West Kingdom

The West Kingdom (also known as The Kingdom of the West) is the oldest Kingdom (or branch) of the historical re-enactment Society, Society for Creative Anachronism. It comprises Northern California (including the San Francisco area), Nevada, Alaska, Japan, Korea and the Pacific Rim.

The Kingdom of the West was the first SCA group, founded in 1966. An initial party with David Thewlis, Steve Henderson, Ken de Maiffe, and author Diana Paxson (at the time a medieval history major at the University of California, Berkeley) and others was held in Paxson's backyard. Many of the attendees were at Berkeley, and were history buffs and science fiction fantasy fans. They held the first party as an outdoor sword fighting tournament using leather armour with some steel. Everyone enjoyed the event, and another was planned. From this first event, the group began to expand. After three years, part of this new group on the east coast split off and the East Kingdom was founded, distinguishing it from the West Kingdom. In subsequent years other regions previously operating under the auspices of the West Kingdom have also split off to form their own Kingdoms, generally when the population is deemed large enough and the local culture distinct enough to warrant the split.

The main activities within the West Kingdom include, Tournaments, Feasts & Revels, Universities and Collegiums (classes on subjects dealing with modern living history issues, or straight history is taught). The group is also active with the "Arts and Sciences" these events emphasize the exhibition and /or competition of various artistic skills and research of SCA members. The kingdom has guilds and other groups, which regularly hold meetings to teach such subjects as dance, cooking, armourmaking, needlework, music and other interests.

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