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SCA.org. Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc. Right here in Searcy Arkansas!

By
Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Advantage

There I wuz....just drivin' along by the park...

My passenger set up a high squeal!  "Mother, there are medieval fighters right out there in that park!"

Naturally we turn around to have a closer look.  We park the car and go up to these fighters and ask for permission to take their pictures. (We have courage!) We get permission to show you their outfits.

Medieval fighters

They have either built or bought the different parts of the outfits and strive for authenticity.

Medieval helmet handmade

One warrior made this helmet for himself and then inscribed it.

Medieval vest made of leather

Another warrior made his own leather vest.

Medieval fighters shoes

One fighter's leggings and shoes.

Knees and hands medieval fighters

This fighter was taking a break but look at the knees and knuckles!  The guys are supposed to email me and tell me more about their organization but daughter seems to think they said they were members of the Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc., with web site of www.SCA.org.

Hopefully, they'll email me more information and I can pass it on.  The fascinating thing was seeing how folks used to fight.  They demonstrated the fights for us too.

Whew!! 

We were late for our appointment but the fight was worth it!

 

Show All Comments
Steven L. Smith
King of the House Home Inspection, Inc. - Bellingham, WA
Bellingham WA Home Inspector

Dear Godmother,

I did not knows that you were old enough to remember and have photos of Midevil times.

Godson, very impressed

Jul 24, 2011 11:21 AM
Anonymous
Harold Gene Sullivan

In the summer of 1987, my wife and I, along with my brother and his wife, took the ferry from Seattle to Southeast Alaska.  While in Juneau we rented a car and drove around the area.  (By the way, they give you unlimited milage at no extra cost.  Of course, it is less than 50 miles from one end of the road to the other.)  As we were driving north of Juneau, we came across an encampment unlike any we had ever seen.  It turned out to be the Alaskan chapter of the SCA annual statewide meeting.  They met for a week and lived as people did in the middle ages including cooking using the methods popular then and dressing in clothes similar to that worn in that time frame.  What struck us was how very colorful their dress and tents were.  They assured us that it was historically accurate, at least for the upper class people they were protraying.  I would guess there were somewhere between 150 and 200 people participating.

Jul 24, 2011 12:29 PM
#3
Barbara S. Duncan
RE/MAX Advantage - Searcy, AR
GRI, e-PRO, Executive Broker, Searcy AR

Don,  I'm squeamish when it comes to violent movies so I may not watch that movie.  But I would like to see the outfits after having met these guys.  I do hope they check in with names and more info.

Godson Nutsy, it is nice to impress you with all my historic experiences.  I know that you are not easily impressed.....

Harold Gene, that must have been more exciting than our seeing these few guys out there in the park having a battle.  It took them quite a while to "suit up" for a fight for me to film.  Trouble is, my computer apparently does not have enough memory to accept the movies. 

Jul 24, 2011 02:21 PM
Anonymous
Anita Fuller

I can understand reinactors doing their thing in Juneau, Alaska.....but NOT in Searcy, Arkansas in July, in the l00 degree temps.and ll0 % humidity.

"Everyone to their own notion" said the old lady, as she kissed the cow.

Jul 25, 2011 02:19 AM
#5
Not a real person
San Diego, CA

Happy Monday!

Jul 25, 2011 05:16 AM
Barbara S. Duncan
RE/MAX Advantage - Searcy, AR
GRI, e-PRO, Executive Broker, Searcy AR

Anita, it was terribly hot out there and they put all that chain mail and armor on and put on a battle for us!  They had just quit when we drove up but they did it again just for us.

 

Jul 25, 2011 05:28 AM
Luke Jones
Garver - Little Rock, AR

I have some friends from college who were in this group. I always meant to go find their practice sessions and get some photos for the paper. Looks like you beat me to it!

 

Jul 25, 2011 05:32 AM
Anonymous
Debbie Wantulok

I LOVE reenactments...of any time period....but I have to agree with Ms. Anita...too HOT for watching...much less participating...three cheers for the heros...

Ms. Barbara you are just everywhere at the right time...heard on Barbara's Blog FIRST!  Go Barbara!

Jul 25, 2011 06:03 AM
#9
Barbara S. Duncan
RE/MAX Advantage - Searcy, AR
GRI, e-PRO, Executive Broker, Searcy AR

Luke, why don't you go ahead and do a story and you can use my pictures. 

Debbie, doing their thing on the hot afternoon was admirable.  Luke needs to do a story, doesn't he?  Big Luke, that is, not your little Luke.  LOL

Jul 25, 2011 06:47 AM
Anonymous
Debbie Wantulok

I'll support the "team" effort!

Jul 25, 2011 04:48 PM
#11
Robert Vegas Bob Swetz
Las Vegas, NV

Hello Barbara and I love the photos and costumes, thanks for the views ...

Your post & photo have been featured at one of the weirdest groups at AR ...

PARANORMAL STORIES & EXPERIENCES

   
Bgpic08222009030414_l
 
VB ;o)
 
Aug 01, 2011 07:17 PM
Barbara S. Duncan
RE/MAX Advantage - Searcy, AR
GRI, e-PRO, Executive Broker, Searcy AR

Vegas Bob, they were out there fighting in 100 degree heat.  Admirable!!

Aug 02, 2011 01:20 AM
Anonymous
James Moore

yes those guys are definitely from the SCA.  I am usually there fighting with them, but i must have been out of town that weekend.  The guys in the picture are Shawn, Robbert, Marvin, and Michael.  they are a great bunch of guys and we all have quite a bit of fun getting to beat up on eachother every weekend. :)

we are always looking for new fighters or people interested in medieval arts, so if you get a chance stop by the park some Saturday and odds are you will see some of us there.

best regards,

James

Aug 06, 2011 08:28 AM
#14
Barbara S. Duncan
RE/MAX Advantage - Searcy, AR
GRI, e-PRO, Executive Broker, Searcy AR

James, thank you.  The guys were supposed to email me info on their identities and club but I guess they forgot to do so.  They were  very impressive and I hope they like their features on this blog. 

Aug 06, 2011 09:36 AM
Anonymous
Elisabeth Thielmann

They have to fight in 100 degrees to toughen up so they can stand up to fighting/Partying for 7 days at Gulfwars in Lumberton, MS every spring break.

Google "Gulfwars and SCA" on video and you should get some fun stuff.

Odds are that they are a group in the Kingdom of Gleann Abhann which has most of Arkansas.

http://kingdomofgleannabhann.org/officers-a-groups/local-groups.html

Aug 06, 2011 11:46 AM
#16
Anonymous
Fred Zeiler

Barbara,

Greetings, In the SCA I am known as The Honorable Lord Frederick Alton, In real life I am Fred Zeiler. I was not one of those Lords in your picture but I am a member of the SCA in Conway.

There are several groups in Arkansas. Starting with Ft. Smith, Conway, Little Rock, Hot Springs and Searcy. Not only fighting ,rapier or archery, but we make things. The SCA is a teaching origination. We call it Arts and Science or A&S for short. We research from 600 to 1600 AD. Then recreate items from that time period. From spinning thread to casting pewter, we do a little of everything. Want to check out some of the many things we do? You can  find us on Facebook. Check out our local web pages to find an A&S meeting or fighter practice.  Please feel free to ask any questions by email me at freddiezeiler@ gmail.com.

 

Kingdom of Gleann Abhann  http://kingdomofgleannabhann.org/

 

FacebookA&S  http://www.facebook.com/groups/168327075389/

 

Shire of Lagerdamm: http://www.lagerdamm.org/

 

Barony of Small Gray Bear http://www.smallgraybear.org/

 

Shire of Smythkepe http://www.smythkepe.org/

 

Incipient Canton of the Southtower:http://thesouthtower.org/wp/

 

Incipient Shire Coill Fhionnabhann  http://coillfhionnabhann.kingdomofgleannabhann.org

 

I remain in Your Service,

 

TH Lord Frederick Alton

Aug 06, 2011 12:28 PM
#17
Anonymous
Aron

Hello,

I'm from the Barony of Small Gray Bear, the Little Rock area group of the Society for Creative Anachronism.  James is certainly right about who those guys are and they are members of the SCA.

The SCA is a non-profit educational organization and we are certainly happy to answer questions about what we do.  Please feel free to email me with any questions you might have, and here are some websites you might want to see:

This website give a good overview of what we do:  http://scademo.com/

This one is for our Little Rock area group:  http://www.smallgraybear.org/

The Searcy group is the Incipient Shire of Coill Fhionnabhann.  I don't believe they have their own site but I can get you in touch with any of the gentlemen in the pictures if you wish.

Great pictures!  Thank you for sharing them.

-Aron

Aug 06, 2011 12:34 PM
#18
Anonymous
Aron

Oops.  I guess I should have included my email too.  seneschal@smallgraybear.org

-Aron

Aug 06, 2011 12:56 PM
#19
Anonymous
pepper aka a.n. shimofuri

http://kingdomofgleannabhann.org/activities-a-events/calendar-of-events/in-kingdom.html
http://cunnan.sca.org.au/wiki/Gleann_Abhann


 your local group boasts some fine gentles who know a lot about medieval cooking,clothing as well as fighting.
Coill Fhionnabhann is the name of the local group.=-)
-)-----------

 

Aug 06, 2011 02:27 PM
#20
Barbara S. Duncan
RE/MAX Advantage - Searcy, AR
GRI, e-PRO, Executive Broker, Searcy AR

Thanks for comments on this blog by members of the group.  Here is an email from a member.

Greetings!
 
Your blog was posted to the local SCA group's elist.  If no one else has emailed you any information yet, feel free to ask me any questions about the group.  The national web site is www.sca.org   The "Known World" has been divided up into 19 kingdoms, including groups in Europe and Japan.  Most of Arkansas is part of the Kingdom of Gleann Abhann, http://kingdomofgleannabhann.org/  which also includes Louisianna, Mississippi, and parts of Tennessee.  The local Little Rock group, Barony of Small Gray Bear, which is the Little Rock, NLR, Jacksonville, Sherwood, Pine Bluff area, may be found at http://www.smallgraybear.org/   The Searcy/Batesville group is an incipiant group - it is in the process of establishing itself as a group separate from the Barony. It is the Incipient Shire of Coill Fhionnabhann. They have fighter practice at Berryhill park on Saturday mornings, and a business meeting followed by an arts and sciences class on the 2nd Sunday of the month at the student center at ASU Searcy.  Meetings start at 2:00, and anyone is welcome to attend.
Other groups in Arkansas are centered around Conway, Fort Smith, Hot Springs, and Fayetteville, although Fayetteville is part of the kingdom of Calontir, which includes Missouri, Kansas, and other states.  There are also members in the Jonesbourough and Harrison area.  http://kingdomofgleannabhann.org/activities-a-events/calendar-of-events/in-kingdom.html  has a link to the kingdom calendar.  Lagerdamm (conway) has an event this weekend.  Smythkepe (Fort Smith) has an event Labor Day Weekend.  The local group is hosting a one day event in Batesville on October 8, and the Little Rock group will be hosting a 4 day war Oct 20-23 in Viola AR.  The Shire, in conjunction with the Batesville Renaissance club (UACCB and Lyon Collage) are also planning a day of demonstrations to be held sometime in November at the Ozark Medieval Fortress (www.ozarkmedievalfortress.com)
 
You do not have to be a paid member to attend weekend events, although there is a non-member surcharge (set by corporate).  You are asked to make an attempt at a costume (business meetings and most A & S classes are in regular clothes) but most groups have loaner garb for newcomers.  If you have any questions, feel free to come out to our business meeting this month, or show up at a fighter practice again.  Or email me.  I didn't like history when I was younger, but now I love it.  I've been playing with this group, both here and in California (where it started, back in the 60's) since 1982.
 
Melinda LaFevers
known in the SCA as The Honourable Lady Melandra of the Woods
Aug 10, 2011 01:17 AM
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