There are two broad types of events/activities in the SCA: garbed and non-garbed. At a garbed event you must wear an attempt at clothing from pre-1600. At a non-garbed event/activity you wear clothing appropriate to that event/activity.
Contents
Guidance for All Events
- You will be asked to sign in to the event. There is usually some sheets of paper somewhere near the front door. Your membership status determines which sheet you will fill in and sign – ask for help if you’re not sure.
- You will generally need to pay either a set fee to cover the cost of the event, or will be asked to make a donation to cover costs of hall hire.
- If you are not a registered member of the Society then you will be asked to pay $2 for an event-specific insurance charge. (if you are likely to attend more than 6 events/activities in a year then it’s worth becoming a member of the Society. Visit Lochac Member Services to register.)
- Events are advertised on our email list, via our Facebook group, and on this website. Do book for events where a price to attend is listed, this is because these events are catered and bookings help to ensure enough food for all.
Guidance for Garbed Events
- Most of our garbed events are catered by members of the Society.
- You will most likely see the Baron and Baroness of Ildhafn at these events, you might also see the King and Queen of Lochac. Ask to have these people pointed out to you, and it is polite to bow/courtesy if they walk past or if you walk up to them.
- If you do not have anything to wear to an event, then contact the Chatelaine who has spare clothing available to borrow.
Feast
- At a Feast you will generally be served a 3-course meal in a medieval style. Each course is referred to as a “remove”, as this is the term used in England in the Middle Ages.
- There is no set seating at an event, with the exception of the “High Table”. This is generally a table set at an angle to all other tables in the room, is often more highly decorated, and will have chairs on only one side of the table. It is polite to slightly bow or to courtesy to the centre of this table as you pass by, as this is where the King and Queen and Baron and Baroness will sit. It is especially polite if they are actually sitting there. Groups of friends often try to sit together at events and so will save seats for the people they know are attending. If you are having trouble finding a seat with people that you know, ask someone for help.
- The starting time for the event is often 30 minutes or more before food is served. This allows people time to get changed and to settle in.
- There will likely be a Court, a formal occasion to make announcements and to give awards to people who have contributed to the SCA in some way. You will be alerted to the Court with the words “Pray gather for the Court of Their Majesties/Excellencies” (depending on who is attending the event). You should walk over to the place where the thrones have been set up and stay standing until you are invited to “Make yourself comfortable”. You can choose to sit on the floor, to sit on a chair or to keep standing. Please be aware of not obstructing the view of anyone behind you. If you do not wish to attend the court (e.g. you’re having a lovely conversation), then it is polite to quietly leave the hall when Court is announced. The thrones may be set up before the event commences, if so, as per High Table, it is polite to bow or courtesy to them as they represent the Crown of Lochac.
- You will need to bring your own plates, cups and cutlery, commonly referred to as “Feasting Gear”. We recommend bringing: a plate and/or bowl, knife, spoon, fork (although not strictly period in a European context until late 1500s), and a cup or mug to drink from. Make sure these items are not made of modern materials such as plastic. Anything made of wood, metal, ceramic/pottery or horn is fine. You may also wish to bring a napkin or white tea towel to clean your hands on during the meal.
- Try to keep modern items out of sight. You can place your bags against a wall out of people’s way, or under the table. You can pour drinks from modern bottles into your cup or into a jug.
- You will need to bring your own drinks. Water, and sometimes cordial, will be placed on each table.
- Feasts generally finish around 10:45-11pm when the lights are turned on. Once this happens you are expected to clear your belongings off the table and prepare to leave. If you can stay around and help clean up the hall, reset the tables and chairs and bump all the stuff out then this is always appreciated as the people running the event have probably been on their feet all day.
Tourneys (tournaments)
- As per feasts, try to keep modern items out of sight. They can be placed to the side, covered with a cloth, or put into a basket or wooden box.
- There will be a roped-off section in the middle. This is the Tourney Field and it is where authorised fighters participate in the tourney. Do not enter this space while there is fighting going on or about to commence, and do not sit too close to its edge.
- There will be thrones set up for the Baron and Baroness, and King and Queen (if they are attending). Please do not obstruct their view, and it is polite to try to avoid walking in front of these chairs if possible, or if not, then to bow/curtsy as you walk past.
- Bring something to sit on: chairs or a picnic rug.
- Consider how you will prevent sunburn. Wear sunscreen and a hat (straw is good). You might also want to consider bringing some shade. Modern shade canopies that don’t look too modern in shape (think square pavilion-type shapes rather than sweeping curves) are OK as we’d rather you didn’t get sunburnt. You can also ask to share a shade pavilion that has already been set up, some people will say yes, and some will say no as they have already set it up for their friends or other fighters during breaks.
Wars & Multiple Day Events
Other events
Sometimes we hold hunts and games days which are similar to Tourneys.
Sometimes we hold Balls which are similar to feasts, except there are no tables and food is generally served buffet style in one or two servings, or as it is prepared.