Where Is the Barony of Hawkwood Located Within the SCA?

Updated

The Barony of Hawkwood sits in the western-most portion of North Carolina and belongs to the Kingdom of Atlantia, a regional branch of the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA). If you live in western North Carolina, you are likely within Hawkwood's lands; if you live elsewhere in Atlantia's territory, you fall under a different local branch of the same kingdom.

The SCA's Geographic Structure

The SCA organizes its members into a hierarchy of geographic branches. Understanding the layers helps you figure out which group you belong to:

  • The SCA — the international parent organization, a non-profit educational group dedicated to studying and selectively re-creating medieval life.
  • Kingdoms — large regional divisions. Hawkwood's kingdom is Atlantia.
  • Baronies — local branches within a kingdom. Hawkwood is one of these.
  • Cantons — smaller sub-groups within a barony. Hawkwood has two: Stormwall and Haukesgate.

So when you ask "where is Hawkwood?", the answer depends on which layer you mean: it is a barony in the Kingdom of Atlantia, which is part of the worldwide SCA.

What Territory the Kingdom of Atlantia Covers

Atlantia is a large kingdom. According to the barony's website, it encompasses:

  • Washington, DC
  • Maryland
  • Virginia
  • North Carolina
  • South Carolina
  • Augusta, GA

Hawkwood occupies only the western-most portion of North Carolina within that footprint. The rest of Atlantia's territory is served by other baronies, shires, and cantons.

How to Tell If You Live in Hawkwood

The practical reason to know Hawkwood's location is to determine whether you are a local member. Use this rough check:

  1. Start with your state. If you are not in North Carolina, you are outside Hawkwood (though you may still be in Atlantia).
  2. Narrow to region. If you are in North Carolina but not in the western portion, you likely belong to a different branch.
  3. Confirm with the barony. The site notes that members living within Hawkwood's lands are invited to join its Google Group, Talon Talk, and its Facebook Group. If you are unsure, emailing the Baronial Webminister to be added to Talon Talk is the direct way to confirm and connect.

Why the Location Matters

Knowing you are in Hawkwood tells you which local events, courts, and activities are "yours." SCA events typically feature tournaments, fencing, music and singing, feasting, courts, arts displays, and children's activities. These are organized at the branch level, so your home branch is where you will find the people and calendar closest to you.

If you are outside the barony, the site still welcomes you to follow its public Facebook Page to keep up with its activities — you simply would not be a local member.

Quick Reference

Layer Hawkwood's Position
Organization Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA)
Kingdom Atlantia
Barony Hawkwood
Cantons Stormwall, Haukesgate
Core territory Western-most North Carolina
Kingdom territory DC, MD, VA, NC, SC, Augusta GA

The key takeaway: Hawkwood is a barony in Atlantia, rooted in western North Carolina, with two cantons under it. If you live in that area, you are in Hawkwood's lands and can get involved through Talon Talk or the barony's Facebook Group; if you are elsewhere in Atlantia, you are in the same kingdom but a different local branch.