Society for Creative Anachronism

The Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) (http://sca.org/) is a historical reenactment, living history, and fan group. The SCA frequently hosts or is associated with Renaissance faires.

Many SF writers and fans have had a long-term involvement with the SCA, including Marion Zimmer Bradley who gave the group its name and founded the "Kingdom of the East" in 1968. The SCA began in Berkeley, California, as a May 1, 1966, going-away party for Diana Paxson. The medieval homages and reenactments at the party were so much fun for participants that they scheduled more, and it became a regular thing. When MZB moved to NY she founded the "Kingdom of the East" and held a tournament; another tournament for the Kingdom of the West was held in Berkeley at the 1968 WorldCon (September 1968). The organization officially incorporated as a 501(c)(3) in October 1968, and the "Middle Kingdom" was established in 1969.

The Society's historical reenactment is different from the historical reenactment societies that center around actual battlefields or historic sites. The emphasis on those is historical accuracy. The SCA, rather, attempts to do "the Middle-Ages not as they were, but as they should have been."