Ames is home to two very different clubs with one shared passion – the medieval way of life.

Both the Society of Creative Anachronism and the Belegarth Medieval Combat society have chapters in Ames. While they focus on the same place and period of time, they each have different structures, methods and goals.

The Society for Creative Anachronism

The Society for Creative Anachronism strives to recreate – not reenact – European life from 600 to 1600.

Nine-year member Christina Kitson, known in the SCA as Xristiana Bogardus, said the term “recreate” is preferred because there are certain aspects of the medieval time period intentionally omitted, such as slavery, sexism and lack of bathing.

Ames’ local SCA chapter is the Canton of the Axed Root. At their weekly practices, members are encouraged to dress in period clothing and step into the character of a medieval citizen while perfecting a trade.

As long as a trade fits into the time period and is able to be learned, it’s allowed. Commonly, people compete with real armor and rattan weapons, cook, sew garb, sing, dance and weave.

One does not need to be a member to attend a practice. Interested persons and passers-by are welcome. Loaner garb is available, and the experts are willing to help.

Members are required to have one or more personae, consisting of at least a name and nationality.

Kitson said personae are as in-depth as people want them to be. Some members have the bare minimum, while others create elaborate pasts complete with specific imaginary family members. Personae, Kitson said, are “developed over a long period of time.”

Events are held at every level as well, ranging from day-long occasions with fewer than 100 people, to two-week extravaganzas that host 15,000 from all over the world. Such events coordinate competitions, merchant markets and elaborate period-style feasts.

Kitson said the SCA “strives to educate people about actual medieval life – everyday, day-to-day life.”

Appeal lies in the club’s flexibility, she said. Members choose their projects and how far they pursue them. The only requirement for membership is genuine interest.

The SCA’s seneschal, Theresa Bixler, or Lady Tedescha Di Valente, values the historical aspects.

“I’ve always been fascinated with history, and I actually get to recreate it, which is way cool,” she said. “You can learn anything you might want to know about the middle ages.”

As seneschal, Bixler acts as the “president,” overseeing events, making decisions and mediating between members.

Belegarth Medieval Combat Society

A more laid-back spin-off of the SCA focuses on bigger concepts. Ames’ chapter is Tir Asleen.

“It’s about people and having fun,” said president Elizabeth DeYoung, or Daelenn (Tir Asleen recommends fighter names as well).

Fighting is the main attraction of Belegarth, which uses foam weapons. Otherwise, members make garb and armor. However, the armor is less important because of the nature of foam.

Like the SCA, events are commonly held complete with combat tournaments and period-style social events.

“For me, a lot of it has to do with community,” DeYoung said.

She added that combat provides a rigorous workout and acts as an effective stress-reliever. Practices have the largest attendance during Dead Week and Finals Week.