Welcome to Altavia
A Barony in the Kingdom of Caid,
in the Society for Creative Anachronism
Consort’s Archery Tournament is Sunday, July 19th!
The Barony of Altavia is a local chapter of the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA), an international organization dedicated to researching and re-creating the arts, skills, and traditions of pre-17th-century Europe. The Barony of Altavia includes the San Fernando Valley, Santa Clarita Valley, and Malibu, and is part of the Kingdom of Caid which includes Southern California, Greater Las Vegas Area, and Hawaii.
Members of the SCA study and take part in a variety of activities, including combat, archery, equestrian activities, costuming, cooking, metalwork, woodworking, music, dance, calligraphy, fiber arts, and much more. If it was done in the Middle Ages or Renaissance, odds are you’ll find someone in the SCA interested in recreating it. What makes the SCA different from a Humanities 101 class is the active participation in the learning process. To learn about the clothing of the period, you research it, then sew and wear it yourself. To learn about combat, you put on armor (which you may have built yourself) and learn how to defeat your opponent. To learn brewing, you make (and sample!) your own wines, meads and beers. You will frequently hear SCA participants describe the SCA as recreating the Middle Ages “as they ought to have been.” In some ways this is true – we choose to use indoor plumbing, heated halls, and sewing machines. In the dead of winter we have more to eat than King’s venison, salt pork and dried tubers. However, a better description is that we selectively recreate the culture, choosing elements of the culture that interest and attract us.
Altavia News From Their Excellencies
July 2026
Hello Altavia!
We started off the month with a blustery Leondomere anniversary. It was a wonderful day of comradary, arts and martial activities. Unfortunately, our Baronial dragon wing took damage in the wind, with a significant tear. However, her Magesty Lorrissa reached out to help and gifted us with the supplies needed to repair the tear, and it is already repaired and back up in service!
Coronation is always one of the big momentous event of the year. It was wonderful to see the Knighthood and Pelican elevations, and the many acknowledgements and awards given out. Our new King and Queen, Liam and Fara stepped up and we are very excited for their reign. A big thank you to Cecilia, who donated an enormous amount of Largesse for the crown to help support their goals of encouraging the youth in the kingdom during this reign, with toys, activity bags and goodies for them to distribute.
A shout out as well, to Sadhbh, who won Bard of CAID, alongside Mistress Mary, in a tie too close to call. Both of their performances throughout the competition were wonderful, and both are highly deserving of the title.
Consorts champion martial happened the next day, where there was an abundance of great fighting in armored, rapier and but and thrust. Congrats to her Magesty Fara’s new martial champions.
Consorts Champion Ranged is this upcoming weekend, which we are hosting. I know our event stewards and Marshall in charge have a great day planned for everyone, and I look forward to seeing what they have in store for us, and shooting for her Magesty ‘s honor.
In service to the Dream,
Baroness Amabel Radleigh