SCA armoured combat, or informally heavy combat, is a combat sport developed by the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) in which participants in protective body armour compete in mock combat, individual tournaments inspired by forms of historical combat, and tournament combat practiced in medieval Europe. Groups also compete, under supervision, in group battles which may approximate historically real combat, using SCA approved safe weapons. Combats are performed under the watch of marshals to maintain safety. It is variously considered a combat sport, contact sport, or a form of martial art.
Fighters practicing at Pennsic XXXVIII (2009). Note the use of rattan swords, edge padding on the shields, and bar grills added to the helmets
Fighters practising at Pennsic XXXVIII (2009)
Fighters practicing at Gulf Wars XIII (2004)
Pennsic field battle in 2006
Society for Creative Anachronism
The Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) is an international living history group with the aim of studying and recreating mainly Medieval European cultures and their histories before the 17th century. A quip often used within the SCA describes it as a group devoted to the Middle Ages "as they ought to have been", choosing to "selectively recreate the culture, choosing elements of the culture that interest and attract us". Founded in 1966, the non-profit educational corporation has over 20,000 paid members as of 2020 with about 60,000 total participants in the society, including members and non-member participants.
Society for Creative Anachronism armored combat participants
Author Diana Paxson celebrating the 50th anniversary of the SCA in 2016
Equestrian combat in the SCA
Heather Dale singing at an SCA event