Overview

Who, and or, what is The Barony of the Osprey you might ask. Good question I say. 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 organazation 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.A. was 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 S.C.A. covers the globe , with the majority of it's members living in the United 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 newletter.

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 S.C.A. 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