For Steel Folk

[Steel Embassy] [SCA Conventions] [Camping Advice]

The Barony of Southron Gaard welcomes participants from the many and diverse groups that make up the historical recreation community from New Zealand and beyond. Many people attending Canterbury Faire belong not just to the SCA alone but also to other groups that have their own traditions, combat forms and cultural mores.

A major difference between the SCA and other groups is in combat forms. In order to ensure safe, supervised non-SCA combat practice and demonstration, the Barony has set aside an area termed the Steel Embassy, to be managed by Ordo Cygni, the University of Canterbury Medieval and Renaissance Society (UCMRS).

We ask that all people wishing to undertake non-SCA combat respect the terms and usage of the Steel Embassy, and do courtesy to the basic societal conventions of the SCA, as outlined below. Any who do not wish to do so are, of course, able to temporarily leave the Canterbury Faire site to undertake their activities in nearby public areas, as has been the case previously.

The Steel Embassy

1. The Barony of Southron Gaard will set aside a designated area at the Canterbury Faire site for an Embassy where non-SCA weapon formats can be used; this will be the only place on site where this activity can be undertaken outside of scheduled SCA A&S classes.
2. As the Barony´s principal local contact with the non-SCA medieval recreation community, Ordo Cygni will operate the Embassy under such rules and requirements as Ordo Cygni deems fit to ensure appropriate behaviour and the safety of all people on Embassy grounds. See Ordo Cygni’s rules here on their Website.
3. For use of the Embassy grounds, Ordo Cygni's Ambassador will provide a suitable peppercorn-style rental to the Baron and Baroness of Southron Gaard at the Opening Court of Canterbury Faire in each year that the Embassy is in operation under Ordo Cygni's guidance.
4. Whenever there is any use of non-SCA standard weaponry on Embassy grounds, Ordo Cygni will appoint at least one person as Border Guard to ensure there are no incursions.
5. Notwithstanding that the Embassy is officially independent, all rules of the Waipara camp are to be obeyed and SCA conventions honoured.

SCA Conventions

The SCA has two basic requirements for participation at events:

• everyone must make a reasonable attempt at pre-1600 clothing
  This could be a completely authentic hand-sewn outfit from hood to turnshoe, through to a simple T-tunic dropped over a plain pair of trousers. While the more authentic, the better, we recognise that some people are limited by budget, time or interest. If you would like to hire something suitable, please contact Southron Gaard's Hire Garb Chatelaine, preferably well before the event. The Southron Gaard email list can provide a forum for advice and assistance (again, best consulted well before the Faire!).
• everyone should deal courteously with each other
  We’re trying, in part, to recreate the ideals of chivalry and courtesy exemplified in “the better parts of the Middle Ages”. That should, naturally, be reflected in the way we treat with others, whether on the war field, in Royal Court, or lounging back in the Mangy Mongol.

• everyone in the SCA is assumed to be a member of the nobility; some people have specific ranks (eg the King, a knight).
  If you don’t know a person’s rank or name, you’re always safe to call them mi'lord or mi'lady no matter who they are (or, even better, ask to be introduced). To avoid confusion while at Canterbury Faire, please don’t use any self-awarded titles or titles awarded by other groups.
• there are a few proscribed items/symbols which you should not wear/use.
  A circlet with pointy bits can denote various ranks (eg King, Baron) so it’s best to just wear a plain circlet on your head. A plain white belt is a sign that the wearer is a member of the Order of Chivalry (ie an SCA knight), and is reserved solely for those of that rank. A laurel wreath typically denotes a member of the Order of the Laurel (people recognised for their high level of artistry in a particular subject) and a pelican denotes a member of the Order of the Pelican (people recognised for their high level of service to the society).
• SCA participants are likely to have persona names which should be used rather than mundane names.
  Having a persona, whether simply just a name or a full-blown character, helps people to feel they are a part of the Current Middle Ages. If you know someone has a SCAdian name, please use it; if you’re not sure, just ask.
• any attempt at avoiding or disguising mundane items is appreciated; in some case it is mandatory.
  Thus it is best to decant drinks from plastic bottles into jugs, cover plastic seating with cloth, consider suitable materials for your garb, go barefoot rather than wear pink Nikes, put your cellphone on vibrate.
• if attending the feast, you’ll be expected to provide your own feast gear.
  Typically this consists of a plate, bowl, drinking vessel and a spoon or knife (the Supa-Shed usually has very cheap suitable wood, metal or pottery offerings available). Pack a tea-towel as you’ll be doing your own dishes. There may be feast gear available for hire or purchase at the event.
• See our Camping Advice page for more information and helpful checklists for camping at Canterbury Faire.

For more general information on the SCA, check out the introduction in Southron Gaard's Newcomers’ Page.

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See also: So you want to go to Rowany Festival?

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