The Society for Creative Anachronism, or the SCA, is one of the premier societies to promote medieval reenacting in the United States, Germany and the UK.
The society is divided into regions, which it calls kingdoms, most of which will cover one or more US states and will each contain subregions, principalities and so forth, much as the old feudal system did.
SCA battle reenactments are done according to historical detail
The SCA pays close attention to detail, and is as far removed from Ren Faire as the real middle ages were from the Hollywood movies.
Battles are enacted according to historical reference, camping and gatherings are done in the original style, using equipment that is true to detail although often made of wood or wicker.
The Heraldry is close to what it was then, and careful study takes place to come up wit the coat of arms of the principality or kingdom as well as to teach the heraldry to newcomers, imparting knowledge of old techniques and methods.
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Additionally, the clothing is period type as are the camping utensils and the medieval fare that is fed to the enactors.
Cooks who specialize in the foods and herbs/spices of the period study the methods used and attempt to recreate dishes and methods of cooking them so that the feasts are as closly aligned with those that were served in the middle ages as it is possible to be.
Clothing is also geared toward that time span, with a bit of latitude given for being unable to find bone or wooden buttons, so that other types may be used, but most of the clothing is however hand made, and made in the style of the time span that is being recreated, which may vary from 1100’s though 1600.
A great deal of planning and enjoyment goes into the camping and encampments of the SCA and other medieval reenacting societies, with tents built or sewn to specifications by the societies members or the eneactors themselves.
Another battle reenactment, Tewksbury
If you come to an SCA gathering, be prepared to sleep in a medieval tent, to eat from open fire or spitted cooking, or that which is done in a large iron pot over an open fire, much as it might have been done when actually living in the middle ages.
The one aspect which may in fact differ, is the plumbing.
Many of these areas have indoor plumbing and or porta potties.
Which makes these gatherings, in my personal opinion, the new and improved middle ages.
