Welcome to the
Newcomer's Household Page
for the Barony of Bryn Gwlad!

We would like you to join us in the Dream, to participate in the re-creation of the Days of Chivalry. This page has some basic information about what SCA is about, what to expect, and how to start going about having fun in the Barony.

The Barony of Bryn Gwlad (pronounced Brin Goo-lod; Welsh for "Hill Country") is a chapter within the Society for Creative Anachronism, a non-profit international medieval re-enactment group which selectively creates the historical period from approximately the latter Roman era to 1600 AD. We seek to learn about the beauty and chivalry of the past and to share with others the wonders of medieval Europe. We re-create the fun parts, such as feasts, courts, costumes, and sword fighting (but leave out things like the plagues and beheadings!). The Barony of Bryn Gwlad is the regional chapter encompassing the Austin metropolitan area. It is within the Kingdom of Ansteorra, one of the 18 "kingdoms" which make up the Society, and which encompasses Texas and Oklahoma.

The Barony (like most chapters) has a number of get-togethers; some weekly, some yearly. We get together weekly at something called "Fighter Practice." Fighter Practice, however, is much more than our sword fighters getting together to practice. It is also an informal time to get together, socialize, have fun, make music, and share what we're doing with our friends. We have two fighter practices a week; Tuesday Night Fighter Practice at Patterson Park in central Austin, and Sunday Afternoon Fighter Practice in Round Rock. Directions and times can be found by clicking on the appropriate link.

Bryn Gwlad also hosts three large events each year; our great Tournament of Baronial Champions held each fall, our Yule Revel each December, and the great Court and Feast of Candlemas, held each February. This information can be found on our Baronial Calendar. The Newcomer's Household sponsors 4 classes prior to each baronial event to assist newcomers in becoming comfortably involved in the life of the barony. In addition, the Barony hosts a number of guilds; groups that get together on a regular basis to enjoy specific arts and crafts from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. The guilds, along with meeting days and times and contact information can be found on the Bryn Gwlad Guild page.

One excellent way to become involved in the barony is to join our listserver. Information about the Bryn Gwlad list and many others within the kingdom can be found at http://www.ansteorra.org/mailman/listinfo (simply scroll down and choose "Bryn-Gwlad"). The lists also include a number of other mailing lists with a wide variety of interests.

The Office of the Hospitaler in the SCA is the person in charge of newcomers; answering your questions, loaning you costumes for your first event, overseeing the Newcomers Household and classes, and a wide variety of other tasks, all designed to make you feel welcome, at home, and ready to join the Current Middle Ages. For information you don't find here, any questions you may have, or anything you might want to find out more about, contact our Baronial Hospitaler at info@austinsca.org .

To explore more about getting involved in the SCA and the Barony of Bryn Gwlad, we invite you to read our Newcomers FAQ.