Welcome to Insulae Draconis
You don’t need any experience, any equipment, or a costume to come along. Bring curiosity, and everyone else will help with the rest. Insulae Draconis is a community across England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Iceland who spend their spare time learning and recreating the skills, arts and life of the pre-17th century world, and we’d love to have you.
- Our inclusivity statement
- What to expect at your first event
- Jargon-buster, or what those weird words mean
What you can do here
Whatever draws you in, there’s a way to try it. People here take up sword fighting, archery, sewing, cooking, woodworking, calligraphy, music, and dozens of other crafts and skills – often several at once! Some people come for the making and learning, some for the competing, some just for the company and a good feast. There’s no single “right” way to take part.
Find people near you
The best way to start is to find your nearest local group and come to a practice or event as a visitor. Most are free or low-cost to attend, and you’re welcome to just watch before joining in. Every local group has someone whose job is to help newcomers settle in; don’t be afraid to email ahead with questions, however small.
How we’re organised
Insulae Draconis (“The Dragon Isles”) is one part of a larger, worldwide community called the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA). Locally, we’re made up of smaller groups called a Shire, Barony, Canton, College or Hamlet, depending on their size and history, and together they form the Principality of Insulae Draconis, led by a Prince and Princess, within the wider Kingdom of Drachenwald, covering most of Europe and South Africa.
None of that matters for your first visit – it’s really just useful to know once you’re already having fun and want to understand how everything fits together.
