Newcomers

I'm new to the SCA - so what's this all about then?
 
The SCA attempts to recreate various aspects of the Middle Ages and Renaissance. We do this both through research and making or finding medieval and renaissance clothing and equipment, each to our own level of interest and ability. We hold feasts, tournaments 'a plaisance' (for pleasure), and revels (parties), where we dress in medieval or renaissance clothing, eat medieval or renaissance food, and attempt to recreate the feeling of a medieval atmospher and generally have fun. We also have 'collegium' when we arrange classes on both theoretical and practical topics related to our endeavours.
 
One of the ways we do all this is by taking on a 'persona'. We create a character, who didn't but could have  lived in (or visited) a particular time and place in medieval or renaissance Europe, and this is who we pretend to be at our events. This is why many of us have alternate names at events. Having a persona can assist and focus our research, as well as enhance our enjoyment of our events by allowing us to play a role different to our mundane existence.
 
The minimum requirements for participation are (i) an attempt at pre-1600 clothing, and (ii) being courteous to all other participants.
 
It is easy to get involved. A very good way to find out what is going on locally is to sign up to our mailing list. If you want to come along to one of our events, your first point of call would be talk to our Chatelaine (see our Contacts page). If you want to join the SCA, you can download a membership application from the SCA New Zealand website.
 
There are many excellent websites that explain about the SCA and what we do. One particularly good one is Life in the Current Middle Ages. And for more information about the SCA in the Wellington region, feel free to download our brochure.