Society History
The SCA started in 1966, when a few friends who were history buffs and science fiction/fantasy fans hosted a big outdoor party in Berkeley, California. The invitation stated that a Tournament would be held on the first of May, summoning “all knights to defend in single combat the title of ‘fairest’ for their ladies.” Everyone enjoyed the first tournament so much that they agreed a second should be run, but in a larger setting. In order to reserve one of the public parks for the gathering, the organizers needed to list a name for their group on the application. Since recreating the Middle Ages in 20th-century Berkeley was an anachronism (something “out of time”), and because the goal was creativity, they came up with “The Society for Creative Anachronism.” It was a spur-of-the-moment invention; they had no idea that the name would stay with their group into the future.
Middle Kingdom History
In AS (Anno Societatis – “year of the Society” – starting on 1 May to commemorate that first tourney) 4, the Kingdom of the Middle (aka Middle Kingdom, aka Midrealm) was founded. At that time, the Midrealm consisted of essentially the middle third of the US and a hefty hunk of central Canada. Since then, the Society has grown to 20 kingdoms, which cover the U.S., Canada, Europe, Asia, South Africa, and Australia. There are over 30,000 paid members of the corporation, and the total number of participants is around 60,000 people.
Ravenslake History
In February AS 27 Ravenslake was recognized as an independent Shire. In AS 32, the first Middle Kingdom Academy of Defence was held in Ravenslake in the reign of Edmund II and Kateryn II. The event was the premiere rapier event in the kingdom for 20 years, until it’s final event in AS 52.
The Shire’s name was strongly influenced by one of the founding members of the Shire, Lord Michael of Ravenslake. In AS 40, under the reign of Alaric and Noelle, the event formerly known as War College became Border Skirmish, jointly hosted by the Shire of Ravenslake and Northshield’s Barony of Caer Anterth Mawr and is a war event between the Kingdom of the Middle and the Kingdom of Northshield.