Potrero Wars 2005
By Jan Hedlun
June 1, 2005

Memorial Day weekend, for some, is a day at the beach, a picnic with family and friends, or a new summer movie with popcorn and a soda. For others it ' s a journey back into another time.

The Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) takes over the Potrero Regional County Park for their semi-annual event, the Potrero Wars. For those of you who are unfamiliar with this not-for-profit organization, the SCA is a group dedicated to the study and recreation of the European Middle Ages prior to 1600 AD. Through active participation they study the crafts, sciences, arts, traditions and literature of those times.

Once upon a time I joined the SCA in 1973 when the organization was 11 years old and held their primary events in Balboa Park. Life got in the way and I ended my association until 1994 when I moved into the Potrero area and discovered that, for two holiday weekends of the year the event came to me, instead of my having to go to the event.

Considered a "private party", anywhere from 900 to 3,000 people converge on this little community from all over California, Arizona and other states close by. The participants fill up every square inch of this beautiful park with era specific encampments complete with furniture, canvas tents, and banners establishing that particular household or guilds territory. 

A merchant's row is centralized within the encampments and has all manner of goods that includes anything prevalent to those times. You'll find footwear, custom weapons, battle-ready armor, period clothing, jewelry, hats, leather goods, stained glass, hand-forged iron works, pottery, belly dance garments, pirate gear, period literature, footwear, and even a massage booth for the knight just off the battlefield. Then there were the food stalls wafting their delectable odor amongst the booths.

For the want-to-be, novice, and already knights they always have classes in archery, heavy weapons fighting, period fencing, rapier scenarios, unarmed combat, weapons styles, and beginning chain mail making. When I participated (oh, those many years ago) I lent my hand at making chain mail - which is a time consuming task. Do some of you remember the old screen door springs that were about 5 feet long? We'd take those springs and laboriously cut them into rings, then twist them into intricate patterns that are used to protect the body during war or fighting practice. Now I think the rings are already cut and ready for assembly.

For the more gentile ladies there were classes in quilting, weaving, henna preparation, the history of cosmetics, heraldry, painting promissory scrolls, embroidery, Viking apron construction, and English Country and French Court dancing. Then there was the belly dancing classes . . .

And there is always fighting. SCA combat is a martial art, though not a formal one and, to some extent a competitive sport with the concept of personal honor and chivalry. Chivalry is an ideal that everyone in the SCA is expected to live up to, fighters and non-fighters alike. The ideal of chivalry requires that one give courtesy to all, aid to the distressed, defense to the weak, and to inspire chivalry in others by example. Something we should reinstate in our current society.

There are three basic styles of fighting in the SCA. Heavy combat is a full contact style and is the most common form of SCA fighting. The participants must wear full metal or leather armour able to withstand repeated blows with wooden weapons. The fight is not choreographed, and blows are delivered at full strength. Light combat is fought with missile weapons - bow and arrow, dart, or javelin. Light fighters must also wear armour, but it is not as solid as a heavy fighter's. Rapier combat recreates later period dueling. Fencing masks are worn, and light armour similar to a fencing jacket. At the Potrero County Park the field of battle is surrounded by movable hay bales in which the participants can create a castle, a bridge, an open field, or a redoubt battle. For those of you that don't know a redoubt is a fortification, be it a building or an earth reinforced wall.

I thoroughly enjoyed the second annual Bard's concert. A bard is a minstrel poet who would travel across the country, stopping at castle or tavern to share songs and news in exchange for food, beverage and a night's stay. The SCA bard's are a phenomenal bunch. Witty musicians and songsters they began with a two hour family version for the kids, then ended it with a Bawdy version for the adults. Featured performers included Master Yonaton, Eben Brooks, the Black Bard, "True" Thomas, the Whiskey Bards and so many more. It was a riotous good time.

Being a drummer, I always carry my drum with me, ready to wander to an encampment to join the drummers entertaining some visiting nobility. Walking through the park towards a campsite is like walking in a dream. Stars sparkle through the oak leaves like fairy dust. Groups of cloaked and gowned individuals pass by, nodding or speaking a greeting. Tents glow a warm yellow from candle light and campfires. The sound of murmured conversations and boisterous storytelling mingles with the throbbing beat of hand drums and for those few days, for that very moment, it feels like you've stepped back in time.

For more information about this worthwhile organization start with their website, www.sca.org . That will lead you to a plethora of information and websites that offers a whole old world to explore. Check out www.potrerowar.org for the forthcoming Labor Day event and past events. The website will include information regarding entry or camping fees, garb to be worn (if you wish to participate) and more. 

To learn more about the most excellent bards you could start with www.truethomas.com , www.ebenbrooks.com , www.chivalry.com/blackbard , and www.whiskeybards.com .