Groups
This article describes the group organization within the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA). Other recreation groups have different divisions.
The Laurel Kingdoms
Oddly enough (or not), the SCA consists of several different modern corporations including:
- SCA, Inc. in the USA which also covers most of the rest of the world.
- SCA Australia, Inc. for (obviously enough) Australia
- SCA NZ, Inc. for New Zealand
Regional Groups
Kingdoms
The Kingdom is the largest group within the SCA. To become a Kingdom a group must have a history of high level activity, at least 400 subscribing members and sufficient representatives from all three peerages. It is ruled by a King and a Queen. All SCA local groups are part of one Kingdom or another.
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. Kingdoms do not neccessarily have Principalities. Local groups within the geographic scope of a principality are subject to both it and the ruling Kingdom.
Crown Principalities
A group which wishes to become a Principality but does not yet fit one or more of the criteria, may become a Crown Principality. Like a region (see below), it has no definition within the SCA Corpora.
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.
Local Groups
There are a number of different groups all of which are "freestanding" at the local level.
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. The Crown Province of Ostgardr is a grandfathered group which functions as a Barony, rather than a Province (see below).
Cantons
A Canton is a subgroup of a Barony with at least five subscribing members.
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.
Riding
A Riding is a 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. It may not have any official subgroups.
Colleges
A college is a group based around an educational institution, usually a University. It must have at least five subscribing members. It may not have any official subgroups.
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. It may not have any official subgroups.
