SCA Glossary
There are many things in the SCA that sound very
different than what the average person is used to. This glossary is a tool for anyone to help understand what we are talking about. It isn’t a exhaustive list, just some words and phrases to help you along.
A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N - O - P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - W - X - Y - Z
A
A&S: (acronym) Arts & Sciences.
AEthelmearc, Kingdom of: (kingdom) Kingdom making up central/western Pennsylvania, western New York, and West Virginia
Anno Societatis or A.S.: This represents the SCA calendar year. AS I is the year the SCA started, which was in 1966. The SCA calendar runs May 1st through April 30th.
Ansteorra, Kingdom of: (kingdom) Kingdom making up Oklahoma and most of Texas.
An Tir, Kingdom of: (kingdom) Kingdom making up Oregon, Washington, the northern tip of Idaho, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, the Yukon, and the Northwest Territories.
Artemisia, Kingdom of : (kingdom) Kingdom making up Montana, southern Idaho, most of Utah, and western Colorado and Wyoming
Atenveldt, Kingdom of: (kingdom) Kingdom making up Arizona.
Atlantia, Kingdom of: (kingdom) Kingdom making up Maryland, most of Virginia, North and South Carolina, a bit of Georgia.
Autocrat: The person responsible for organizing and running an SCA event. (see Event Steward)
Award of Arms (AoA): This is the first level of awards given in the Kingdom of Calontir. With an AoA, a individual now has the right to have the title of Lord or Lady.
B
Bard: A person who demonstrates skill in singing, playing a musical instument, or telling a story.
Bastard Sword: (slang) The common term used when referring to a hand-and-a-half sword. This type of sword is too long to be a short sword, and too short to be considered a great sword.
Boga Fyrd: The AoA level award for archery in Calontir.
Boga Hirth: The GoA level award for archery in Calontir.
Blow-shucking: (slang) See Rhino-Hiding.
C
Caid, Kingdom of: (kingdom) Kingdom making up Southern California, Greater Las Vegas Area, and Hawaii
Calontir, Kingdom of: (kingdom) Kingdom making up Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, Northern Arkansas. Home of the Shire of Crescent Moon.
Chiurgeon: Person who is trained in first aid and is the person to go to if there is an injury or illness at a SCA event.
Chronicler: Group officer responsible for publishing the group’s newsletter and any publications for the group.
D
Device: A Device is usually a graphical representation of a person’s heraldry or lineage. Most commonly referred to as a Coat of Arms. Each individual in the SCA can create and submit their own Device as long as it meets society requirements.
Drachenwald, Kingdom of: (kingdom) Kingdom making up Europe, Africa and Middle East.
E
Ealdormere, Kingdom of: (kingdom) Kingdom making up Ontario (except for Essex County, and Northwestern Ontario around Thunder Bay.)
East, Kingdom of the: (kingdom) Kingdom making up eastern Pennsylvania, eastern New York, Delaware, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine,.Quebec, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Newfoundland.
Estrella War: (event) Proably the second most popular war in the Known World. Takes place in Phoenix, Arizona during February and pits the armies of the Kingdoms of Atenveldt and Artemisia versus the armies from the Kingdoms of Caid and the Outlands.
Event Steward: (preferred term):The person responsible for organizing and running an SCA event. (see Autocrat)
Exchequer: (pronounced ex-check-er) An officer of a group that is responsible for the groups funds. Mundanely known as a treasurer.
F
Feast: A meal served at an event, usually dinner. Feasts can vary between very formal to very casual. Normally, the feast is the time to relax and visit with friends.
Feastocrat: The person who is in charge of the feast at an event. Usually works closely with the Autocrat. (see Feast Steward)
Feast Steward: The preferred term for the person in charge of the feast at an event. (see Feastocrat)
Fishbat: (slang) A short, single-handed sword, usually used as a back-up weapon. Generally around 2’ in length.
Fyrdman: (see Iren Fyrd)
G
Garb: The generic term for the clothing that people wear to events.
Grant of Arms (GoA): This is the second, and middle level of awards given in the Kingdom of Calontir. With this level of award, the individual is entitled to have Lordship or Ladyship added to their names.
H
Highness: This is the title for the current Crown Prince and Princess.
Hold!: A command issued when something has become unsafe. When yelled, everyone must stop what they are doing and pay attention to the person who called the hold. Primarily used in combat by the Marshal.
Huscarl: (see Iren Hirth)
I
Iren Fyrd: The AoA level award for fighting in Calontir. Commonly called “Fyrdmen”.
Iren Hirth: The GoA level award for archery in Calontir. Commonly called “Huscarls”.
K
Knight: The peerage, and highest level for fighting. Reserves the title of Sir, and is identified by a while belt, gold chain, and spurs. Knights are recognized throughout the society.
Known World: Planet Earth, as it would be made up by the SCA Kingdoms.. The Known World is currently made up of 18 Kingdoms. (details)
L
Lochac, Kingdom of: (kingdom) Kingdom making up Australia and New Zealand.
M
Majesty: The title for the current King and Queen.
Marshal: The individual responsible for the fighting. This person makes sure all the Kingdom and Society rules for combat are met as well as safety practices of the individuals and the surrounding area. The Marshall inspects weapons and armor for safety compliance before the fighter is allowed on the field.
Meridies, Kingdom of: (kingdom) Kingdom making up Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, most of Arkansas, Tennessee, almost all of Georgia, a bit of the panhandle of Florida, and small portions of both Kentucky and Virginia.
Middle, Kingdom of the: (kingdom) Kingdom making up Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, parts of Michigan, Illinois, a nip of Iowa, Essex County in Ontario. (aka Midrealm)
Minister of Arts & Sciences: The officer responsible for coordinating and promoting any Arts & Science activities in their respective group.
Minister of Youth: The officer responsible for children’s activites at local gatherings and kingdom events. Not a babysitter, but someone who is responsible for coming up with SCA related activities for younger people.
Mundane: Term used to explain the real world. Opposite of Period.
N
Northshield, Kingdom of: (kingdom) Kingdom making up North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan,
Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario.
O
Outlands, Kingdom of the: (kingdom) Kingdom making up New Mexico, most of Colorado, parts of Wyoming and Nebraska, and El Paso and Hudspeth
counties of Texas.
P
Peerage: The highest level of awards in the Kingdom of Calontir. With a peerage, you are considered an expert in your field.
Pennsic War: (event) The oldest running and largest SCA war in the world, held annually during August in Pennsylvania. This war comprises the armies of the East versus the armies of the Middle.
Period: Often referring to the time frame the SCA recreates. For example, if a piece of armor is made, it is often asked if it is in period. Meaning, did this armor actually exist during our recreation period. Opposite of Mundane.
R
Rattan: The material used for most weapons of heavy combat. It looks like bamboo, but it more like a grass. It is strong and yet pliable.
Rhino-hiding: (slang) Term referred to a fighter who is not acknowledging blows. Basically keeps getting hit but will not take the shots. Also referred to as blow-shucking.
S
Swishy-Poke: (slang) Term referring to rapier-style fighting. Semi-derogatory.
Sword & Board: (slang) Term used often with fighters to refer to sword and shield fighting.
T
Trimaris, Kingdom of: (kingdom) Kingdom making up majority of Florida, Panama, and Antarctica.
Troll: (slang) Popular term referring to the entrance to an event. Troll is the place where people (members or non-members) pay their admittance to an event and sign any waivers or forms before entering.
W
War: A large-scale SCA event pitting one army versus another in various battlefield scenarios. War Points are awarded for whichever side wins a particular scenario. At the end of the war, the side with the most points wins. Wars are much larger than a typical SCA event and the activites are also much more varied. Popular wars are Pennsic War, Estrella War, and Lilies War
War of the Lilies: (event) The name of the yearly war hosted by Calontir in June. The War of the Lilies is unique amoung SCA wars because it does not promote inter-kingdom conflict. Often referred to as the Friendly War.
West, Kingdom of the: (kingdom) First ever Kingdom. It makes up Northern California, Nevada and Alaska;Japan, Korea and Pacific Rim
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