Chatelaine / Hospitaller - a gentle who helps new members to learn about the SCA. Find this person; they will help you get acclimated in the SCA. Chatelaine is the usual term.

Chirurgeon (K-eye-er-jun) - a gentle who can administer first aid at events.

Chivalry - The qualities idealised by knighthood, as bravery, courtesy, honour, and readiness to help the weak, or a person recognised by the King, Queen, and other members of the Order of the Chivalry who possesses prowess in heavy weapons combat and chivalric virtues (ie: a Knight). A Knight also has the title of " Sir _" or "Dame _".

Cloven Fruit - any fruit, most often an orange, studded with whole cloves. The cloven fruit is used as part of an after dark activity/game, where one gentle presents the fruit to another gentle (usually of the opposite gender but whatever...). The receiver then takes the fruit (if they so choose), removes a clove and bites it to sweeten the breath. Then generally the idea is that the two gentles exchange kisses, after which the gentle who received the fruit, takes it and offers it to another person. If you are offered a cloven fruit, you may choose to kiss, if you are comfortable with that, but if not, you may offer your hand, or your cheek if that is more seemly for you.

Constable / Constabulary- SCA security, also often runs the lost & found.

Court - A gathering where the King and Queen of a Kingdom make announcements and present awards.

Crash Space - informal lodgings with members of the group holding and event. Many society members regard anyone in the organisation as a distant cousin, and make floor space available for out-of-town visitors.

Dragon - some people use this as a term for cars, trucks, and any other combustion engine vehicle (spits fire in other words). A "flying dragon" refers to airplane/helicopter.

Dry/Damp/Wet Site - alcoholic beverage policies: Dry sites allow NO alcohol. Damp sites permit wine, beer, and mead, but no hard liquor. Wet sites have no restrictions. Of course, at any site/event, local laws regarding alcohol consumption must be followed (ie: minors, driving limits etc.).

"Discretely Damp / Wet" - means that beer, ale etc. is allowed in period containers only (i.e.: tankard, goblet, pitchers etc... no open liquor bottles or cans visible.)

~Back to Top~

Eric - A term for the roped off area within which combat takes place.

Favour - A token given to a fighter as a mark of esteem. The fighter is then considered to be "fighting for" that person whose favor s/he carries. This can be anything from a ribbon to an embroidered hanky. Also can be a gift given to someone as a Thank-you for a service etc.

Feast - gathering or revel where gentles sit and enjoy a meal together. Sometimes this is provided for you, and sometimes you may be asked to bring your own victuals.

Feast Gear - a place setting for a feast, which usually includes a trencher (ie: plate), a bowl, a goblet or tankard, a spoon, a knife, and of course fingers (forks were not used until the very late Renaissance, but feel free if you wish). You may also wish to include candles (as most sites like to try and keep electric lighting to a minimum for the ambience) and tablecloth.

Forsooth - In a period way. To speak 'forsoothly' using medieval phrasing and words. Also, to refrain from discussing any topic which could not have been discussed in period (i.e., computer, cars, etc.)

~Back to Top~

Garb - clothing based on that worn during the Middle Ages or Renaissance. Required at all events except some local meetings and activities - but your first attempt doesn't have to be fancy, and many groups have facilities to loan you garb (for a while). Garb can also be referred to by the medieval term "clothing".

Garderobe - washroom.

Gate - the place to check in or buy at-the-door admission, or site fee, to an event; sometimes called "Troll Booth".

Gentle - any person, not gender specific.

Gold Key - loaner garb for visitors and newcomers, or the place to find garb for visitors and newcomers. Sometimes there is a refundable deposit on loaner garb.

Heavy Fighter - a person trained in the art of heavy armor combat, using swords (rattan swords), shields, and other weapons.

Herald - persons of great booming voices who shout announcements (no loud speakers in the Middle Ages) during events, and Court.

"Hold!" - Announcement which can be made by anyone, anytime, anywhere one sees danger, or possible situations of danger, which could cause harm to persons or property. When a "Hold!" is called, every person within earshot is expected to freeze, until the situation is in hand.

Hospitaller / Chatelaine - a gentle who helps new members to learn about the SCA. Find this person; they will help you get acclimated in the SCA. Chatelaine is the usual term.

"Huzzah!" - more period term for "Hooray!" or "Bravo!" used when acknowledging a gentles performance in bardic, or accolades for awards etc.

K.S.A. (KSA) - Known in Society As... in other words, your SCA name.

~Back to Top~

Laurel - a person recognised by the King and Queen, and other Laurels as one who has excelled to a mastery level in an art or science, and who possesses great virtue. A Laurel uses the title of "Master" or "Mistress".

Lists - where fighters go to sign-up for tournaments, and where records are kept of victor and vanquished from each battle.

Light Fighter - a person trained in the art of light armor combat, meaning Rapier (sort of like fencing), thrown weapons, and archery. Light fighters armor is much lighter than heavy armor, therefore a "Heavy" cannot engage a "Light" in combat.

Marshal - a specially trained person who oversees combat activities. Their job is not only to "referee", but also to protect fighters and spectators from injury.

M.K.A. (MKA) - Mundanely Known As... in other words, your legal name outside of the SCA.

Pavilion - SCA period tent for camping events or merchants stalls.

Peer - A Knight, Laurel, or Pelican.

Pelican - A person recognised by the King, Queen and other Pelicans as one who has served their Kingdom and the SCA greatly and who possesses great virtue. A Pelican uses the title of "Master" or "Mistress".

Period - The Middle Ages and Renaissance, which comprise the era used by the SCA (600-1650AD) as a base for activities; or as an adjective, of, from, or reflecting that era.

Persona - the background and attitude that a person may use during an event, when they pretend to be from the Middle Ages. Part of a persona is an SCA medieval name.

Pied Piper - gentle/s who graciously look after the smalls at events while their parents may be otherwise occupied.

Privy - chemical toilets used at camping events (i.e. Porta-potties) but can be used for "washroom" as well.

Post-Revel - a party after the main event, usually at someone's house, for socialising and unwinding. Guests often wear modern dress. Post-revels are not SCA official sponsored activities.

Prize Box - "box" where prizes for tournament or other competition winners are kept. Sometimes fighters are required to donate to the prize box prior to a tournament, and also merchants may also be required to donate along with, or in lieu of, merchants fees at events. ANYONE may donate to the prize box, and donations are always welcome.

Proof of SCA Membership - your membership card, or a recent Kingdom newsletter label with your name and address. You do not have to be a member to play in the SCA, but you do if you wish to fight in tournaments.

Regnum - list of society branches and officers.

Revel - A Party.

Royal Peer - a Count, Countess, Duke, or Duchess. These people have served as King or Queen, a Count and Countess once, and a Duke and Duchess more than once.

Royalty - Each Kingdom has a King and Queen, reigning by right of arms. Some regions, Principalities, may also have a Prince and Princess.
(Note: The Barony Of Lions Gate, in addition to our local Baron and Baroness, has both as we are in the Principality of the North, in the Kingdom of An Tir.)

SCAdian - person who plays in the SCA.

SCA Name - the name someone uses in the Society. It includes at least one given name, and can have at least one other name or qualifier, but no titles; all titles used in the SCA must be granted by SCA Royalty.

Seneschal / Seneschale - group administrator, and legal representative of the SCA found at local, regional, Kingdom and Society levels.

Site - the place where an event is being held.

Site Fee - the cost of admission to an event, usually stated in the coin of the modern country where the event is held.

Small - anyone who is not an adult; Children.

Squire - fighter who is attendant upon and ranked next below a Knight. A Knight may take squires to mentor them in combat training, and chivalric duties.

Stables - sometimes refers to the "parking lot" where "dragons", "carriages" or "wagons" (ie: automobiles) are stored at events

Stick Jock - An irreverent term to describe Heavy armor fighters.

Tavern - SCA bar or pub. Often events will not allow you to bring your own alcohol, and instead they will provide a "tavern" at which you may purchase your libations (usually beer, ale, cider etc.).

Tilt / Tilting - two combatants riding at each other on horseback, carrying lances and trying to knock each other off their horse. Often this is mistakenly called "jousting". (thanks to Hollywood mainly)

Tournament - display of combat skill in "heavy", Rapier and/or Archery prowess. Some tournaments are simply for fun and festivity, and some are more serious, such as the Crown Tournaments which will decided the next King/Queen or Prince/Princess.

Tourney - short form of "tournament".

Troll Booth - some people use this term to refer to the place where gentles sign in and pay site fees; also called "gate".

Waiver / Minor Waiver - Official document signed by all attendees at SCA events, indicating that they understand the risks inherent in the activity and agree not to sue if those risks result in injury to themselves or their property. In some places, there is both a general site waiver and a specific waiver to be signed by those participating in combat and related activities. Minor Waivers are for persons under 18 years of age and must be signed by a parent or guardian and kept ON the minor at all times during the event.

Water-bearer - gentle who kindly carries water to tired, hot, sweaty fighters during tourneys and wars. Water-bearing is a GREAT way to meet people and help out at events, and are ALWAYS welcome and much appreciated.

Wench - waitress/barmaid; the term wench DOES NOT mean "whore" or any of those other negative connotations, so to call someone a wench in the SCA is not an insult, but simply a term used as you would "waitress". To "go wenching" means to go serving/waitressing in the tavern, but also could mean to go "flirting".