Barony of the South Downs

Chatelaine (Hospitaler)

• Name: Lady Muriel Goldbergh
• Email:
• Phone: (404) 229-3054

So what is the Society for Creative Anachronism?

There's information available online at www.sca.org, www.scademo.com, and www.meridies.org.

We are a 501c3 non-profit dedicated to educating ourselves and others about the history of the Middle Ages and Renaissance by attempting to recreate the aspects that interest us. Here’s a list of some of the things we do: martial combat, costuming, cooking (and eating!), equestrian activities such as jousting and riding at the rings, dance, archery, bookbinding, leatherwork, embroidery, ceramics, calligraphy and illumination.

We have regular local meetings that allow us to get to know newcomers and prepare for the big deal: weekend events.

Meetings

Wednesday meetings are held from 7-9pm at the Beacon Hill Arts Center in downtown Decatur. The address is 410 W. Trinity Place, Decatur, GA 30030 (Directions). We’re a few blocks from the Decatur MARTA station if you prefer public transport. You don’t have to get there exactly at 7pm, many people drift in from work (or Atlanta traffic) at later times. Those of us who are not participating in the particular activity sit to the side and socialize. You’re welcome to join us and ask questions. We all participate in the business meetings and we try to keep them short and effective. Activities vary but for the near future they are as follows:

• 1st Wednesdays
  • 7:00 pm - Calligraphy and Illumination Scriptorum: An opportunity to learn Medieval painting and calligraphy techniques. Personalized instruction is provided, no experience is needed.
  • 8:00 pm - Business meeting: This lasts about a half hour usually and is where we plan our weekend events and activities.
  
  
• 2nd Wednesdays
  • 7:00 pm - Projects: Bring your ongoing projects to share or receive help!
  • 8:00 pm - Medieval and Renaissance European Music: This is divided into two groups, people who already know how to play an instrument work on playing music together, while those of us who are new to music learn the basics.
  
  
• 3rd Wednesdays
  • 7:00 pm - Medieval and Renaissance European Dance: This class covers a variety of social dances from Europe during the Middle Ages and Renaissance. Some dances are done by couples, others are group dances. Anyone is welcome to dance.
  • 8:00 pm - Business meeting: This lasts about a half hour usually and is where we plan our weekend events and activities.
  
  
• 4th Wednesdays
  • 7:00 pm - Women’s Classical Persian Dance: This is a medieval form of court dance from Central Asia. Its movements are smooth, melodic and expressive. Any lady is welcome to participate, whether or not you have any dance experience at all. No special clothing is required, but smooth-soled close-fitting shoes are recommended. Sneakers or stocking feet will only frustrate you.
  • 8:00 pm - Arts and Sciences class: This time slot is filled with a variety of classes relating to recreating the Middle Ages. We have held classes recently on how to make Renaissance Italian jewelry, how to make bone needles and medieval knitting. History classes have included an overview of Medieval Music, a History of Poisons and Naughty Popes of the Renaissance.
  
  

Fighter Practices

We have several forms of armored combat. Practices are held at Blackburn Park (Atlanta, Georgia 30319, near the intersection of Johnson Ferry Road and Ashford Dunwoody Road). We hold fighter practices every Sunday with decent weather, beginning at 11:00 am in the summer and noon in the winter (winter is defined as prior to Daylight Savings Time). Fighter practices are not held if the weather goes below 40° Fahrenheit. If you are in doubt about the weather or just want to confirm, feel free to call me after 10am. If you are interested in participating, please let me know and I’ll connect you with our marshall who can tell you how to get started. Non-combatants attend as well, to work on arts and sciences projects or just socialize. We stay usually until 3:00 or 4:00 pm.

For more information, please see the Fighter Practice page.

Events

While the weekly meetings are a great opportunity to learn new things and socialize, the real reason we join the Society for Creative Anachronism is to participate in weekend events. These are opportunities to immerse ourselves in a historical environment. We wear period-appropriate clothing, eat historically accurate food, sit by the side of a tourney field ringed with silk banners and watch or participate in medieval combat, archery, equestrian activities or hound coursing.

We teach each other historic costuming, blacksmithing, leatherworking, stained glass, painting and almost every other art or science that was practiced in the Middle Ages. In the evening we sit at candlelit feasts and drink toasts to the King and Queen with handmade ales and dance and sing until the dawn. At least one of these events is held within driving distance of metro Atlanta almost every weekend and we’d love for you to attend. We’re kid-friendly and varied in our backgrounds and ages.

We are happy to provide historical clothing for you to wear at events until you decide what kind you want for yourself. Historical clothing is encouraged at meeting and fighter practices but is not mandatory.

If you are thinking about attending an event, consider attending at least one meeting or fighter practice prior to the event so you can begin to meet people. Local events can draw 100-300 people, so it’s nice to know a few new friends to help you have a good time and introduce you to others that share your interests. Please feel free to contact me to introduce yourself or just ask questions.

Lady Muriel Goldbergh
(404) 229-3054
(Please, no calls after 9:00 pm)

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