MARQUETTE- At some point in a person’s life, he or she has dreamed about being a knight on the battlefield or ruler of a kingdom. For the Society for Creative Anachronism, members recreate that historical fantasy here in Marquette and around the world.

The society is a world wide-organization with the majority of its members residing in the United States and Canada. Currently, there are 19 kingdoms, each with its own ruling king and queen.

The Marquette area is a part of the Kingdom of the Northshield and the the city itself is known as the Shire of Skerjastrond.

Many members of the SCA share a love of fantasy or historical fiction. According to the website www.SCA.org, the Society for Creative Anachronism is a non-profit educational oragnazation devoted to the study of pre-seventheeeth century culture, mainly the European Middle Ages, and Renaissance era.

Members work to recreate the arts and skills of this era during their weekly or monthly meetings and large festivals.

According to Anne Hinsth, known in the Kingdom of the Northshlied as Countess Eilis, “If someone did it in the middle ages, you can find SCA members recreating and doing it now-and they are usuallly willing to teach others.”

One of the more popular skill sets taught is the skill of combat. The SCA crowns its members of the court based on the results during tournaments.

“Members become titled through awards given out by the King and Queen. The King and Queen are chosen through a Crown Tournament.” Hinseth said. “Northshield holds a Crown Tournament twice a year. The winners of the tourney become the prince and princess and we change royalty every six months. Our royals spend six months as heirs (prince and princess and consort) and then six months as king and queen. After serving as king and queen, you get the title of count or countess. If you reign twice or more, you become a duke or duchess.”

Both men and women have the opportunity to become skilled on the battlefiled.

According to the website www.northshield.org, fighting in the SCA evolved from what happened when two armed knights were unhorsed and had to fight on the ground which looks more like medieval foot tournaments. There are two basic types of SCA fights: Single combat and group or team battles, known as melees.

SCA fighting does have rules.

The first, and most important rule is that each and every fighter on the field has honor.

The fighter keeps faith with his honor by accepting blows that would be killing or wounding.

According to Hinseth, the weapons used in the SCA are made from rattan, which is similar to the tyoe of bamboo used in making furniture.

Members’ armor can be made from plastic, leather or steel and it varies on how much time it takes to put the weapons and armor together.

Members have the chance to earn awards and titles, once the members’ training is complete and they have been deemed worthy to fight in tournaments.

Anyone can join the SCA and familes are welcome. The main goal for the upcoming year is to “continue having fun!”

For more information on the SCA, visit www.northshield.org.

Shannon Stieg can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 243. Her email address is photos@miningjournal.net.