Category Archives: Heraldry

SCA Geography and Events in the Aire Faucon Area

Classes, Heraldry

Welcome to the Canton of Aire Faucon, within the Barony of The Sacred Stone, in the Kingdom of Atlantia which is part of the Knowne World.

In the modern world, we would say: the City of Gastonia, in the County of Gaston, in the State of North Carolina, in the federated republic of the United States of America, on the planet Earth.

Since the overlay of SCA to Modern World often isn’t clear, today’s lesson is on Geography.

I’m going to start small and work my way up first.

The Canton of Aire Faucon
Covers Cleveland, Gaston, Lincolnton, and parts of Rutherford Counties. (Rutherford County is shared with Hawkwood and Crown Lands). Total square miles is 1,628 miles and the modern population is just shy of half a million (2016 census). And no, I don’t know how many paid SCA members are in that area.

Artwork from The Sacred Stone website: http://sacredstone.atlantia.sca.org/about-us/

The Barony of Sacred Stone
Follows the I-85 and I-77 corridors down the western third of NC which isn’t full-on mountains. It is mostly square-shape and is 125 miles north to south and east to west. Total mundane population is over four million and covers 12 thousand square miles. In the modern world, this puts us in land mass between #41 West Virginia at 24K miles and #42 Maryland at 9.7K in size. (Maryland, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Hawaii, Connecticut, Delaware and Rhode Island are all smaller.)

Aire Facuon is located on the Western-Southern edge of the Barony.

The Barony has four other Cantons, and one defunct canton which is now crown lands.

The Canton of Charlesbury Crossing is the greater Charlotte area (Anson, Cabarrus, Mecklenburg, Stanly, and Union Counties). Salisbury Glen is immediately north with just the single county of Rowan and acts much close to a traditional Canton in activities. Crois Brigte is Forsyth, Surry, Wilkes, and Yadkin; while Middlegate is Davidson, Guilford, Randolph, Rockingham, and Stokes Counties.

Artwork from Atlantia website – Map of Atlantia courtesy of Master Bran Trefonnen – https://atlantia.sca.org/offices/chatelain/atlantia-map

The Kingdom of Atlantia
Broken off from the East Kingdom, the Kingdom of Atlantia includes Maryland, the District of Columbia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and a small portion of Georgia. It is about average size for a kingdom, but has a higher population due to its coastal location.

The kingdom has 17 baronies at this time. Aire Faucon abuts both the Barony of Hawkwood (visible on the NC-Sacred Stone map above) and the Barony of Nottinghill Coil (on the SC border) and many of their functions are closer and easier to get to than some Sacred Stone events.

There are also six shires, two of which are located in NC. Between them, the baronies contain nine cantons, incipient cantons, and colleges. (For a total of 31 groups for the Kingdom)

Artwork from sca.org website – https://www.sca.org/geography/

Known World
The SCA has groups throughout the world. The most important aspects in relation to us immediately are the Wars and the Kingdom of Meridies. Much of Meridies is closer to us than the Kingdom of Atlantia, in fact, Barony of Thor’s Mountain (Knoxsville, TN – 3.5 hours) and the Shire of Nant-Y-Derwyddon (Kingsport, TN – 3 hours) are extremely close by and can easily be daytripped.

 

EVENTS

Known World Symposiums and Wars
Symposiums and Academies, such as the recent agriculture one hosted by Sacred Stone, draw people from around the Known World on special subjects. Upcoming include one focused on all things Italian (Mississippi in March), Rapier and Costuming in April in Canada, and Science in June in Utah. (dates related are 2019 and 2020 – check out https://www.sca.org/activities/events.html#kws for the most recent information)

Interkingdom Wars – Pennsic Wars was the first and still the largest and is held in late July/early August in Pennsylvania. The other big draw Atlantia (and even bigger for our portion of Atlantia) is Gulf Wars, held in March in Mississippi. Other wars you will hear people talk about are Estrella (Arizona), Lilies (Missouri), and the Great Western (Southern California). Balancing them out are the two baby wars of A&W (Oregon) and Battlemoor (Colorado).

Pennsic Wars for 2020 is July 24 to August 9th. Gulf Wars for 2020 is March 14-22.

You can find details about Known World Events at sca.org – Activities & Events – Events. From there you can click to the particular events.

Atlantia Events – atlantia.sca.org/events/atlantia-calendar-events
Kingdoms have certain required events: Crown Tournament and Coronation. In Atlantia, these are held twice a year. Other Kingdom Events include: UnEvent, Kingdom 12th Night, University, Kingdom Arts & Science Festival, and War of the Wings. All of these events, except for War of the Wings, rotate between various regions of the kingdom and groups are encouraged to bid on them.

Within Atlantia, certain groups have “big” events which draw people from all over. If you are a fighter or A&S person, these are great locations to up your game against people you don’t have a chance to face-off or learn from regularly.

Ice Castles (January, Black Diamond – VA), Ymir (February, Windmaster’s Hill – NC), Ruby Joust (May, Caer Mear – VA), Highland River Melees (May, Highland Ford – MD), and Trial by Fire (September, Bright Hills – MD).

Sacred Stone Events
Baronial Birthday (and Investiture when appropriate) is usually September; In a Phoenix Eye / Runestone Collegium are hosted by the Phoenix Eye (the arts award for the barony) in alternating years – 2020 will be In a Phoenix Eye. A member of our Canton autocrated Runestone in 2019, and Phoenix Eye in 2018. The Barony also usually has their UnEvent end of May/early June.

The Canton of Aire Faucon used to regularly host a newcomer event: Flight of the Falcon (August). Previous historic events include Inn on the Road (see our Aire Currents for history). We regularly host demos in Lincolnton, in particular Lincolnton Apple Festival.

The Canton of Charlesbury Crossing, like Aire Faucon, has had their big event slide. They also host demos every year at ConCarolinas (May) and Muggles Market (October). Aire Faucon often helps out their nearest neighbor with these.

The Canton of Crois Brigte has often hosted Gardens of Thyme in August.

The Canton of Middlegate hosts Return to Crecy.

The Canton of Saleberie Glen, until recently, hosted a regular bardic event.

 

Calendar of Events
What events should you go to? Well, depends on how far you like to travel, what type of events you like (camping, fighting, arts, university, feasts), and your free time.

Aire Faucon’s nearest neighbors – often with events within an hour or two are:
Canton of Charlesbury Crossing
Canton of Saleberie Glenn
Barony of Hawkwood (Baronial Birthday – May);
Canton of Falcon Cree (Barony of Nottinghill Coil)

Next round out – two to four hours
Canton of Crois Brigte
Canton of Middlegate
Incipient Canton of Stormwall (Barony of Hawkwood)
Barony of Windmaster’s Hill
Barony of Nottinghill Coil (Baronial Birthday – January); (Yule Toy – December)
Shire of Nant-Y-Derwyddon (TN)
Barony of Thor’s Mountain (TN)

Next round out – four to eight hours
Shire of Cathanar (NC shore)
Barony of Raven’s Cove (NC shore)
Shire of Seareach (NC shore)
Barony of Hidden Mountain (SC shore)
Shire of Border Vale Keep (GA)
Barony of Black Diamond (VA)
And like half of Meridies.

Things to look forward to in first quarter of 2020
http://atlantia.sca.org/events/atlantia-calendar-events
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ybEjlRMfEEbMlGDYDpJHDqTDm93Lwtk3hRuVgHZkKT0/pub

January 2020
4 – MERIDIES (not a kingdom event) 12th Night – Barony of Bryn Madoc – Athens, GA (http://www.brynmadoc.meridies.org/12thnight-2019.html)

11 – Garb Workshop – Nottinghill Coill – Spartanburg, SC

18 – Atlantia Kingdom 12th Night – Roanoke, VA (ROYAL)

18 – MERIDIES Menhir – Shire of Rising Stone – Murfreesboro, TN (https://www.facebook.com/events/458445958144486/)

25 – Tourney of Manannan mac Lir XL – Canton of Tear-Seas Shore (Hidden Mountain) – Harleyille, SC (ROYAL)

February 2020
1 – MERIDIES – Midwinter A&S – Barony of South Downs – Atlanta, GA

14-16 – Nottinghill Coil XL – Nottinghill Coil – Bennetsville, SC

21-23 – Ymir 45 – Windmaster’s Hill – Ellerbe, NC (ROYAL)

March 2020
7 – Kingdom A&S Festival – Matthews, NC

14-22 – Gulf Wars

14 – Raven’s Cove Baronial Birthday – Barony of Raven’s Cove – Richlands, NC

14 – A Day of DaVinci – Canton of Cydllan Downs (Barony of Nottingham Coil) – Trenton, SC

27-29 – Hidden Mountain Birthday and Investiture – Hidden Mountain – Bennetsville, SC (ROYAL)

Newcomer Night: Naming November

Class, Heraldry

Welcome to the SCA
The Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) is a practical history society, recreating the arts and skills of pre-17th century Europe and places which traded with Europe. It started in Berkley California at a small gathering on May 1, 1966. It was just a themed medieval party called the “Last Tournament,” and the friends like it so much they did it again, then again, then told their friends about it, who took it to cons, and so on.

Fifty years later, the Society has grown to more than a thousand events happening on five continents every year. SCA Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization based in Milpitas, California with affiliate organizations in Europe, New Zealand, and Australia.

The name “Society for Creative Anachronism” was coined by science fiction author Marion Zimmer Bradley when the group needed an official name to reserve a park for a tournament. (You may know her from The Mists of Avalon series, or Shadow’s Gate, or Darkover or from any of the other dozens of novels and short stories she created.) Her name in the SCA was Mistress Elfrid of Greenwalls.

What’s in a Name?
The SCA requires only one thing of event attendees, which is they make an attempt at garb.

Over time, people are encouraged to create a persona and persona name. This is a focal point around which their historical research, as deep or shallow as they want, will turn.

Ways people choose a persona include: (1) Best garb e.v.e.r! (2) always was interested in Vikings (3) I like this type of art (4) my family comes from there (5) my favorite fighting style (6) um, my spouse told me (7) I saw this movie once (8) my D&D character (9) I always wanted to be called.

From a persona, a person can start developing a name based on the location and date they are interested in. If starting from a partial or whole name, research will need to be done for where the name could have been used.

Having an SCA name can be a lot of fun, if a little confusing. (I looked up my best friend under both Mad and Dog and can’t find him anywhere!)

Don’t assume you know what is historic
So which name do you think is historic to pre-17th century – Wendy or Tiffany? Wendy was invented by Sir James Barrie in 1904 for his play Peter Pan. Tiffany comes from the Greek Theophaneia (epiphany) through Latin into French to evolve fully into Tiffany.

So be sure to research the name you are interested in having. You might be able to have it or something close.

Famous Authors who have Played
Sir Bela of Eastmarch – Poul Anderson
Yang the Nauseating – Robert Asprin
Lady Ursula de Santiago y Galiciano – Esther Freisner
Countess Bevan Frazier of Sterling – Katherine Kurtz
Lord Randall of Hightower – Randall Garrett
Mistress Diana Listmaker – Diana Paxson

Name Structure

  1. Given name
  2. Byname – A byname is a part of the name other than a given name. It may identify someone as the child of an individual (Davidson), as being from a particular place (and no longer living there!) (London), describe some distinctive physical or personality feature (Headworth), or describe their occupation (Cooper). Or inherited Surnames. Note that no language has all the bynames styles listed here.

Though introduced by the Norman during the conquest in the 1000’s, surnames weren’t widespread in England until 1400.

Personal Name – “A name phrase consists of a complete given name or byname with associated prepositions, articles and the like. The elements which make up a name phrase are referred to in these rules as name elements. Name elements may be words or pieces of words. A name phrase may consist of a single word or multiple words.” (The Standards…)

“Bynames were usually short, direct, earthy, and concrete, rather than long and fanciful; after all, they were used every day. As well, they were usually bestowed upon someone, and not chosen by them. One wouldn’t be Robert the Philosophical Poet, but Robert Talkewell (who talks well), or, worse, Robert Boast.” (SCA College…)

Rules of Naming per the Heralds

  1. “Reasonably Period” – Both by content and style.
  2. “Conflict and Presumption”
  3. “Offense”
  1. Single time and place. Avoid mixing languages, unless the location had it as a period practice.

Useful Links for Name Research

The Academy of Saint Gabriel. https://www.s-gabriel.org/ – last viewed November 7, 2019.

While they have retired from personal research, their extensive database is still online.

“SCA College of Arms – Name Articles”. Sca.org. http://heraldry.sca.org/names.html – last viewed November 7, 2019.

Cultures included: Asia, Byzantium, Eastern Europe, England, France, Germany, Middle East, Ireland, Italy, Jewish, Low Countries, Roman, Russia, Scandinavia, Scotland, Spain/Iberian, Wales.
Plus a lot of other good articles.

“The Standards for Evaluation of Names and Armory: The Rules of Submission as approved April 29, 2012 and updated July 15, 2013”. Sca.org. http://heraldry.sca.org/sena.html#GP1 – last viewed November 7, 2019.

The Viking Answer Lady. http://www.vikinganswerlady.com/ – last viewed November 7, 2019.

Awards and Recommendations Part 2: How to Submit a Recommendation

Class, Heraldry

For a Newcomer Night (not yet taught)

HANDOUT FOR QUICK NOTES IN PDF FORMAT – Click Here

Description: Again the class concentrates on writing recommendations as a member of the Canton of Aire Faucon, including SCA-wide awards, Kingdom of Atlantia awards, and Barony of Sacred Stone awards.

AWARDS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

While we often say the SCA is a game, the reality is it is a non-profit organization and like any organization it is made up of people. People who need a “thank you” now-and-again, recognition, and also breaks. This is not day-job, but fun-job. Make sure it stay fun, and one of the ways to do that is make sure the people participating – dedicating their time learning arts, or doing service, or fighting at demos – feel appreciated. This includes verbal thank yous and stuff to go on walls.

PART ONE – Part One covered the Order of Precedence (OP) and awards available to members of the Canton broken down into the big areas: Martial prowess, Arts and Science skills and teaching, and Service. Also mentioned specialization of Courtesy and for those under the age of 18. We discussed those awards recognized throughout the SCA, those which are Kingdom specific, and those given within the Barony.

PART TWO – Part Two will cover how to write and submit recommendations to the Kingdom and to the Barony.

 

WHO TO SEND RECOMMENDATIONS TO

ONE) Kingdom Awards –

  • Advocates – If you are new to writing recommendations (and even not so new) for polling orders, contact members of the Canton who already are member of the Order and bounce ideas off of them. These are people who will be attending the meetings and bringing up names and letting people know how great the person you want to recommend it. They might tell you to “wait”, they might recommend a different award.
  • The Kingdom Award system – The information will go to the King and Queen; at a couple months before the start of their reign, the Prince and Princess will also be included for polling awards. Polling awards are often cut and pasted to the polling order letters for review, so be sure to include names and specific details.
  • Additional Contacts – Inform the local Baronage, Baronial Seneschal, and Canton Seneschal. If possible, cut and paste the information you sent in to them in an email so they are aware of what was written. Often the Crown will contact the local leadership for opinions; don’t let them be caught flatfooted. Additional people who might be help could include officers in the area being written in – for A&S, get the A&S Minister involved, Newcomer – talk to the Chatelaine, and Martial, the Marshal.

TWO) Baronial Awards – Use the Baronial form on the Baronial website. Follow up with the Baronage. Like with Kingdom Awards, for polling orders contact local Advocates to help your “thank you” campaign and copy the Canton Seneschal (and appropriate officers) so when the Baronage calls, she has answers at her fingertips.

 

INFORMATION FOR THE FORMS

One) Both the Kingdom and the Barony have award submission pages. Gather the information you need before logging on. Yes, there is work – but it is worth it when you see the gentle called into court.

  • Kingdom Awards are inside a password protected area of the Atlantia website. The same area is used for signing up for Kingdom University and for members of polling orders and for responding to polls.
  • To sign up for a User Account ,you will need the following information: A Username of your choice, Mundane First Name, Mundane Last Name, SCA Name, Email Address, Password (of your choice).

Two) Kingdom Awards – Link https://award.atlantia.sca.org/

  • Login with your information.
  • See if the person already is in the OP – Enter their mundane first name, last name, or SCA name. You do not need the full information. For example entering only “Prudence” in the SCA name field will pull up three people, while “Curious” pulls up one. If the person is already in the OP, GREAT! – double check their OP entry and make sure they don’t already have the award you are writing them in for. Check the accuracy of the information that is pulled up – SCA name and group good?
  • Person is not in the OP – Maybe they just moved to the kingdom or this is their first award. In that case, you will need:
    1. MUSTS – SCA Name (spelled properly), Modern Name, Branch Name (Barony of Sacred Stone or Canton of Aire Faucon),
    2. NICE TO HAVE – Gender of their PERSONA (so the scrolls have the proper pronouns), Honorific if already have an award
  • Award Name (dropdown available)
  • Award Recommendation Comments
  • Write the Recommendations
  • You can Save (which allows you to come back to it), Submit, or Remove one you already submitted (such as finding out the Royals gave them the award yesterday, so it wasn’t in the system yet).

Three) Cool things about the Kingdom System

  • Your Recommendations – This area shows all saved and/or submitted recommendations you have created. It can remind up to update the recommendations and resubmit them at a later date and also show you that the crown heard your request and gave the person the award (which is way cool).
  • Friend and Family – Allows gentles to let the Crown know where people will be. For example, someone writes Paulie Woodcutter in for his AOA, but doesn’t know what events he will be at, but they talk to Lady Tatiana – who won’t write her husband in, but can go into the system and let the Crown know where the Woodcutter clan will be gathering.

Four) Baronial Awards through the Kingdom Website – Works very similar to the Kingdom awards

Five) Baronial Awards through the Baronial Website – Link http://sacredstone.atlantia.sca.org/orders-awards/

  • The baronial award form creates an email and does not have a special login.
  • Your information: SCA Name, Modern Name, and Email.
  • Person you are writing in: SCA Name, Modern Name, SCA Branch, Award Name (dropdown available), Award Recommendation Comments.

Six) Things to Include in Comments or Know about when writing:

  • Crowns change out every Six Months – Update your Recommendation accordingly, especially for polling orders.
  • Pollings take time – Baronial polling take several months, Crown polling of Orders can take years. Follow up regularly. Peerages are not made lightly.
  • Specific and General – Write general information related to the award, stuff like how long they have been doing the things they have been doing. Write specific information related to the award, stuff like at Blank Event in March 2019 the gentle won Competition Name and worked in the Kitchen. If submitting in another reign, then update with “what have they done lately”.
  • Where to give the award – Include likely events for them to attend with at least a month warning so the scribes have time to work the scrolls. Three months are ideal for non-polling orders.
  • If submitting a child for an award – include their age, birthdate if possible, and parental contact information

Awards and Recommendations Part 1: Awards Available to Aire Faucon Citizens

Class, Heraldry

For a Newcomer Night (not yet taught)

HANDOUT FOR QUICK NOTES IN PDF FORMAT – Click here

Description: Lists of awards available to those residing in the Canton of Aire Faucon, including SCA-wide awards, Kingdom of Atlantia awards, and Barony of Sacred Stone awards.

AWARDS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

How do you say “thank you” to the people who have done hard work? How do you bring attention to gentles excelling at the arts? How should you write someone in for their prowess on the field? Which of the many awards are appropriate to write someone in for and how do you do it?

The biggest way to say thank you, of course, is just say “thank you”. But, believe me, it helps to have something on the wall as a reminder that people really do appreciate what you have done. For those days when things go wrong, when you deal with issues, when you are just tired. Arranging to have some bit of permanent, tangible appreciation can help alleviate burnout and remind a person, yes, you are loved.

 

ORDER OF PRECEDENCE

The heralds have this thing call “Order of Precedence,” which drives the Order of March at functions such as processing at Crown Tournament. In American culture where everyone is essentially considered equal, the OP seems strange, but can be a fun part of the game. There are several essential levels and an individual’s location in the Order of March is driven by their highest award and when they received it.

The levels are:

One) Crowns and Coronets – Those presently serving on the thrones and seats. These are the Sovereign, Consort (King/Queen), Prince, Princess, Baron, Baroness, or Regents (should a throne or seat be vacant).

  • The proper way to address someone with these awards: Sovereign & Consort – Your Majesties; Prince/Princess – Your Highness; landed Baron/Baroness – Your Excellency.

Two) Patent of Arms / The Peers of the Realm – Note that all these awards are recognized throughout the SCA.

  • Royal Peers – These are people who have sat on the throne. – Duke/Duchess (served at least twice as Crown); Count/Countess (served once as Crown).
  • Peers – Order of Chivalry (Knights and Masters of Arms), Order of the Laurel, Order of the Pelican, and Order of Defense
  • The proper way to address someone with these awards: Duke/Duchess – Your Grace; Count/Countess – Your Excellency; Peers – Master/Mistress/Sir/Dame (or appropriate to persona as the person specifies).
  • The Royal Peers are not polled. Order Peers are polled by the Crown for additions to their Orders; the Crown considers their advice.
  • Order of the Rose – A special order for Consorts to the Crown when they stepped down, in general called the Ladies of the Rose – with a few Laddies thrown in. While automatic in Atlantia, it is not automatic in every kingdom. It carries no precedence in-and-of itself. The Order of the Rose encourages courtesy within kingdoms. The Sovereigns have no equivalent order.

Three) Grants of Arms / Orders of High Merit – The Grant of Arms is recognized throughout the SCA. Individual kingdoms have Orders of High Merit which carry Grants; the Grant is recognized wherever the individual moves, but the Kingdom Order is not.

  • Atlantia Orders of High Merit are: The Order of the Pearl, The Order of the Sea Stag, The Order of the Golden Dolphin, The Order of the Yew Bow, The Order of the White Scarf of Atlantia, The Order of the Kraken, The Order of the Golden Lance of Atlantia. 
  • The proper way to address someone with a Grant in Atlantia is: my Lord and My Lady. Some kingdoms designate a difference with my Honorable Lord and my Honorable Lady.
  • The Atlantia Orders of High Merit are Polling Orders, which means the Crown seeks advice on those already in the Order who to add. It is NOT a vote – the monarchs may ignore the advice.
  • Rarely are Grants given “bare” – But we have an exception in our Canton with Lord William of Faleston.

Four) Award of Arms (AOA) / Orders/Awards of Merit – The AOA is recognized throughout the SCA. Individual Kingdoms have Orders of Merit / Awards of Merit which carry AOAs; should a gentle move, the AOA is recognized but the Kingdom Orders and Awards are not.

  • Atlantia Orders of Merit – The Order of the Opal, The Order of the Coral Branch, The Order of the Silver Osprey, The Order of the King’s Missilers, The Order of the Sea Dragon, The Order of the Quintain.
  • Award of Arms – AOAs are usually given “bare.” The first big “THANK YOU” for contributions to the SCA through service, arts, or martial skill.
  • After receiving an AOA, the person should be addressed as Lord or Lady. They also may carry their Arms into battle or have someone carry it for them.
  1.  

Five) Non-Precedence Kingdom Awards – These awards carry no precedence, but they are cool and they do put the person onto the Kingdom OP. They are not recognized outside the Kingdom.

  • Atlantia Orders without Precedence – The Queen’s Order of Courtesy; The Order of the Nonpareil. 
  • Atlantia Awards (Can be given more than once) – Shark’s Tooth, Silver Nautilus, Fountain, King’s Award of Excellence, Undine, Herring, Vexillum Atlantiae, Star of the Sea.
  • Youth Awards – Sea Urchin, Hippocampus, Sea Tyger, Alcyon, Arielle
  1.  

Six) SCA & Atlantia Special Items –

  • Court Baroncy – Given by the Crown to gentles at their discretion. They may include a Grant of Arms, but might not. Per SCA Corpora, they carry at least an AOA. They have no special standing in the OP. The person’s highest “of Arms” drives their OP position. But, hey, a hat to wear is really cool. The Court Baroncy is recognized throughout the SCA.
  • Augmentation of Arms – Recognized throughout the SCA, the Crown gives a gentle a modification to their Arms, often adding something specific of the kingdom or the present holders of the crown in canton (upper dexter corner).
  • Supporters – Note that using supporters, helms, or mottos can be restricted depending on the kingdom a gentle lives. Some kingdoms reserve the right to award their subjects these items. In Atlantia, only supporters are limited.
  • Company of the Sergeants of Saint Aidan – A fighting company where new members are selected by existing members and brought in by the Sovereign.
  • Company of the Gilded Portcullis – A service company of Atlantians who have served troll at Pennsic for an extended length of time.

Seven) Baronial Orders and Awards – These awards are given by the Coronets to members of their Barony at their discretion with the Orders polled for advice as appropriate. These place a gentle onto the Kingdom OP, 

  • Orders – Order of the Sacred Stone, Order of the Phoenix Eye, Order of the Phoenix Claw, Order of the Phoenix Heart, Order of the Yeoman.
  • Awards (awards may be given more than once) – Flame of the Phoenix, Feather of the Phoenix, Baronial Award of Excellence, Talon of the Phoenix, Drakken Egg, Spark of the Phoenix, Chef d’oeure, Saint Casimir, Phoenix’s Emerald, Phoenix’s Pyrite, Baronial Award of Courtesy.
  • Special Item – Defenders of the Sacred Stone/Phoenix – Recognizes those who have served as a Champion in Sacred Stone. Not automatic.
  • Special Item – Spirit of the Phoenix is given to gentles outside the barony in recognition of their contributions.

 

AWARDS GROUPED BY AREA

That is a lot of awards and orders. Sometimes it is easier to thing about them within general families: Fighting, Arts, and Service. While not required to follow this order directly or get all the “badges,” in general it is best to write someone in for the “next” on the list from where they are.

Baronial award are separate from kingdom awards. Writing in someone for their AOA while also asking the Baronage to look at them for a Drakken Egg is appropriate.

GENERAL

SCA-wide – Court Baroncy – Whatever the Crown pleases, I have seen everything from babysitting the royal children during Pennsic to recognizing thirty years of service while waiting for the Pelicans to get back with their polling. Usually given to landed Baronage when they step down if they don’t already have one. The only award outside of Royal Peers which comes with a “hat.”

Kingdom – The Order of the Nonpareil – Honors and recognizes those who have shown excellence, honor, courtesy or chivalry above and beyond any duty. The members of this Order exemplify what it means to be an Atlantian. This award may be given only once per reign and is conveyed solely at the discretion of the Crown. There is no precedence for this accolade, however, it is probably the highest honor one who lives in Atlantia could be given. 

Kingdom – The King’s Award of Excellence – Given by the Sovereign to those deemed deserving by distinguishing themselves by their contributions to the Kingdom.

Baronial – Award of the Phoenix’s Emerald – Given to a person who is highly and uniquely valuable to the Barony. One time achievement award.

Baronial – Baronial Award of Excellence – General award of excellence, can be awarded more than once.

Baronial – Award of the Drakken Egg – Recognizes outstanding contributions of newcomers.

YOUTH

Kingdom – Order of the Sea Tiger – Ages 0 to 17. Valor.

Kingdom – Order of the Alcyon – Ages 0 to 17. A&S.

Kingdom – Order of the Hippocampus – Ages 0 to 17. Service.

Kingdom – Award of Arielle – Ages 0 to 17. Courtesy.

Kingdom – Award of the Sea Urchin – Ages 0 to 12. Contributions for service, martial skill, or A&S.

Baronial – Award of Saint Casimir – Special contributions for the Barony’s children 11 to 16.

Baronial – Award of the Feather of the Phoenix – Special contributions for the Barony’s children ages 0 to 10.

COURTESY

SCA-wide – Order of the Rose – Served as Consort on the throne.

Kingdom – Queen’s Order of Courtesy – Bestowed by the Consort of Atlantia upon subjects deemed worthy by their consistently exemplary courtesy to the subjects of all ranks in this Realm and the Society at large.

Baronial – Baronial Award of Courtesy – Given at the discretion of the Coronets to any individual displaying outstanding courtesy to any member of the populace.

FIGHTING (Heavy, Rapier, Archery, Thrown Weapons, Siege, and Equestrian – many awards are specific to the type of martial skill)

HEAVY – SCA-wide – Order of Chivalry (Knights and Masters of Arms). Great skill in combat, qualities of courtesy and grace.

RAPIER – SCA-wide – Order of Defense – Great skill at rapier and/or cut-and-thrust combat, as well as qualities of courtesy and grace, willingness to teach others, and service to the kingdom.

HEAVY – Kingdom (High Merit) – Order of the Kraken – NON-BELTED (non-knight) fighters who have distinguished themselves by consistent excellence on the field.

RAPIER – Kingdom (High Merit) – Order of the White Scarf of Atlantia – Exercise and advance of the noble art of fence and have distinguished themselves as examples of the precepts to which it is devoted. Requires the recipient to “play the prize”.

HEAVY, RAPIER – Kingdom (High Merit) – Order of the Sea Stag – TEACHING of armored combat and rapier combat.

ARCHERY, THROWN, SEIGE – Kingdom (High Merit) – Order of the Yew Bow – Excellence of skill or teaching of the skills of bow and arrow (target and combat), thrown weapons and/or siegecraft.

EQUESTRIAN – Kingdom (High Merit) – The Order of the Golden Lance of Atlantia – Expertise in equestrian arts, and who have, through service to the equestrian community, advanced those arts and promoted them.

HEAVY – Kingdom (AOA level) – The Order of the Silver Osprey – NON-BELTED fighters distinguished on the heavy field.

RAPIER – Kingdom (AOA level) – The Order of the Sea Dragon – NON-WHITE SCARF rapier fighters distinguished on the rapier field.

ARCHERY, THROWN, SEIGE – Kingdom (AOA Level) – Order of the Yew Bow – Distinguished in bow and arrow (target and combat), thrown weapons and/or siegecraft.

EQUESTRIAN – Kingdom (AOA level) – The Order of the Quintain – Distinguished by consistent effort and shown excellence in the pursuit of equestrian activities.

ANY – Kingdom – Award of the Shark’s Tooth – Acts of valor for the Kingdom,

FIGHTING UNITS – Kingdom – The Vexillum Atlantiae (the Award of the Banner) – recognizes ferocity and valor of a group of fighters as a whole, not as individuals. When they fight as a unit, the group may carry the banner with the award heraldry into battle.

HEAVY, RAPIER, SIEGE – Baronial – Order of the Phoenix Claw – Outstanding performance on the field of battle. Includes Heavy, Rapiers, and Siege Engineers.

ARCHERY, THROWN WEAPONS – Baronial – Order of the Yeoman of the Sacred Stone – Outstanding contributions in all areas of archery (target and combat) and thrown weapons.

ALL COMBAT – Baronial – Award of the Talon of the Phoenix – Outstanding achievement on the field of battle during a specific event.

ARTS AND SCIENCES (A&S)

SCA-wide – Order of the Laurel – Great skill in an Art or Science, willingness to TEACH others, and using their abilities to benefit the kingdom.

Kingdom (High Merit) – Order of the Pearl – Honors efforts and excellence in A&S and/or their willingness to teach others.

Kingdom (AOA level) – Order of the Coral Branch – A&S from period.

Kingdom – Award of the Silver Nautilus – Extraordinary achievement in A&S.

Kingdom – Award of the Fountain – Performed A&S for the kingdom.

Baronial – Order of the Phoenix Eye – Outstanding A&S achievements WITHIN the Barony. This includes the TEACHING of that art in the Barony and its USE on the Barony’s behalf. (Polled by the order. This Order has additional tasks of organizing and participating in the Runestone Collegium and the Phoenix Eye Competition events.)

Baronial – Award of the Spark of the Phoenix – Outstanding Achievement in A&S by a specific work or project.

Baronial – Award of the Chef d’oeuvre – Given for skill in planning and cooking feasts.

SERVICE

SCA-wide – Order of the Pelican – Great service to their kingdom OR the society as a whole, usually for many years and without thought of reward.

Kingdom (High Merit) – Order of the Golden Dolphin – Honors exceptional service and leadership in Atlantia.

Kingdom (AOA level) – Order of the Opal – Service to Atlantia.

Kingdom – The Award of the Undine – Given by the Consort at her discretion to those who have distinguished themselves by exceptional service to the Consort.

Kingdom – The Award of the Herring – Extraordinary achievements as autocrats.

Kingdom – The Award of the Star of the Sea – Extraordinary contributions insuring the future of our kingdom through our youth OR new members; furthering their educational growth to become active and productive members of Atlantia.

Baronial – Order of the Sacred Stone – Outstanding service and dedication to the Barony over a PERIOD OF A LONG TIME and with the promise of CONTINUTING SERVICE in the future.

Baronial – Order of the Phoenix Heart – Recognizes courtesy and chivalry in the barony. Recognizes gentles that repeatedly perform selfless acts on behalf of the Barony, both inside and outside her borders.

Baronial – Award of the Flame of the Phoenix – Outstanding feat of service in the Barony (can be given more than once).

Baronial – Award of the Spirit of the Phoenix – Contributions by those outside the geographical boundaries.

Baronial – Award of the Phoenix’s Pyrite – Given to individuals for service to the Barony above and beyond any “sane” reckoning.

    Class: Heraldic Coloring Book for Aire Faucon 2016

    Classes, Heraldry

    I created Heraldic Coloring Book for the Canton of Aire Faucon based on citizens residing within the Canton as of December 1, 2016 for the December Newcomer A&S meeting.  The coloring book includes basic heraldic definitions plus the Arms of the Populace. The coloring book is not meant to be all-inclusive, for example dozens of Furs are missing, but to give the Newcomer attending the class basic background for looking at heraldry at events and start considering getting their own.

    I broke it apart to make it easier to print since it is so art intensive. Including the cover, there are 32 pages.

    COVER PAGE – (1 page) page0-coverpage

    GROUP 1 – (2 pages) Tinctures – Includes Colors, Metals, and a few Furs  – page1-tinctures

    GROUP 2 – (4 pages) Locations on a sheild, Field Divisions, Ordinaries, and  Complex Lines –  page2-divisionlines

    GROUP 3 – (2 pages) Charges and Postures. One of the area where I went really light. I limited the postures to ones appearing in the heraldry of the Canton’s populace. Plus the fish, since we are located in Atlantia and there are a lot of fish. –  page3-charges

    GROUP 4 – (1 page) General notes about devices and creating your own. – page4-generalnotes

    GROUP 4.1 – (2 pages) Blazoning in action. I took a blazon and broke down how you can go from the words to the picture it describes. page4-1-actionblazon

    GROUP 5 – (2 pages) Landed group devices particular to Aire Faucon – the SCA, Atlantia, Sacred Stone and Aire Faucon page5-group-devices

    GROUP 6 – (5 pages) Coat-of-Arms for those within the Canton who have a Patent of Arms. –  page6-af-poa

    GROUP 7 – (8 pages) Coats-of-Arms for those within the Canton who have a Grant of Arms. – page7-af-goa

    GROUP 8 – (5 pages) Coats-of-Arms for those within the Canton who have an Award of Arms. – page8-af-aoa

    Heraldic Quiz: Match the Colors

    Articles, Heraldry

    HERALDRY QUIZ: Match the Colors

    (article originally published March 2011, Phoenix, Barony of Sacred Stone)

    Bonus Challenge

    List the five Tinctures of SCA Heraldry:

    1. ______________________________
    2. ______________________________
    3. ______________________________
    4. ______________________________
    5. ______________________________

    List the two Metals of SCA Heraldry:

    1. ______________________________
    2. ______________________________

    LINK TO ANSWER KEY