Locals bring 17th century Europe to the Coachella Valley desert
PALM DESERT, Calif.-
“You ready to bring the pain?”
“Always.”
“Trying to get me back for breaking your armour.”
It started back in pre 17th century Europe, a time of kings and queens, and war that could last 30-years. Men strapped up the armour and more times than not gave their life for the their country in the battle of Europe. That’s not the case though every Thursday at Hovley Soccer Park, it’s a just a group of guys who enjoy two hours of bringing the past into the present.
“It’s a huge club, it’s worldwide. It’s called the Society of Creative Anachronism, SCA. It’s new to the desert but we have 10-15 great fighters out here. We are bringing it, in LA they do it all the time, San Diego all the time, now it’s the deserts turn.” Landon Morris said.
Instead of a field of warriors, it’s little kids playing soccer on the same exact field with the parents watching on. It might seem a little out of the ordinary.
“Get a lot of looks, people scared to come up and talk to us but we are friendly. At least I am, he’s not.” Morris said.
“Most people just think we are completely nuts, and it’s hilarious cause they are probably right.” Jared Van Fossen said.
Safety always comes first.
“We have Marshalls for that exact reason. Let’s say there are a bunch of us we will have 2 or 3 people looking around and making sure that a kid doesn’t show up and get thumped. However most kids show up and look around and more interested than the adults half the time.” Morris added.
“They are usually pretty cautious, they tend to stop when they see people.” Tessie Cervantes, a soccer mom said of the fighters.
Some people enjoy playing golf with their friends while others maybe hitting a happy hour or two, but these guys just enjoy taking it back almost 400 years before the United States was even born.
“We are not only a club but friends. Similar hobbies, medieval armour, table top gaming, drinking, can I say that on camera? We have a lot of fun things that we do. It starts with this aggression, get the energy out after work and get to hit each other. Wear armour and hang out afterwards.”
So if you’re interested, head on over and give it a try.
“Show up, just show up right here this is the place to start. We get people kitted, point people in the right direction, come out to events, but this is where it starts. This is where I started, showed up to a fighter practice day and have been here ever since.” Van Fossen finished.
