New to the Society for Creative Anachronism?

We would like to welcome you home. We are the local chapter of the worldwide historical recreation group called the Society for Creative Anachronism, the S.C.A. If you have stumbled to here without ever hearing of the S.C.A., it's offical defination is:
"The Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) is an international non-profit volunteer educational organization. The SCA is devoted to the research and re-creation of pre-seventeenth century skills, arts, combat, culture, and employing knowledge of history to enrich the lives of participants through events, demonstrations, and other educational presentations and activities."
More details can be read at What is the S.C.A., or for a beautifully visual presentation try the S.C.A. Newcomer's Portal but for the quick version, we love to get dressed up and do fun arts, crafts, martial arts, and other activities from before the seventeenth century with like minded individuals. We do all these activities at practices and meet ups throughout the year and have frequent large events to use the items and skills we have built. So whether you would like to sew a costume, shoot an arrow, play some music, or swing a sword, we welcome you to come check us out. The best first step is to join us at our Monthly Baronial Meeting. Check out the Meet ups tab above for the time and location of the next one. There we discuss what has happened since the last meeting and plan for upcoming activities. It is in regular clothes, so no need to attempt to dress up for it.
Come check us out.

Who is my local group? From largest to most local

What is the Society for Creative Anachronism?

The Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) is an international non-profit volunteer educational organization. The SCA is devoted to the research and re-creation of pre-seventeenth century skills, arts, combat, culture, and employing knowledge of history to enrich the lives of participants through events, demonstrations, and other educational presentations and activities.

Members of the SCA study and take part in a variety of activities, including combat, archery, equestrian activities, costuming, cooking, metalwork, woodworking, music, dance, calligraphy, fiber arts, and much more. If it was done in the Middle Ages or Renaissance, odds are you’ll find someone in the SCA interested in recreating it.

For More info Click Here

What Is The Kingdom of Caid?

The Kingdom of Caid, a branch of the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA), brings the Middle Ages and Renaissance to life across Southern California, the greater Las Vegas area, and Hawaii. Members in these regions participate in a vibrant community dedicated to recreating the arts, sciences, and martial traditions of the pre-17th century world.

Throughout the Kingdom, you'll find a wide array of activities, including armored and rapier combat, archery, and thrown weapons. Beyond the battlefield, members explore historical arts and sciences such as costuming, cooking, calligraphy, music, and more. Regular events, ranging from local gatherings and tournaments to grand feasts and large-scale wars, provide ample opportunities to learn new skills, socialize in period attire, and immerse yourself in a welcoming historical recreation community.

For more info: Click Here

The Barony of Wintermist, Your Local Group

Welcome home. As the local branch of the S.C.A. for Kern County, we are the group that puts on local meet ups and events. From Arts & Sciences nights to work on projects and learn new crafts to fighting practices we meet up many times a month for a varity of activites. Fighting, shooting, sewing, brewing...and much much more. Check our calendar for what is going on: Link to Events
We also have local events that attract people from all over the Kingdom, and some time the world. Great Western War happens in earily November at Buena Vista Aquatic Recreational Area and will have a couple to a few thousand people attending.

Activities

Arts and Sciences

The Arts and Sciences is truly a core activity to the S.C.A. Every activity is improved by the arts we do. Sewing, Leatherworking, Woodworking, cooking, brewing, and music are just a few of the arts and sciences we recreate.
We have large events where memebers from all over the Kingdom sign up to teach classes in all sorts of arts and sciences, from Itaalian Dance for beginners to Curing your own bacon.
Where you want to sew your own outfit or craft your own armor, sing or play an instrument, Cook for a feast or brew a delightful beverage, we have people who would be glad to help you learn if you have never done it, or would be happy to learn from you if you are already talented. We have monthly meet ups to practice, work on projects and share our accomplishments. Check here for the next time and place.

Black and Purple Patterned woven band for trim.

Hand Woven Trim

Picture of Wihtstan's framed Dolphin Scroll

Caligraphy and Illumination

A felted ornament made to look like a snail from illuminated pages.

Snail...IYKYK

Beautiful garb

Armored Combat

Armored Combat is one of the combat forms the SCA offers. It is a martial activity that has evolved since the Society's first event. You can recreate anything from a Celt to a Landsknecht. We wear quite a bit of protective gear and use weapons made predominantly from Rattan Wood. Strikes must be of a sufficient strength in order to count. A tap is not a kill in this sport.
Gear is supposed to be historically inspired, but concessions are made for safety, price, and other factors. Modern protective equipment should be covered so as not to be visible.
This activity is done in many different formats. We have tournaments, where it is one on one fights, Wars where it is a side against a side, and everything in between. At wars, one major event type, there will typically be many different battles throughout the weekend, while tournaments typically will be single elimination, double elimination, or round robin.
The Royals of Caid are chosen by a Armored combat tournament call Crown Tourney which is held every six months.
Here in Wintermist, we have an Armored Combat Champion, who is determined at an event each year.
The rules for Armored Combat can be found at Armored Combat Rules.
Our practices are at a local park and are generally weekly. Check the Meet Ups page for the current time and location.

Pensic Battlefield

Tourney field

Yes, Full contact

Tourney Victory

Crown Tourney

Rapier Combat

Rapier Combat is one of the combat forms the SCA offers. If Three Musketeers, Zorro, or other swashbuckling tales inspire you, this is your activity. It is a martial activity which has two categories under it Rapier and Cut and Thrust. All forms have a basic set of rules they all follow, but also have rules specific to that category.

Gear is supposed to be historically inspired, but concessions are made for safety, price, and other factors.

This activity is done in many different formats. We have tournaments, where it is one on one fights, Wars where it is a side against a side, and everything in between. At wars, one major event type, there will typically be many different battles throughout the weekend, while tournaments have a variety of formats, some more standard, and some themed or with special rules.

Here in Wintermist, we have an Rapier Champion, who is determined at an event each year.
The rules for Armored Combat can be found at Rapier Combat Rules.

Our practices are at a local park and are generally weekly. Check the Meet Ups page for the current time and location. Loaner gear is available if you would like to give it a try.

Ending a Battle

Great Western War

Middle of the Battle

Target Archery

Target Archery is a popular activity in the S.C.A. So, if you were enchanted by tales of Robinhood, William Tell, or Minamoto no Tametomo, Archery is an activity for you! We have categories based on the equipment you use Crossbow or hand bow, period or open, for details of the equipment requirement you can check the Kingdom Archery Website for all the rules and requirements.
Different events will have both standard rounds and fun specialty shoots. There are a few different formats but one of the most popular is called the Royal Round which is as follows:

A Royal Round consists of 4 ends:

An end of 6 arrows untimed at 20 yards
A 30 second timed end at 20 yards, unlimited arrows
An end of 6 arrows untimed at 30 yards
An end of 6 arrows untimed at 40 yards

A Junior Royal Round consists of 3 ends:

An end of 8 arrows untimed at 10 yards
An end of 8 arrows untimed at 15 yards
An end of 8 arrows untimed at 20 yards

Based on your scores over time you can achieve a ranking, Novice through Bowmaster. Rankings once earned are never lost, so your highest achieved rank is kept.

People to help you get started We all love to help but these individuals have taken up the job to help. Click below to email any of these officers with questions.

Ivarr Mjoksiglandi

Chatalaine

Your local chatelaine is a Baronial officer, whose job it is to help new members become familiar with the society. They will tend to know people locally and kingdom wide who can help new members find what interests them, whether it be combat, or arts, or just meeting new people.

Baron Alphonsus Balthasar von Hamer

Baron of Wintermist

The Baron is one of the two the local representatives for the Crown of Caid. They help get events running, and get new members what they need to join, get garb, and get equipment to start being part of the group.

Baroness Sherlin Goldhammer

Baroness of Wintermist

The Baroness is one of the two the local representatives for the Crown of Caid. The Baroness helps get events running, and gets new members what they need to join, get garb, and get equipment to start being part of the group.