Arts and Sciences
If you like to make stuff or learn about stuff, or both, the SCA’s an excellent place to be – vast numbers of its members engage in SCA-era trades and crafts, research, and yes, experimental archeology.
And we’re always madly keen to share our knowledge and experiences.
At events in our local community, you can find scholars, scribes, blacksmiths, cordwainers, shepherds, jewelers, cooks, stained glass artists, trebuchet builders, carpenters, painters, sculptors, furniture makers, beadmakers, potters, musicians, bards, wood turners, poultry keepers, fleece processors, spinners, weavers who use warp-weighted looms and/or horizontal looms, tablet weavers, inkle weavers, fingerloop braiders, brewers, dyers, embroiderers, lacemakers, people who sew, tailors, netters, knitters, sprang workers, and almost certainly a bunch of things I’ve forgotten. Heck, one of our members even built a stunning (and surprisingly practical) medieval-style camper wagon!
You’ll also find these people at our local meetings, where people will often bring sewing, embroidery, calligraphy, or other projects to work on, or practice musical ensemble work, or even rehearse medieval drama.
If you’re interested in something, there’s bound to be someone, or someone who knows someone, who’s also interested in it – and is delighted to share.
It’s a huge and lively community – both in real and virtually – and there are lots of websites, blogs and facebook pages just teeming with information and enthusiasm for the Arts and Sciences!
Martial Activities
Armoured Combat
One of the many things that attracts people to the SCA is the combat.
We try to recreate the look and feel of tournament and melee combat as it would have occurred in the middle ages. There is nothing like the thrill of battle, especially when fighting with your closest friends.
Combat is not rehearsed and occurs at full speed, full contact, and with sufficient force for an opponent to acknowledge a blow.
While we try to recreate the look and feel of medieval times as closely as possible, some allowances are made for safety and modern conveniences. There are strict armour standards to ensure the safety of combatants. Our armoured combat uses rattan weapons instead of live steel. Beginners are instructed by an experienced fighter and are taught the basics both in and out of armour. They are welcome to attend all practices but must pass a safety test before being able to participate in any SCA sanctioned tournaments or melees.
Fighting in the SCA is probably one of the most affordable sports one can enjoy, and is open to all people, no matter the gender or aptitude level. Loaner gear is usually available for those wishing to come and try it out (we ask that you contact your local marshal prior to coming out for the first time, to ensure equipment is available for you).
While we do our best to encourage minors, combatants must be 16 years old (with parental consent) or 18 years of age to participate in combat. Combat for younger kids using padded weapons may be available in some areas.
The best way to get information is to join the Swords of Eoforwic Facebook group or the Swords of Eoforwic channel on the Eoforwic Discord, and to contact the current Marshal for Armoured Combat in Toronto – eoforwic.email+marshal@gmail.com.
You don’t have armour? That’s ok! Fill out our to armour rental form to borrow some!
Other Martial Activities
There are a variety of other martial activities practiced in the SCA which you can participate in at events or at practices in the region.
Fencing is practiced with steel rapiers, fencing masks at relatively light armour.
Boffer Combat for Minors is practiced with foam weapons.
Archery is practiced at the archery range. Eoforwic archery practices are resuming and are sporadically held at the archery range at E. T. Seton Park, by Don Mills and Eglinton.
Thrown Weapons involves throwing axes and knives at a target.
Combat Archery uses bows in armour combat melees, with soft-tipped arrows.