Groups
The SCA has a number of different types of groups, some official and others not.
Official Groups
Kingdoms
The Kingdom is the largest groups within the SCA. To become a Kingdom a group must have a history of high level activity, at least 400 subscribing members and sufficient representative from all three peerages. It is ruled by a King and a Queen
Principalities
A Principality is a subgroup of a Kingdom. It must have at least 100 subscribing members. It is ruled by a Prince and Princess, and is subject to Kingdom law. A group which wishes to become a Principality but does not yet fit one or more of the criteria, may become a Crown Principality.
Baronies
A Barony is a group with at least 25 subscribing members. It is ruled by a Baron and a Baroness, and is subject to a Kingdom, as well as to a Principality if it lies within one.
Provinces
A Province is a group with at least 25 subscribing members. It is subject to a Kingdom, as well as to a Principality if it lies within one. It has no royal representative in power, unlike a Barony.
Cantons
A Canton is the subgroup of a Barony with at least five subscribing members.
Riding
A Riding is the subgroup of a Province with at least five subscribing members.
Shires
A Shire is a group with at least five subscribing members which reports directly to a Kingdom or Principality rather than a Barony.
Colleges
A college is a group based around an educational institution, usually a University. It must have at least five subscribing members.
Ports and Strongholds
A Stronghold is a group based around a military base. If it is a naval base or a specific ship, then the term port is preferred. It must have at least five subscribing members.
Regions
An administrative unit within a Kingdom or Principality. It has no definition within the SCA Corpora and is purely established in order to enable officers to establish deputies.
Unofficial Groups
Households
A household is a group of members who join together usually for social reasons. They may have any of a wide variety of structures. Although they have no official status they may be recognised by Kingdom, Principality or Baronial awards. Households are recognised by the College of Arms when registering household devices.
Guilds
A Guild is a group drawn together by common interest in an Art or Science. They may have any of a number of structures.
