I have mentioned the SCA in several of my columns over the years. (Yes, it actually has been years). I also have had several calls inquiring what the initials SCA stand for. SCA stands for the Society for Creative Anachronism.
According to the dictionary an anachronism is "something out of harmony with the period." Anyway, it is a non-profit organization devoted to the study of the Middle Ages. Members are encouraged to study and recreate medieval arts: calligraphy, music, dance, language and Shakespeare, and create a persona for themselves. The period of study covers up to 1650.
The Society was started in 1966 in Berkeley, Calif. by a group which included a graduate student in medieval literature and two ex-service fencers who decided that combat with broad sword and shield should be recreatable as is combat with saber, rapier, and foil. The first tournament held in May of that year combined fighting and medieval song, dance, and poetry. The fighting is done using swords made of rattan. It was so successful that participants decided it should be done on a regular basis.
My late husband and I encountered this very versatile group not long after we first arrived in Seattle in the '60s. On a lovely summer's day driving through Fall City en route to somewhere or other, being lost as usual, we took a sharp turn and came upon a lush green meadow, with several pavilions complete with flying banners and very authentic looking heraldic devices. In a roped-off area at the far end of the field, the sun glinted on the silver helms and chain mail of two knights engaged in combat. Watched by ladies in 14th-Century costumes with garlands around their heads and the breeze ruffling their long flowing tresses. What could this be, we wondered? There were no cameramen in sight, so it couldn't be a film. Had we stepped into a time warp, or found our way to Camelot?
We were approached by a herald who bowed very low and addressed me as "my lady," and noting our extreme interest and my accent which at the time was terribly, terribly British, escorted us to the large pavilion and introduced us to the King.
Court was held, which was straight out of the order of precedence of the British peerage. The lords and ladies swore fealty to their liege lord. We were invited to stay. What a delight. It seemed they had created it all just for me. Here we were, with a group of people, re-enacting my historical past and special interest, 6,000 miles away in Washington State, U.S.A. What a wonderful world.
That was our first introduction to the SCA, whose many different guilds, including their very famous Culinary Guild, recreate the medieval arts and twice a year hold a university at which my husband and I taught Shakespeare and English history and customs.
We were delighted to share our historical interests with so many knowledgeable and enthusiastic people. There are groups all over Washington, the United States, Canada and the world.
That was years ago. The Culinary Guild has been flourishing and presenting opulent Baronial banquets annually. Melinda Jodry and Edward Waldocks took over the Culinary Guild in 1977. Together with their group of dedicated associates they have presented fabulous banquets for 31 years. This year's banquet was held on April 4 at the Nordic Heritage Museum in Ballard with several Queen Anne and Magnolia residents attending. The banquet was comprised of English and French food and the time period represented was late 14th and early 15th century cuisine.
The menu read as follows;
First course Mustard sops with egg stew Salat
Second Course
Tartee (meat pie)
Brie Tartlettes
Cretonee of new peas
Chyches (garlic chickpeas)
Pasternakes in pottage
(savory parsnips)
Third Course
Craytoun (Cumin chicken)
Mushroom pie
Portobellos with Brie
Spynach yfried
Bread
Fourth Course
Daryols (custard tart)
Wardonys in syrup
(spiced pears)
Chireseye (cherry pudding)
The normal six courses was cut down to four this year, but in all a fabulous feast and much enjoyed by all the beautifully costumed SCA lords and ladies attending, including my companions Ms. Louise Baldwin of Magnolia and Ms. Annie Mae Platter, an SPU student.
Also attending was Lady Linda of London, who wishes you TTFN until next time. Other SCA events can be viewed on their Web site at www.baronyofmadrone.net.[[In-content Ad]]
