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Picture a green field, with pennants flying
in the breeze. At one end is a pavilion where a king and queen sit on
thrones, surrounded by retainers. Nearby, musicians play, their music
floating out to mingle with the murmurs of the throng. Onto the field
stride armored nobles, preparing a passage of arms to do honor to the
Crown. A liveried herald stands waiting with his staff of office. Soon
the crowd hears his cry of "Oyez, oyez!" and they know the
tournament is about to begin...
 A
scene from a medieval movie? Not quite. Look closely and you'll see that
things are not quite what they seem. The herald is wearing modern
glasses, and the Queen peeks at her wristwatch. Welcome to the Current
Middle Ages. This is the Society for Creative Anachronism, a non-profit,
educational organization dedicated to re-creating the best parts of
Medieval and Renaissance civilization - graciousness, courtesy, and
chivalry. In the years since the first SCA tournament in May 1966, the
Society has grown from a small backyard club to an international
organization with over 40,000 members.
Participants in the SCA strive to recapture
the ambiance of the Middle Ages and Renaissance. This requires research
into such topics as dress, weaponry, armor, food - any and all
facets of medieval life. But more than research or playing
"make-believe," the SCA promotes self-sufficiency and
creativity by actively encouraging the practice of many of the forgotten
crafts which were once basic to life.
  The
first step for newcomers joining the SCA is selecting a persona:
creation of a personal character from a specific historical time and
place. SCA personas cannot be a real or literary figure. You create an
identity, research the culture, and come as your new self.
Everyone joins on an equal basis; all titles are awarded by the Crown.
Your persona is eligible to receive any of the local or SCA wide awards,
such as an Award of Arms, a Grant of Arms, and Peerage awards. Awards
are given for service, the arts & sciences, fighting, and other
achievements. You may also register your name and device (coat of arms)
with the College of Heralds, after which they belong exclusively to you.
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The "Knowne Worlde" of the
Current Middle Ages encompasses North America and Europe, Australia, New
Zealand, and continues to grow. It even includes some "floating
shires" (US aircraft carriers).  It
is divided into many kingdoms, each ruled by a Sovereign and Consort,
chosen by right of combat in a tournament. These kingdoms are subdivided
into smaller groups according to size, known as Principalities,
Baronies, Shires, Cantons, Colleges, and so forth. The Knoxville chapter
is called The Barony of Thor's Mountain which lies within The
Kingdom of Meridies. (Meridies encompasses most of the
Southeast United States.)
The responsibility of administration does
not rest solely on the shoulders of the Royalty. There is a well
organized civil service to conduct the business of running the SCA at
all levels. Seneschals are legal agents and oversee daily affairs.
Marshals supervise the fighting and related martial activities, as well
as monitor safety regulations. Chroniclers publish newsletters. Arts and
Sciences Officers help to encourage the research and practice of all
other aspects of Medieval life. Heralds register coats of arms, make
announcements and officiate the courts. Reeves keep the accounts of the
treasuries. One of the three orders of the peerage, the Order of the
Pelican is given for service to the SCA.
 The
SCA sponsors many different events. There are numerous revels (the
medieval equivalent of the modern party), seminars, demonstrations, wars
and tournaments. Feasts are served which recreate medieval repasts, with
authentic recipes and entertainment. There are also various craft guilds
which hold meetings for those interested in specific arts. Seminars or
Collegia are also held on topics of educational interest to members and
other students of medieval history. Between tournaments and other
medieval events, each branch holds regular meetings. In Knoxville, these
meetings are held on Tuesday nights, and include business meetings,
where the practical matters of running the organization and planning
events are discussed, and classes where the subjects range from heraldry
to life in the Middle Ages, and from costuming to knitting chain maille.
The SCA also holds public demonstrations of fighting and other medieval
activities at the request of schools and other local organizations.
 One
of the most visible SCA activities is the practice of medieval Martial
Arts. Participants study and practice medieval fighting skills, making
or purchasing their own armor and weaponry. Heavy weapons combat is used
for the selection of the new Crown, but there are also many matches,
melees, wars, and other tournaments to test one's skill at arms. Knighthood,
one of the Orders of Peerage, is an honor bestowed by the Crown and the
Order of Chivalry on those who have demonstrated excellence on the field
of combat and who also embody the highest ideals of the chivalric
tradition.
 Rapier
combat, or "light weapons combat," is relatively new to our
kingdom, though it has been around for many years elsewhere. This SCA
form of fencing recreates the style of fighting used in the later
periods. Since such "duelling" was done by civilians as
well as soldiers, the armor, weapons, and rules are quite different from
heavy combat.
For those whose main interests lie in more peaceful
pursuits, the SCA also promotes the gentler arts and sciences. Areas of
interest are as varied as medieval life itself: heraldry, manuscript
illumination, archery, jewelry, lace making and other needlecraft arts,
cooking, brewing, costuming, and many more. The Order of the Laurel,
another of the Peerage awards, is bestowed for excellence in the Arts
and Sciences.
Not only do we recreate the daily life of
adults in the Middle Ages and Renaissance, we also include games and
learning opportunities for young people. Our children, through Gosling
Guild activities and through interacting with everyone around them, have
fun learning about history by reliving it, as well as absorbing ideals
which will help them to become better adults.
 We
publish a variety of periodicals to educate and inform our members. The
national magazine, Tournaments Illuminated, appears
quarterly, and contains informative articles researched and written by
members on a variety of topics. In addition, each kingdom publishes a
monthly newsletter, containing detailed information on upcoming events
held in that kingdom. (The Meridien newsletter is Popular
Chivalry.) The $35.00 yearly SCA membership dues include
subscriptions to both of these periodicals.  Of
course, you are free to participate in SCA activities without becoming a
paid member, but there are discounts at events for members.
Business meetings are held on the first
Tuesday of each month at 7:00 at the Candy Factory in downtown
Knoxville, with Fighter Practice at Victor Ashe Park on Sunday afternoons at
1:00, weather permitting. Arts & Sciences classes are held
throughout the week at various locations. All meetings are open to
anyone who would like to attend. Please check our Online
Calendar for updates.
 While
Society events are colorful to observe, the deeper satisfaction comes
from being a participant. One need only experience the feeling of
accomplishment which comes from having a piece of research result not
just in printed paper, but in a suit of maille, a costume, or a medieval
dish. In addition to having fun, we gain a little wider
perspective on our world and ourselves by learning to do as our
ancestors might have done. By discovering things about our past, we
realize things about ourselves. We walk not backward into the future,
but forward into the past.
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