Information for Newcomers

Welcome!
We're really glad you're here!

This page is meant to provide answers to questions you may have about the SCA and our Barony. If you read this information and still have questions, however, we'll be happy to try to answer them for you personally.

Newcomers meetings provide information on local activities, how the SCA functions and what you can do to participate in the fun. To get more information and meeting dates, contact our Hospitaler, Lady Ciarnat of Firethorn at 281-693-6441 or send email to ciarnat AT consolidated.net

How to get involved

Participating in the SCA is easy; all you need to do is show up. Stargate is a very active barony! There is a regular monthly Populace meeting on the 1st Monday of the month, which is a great way to get to meet your fellow Stargaters. A weekly Chivalric & Rapier Practice (with socializing non-fighter attendees as well) is held in conjunction with the Barony of Loch Soilleir every Tuesday evening at Centennial Park, 3219 McLean Road, Pearland, TX.

Stargate has members involved in almost every art and craft practiced in medieval and Renaissance times, including everything from indoor pursuits like the scribal arts, weaving and other fiber arts, period costuming, period dance, brewing and vintning, and period cooking, to outdoor activities like chivalric (heavy armored) and rapier (fencing) fighting, archery, and equestrian practices. Both fighter practices and monthly Populace meetings are good places to find others who are interested in whatever you're interested in.

Another good source of the latest information is to join a mailing list. There are two Yahoo mailing lists specifically for Newcomers, one for the Houston area and one covering all of Ansteorra:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AnsteorraNewcomers
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HoustonAreaNewcomers

Some links to get you started:

Life in the Current Middle Ages
This excellent introduction to the SCA includes answers to questions like, "What Kind of Person Joins the SCA?" and "Fighting in the SCA, or Why are those people hitting each other?"

Advice to Newcomers (PDF)

A Newcomer's Guide to the SCA (8.5" x 11" page low-res version - PDF)
A Newcomer's Guide to the SCA (8.5" x 11" page hi-res version -PDF)

Newcomers section of Stefan's Florilegium Archive
Huge amounts of information gathered from SCA members about everything we do - special section focusing on topics of particular interest to newcomers to the SCA.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about the SCA (PDF)

Kingdom and Local Mailing Lists
We may play in the Middle Ages, but we live in the 21st century, and use the Internet a lot to keep informed and in touch. Mailing lists are free to join, and a great source of information.