Kingdom Competition Requirements & Judging Forms

Ansteorra has three kingdom level competitions: Kingdom Arts and Sciences, Kingdom Performance, and Middle Eastern Dance. Each of these competitions has different criteria, purpose and needs and judged in different ways. When in doubt see the judging forms below the descriptions of the categories. Need to better understand how the judging forms are used and what each question means? Watch video De-Mystifying the Judging Sheets in Ansteorra – KC2021 YouTube.

Kingdom Arts and Sciences

This includes 4 areas of entries…

Static Entry

A static entry is a researched and recreated period item. This can be anything from armor, jewelry, fiber items, anything you can find that they did in period, you can create it. This requires written documentation averaging between 5-10 pages (pictures can make it longer). In this, you will want to document who, what, why, when where and how it was done, and any substitutions you had to make (usually too costly, unable to be sourced, or hazardous materials). See the judging form (below) and use that as a guide for structuring your documentation.

Static Entry Judging Form – 2/2022

Performance Entry

A performance entry is just that, a performance. However, the aim is not to entertain as much as to produce a performance that would have been done in period. Judges are looking for you to recreate it as close to possible in style and content. Performing a Viking saga in the style it was done, performing a chant as a monk would have in the 10th century, and performing a piece of a period play are all options for these entries. The requirements are the same for documentation as in the static pieces, and again the judging form should guide you in laying out your documentation.

Performance Judging Form v2 – 2/2022

Research Entry

A research entry is a paper on a period topic. Just like a paper from high school, it will have a thesis that your paper is trying to prove with your research. It can be a collection of opinions on the topic, or an analysis of data. Documentation from books, academic journals, academically produced media (such as university or museum recordings, podcasts and videos), and research from credible oral traditions (for example indigenous traditions provided by tribes), are all options for your research. Keep in mind that your judge is looking for predominantly academic sources (again review the judging sheet below). Wikipedia is a great place to start a bibliography but not the item to cite. Speaking of bibliography, you can use any format you are comfortable with: MLS, APA, Turabian, Chicago, etc. As long as the judge can find the source when they have a question, that is all that matters. Having an editor or two is allowed and expected in these entries. If you do not have one reach out to your local, or regional MOAS to help.

Research Judging Form – 8/2007

Supported Research Entry

Supported Research is one of the least understood categories. This is not just making a period researched item; that is static entry. The goal of supported research is to answer, either a disputed question, or a question with an unknown answer. Come up with a hypothesis and prove it. Did Germans do knife pleats, cartridge pleats, or gathers in their skirts? We have pictures of how this should look. Make all three garments and see what looks “right”. You will be judged half on research and half on the item provided proving the hypothesis. Like the other entries (see judging form), but this is experimental archeology at its best. This is not the category for a static entry that is lower quality, or a research paper where the question is generally undisputed, or well-known (unless you completely disagree with the masses and have proof of your new idea). If there is no hypothesis to prove, you will not be judged on the supported research form. You will have the option to have your item moved to the research or static category as appropriate.

Supported Research Judging Form – 01/2022

SCA.org Arts and Sciences Values

The society has set these values down for all judging. Please keep in mind the mission and core values of the SCA as you enter and judge.

SCA Mission Statement:

The Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) is an international non-profit volunteer educational organization. The SCA is devoted to the research and re-creation of pre-17th century skills, arts, combat, culture, and employing knowledge of world history to enrich the lives of participants through events, demonstrations, and other educational presentations and activities.

In pursuing its mission, the SCA is committed to excellence in its programs, communications, and activities.

Kingdom Performance

Unlike Kingdom Arts and Sciences performance, where you are trying to recreate a period performance, this is an audition to be the crown’s court entertainer: bard, musician, poet, actor, storyteller, etc. Also, known as Kingdom Bardic, Royal Bard, or Eisteddfod, this does not use the kingdom judging forms. Judges will provide comments and suggestions on taking your art to the next level. That being said, this is the Crown’s performer, and they make the final choice. The royal performer (example Royal Storyteller) will need to be available to perform for the crown and their guests throughout their tenure. The Simple Bardic/Performance Judging Sheet is often used at royal performance and other championship auditions.

Middle Eastern Dance Champion

Middle Eastern dance is a hybrid of Royal Performance and Kingdom A&S. Like Kingdom A&S, each entrant needs to perform with dance elements that are consistent with period traditions. Dance documentation is suggested but not required. It should contain a list of the period elements you will be performing and how you will be executing them. There is written research for Persian and Turkish dance. However, not all cultures have written dance documentation. Sources can be oral, (example: videos from dance ethnographers, or dance anthropologists), and pictures from manuscripts (miniatures and statuary from Central and South Asia. It is highly recommended to ask for drummers to perform with you or to choose a recorded work that is not obviously modern. This can also be part of your research. This dance can be improv or choreographed. It is up to you.

The second round will be like Royal Performance. This is an audition; bring your best improv dancing. If you like props, bring them. If you have dance moves that you are pretty sure are modern, that is fine too. This is all about the spirit of middle eastern dance entertainment. Keep in mind, you will be performing your improv dance to a standard middle eastern rhythm (Iqa). The most popular rhythms requested are Beladi, Chifftitellie, Falfoof, and Ayoub. One may also be assigned to you at the crown’s discretion. If you have a special one you would like played, please make sure you get with the drummers beforehand.

The middle eastern dance champion will need to be available to perform for the crown and their guests throughout their tenure and asked to support haflas around the kingdom.

Middle Eastern Dance Judging Form – 1/2017

Gulf War Judging Forms

Some Artist will be chosen to represent the Kingdom at the annual Gulf War (usually at Kingdom A&S). Please review the judging forms below and adjust your documentation as needed if you have been named as an entrant.

Research Judging Form GW

Static Judging Form GW

Performance Judging Form GW

*any other form is obsolete/retired unless otherwise noted.

Sample Judging forms from Other Kingdoms

Some of the other Kingdoms have divisions and category specific judging criteria. These can be helpful to those judging for the first time and those competing in competitions in other kingdoms, such as Pennsic War. These are not specific to our kingdom but can provide some ideas on what to look for in an entry

Aethelmearc – http://www.aeans.org/

An Tir – https://www.antir.org/offices/minister-of-arts-and-sciences/

Atenveldt – http://arts.atenveldt.org/Documents/KingdomCompetitionJudgingSheets

Atlantia – https://moas.atlantia.sca.org/

Artemisia – https://arts.artemisia.sca.org/

Avacal – http://www.avacal.org/artsci/SitePages/Home.aspx

Caid – http://wp.as.sca-caid.org/as-competitions/category-and-forms/

Calontir – https://www.calontir.org/a-s-criteria/

Drachenwald – https://drachenwald.sca.org/#/ or Drachenwald Ministry of Arts and Sciences Arts & Sciences Judging Criteria by category | Kingdom of Drachenwald (sca-drachenwald.gitlab.io)

Ealdormere – https://www.ealdormere.ca/

East – https://moas.eastkingdom.org/

Gleann Abhann – http://artsandsciences.gleannabhann.net/