Cunnan - User contributions [en]

Society for Creative Anachronism

2007-10-09T17:40:31Z

64.26.72.122:

cnaertrlidr
The '''Society for Creative [[Anachronism]]''' (or SCA for short) is a hobby organization devoted to studying and re-creating the [[Middle Ages]] and [[Renaissance]], primarily in Western [[Europe]] but also other regions such as the Middle East and [[Japan]]. It could be considered a [[historical reenactment]] or [[living history]] organization, but, unlike most such organizations, the SCA does not concentrate on a narrowly-defined time [[period]], let alone a specific war or other event. The SCA also does not have a [[minimum standard]] of authenticity. The activities of the SCA have more to do with
re-creation (and recreation) than with re-enactment. Some SCA participants describe the SCA as a large group of people with interlocking hobbies.

At a typical SCA event, you will see a wide range in the quality of re-creations and reenactments. Some individuals may do some aspects of re-creation well (say, [[music]]), while simultaneously doing others poorly (say, [[clothing]]). Still, there is one standard that all participants of official SCA events are held to: participants should try to dress in period (i.e., pre [[17th century]]) garments.

The relatively low requirements to participate are also one of the strengths of the SCA. For example, they make it possible [[to participate in the SCA on a small budget]]. As long as you are genuinely interested in medieval or Renaissance life, there is a place for you in the SCA. If it was a job or a hobby in Period, most likely someone within the SCA practices it, sometimes to an excellent degree. Excellent practitioners are awarded a SCA [[peerage]] (SCA-wide, highest level award) known as the ''[[Order of the Laurel]]''.

The SCA is worldwide in scope. There are active groups all over the [[United States|USA]], [[Canada]], [[Europe]], [[Israel]], [[Africa]], [[Australia]], and [[New Zealand]] with scattered groups elsewhere. The ''[[Known World]]'' is divided into [[Kingdoms]]. Each Kingdom determines its King and Queen by combat in a crown [[tournament]].

To prepare for tournament and wars, some groups hold 'fight practices' where a unique full contact martial art is practiced. The fighters wear armor (often of their own making) and strike each other with sticks primarily made of [[rattan]] and made to resemble [[sword]]s, [[pike]]s, [[spear]]s, [[axe]]s and other medieval weapons. This '''Armoured Combat''' (sometimes called '[[Hardsuit]]' or '[[heavy fighting|Heavy Weapons Fighting]]') is interesting among [[martial sport]]s for its lack of formalized training, which allows new-comers to add to the game in unpredictable ways. SCA fighters practice many-on-many engagements called melees or wars.

Some groups practice [[fencing]] with modified rules that largely disregard [[Olympic Games|Olympic]] fencing rules. As SCA fencing is supposed to recreate courtly [[dueling]], fencers neither recognise right-of-way nor are they forced to stay within a lane, instead fencing "in the round". SCA [[Fencing]] is based on [[Renaissance]] fencing manuals and includes [[rapier case|two weapon]], sword and cape and sword and shield styles.

Some SCA groups hold regular dance practices where [[Renaissance Dance]] and [[English Country Dance]] is taught.

''See also:''
*[[Live-action roleplaying games]]
*[[metal weapons groups|Reenactment society]]
*[[Living history]]
*[[Historical reenactment]]

== External Links ==
The SCA website - http://www.sca.org/
[[category:recreationists]]
[[category:starting out]]

12th Century Coins

2007-10-09T17:36:59Z

64.26.72.122:

racelri
In [[England]] all [[money|currency]] was based on a single coin - [http://en2.wikipedia.org/wiki/English/British_coin_Penny the silver penny]. Most close [[Europe|European]] countries operated the same way too. The English penny showed a picture of the [[king]] (or ruling [[queen]]) and their [[names|name]] on one side, and a design of a [[cross]] on the other side, ringed by text describing which [[moneyer]] was in charge of making the coin, and where they were located (i.e. their [[mint]]). ([[12th_Century_References#Zarnecki 1984|Zarnecki 1984]]) When smaller change was required, a penny could be cut into a half or quarter penny along the lines of the cross design. However these coins were easier to shave [[silver]] off than whole pennies, so people prefered to keep coins whole where possible.

Silver pennies were, as the name suggests, made from high quality silver (92.5% pure), and the English penny was considered desirable throughout Europe because of its high quality both in purity, in weight (coins were a fairly consistant 22.5 grains - 1.46g) and in manufacture (making forging and coin clipping harder). ([[12th_Century_References#Zarnecki 1984|Zarnecki 1984]]) The [[France|French]] penny was less well made and pure, so was consequently worth less than an English penny. ([[12th_Century_References#Holmes 1952|Holmes 1952]]) Occasionally [[gold]] coins from [[Byzantium]] would reach western Europe, and might be used, however this was very rare, and coins would have to be traded to a [[moneyer]] into silver pennies.

Every couple of years the English king would issue new dies for the stamping of coins to his official moneyers, with a slightly different design of cross. In the first half of the 12th Century, when this occured, all old currency from the previous type (pattern) was required to be exchanged for the new design at the local moneyer. ([[12th_Century_References#Zarnecki 1984|Zarnecki 1984]]) This melting down of old coins kept the currency more pure and of accurate weight (thus producing the good reputation of English "sterling" pennies) and also kept the moneyers busy. After securing his rule, [[King Stephen]] changed this so that older issue coins were still valid, thus saving money by reducing the number of moneyers. ([[12th_Century_References#Zarnecki 1984|Zarnecki 1984]])

The source of silver for coins was actually mostly from coins obtained from continental Europe, gained in surplus for trade. ([[12th_Century_References#Zarnecki 1984|Zarnecki 1984]]) People often hoarded coins in jars, thus creating shortages in coin. For everyday items, especially in villages, barter was more often used than coins, due to their low availability and high value. ([[12th_Century_References#Holmes 1952|Holmes 1952]])

''References:''

''See also:''
*[[12th_Century_Life|12th Century Life]]
*12th century coins in the British Museum (external links)
**[[England|English]] coins [http://www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk/compass/ixbin/hixclient.exe?%7BUPPER%7D%3Av2_free_text_tindex=1989-3-6-1&_IXDB_=compass&_IXSPFX_=graphical%2Fsummary%2F&_IXFPFX_=graphical%2Ffull%2F&_IXNOMATCHES_=graphical%2Fno_matches.html&%24+%28with+v2_searchable_index%29+sort=.&_IXsearchterm=1989-3-6-1&_IXspage=search&submit-button=summary], [http://www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk/compass/ixbin/hixclient.exe?%7BUPPER%7D%3Av2_free_text_tindex=1896-6-9-126&_IXDB_=compass&_IXSPFX_=graphical%2Fsummary%2F&_IXFPFX_=graphical%2Ffull%2F&_IXNOMATCHES_=graphical%2Fno_matches.html&%24+%28with+v2_searchable_index%29+sort=.&_IXsearchterm=1896-6-9-126&_IXspage=search&submit-button=summary], [http://www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk/compass/ixbin/hixclient.exe?%7BUPPER%7D%3Av2_free_text_tindex=1878-4-2-15&_IXDB_=compass&_IXSPFX_=graphical%2Fsummary%2F&_IXFPFX_=graphical%2Ffull%2F&_IXNOMATCHES_=graphical%2Fno_matches.html&%24+%28with+v2_searchable_index%29+sort=.&_IXsearchterm=1878-4-2-15&_IXspage=search&submit-button=summary], [http://www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk/compass/ixbin/hixclient.exe?%7BUPPER%7D%3Av2_free_text_tindex=1970-4-23-1+%28E+4944%29&_IXDB_=compass&_IXSPFX_=graphical%2Fsummary%2F&_IXFPFX_=graphical%2Ffull%2F&_IXNOMATCHES_=graphical%2Fno_matches.html&%24+%28with+v2_searchable_index%29+sort=.&_IXsearchterm=1970-4-23-1%2520%2528E%25204944%2529&_IXspage=search&submit-button=summary],
**[[Germany|German]] coins [http://www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk/compass/ixbin/hixclient.exe?%7BUPPER%7D%3Av2_free_text_tindex=1881-8-4-29&_IXDB_=compass&_IXSPFX_=graphical%2Fsummary%2F&_IXFPFX_=graphical%2Ffull%2F&_IXNOMATCHES_=graphical%2Fno_matches.html&%24+%28with+v2_searchable_index%29+sort=.&_IXsearchterm=1881-8-4-29&_IXspage=search&submit-button=summary], [http://www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk/compass/ixbin/hixclient.exe?_IXDB_=compass&_IXSR_=rw1&_IXSS_=_IXFPFX_%3dgraphical%252ffull%252f%26_IXsearchterm%3dmedieval%26%257bUPPER%257d%253av2_free_text_tindex%3dmedieval%26_IXDB_%3dcompass%26_IXNOMATCHES_%3dgraphical%252fno_matches%252ehtml%26%2524%2b%2528with%2bv2_searchable_index%2529%2bsort%3d%252e&_IXFIRST_=137&_IXMAXHITS_=1&_IXSPFX_=graphical/full/&_IXsearchterm=medieval&submit-button=summary]
**[[Byzantine]] gold coin [http://www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk/compass/ixbin/hixclient.exe?%7BUPPER%7D%3Av2_free_text_tindex=1918-5-3-18&_IXDB_=compass&_IXSPFX_=graphical%2Fsummary%2F&_IXFPFX_=graphical%2Ffull%2F&_IXNOMATCHES_=graphical%2Fno_matches.html&%24+%28with+v2_searchable_index%29+sort=.&_IXsearchterm=1918-5-3-18&_IXspage=search&submit-button=summary]
**Gold coin from [[Norman]] [[Sicily]] (a blend of Byzantine and western European style), [http://www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk/compass/ixbin/hixclient.exe?_IXDB_=compass&_IXSR_=ol2&_IXSS_=_IXFPFX_%3dgraphical%252ffull%252f%26_IXsearchterm%3dEurope%257clinkwhere%257c3%257c1050%257cAD%257c1250%257cAD%26_IXDB_%3dcompass%26%2524%2b%2528%2528with%2bv2_searchable_index%2529%2band%2b%2528%2528Europe%2529index%2bv2_where_tindex%2529%2band%2b%2528with%2bv2_date_earliest_index%2bto%2b%252231%252f12%252f1250%2bAD%2522%2band%2bwith%2bv2_date_latest_index%2bfrom%2b%25221%252f1%252f1050%2bAD%2522%2529%2529%2bsort%3d%252e%26_IXNOMATCHES_%3dgraphical%252fno_matches%252ehtml%26_IXspage%3dsearch_where&_IXFIRST_=22&_IXMAXHITS_=1&_IXSPFX_=graphical/full/&_IXsearchterm=Europe%7clinkwhere%7c3%7c1050%7cAD%7c1250%7cAD&_IXspage=search_where&submit-button=summary]
**[[Spain|Spanish]] gold coins [http://www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk/compass/ixbin/hixclient.exe?_IXDB_=compass&_IXSR_=ol2&_IXSS_=_IXFPFX_%3dgraphical%252ffull%252f%26_IXsearchterm%3dEurope%257clinkwhere%257c3%257c1050%257cAD%257c1250%257cAD%26_IXDB_%3dcompass%26%2524%2b%2528%2528with%2bv2_searchable_index%2529%2band%2b%2528%2528Europe%2529index%2bv2_where_tindex%2529%2band%2b%2528with%2bv2_date_earliest_index%2bto%2b%252231%252f12%252f1250%2bAD%2522%2band%2bwith%2bv2_date_latest_index%2bfrom%2b%25221%252f1%252f1050%2bAD%2522%2529%2529%2bsort%3d%252e%26_IXNOMATCHES_%3dgraphical%252fno_matches%252ehtml%26_IXspage%3dsearch_where&_IXFIRST_=41&_IXMAXHITS_=1&_IXSPFX_=graphical/full/&_IXsearchterm=Europe%7clinkwhere%7c3%7c1050%7cAD%7c1250%7cAD&_IXspage=search_where&submit-button=summary], [http://www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk/compass/ixbin/hixclient.exe?_IXDB_=compass&_IXSR_=ol2&_IXSS_=_IXFPFX_%3dgraphical%252ffull%252f%26_IXsearchterm%3dEurope%257clinkwhere%257c3%257c1050%257cAD%257c1250%257cAD%26_IXDB_%3dcompass%26%2524%2b%2528%2528with%2bv2_searchable_index%2529%2band%2b%2528%2528Europe%2529index%2bv2_where_tindex%2529%2band%2b%2528with%2bv2_date_earliest_index%2bto%2b%252231%252f12%252f1250%2bAD%2522%2band%2bwith%2bv2_date_latest_index%2bfrom%2b%25221%252f1%252f1050%2bAD%2522%2529%2529%2bsort%3d%252e%26_IXNOMATCHES_%3dgraphical%252fno_matches%252ehtml%26_IXspage%3dsearch_where&_IXFIRST_=41&_IXMAXHITS_=1&_IXSPFX_=graphical/full/&_IXsearchterm=Europe%7clinkwhere%7c3%7c1050%7cAD%7c1250%7cAD&_IXspage=search_where&submit-button=summary]
**[[11th century]] coin (same design as 12th C) cut into quarter pennies [http://www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk/compass/ixbin/hixclient.exe?%7BUPPER%7D%3Av2_free_text_tindex=BMC+II%2C+459%2C+no.+1595&_IXDB_=compass&_IXSPFX_=graphical%2Fsummary%2F&_IXFPFX_=graphical%2Ffull%2F&_IXNOMATCHES_=graphical%2Fno_matches.html&%24+%28with+v2_searchable_index%29+sort=.&_IXsearchterm=BMC%2520II%252C%2520459%252C%2520no.%25201595&_IXspage=search&submit-button=summary]
**coin dies (design changed little over 300 years) - [http://www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk/compass/ixbin/hixclient.exe?_IXDB_=compass&_IXSR_=rw1&_IXSS_=_IXFPFX_%3dgraphical%252ffull%252f%26_IXsearchterm%3dmedieval%26%257bUPPER%257d%253av2_free_text_tindex%3dmedieval%26_IXDB_%3dcompass%26_IXNOMATCHES_%3dgraphical%252fno_matches%252ehtml%26%2524%2b%2528with%2bv2_searchable_index%2529%2bsort%3d%252e&_IXFIRST_=185&_IXMAXHITS_=1&_IXSPFX_=graphical/full/&_IXsearchterm=medieval&_IXimg=k146168.jpg&submit-button=summary 14th century example], [http://www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk/compass/ixbin/hixclient.exe?%7BUPPER%7D%3Av2_free_text_tindex=1989-10-33-1&_IXDB_=compass&_IXSPFX_=graphical%2Fsummary%2F&_IXFPFX_=graphical%2Ffull%2F&_IXNOMATCHES_=graphical%2Fno_matches.html&%24+%28with+v2_searchable_index%29+sort=.&_IXsearchterm=1989-10-33-1&_IXspage=search&submit-button=summary 11th Century example]
*[http://www.askaboutireland.ie/show_narrative_page.do?page_id=2865 A 12th Century Irish coin balance] used to weigh coins
*[http://www.askaboutireland.ie/show_narrative_page.do?page_id=2898 An early 13th Century Irish moneybox] used to hoard coins

{{12th Century Life}}

[[Category:12th century]]
[[Category:money]]
[[Category:artefact (medieval)]]

Europe

2007-10-09T17:36:25Z

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eltcoelsit
'''Europe''' is the area in which most [[SCA]] activities are set. Part of the minimum standard of [[authenticity]] is that people try to adopt a personality and [[clothing]] of a person that '''could''' have visited Europe during [[period]].

Notable lands in Europe are:
* [[England]]
* [[Germany]]
* [[France]]
* [[Spain]]
* [[Italy]]
* [[The Netherlands]]
* [[Poland]]

In the [[SCA]], European branches are in the [[Kingdom of Drachenwald]].

== References ==

* [http://en2.wikipedia.org/wiki/Europe Wikipedia:Europe]
[[category:places]][[category:continents]]

Money

2007-10-09T17:36:12Z

64.26.72.122:

catrocacnoge
'''Money''' is a medium of exchange more convenient than bartering. [[Charlemagne]] standardised [[Europe]]an [[coin]]age within his [[Holy Roman Empire|Empire]], and his standards remained even after his Empire crumbled.

==Money in the SCA==

For the purposes of ''[[speaking forsoothly]]'', money is also referred to as '[[gold]]' in the [[SCA]].

e.g. 3 gold = $3.

==See also==
* [[trade]]
* [[12th Century coins]]
* [[12th Century monetary units]]
* [[SCA coinage]]
[[Category:money]]
[[category:SCAism]]