In A.S. XVI, Calontir was created as a principality
of the Middle Kingdom. It became the tenth kingdom of the Society for
Creative Anachronism in A.S. XVIII. The arms of the
kingdom are Purpure, a cross of Calatrava, in chief a crown, within
in bordure a laurel wreath Or.
Many of the badges for Calontir awards incorporate elements of the kingdom's
arms: the colors purple and gold, and the cross of Calatrava. Citizens of
Calontir may wear badges of the various awards they have received, sewn upon
their cloaks or garb, or hung from ribbons.
Thegn of Calontir is an title given to those who have rendered personal service and counsel to the Crown. Thegns serve as advisors to the Crown, retaining the title and position until the end of the reign of the bestowing King or Queen. The position carries with it no award, although the recipient ranks at the top of the Grant-level awards in the kingdom's Order of Precedence for the duration of the reign. Afterwards, the person may style himself as "Thegn (King or Queen's last name)." An individual may be so honored more than once at the desire of each Crown.
Territorial Barons and Baronesses receive Grants of Arms when they take up their offices. Grants may also be given by the Crown to those whose works, deeds, conduct, and service to the Crown and kingdom have been exceptional. The following awards also convey Grants of Arms:
The Hirth of Calontir: The Hirth is composed of two separate but equal branches: the fighters, called the Iren-Hirth, and the archers, called the Boga-Hirth. An individual may be a granted membership in both branches. Members of the Hirth are known as Huscarls.
The Iren-Hirth are those capable of fighting with all
weapons styles, with expertise in at least two. They must have supported the
Calontir army during interkingdom-level conflicts, and must demonstrate a
high level of activity, provide leadership and instruction, and must always
display unquestionable honor on and off the field. Huscarls of the Iren-Hirth
may bear the badge of the Iren-Hirth: Per chevron embattled sable and
argent, two battle-axes in saltire argent and a cross of Calatrava
purpure.
The Boga-Hirth are those familiar with all archery styles,
with expertise in at least two. They must have shot in least one Society
war or interkingdom competition, and must demonstrate a high level of service
to archery, provide guidance and instruction to other archers, and display
unquestionable honor and conduct at all times. Huscarls of the Boga-Hirth
may display the badge of the Boga-Hirth: Per chevron embattled sable and
argent, two longbows in saltire argent and a cross of Calatrava purpure.
Order of the Calon Lily: given to those have shown a high
level of skill in their chosen art(s) and a detailed knowledge of its
history, and who have assisted others in the learning of said art(s).
Companions of the Calon Lily may place the initials CCL after their names,
and may bear the badge: Or, a fleur-de-lis purpure.
Order of the Silver Hammer: given to those whose work in the
sciences has shown a high level of skill in their chosen craft(s) and a
detailed knowledge of its history, and who have assisted others in the
learning of said science(s). Companions of the Silver Hammer may place the
initials CSH after their names, and may bear the order's badge:
Sable, a smith's hammer a bordure argent.
Order of the Cross of Calontir: given to those whose works,
deeds, conduct, and service to the Crown and the kingdom have been of an
exceptional nature. Companions of the cross of Calontir may place the initials
CCC after their names, and may bear the order's badge: Or, a cross of Calatrava
within a bordure purpure
Awards of Arms may also be given at the discretion of the Crown, and automatically accompany the following awards:
The Fyrd of Calontir: The Fyrd is composed of two separate but equal branches: the fighters, called the Iren-Fyrd, and the archers, called the Boga-Fyrd. An individual may be a member of both branches. Members of the Fyrd are known as Fyrdmen.
The Iren-Fyrd are those who are authorized in at least
two weapon forms and proficient in the use of at least one.
Other qualifications include demonstrating support of the Calontir Army and
showing potential for leadership, which includes the ability to carry out
standard Calontir Army commands. They
must also display honorable behavior both on and off the field. Fyrdmen of the
Iren-Fyrd may bear the badge of the Iren-Fyrd: Sable, on a pile embattled
between two spears in pile argent a cross of Calatrava purpure.
The Boga-Fyrd are those who are proficient in at least one
archery style, who demonstrate effort to promote archery in the kingdom, and
whose conduct is consistently honorable both on and off the field. Fyrdman
of the Boga-Fyrd may bear the badge of the Boga-Fyrd: Sable, on a pile
embattled between two longbows in pile argent a cross of Calatrava
purpure.
Order of the Golden Calon Swan: given to those who have
shown promise and growth in their chosen art(s) and some knowledge of its
history, and who have assisted others in the practice of said art(s).
Companions of the Calon Swan may place the initials CGCS after their names,
and may bear the order's badge: Purpure, a swan naiant Or.
Order of the Leather Mallet: given to those whose work in
the sciences has shown promise and growth in their chosen craft(s) and some
knowledge of its history, and who have assisted others in the practice of
said sciences. Companions of the Leather Mallet may place the initials CLM
after their names, and may bear the order's badge: Purpure, on a pale
dovetailed argent, three leather mallets proper.
Order of the Torse: given to those individuals or groups
who have provided service above that normally expected of citizens of the
kingdom. Companions of the Torse may place the initials CT after their names,
and may bear the order's badge: A torse with mantling in alternating bands
of purpure and Or. Groups created of this order may bear a pennon of
this badge upon a crossbar with the group's arms or badge.
Order of the Rose: automatically bestowed upon all consorts who have successfully completed their reign, after their investiture in the county rank. Members may style themselves as Companions of the Rose.
Order of the Sword of Calontir: given to those individuals
or groups who have performed dramatic deeds concerning the art and science of
combat, strategy, tactics, and/or Society warfare. The award is highly-prized
by the citizens of Calontir. Companions of the Sword of Calontir may place
the initials CSC after their names, and bear the order's badge: Sable, a
cross of Calatrava, elongated in base so as to form a sword inverted, within a
bordure argent. Groups created of this order may bear a pennon of this
badge upon a crossbar with the group's arms or badge.
Order of the Keeper of the Flame: given to those who through
their appearance, actions, and deeds demonstrate an exceptional amount of
honor and courtesy, and exemplify themselves in efforts to create a medieval
aura. This award may be bestowed only once per reign. Companions of the order
may place "Keeper of the Flame" after their name, and may bear the order's
badge: Or, a flame purpure.
Order of the Queen's Chalice: given to those young people
who have provided service to the kingdom and its people above that normally
expected of them. Companions of the Queen's Chalice may place the initials
CQC after their names, and may bear the order's badge: Purpure, a chalice
Or, charged with a cross of Calatrava purpure.
The following recognitions convey no position in the Order of Precedence:
Queen's Endorsement of Distinction: as the patroness of all
gentle and courteous behavior, the Queen of Calontir may, at her own
discretion, bestow this recognition upon some few individuals. It may be
given only thrice during any one reign, and only once in each category:
1. Unto the individual combatant or archer who has shown the highest of
chivalric behavior;
2. Unto the individual who has best exemplified gentle
and courteous behavior; and
3. Unto the individual who best exemplified the
ideals and goals of the Society.
The Queen may bestow any or all of these
recognitions as she chooses. She may bestow upon those individuals a badge
of her own initials entwined with a rose, constructed as she desires. Members
may place the initials QED after their names. Individuals may be so honored
by more than one queen.
King's Favor: given at the discretion of the King for personal service to himself or to the Crown. The traditional token is a ring from the King's hand.
Iren Feran: the title of "Iren Fera" may be bestowed upon individuals who are not citizens of Calontir, who have faithfully stood beside and integrated themselves into the Calontir Army, over numerous occasions, to the level of what may be expected of the regular militia of the Kingdom. Members of the Calon Iren Feran (or Feran of Calontir) may place after their names the initials CIF or the words Iren Fera, and may bear the order's badge: Sable, between a spear and a battle-axe palewise, on a pale embattled argent a cross of Calatrava, purpure.
Order of the Falcons Heart: given to those kingdom groups who have provided service to the kingdom above that normally expected of them. The group may place "Bearer of the Falcons Heart" after its name, and companions of the order may bear the badge: [Fieldless] A falcon close maintaining a cross of Calatrava, Or.
| Index of SCA Kingdom Awards articles | Kingdom of Calontir webpage |
This column was compiled from Calontir Kingdom Law. Assistance was
provided by Conrad Martin von Kassel, Chendra Rudd ferch Araianwen, and
Kateryn de Develyn.
The illustration of the Calon Lily badge was provided by
Rory McGowen; illustrations of other award badges were
provided by Mikhail of Lubelska.
Mistress Jessa d'Avondale (OP,
Court Baroness,
GoA,
OSC,
OM,
OBT,
QC,
Terpsichore)
is from the fifteenth-century Italian court, where she is studying the dance
(including those peculiar ones from France and England). She resides in the
East Kingdom. Marla Lecin
(mlecin@optonline.net)
invites anyone with updates or corrections to this article to contact her.