Hill Lewis, aka Rolland and Paul Caldwell, aka Alberic Hawk, duel to the death (sort of) for spectators during Douglas Fourth of July festivities. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Hill Lewis, aka Rolland and Paul Caldwell, aka Alberic Hawk, duel to the death (sort of) for spectators during Douglas Fourth of July festivities. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Go ‘Fourth’ into battle: Historical re-creators spend Independence Day at the park

Ever seen a knight fight a samurai?

Sun’s out, swords out would have been a fitting motto as the Society for Creative Anachronism took to Savikko Park ready for battle in full gear and full spirit during Fourth of July festivities in Douglas.

The SCA is an international nonprofit volunteer educational organization, as well as an inclusive group that prides itself on the pursuit of research and re-creation of pre-17th century skills, arts, combat and culture. Participants are said to gain knowledge of history through activities, demonstrations, and events. When SCA members say inclusive, they mean just that because no timeline is off limits and everyone is welcome to participate within their own historical interests.

“Each of us has a different persona, name or background that we focus on with different time periods that we’re personally into. For instance, today I’m fighting in armor that would be seen right around 1400 Germany, or I hate to say it France, there’s a dead Duke with a really cool statue that I copy. We have a big window, from the fall of Rome in the west to the year 1600 pretty much in Europe and people still even bend those rules. You’ll still see Samurais and early Romans but we’re not going to chase them off because where else are they going to go? There’s no other group for them and so long as they’re doing it well, who cares?” said SCA member Karl Marx, who does battle as Karl Helweg.”

Hill Lewis, aka Rolland, and Arthur McVey, aka Arthur Bloodworth, fight for glory as a crowd gathered in Savikko Park during the Douglas Fourth of July festivities. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Hill Lewis, aka Rolland, and Arthur McVey, aka Arthur Bloodworth, fight for glory as a crowd gathered in Savikko Park during the Douglas Fourth of July festivities. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

The SCA Juneau chapter is titled Earngyld, but the international community includes over 30,000 members with 20 different kingdoms worldwide. In addition to medieval style fighting, participants learn about the arts, skills, and culture of the Middle Ages and Renaissance in a fun atmosphere through royal courts, feasts, dancing, classes, hands-on workshops and yes, brutal tournaments.

Hill Lewis, aka Rolland, instructs beginner knight David Caldwell, aka Aiden Hawk, on the finer points of SCA combat during Douglas Fourth of July festivities.(Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Hill Lewis, aka Rolland, instructs beginner knight David Caldwell, aka Aiden Hawk, on the finer points of SCA combat during Douglas Fourth of July festivities.(Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

“I’m flying up to Anchorage to fight in a tournament up there. I’m gonna try to win it in one blow. I’ll be conserving energy because it’s best two out of three of each opponent and the finals are best three out of five. It is full force, full speed unchoreographed combat. Most guys are going at about 80% so they don’t break their friends, but we’re all trying to win,” SCA member Paul Caldwell said.

Hill Lewis, aka Rolland, and Karl Marx, aka Karl Helweg, pose in full costume before engaging in battle at Savikko Park during the Douglas Fourth of July festivities. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Hill Lewis, aka Rolland, and Karl Marx, aka Karl Helweg, pose in full costume before engaging in battle at Savikko Park during the Douglas Fourth of July festivities. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)

Contact Jonson Kuhn at jonson.kuhn@juneauempire.com.

More in News

Aurora forecast for the week of Nov. 27

These forecasts are courtesy of the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Geophysical Institute… Continue reading

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Friday, Dec. 1, 2023

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

Tree reflections and icy patterns on an East Glacier Trail pond Nov. 29. (Photo by Denise Carroll)
Wild Shots

To showcase our readers’ work to the widest possible audience, Wild Shots… Continue reading

Snow falls on the Alaska State Capitol on Monday, Jan. 30, 2023. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Funding gap looms for Alaska’s domestic violence programs, but need for services is as high as ever

A major source of funding for Alaska’s domestic violence response has decreased… Continue reading

Hundreds walk the waterfront near Elizabeth Peratrovich Plaza during the 2023 Juneau Maritime Festival in early May. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)
Survey: Residents increasingly negative about cruise tourism, but positive opinions still prevail

48% of respondents say overall impacts positive, 22% negative after record-high passenger season.

A Hawaiian Airlines plane taxis for position at Kahalui, Hawaii, on the island of Maui, March 24, 2005. Alaska Air Group said Sunday that it agreed to buy Hawaiian Airlines in a $1 billion deal. (AP Photo/Lucy Pemoni, File)
Alaska Air to buy Hawaiian Airlines in a $1.9 billion deal that may attract regulator scrutiny

SEATTLE — Alaska Airlines said Sunday it agreed to buy Hawaiian Airlines… Continue reading

Cruise ship passengers walk around in downtown Juneau in late May. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)
Public suggestions for spending cruise ship passenger fees being accepted starting Monday

More than $21.6M available after record season, but proposals limited to cruise-related projects.

The Hubbard state ferry (left), the newest vessel in the Alaska Marine Highway System fleet, is back in service in northern Southeast Alaska after a maintenance period as the LeConte, which also serves the region, undergoes a scheduled annual overhaul until March 3. (Photo courtesy of the Alaska Marine Highway System)
AMHS leaders hopeful staffing, sailings are trending up

More employees at key positions hired, restoration of cross-Gulf sailings next summer envisioned.

Most Read