The Baronies and Shires Of the Washington Area

The map at right shows how our lands would l ook if we were in medieval times (at least according to the Society for Creative Anachronism), divided into baronies and shires. Yet unlike in medieval times, noblemen and women can float freely from one region to another. If you're willing to travel across the kingdom of Atlantia, you can participate in an event every weekend through the society. All baronies have weekly or monthly activities, in addition to signature events.

The one thing to keep in mind: It's a participatory hobby, not a spectator one. That said, levels of involvement and intensity vary.

There are no dues for individual baronies, though joining the national society ($35 per year; visit http://www.sca.org) knocks $3 off the participation fee for events, subscribes you to your barony's newsletter and allows you to vote in society matters.

To express interest in a group:

1. Visit its Web site, look for a section about newcomers and contact the chatelaine (who answers questions and acquaints rookies with the society).

2. Go to a newcomers' meeting or attend a practice or event, which are open to anyone.

3. Make an attempt at medieval dress. Tan or earth-colored pants paired with a simple T-tunic -- basically a T-shirt that goes down to your knees -- will suffice. (Visit http://www.dagorhir.org/howto/DagorhirTunic.html for instructions on making one.) Alternatively, you can borrow loaner garb from your barony.

-- Dan Zak

Bright Hills

Where: City of Baltimore and Baltimore, Carroll, Harford and

Cecil counties

Web site: http://www.brighthills.net

The 160-person barony is hosting Kingdom Crusades Oct. 5-7 at Ramblewood, a camp in Harford County (2564 Silver Rd., Darlington). Also on the calendar is its baronial birthday celebration in February. Fighter practice and arts-and-sciences night are held every Friday from 7:30 to 10 p.m. at the Episcopal Church of Christ the King in Baltimore (1930 Brookdale Rd.).