Welcome to Shire Brantestone

Welcome to the Current Middle Ages.

The Shire of the Brantestone is a local chapter of the SCA
located in Cullman, AL. in the Kingdom of Meridies, which covers most of the southeastern United States.

We are the local branch of The Society for Creative Anachronism Inc. Who or what is that, well...The Society for Creative Anachronism is a non-profit educational organization devoted to the study of pre-seventeenth century Western culture. It concentrates on the European Middle Ages and Renaissance, and members work to recreate the arts and skills of this era. Some members study the Middle East and explore the interaction between Europe and Asia during the period under study. The S.C.Awas incorporated in 1968, but recognizes a tournament held in Berkeley, California, on May 1, 1966, as it's founding date.

An "anachronism" is something that is out of it's proper time frame. "Creative anachronism" takes the best qualities of the Middle Ages and selectively re-creates them in the modern world.

Geographically, the SCA covers the globe, with the majority of it's members living in the Untied States and Canada. There are Kingdoms, each with it's own King and Queen chosen on the field of combat. You are a subject of a kingdom by virtue of where you live for the majority of the year. Your membership is with the Society, not with any particular local group. If you have any questions, contact the person who is listed as Seneschal of your local group. Their names appear in Tournaments Illuminated and in each kingdom newsletter.

Just a quick side note, the above and following information is copied from a flyer we hand out published by the Society. If you are in the Mobile, Alabama area email our Senechal and Chatelaine for more information. If you came across this page from another part of the world, go to the SCA Geography page to find your closest group. Here is another site with geographic links.

The Kingdoms are independent of each other, and there is a considerable amount of variation among them. Each kingdom has a body of written "law" established by the King and Queen, to define the specific rules it follows, and a larger body of generally accepted custom that gives each kingdom it's unique personality. All the kingdoms build their laws and customs on a framework called the Corpora, which sets overall rules for the Society.

Kingdoms are divided into local and regional chapters called principalities, baronies, shires, marches, cantons, colleges, and ridings. The names of these divisions reflect the size of the membership and/or the larger division though whom the local group reports. Your local group might use one of these terms as part of it's name.

Membership

Participation in the SCA is open to any person who shares the Society's interest in medieval re-creation and re-enactment. Paid membership is a requirement for Crown Tournaments participants and for kingdom and Society officers. Sustaining, contributing or patron members receive their kingdom's newsletter and Society's quarterly journal, Tournament Illuminated. These publications provide important information about kingdom and Society- wide events, along with educational and how-to articles, as well as some material that is just for fun.

The different administrative regions of the SCA are called Kingdoms. There are currently fourteen Kingdoms in North America and one which encompasses Europe. The Shire of Brantestone is in the Kingdom of Meridies. (The term Meridies is, roughly translated, Latin for South.)

Visitors and newcomers are always welcome in the The Sire of Brantestone!

This is the recognized website for the Shire of Brantestone of the Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc. and is maintained by Teresa McCombs. This site may contain electronic versions of the group's governing documents. Any discrepancies between the electronic version of any information on this site and the printed version that is available from the originating office will be decided in favor of the printed version.

For information on Membership

http://sca.org/members/welcome.html

email icon For information on using photographs, articles, or artwork from this website, please contact the web mistress at Teresa McCombs They will assist you in contacting the original creator of the piece. Please respect the legal rights of our contributors.

05/11/2005