial branch.
• Champion: The ceremonial representative of a group in a particular skill area, such as heavy fighting, archery, or arts & sciences. The title is often won as the result of a tournament.
• Charge: An item placed on a piece of heraldic armory.
• Chatelaine: The Newcomer's office in the SCA, and shall be in charge of hospitality to non-SCA members at Kingdom sanctioned events and shall encourage and facilitate participation in the SCA by those who have never or have just begun to participate. (See Officers)
• Caid College of Heralds: (often abbreviated "CoH") specifically includes the Crescent Principal Herald, the various heralds on Crescent's staff and the heralds of the territories of Caid.
• Coronation: Coronation is the bi-annual event wherein the new King and Queen are crowned.
• Corpora: The policies governing historical re-creation within the Society, and those policies applicable to the entire Society.
• Consort: A partner for ceremonial purposes
• Court: A ceremony presided over by the royalty at an event.
• Court Tokens: Gifts or Favours the Crowns of Caid or Barons and Baronesses have bestowed upon their court, guard, aides and populace.
• Courtesy: One of the Chivalric Virtues and is one of the cornerstones of the Society.
• Crash Space: An inherited term from outside world; Crash space is space for over-night (or over the Event) lodging.
• Crown: The joint power of the Monarchs of the Kingdom.

D

• Demo – a demonstration of the activities in the SCA. usually for an outside audience.
• Device: Often modernly termed “coat of arms,” the personal symbol of a Society member, household, or group.
• Dream (The): A term used for the "Romantic Vision" of the SCA - the Middle Ages as they "should have been" rather than how they were.
• 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.

E

• Elevation: The general term used when a person is granted a place in an Order of Peerage.
• Eric: A nickname for the Lists Field or Fighting Field. (See Lists).
• Events/Society Event: The term “Society event” refers to tournaments, feasts, and other activities whereat participants may develop and display their research into the culture and technology of the pre-17th century Middle Ages and Renaissance. All Society events must be sponsored by official branches of the Society according to Society rules.
• Event Steward: Event Coordinator. There are sometimes several assistant stewards for larger or more complex events. Older term: Autocrat.
• Exchequer: The Exchequer is the treasury of an SCA group. The Minister (or Chancellor) of the Exchequer is the treasurer of the group. (See Officers)

F

• Favour: Favors are a token given to one person from another: an object — some piece of jewelry, a trinket, a piece of clothing, generally given or loaned to inspire a combatant/fighter to chivalric virtue. It can be evidence of a long-term relationship, or be granted simply for an event or a single bout (a Day Favour) without any further obligation.
• Fealty: 1. A medieval term for fidelity. 2. A formal recognition of a relationship between two people, generally a superior (liege) and a retainer or vassal swearing mutual allegiance.
• Feast: A grand meal at an event featuring specially prepared period dishes. Feasts are often divided into courses, or services.
• Feast Gear: A place setting for a feast: at least one plate, bowl, goblet, spoon and knife (per person). It can also include a napkin, fork, tablecloth, candles, salt cellar (shaker), etc. If a feast is being served, it’s fairly certain that you will need to bring your own feast gear.
• Feast-o-crat: informal nickname given to the Feast Steward or Head Cook.
• Fighter: A combatant in the lists, usually meant to refer to armored combat.

G

• Garb: Recreations of clothing that would have been worn in period (pre-17th century).
• Gate: At many events, this is the entryway into the event where site waivers are signed, fees (if any) are paid, rules or regulations are posted, and site tokens are issued. Sometimes called the "Troll Booth."
• Guilds are chartered organizations that promote a particular craft or skill.

H

• Herald: The herald of a branch is responsible for an array of ceremonial, educational, and record-keeping duties. (See Officers)
• Heraldic Tinctures: Tincture is the limited palette of colors and patterns used in heraldry.
• High Table: The table set up at the head of a feast hall, at which diners sit facing the other tables. Honored nobles or royalty are seated at the high table.
• 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.
• Households and Warbands are non-official groups formed by members of the populace; a voluntary association of friends or people with a common interest.

I

• Institutional Branch is a political subdivision of less than Baronial status which has as its geographic center a college campus, military installation, or similar institution, and may call itself a College, Stronghold, Port or any other equivalent and appropriate title. (See Territories).

K

• Known World: Designates the collected area of the Society and its Kingdoms and Principalities.

L

• Largesse: 1. The Virtue of Generosity. 2. Items given as gifts, often referring to gifts given by royalty or landed barons and baronesses as tokens of gratitude. Considered a form of Nobless Oblige.
• Liege: a superior to whom a retainer or vassal has sworn feudal service.
• Lists / List Field: the roped-off area for combat. Also called “the eric” or simply, "the field." The term may also be applied to the combat itself as being, "In the Lists." The List Table is the location where competitors sign in under the supervision of the Lists Officer. (See Officers)

M

• M'Lord or M'Lady: a form of address which may be applied to anyone in the Society, but usually used when one is unsure of the rank or title of the person addressed.
• Man at Arms: 1. A person who takes up armored combat; 2. May also refer to a retainer of a member of the Order of Chivalry.
• Mantle: 1. A cloth covering which drapes the back of the helm, often decorated with heraldic designs; 2. A cloak, cape or capelet; 3. Drapery depicted around a Coat of arms in a full heraldic achievement.
• Marshal: Safety Officers. For all martial activities, marshals ensure that the combat is performed safely and ensure that all equipment being used meets established safety standards. (See Officers)
• Melee: martial combat with many participants on each side
• Mundane was a term used to refer to people or things outside of the SCA; however, it has been retired from polite usage and replaced with the word "modern."

N

• Noblesse: The virtue of Nobility or Nobless Oblige. All participants in the Society are expected to strive for this virtue.
• Non–Member Registration (NMR) – an additional fee paid by event attendees who are not paid members of the SCA.

O

• Officers: Caidan Officers run specific areas as defined by Kingdom Law.
• Order of Precedence: The master list of Awards given in Caid and Awards given to Caidan populace.

P

• Pavilion: A temporary enclosure which can be a simple sunshade, tent or an elaborately decorated structure. To enter personal pavilion it is proper to request entrance.
• Period: Used to encompass the time span that the SCA recreates, generally considered pre-1600 (17th century). The term also designates those objects, activities, and concepts found within that time span and our attempts to reenact or replicate them (i.e. a “period pavilion” is one that matches a style found in the Middle Ages).
• Persona: A "Persona" in the SCA is the history or "back story" people tell about their medieval life (i.e. when and where they come from). A Persona is not required for SCA participation, but many find it enhances their experience. There are two rules for choosing a Persona: 1. One cannot claim to be an actual person who lived; 2.Everyone is assumed to be lower gentry until such time as other titles are earned.
• Peerage: Collectively, the members of the populace who hold a patent of arms. Any person holding a patent is a peer. (See Awards).
• Populace: The people of a territorial branch, from the kingdom down to a canton, depending on the context.
• Precedence: When an award gives noble rank to the individual recipient, it is said to convey precedence. For example the Award of Arms raises the individual receiving it to the rank of Lord or Lady.
• Protégé: A dependant of a Pelican who will teach them the value and means of service and sacrifice in helping their fellows. Many protégés are recognizable by their wearing of yellow belts (not restricted by sumptuary).

R

• Rattan: A plant, the bamboo-like stem of which is used to make weapons for armored combat. Swords and other such weapons may be colloquially referred to as rattan.
• Regnum: A listing of the officers for a particular group, kingdom, or the entire society.
• Realm: A kingdom
• Regalia: Regalia are those articles (crowns, coronets and articles of jewelry, clothing, etc.) which are reserved to particular ranks within the SCA Medieval structure. The term is commonly used to refer to objects specifically reserved to Caidan Royalty. (Also see Sumptuary Laws}.
• Regent: If a King and Queen are unable to fill out their term and their Heirs (Prince and Princess) have not yet been chosen, a Regent is named to lead the Kingdom until a Crown Tournament can be held.
• Reign: A period of rule by a king and queen. In the Middle Kingdom, a royal reign lasts for six months.
• Resurrection battle: A melee battle wherein the combatants may be "killed" multiple times. Being 'resurrected' usually involves a specific Resurrection Point where the combatant must go and touch before re-joining the battle.
• Retainer: A person who is in feudal service to a liege (superior). Also, vassal.
• Revel A party often including or following a Feast, or a Banquet, or some other form of refreshments.
• Reverence (honor): Showing deference to the royalty, by bowing or curtsying when passing into, through, or in front of the Royal Presence.
• Right of Arms: The winner of a Crown Tournament or Coronet Tournament reigns over his or her kingdom or principality by "right of arms," that is to say, having won their position by being victorious in combat.
• Royal Presence: The area surrounding and immediately in front of the royalty and their thrones. The term is also applied to Events at which royalty are attending.
• Royals: Past and present rulers of the Kingdom. (See Officers)

S

• SCA, Inc. or SCA: The Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc., California nonprofit (or not-for-profit) corporation
• SCA Name: The medieval name someone uses at events.
• Scribe: While the term scribe usually refers to a Calligrapher, the usage in the SCA often indicates the creator of a court scroll either as a Calligrapher or Illuminator (or both).
• Scrolls and Certificates: When coming from the Crown a scroll or certificate is a commemoration of an award. While a scroll doesn't confer the award - the Crown's words do that - it can confirm and ratify it. A scroll is a work of art, done in a period style.
• Seneschal: The Seneschal is the chief administrative office for any group. (See Officers)
• Shire: A geo-political subdivision within a Kingdom. (See Territories}.
• Site: The location where an event is held. Some sites require a site fee or gate fee to be paid at the Gate (see Gate above).
• Society, The: The entirety of the Society for Creative Anachronism (a worldwide group of affiliated organizations).
• Society Member: Membership in the Society is defined in the By-Laws of the SCA, Inc., or in the approved organizational documents of any corporation affiliated with the SCA, Inc.
• Squire: A Squire is a dependant of a Knight or a Master of Arms who teaches them one or many of the arts martial. They may wear a red belt or baldric as symbol of their relationship (not restricted by sumptuary).
• Subject: Any person who physically resides within the borders of a realm for more than half the year. Those who do not maintain a residence meeting this definition may be considered subjects of the realm where they participate most frequently if they obtain written acknowledgment from the royalty of that realm. Those who participate in Society activities primarily in a realm other than the one where they reside may be considered subjects of that realm if they obtain written permission and acknowledgment from the royalty of both realms. Decisions of the Coronet in such matters depend upon the approval of the Crown.
• Surcoat: A loose garment without sleeves worn over a suit of armor, often bearing the wearer's coat of arms. Generally more formal than a tabard.
• Sumptuary Laws: Historically a sumptuary law is any law that restricted modes of dress based on class or nobility. In the Current Middle Ages, sumptuary laws are generally used to reserve specific items of clothing or display to specific sets of people. The Society-wide sumptuary laws are regulated by the College of Arms. Also See Regalia above.

T

• Tabard: a sleeveless jerkin consisting only of front and back pieces with a hole for the head. Tabards are used to display heraldry and can be worn over armor. Heralds may also wear tabards emblazoned with the arms of those nobles they speak for.
• Territories or Branches are Geo-political units of the SCA, the largest of which are the Kingdoms which are further divided into areas such as Principalities, Baronies, Shires and Cantons.
• Tinctures See Heraldic Tinctures.
• Title: A form of address that indicates the rank of the person using it. (See Awards).
• Tournament / Tourneys are core events for the SCA and usually involve competition in one or more combat forms such as Armored Combat, Rapier, Archery, or others.

V

• Vassal: A person who is in feudal service to a liege (superior). Also, retainer.
• Vigil / Peer's Vigil: A time of contemplation a candidate for Peerage goes through prior to the elevation to a Peerage Order, generally with Peers offering insight and advice to the candidate. Typically this would be the night before elevation.

W

• Waivers: Legal documents which are a Consent to Participate and Release Liability
• War: generally multi-day events which feature melee fighting instead of tournament fighting. A wide array of other SCA activities are enjoyed at wars.
• Warrant: a document listing one or more local or regional officers, maintained by a kingdom officer and typically signed by the Crown. This document gives a particular officer the official authority to perform their office. (See Officers).