No! Paid membership is required to hold some positions within the society, but is not a requirement to attend events, meetings, or practices. It does come with some benefits though, including discounted admission to events.

Participants are asked to make an attempt at historical clothing from any time and place before 1600 CE. People have attended events in everything from sweat pants and a tee shirt shaped “tunic” to meticulous recreations of specific historical garments. We even have loaner clothing for new participants, if needed.

The Society for Creative Anachronism is not exactly a LARP, and we don’t generally re-enact specific historical events. Those who have participated in either of those activities will likely find some parts of an SCA event familiar, but others may be very different.

The best place to start is by attending a local practice. All fighters in all types of fighting (such as rapier, rattan, and combat archery) must be authorized by a marshal (an officer responsible for maintaining safety on the field) before they can participate in group battles or tournaments. Requirements for authorization vary depending on the type of combat, but will always include a check that all equipment meets requirements, and that the fighter has the neccesary skills and knowledge to minimize risk of injury to themselves and others.

Aspiring royals can fight to win the throne at one of the two crown tournaments held each year, one spring and one fall. Each combatant in the crown tourney represents both themself and a consort of their choice. The winner and their consort become the new heirs to the throne until the end of the current rulers’ six month term, at which point they step up and assume the throne themselves.