SCA is back to the past at Preston Park

WAITSBURG/AN TIR KINGDOM-Waitsburg's Preston Park will be the weekend base for members of the Society for Creative Anachronism from June 7 to 9. The society is an international community in which members choose a pre-seventeenth-century period to research through immersive reenactment.

Dame Katherine of Akornebir, once Baroness of Wastekeep, and known in present-day as Kathy Carpenter, encouraged anyone interested in history to come to the park, ask questions, borrow a tunic, and join the activities. Carpenter has been involved in the SCA for over twenty years, initially to use her young sons' interests in fighting, swords, and armor to teach them history. After seeing a televised news story about an SCA event in Pennsylvania, she researched the society and sought a local branch to join.

She and her family joined the Canton of Akornebir in the Kingdom of An Tir. Her sons choose personas from the 15th and 16th centuries: Sir Nicholas Beaumont, a 15th-century Burgundian, Lord Christopher of Akornebir.

Regarding her sons' interest in swordplay, she appreciated the SCA's carefully thought-out rules focused on safety during combat. Fighter protection is required and can be leather, chain mail, or even modified plastic barrels. Fighters usually make their gear, though armor can also be loaned or shared. Tournaments in martial combat include heavy and rapier fighting, and the safety measures ensure young combatants learn about fighting and fair play.

Lane Gwinn

A young combatant wearing a helmet and safety gear designed to keep them safe and let them have fun.

This weekend, activities will include martial combat, archery, classes, and dance, combining the SCA's tournament, collegia, and revel events. It isn't only about fighting. Members' real life interests can easily be brought into the kingdom. Textile, embroidery, metal and wood working, baking, and performance are all activities found in Roman, Byzantine and other medieval periods.

Lane Gwinn/Times Archive

Two rapier fighters in handmade armor and chain mail at Preston Park in June

Visitors may attend free of charge and are encouraged to ask questions about history and the organization. Anyone interested in a little live-action role-playing can borrow a tunic and join in for a small fee. This is a very kid-friendly event. For more information on the Society for Creative Anachronism, visit SCA.org.