Those passing through or stopping in Hughesville on Nov. 12, (aka AS 57 in Medieval Time) might have thought they had been whisked into another time period. On the carnival grounds on Railroad Street, they were probably spotting sword fighters wearing doublets, tunics and loose hosiery, chain mail and Roman war helmets. Near the Fire Hall, women were milling around in chemises or smocks with long tunics and fanciful headgear of different styles. And others, clad in similar dress, were entering and exiting the Lutheran Church on the corner.

But it was all for the fun and purpose of the Society for Creative Anachronism who were holding an Academy and War College. This regional event drew 100 members of the Society. Besides the Hughesville Fire Hall and grounds, the Trinity Lutheran Church on Main Street was also being used for the event. Members offered classes and lectures throughout the day. These included fabric and embellishment in late period Spanish clothing; Gouache painting and whitework; making 14th Century cut-out shoes; how to teach fighting; combat archery; a look at marzipan; and Medieval European leather dyes, among others, and were open to the public.

The swords used in Hughesville were rattan. In some events, rapiers are used. Archery is also part of some events , but is not allowed within the borough.

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. The SCA’s “known world” is divided into twenty regions called kingdoms, and within the kingdoms there are hundreds of local SCA groups –Cantons, Shires and Baronies. So all Anachronistic Societies are part of one of these three categories. Within the Kingdom of AEthelmearc, the Shire holding the Hughesville event is known as ABHAINN CIACH GHLAIS, which is Gaelic for “of the river’s mist” and includes Lock Haven, Berwick and Sunbury, which encompasses both the North and West branches of the Susquehanna River.

Members choose their own names, which may come from Medieval times, or be a name related to an occupation. Deb Dresse-Hock, Elise la Bref, the Chatelaine or Newcomer liaison, explains, “La Bref, means, ‘The Short.,’ which I am.”

Ashley, aka Antoinette, from Danville, served as the autocrat at the Hughesville event, and served as guide and spokesperson, and along with Deb, aka Elise, provided many of the details for this story. The Society’s website is SCA.org and new members are always welcome.