If you’ve ever attended any kind of SCA event, you’ll find a lot of jargon and mysterious language: seneschal! Lochac! Feastocrat! GSG! Pointy hats! Really, it’s no different than any other little social group, but it does help to have a dictionary. This is that.
Places
| The Known World | The whole SCA in Australia, NZ, the USA, Canada, Europe, SE Asia and assorted other places | |
| Lochac | LOCK-ahk | The kingdom comprising Australia, New Zealand and parts of Antarctica. Part of the Known World |
| Ynys Fawr | INN-iss FOR | The barony encompassing all of Tasmania. Part of Lochac. |
| Lightwood | The canton covering the Huon Valley. Part of Ynys Fawr. | |
| Rowany | The barony in Sydney. | |
| Stormhold | The barony in north and west Melbourne. | |
| Kraé Glas | KRAY GLASS | The barony in south-east Melbourne. |
| Innilgard | IN-il-gard | The barony in Adelaide. |
| Southron Gaard | SUTH-ron GARD | The barony in Christchurch, New Zealand |
For other group names, see the localities list. There are baronies, shires, cantons and colleges all over Australia and New Zealand, as well as in other kingdoms and principalities in the whole rest of the Known World.
People
| Baron and Baroness (or Baroness and Baroness) | The ceremonial heads of a barony. Elected by the group’s inhabitants, they typically serve in the role for around 3-5 years, sometimes longer. In AS LI (2016), Ynys Fawr became the first Barony in Lochac to have two Baronesses. | |
| Seneschal | SEN-eh-shal | A group’s president, meeting chairperson and first contact for any legal matters. |
| Reeve | A group’s treasurer. Keeps track of the financial stuff. | |
| Herald | A member of the kingdom-wide College of Heralds, in charge of making announcements and helping people to register names and arms (ie “coats of arms”) | |
| Marshal | The officer in charge of all armed combat in the group. | |
| Rapier Marshal | The Marshal’s deputy, in charge of fencing. | |
| Archery Marshal | The Marshal’s deputy, in charge of archery. | |
| Chirurgeon | kih-RER-jun | The group’s medical officer. |
| A&S Minister | The officer who encourages the study of medieval arts and sciences in the group. | |
| Constable | The group officer in charge of event safety, sign-in, etc | |
| Hospitaller | The publicity officer for the group, and first contact for newcomers. Alternatively known as Chatelaine. | |
| Crux Australis | The boss Herald for the whole kingdom. This office has been held by a member of Lightwood. | |
| Knight | Someone who attained a peerage (the Order of the Chivalry) through great skill at swordfighting, and also for their courtesy and chivalrous behaviour. | |
| Pelican | Someone who attained a peerage (the Order of the Pelican) for their dedicated service. | |
| Laurel | Someone who attained a peerage (the Order of the Laurel) for their skill at arts and sciences. | |
| Man at Arms | The student of a knight. May one day become a squire. | |
| Squire | The more advanced student of a knight. | |
| Protegé | A Pelican’s student. | |
| Apprentice | A Laurel’s student. |
Abbreviations
| AOA | Award of Arms, an award given by royalty to people who have shown themselves to be valued participants in the SCA. |
| A&S | Arts and Sciences: the study of medieval and renaissance occupations and pastimes. |
| B&B | Baron and Baroness/Baroness and Baroness (see above). |
| GSG | Great Southern Gathering: a camping event held annually, cycling between Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania. |
| OP | Order of Precedence: the list of all awards received by anyone in the kingdom. |
More to come later…
Garb
Feasting Gear
Pot Luck
Heavy
Rapier
Court
Newcomers
Event
Rowany Festival
Medieval Mayhem
Great Southern Gathering
Pennsic
Informal Terms
Autocrat
Feastocrat
Stickjock
Mundanes
Pointy Hats