In A.S. 8, An Tir was created as a principality of the West Kingdom. It became the ninth kingdom of the Society for Creative Anachronism in A.S. 16. The arms of the kingdom are Checky Or and argent, a lion rampant tail forked and nowed sable, crowned gules, grasping in dexter forepaw a laurel wreath bendwise vert.
Many awards' names and badges incorporate elements of the kingdom's arms. The symbol of An Tir is the black lion.
Membership in the Order of the Rose is offered by the reigning Consort to those who have completed serving a term as consort to the sovereign. Members of this order are charged with encouraging chivalric and courteous behavior among all members of the Society.
Membership in An Tir's Order of the Lords and Ladies of Valorous Estate is given by the reigning principality Consort to those who have completed serving a term as a principality consort. Members of this order are charged with encouraging chivalric and courteous behavior among all members of the Society.
Order of the Goutte de Sang: given for substantial service to the kingdom. The token takes many forms, generally a medallion with a red drop on a checky gold and silver field. The order's badge is: Checky Or and argent, a goutte de sang.
Order of the Jambe de Lion: given for skill in the arts and sciences and willingness to share their skill with others. The token is a pewter medallion of the order's badge: Checky Or and argent, a lion's jambe bendwise inverted erased sable.
Order of the Grey Goose Shaft: given for excellence in archery. The order's badge is: Checky Or and argent, a goose within four arrows lying as on a mascle sable. The token for the Order is a white leather archer's bracer. Members of the Order have the right to take "arcarii" or students.
Order of the White Scarf: given for skill in rapier combat. The token is a white scarf. Members of this Order also have the right to take students who are entitled "cadets".
Ordo Hastae Leonis (Order of the Spear of the Lion): given for excellence and chivalry in the pursuit and practice of the art of war. No token has yet been established for this award.
An Augmentation of Arms is considered the second highest honor a person can receive for sustained service to the kingdom.
The Throne's Favor is the highest award the Crown can bestow for a significant contribution to the kingdom through conspicuous service. Recipients have the right to display a checky Or and argent pennon, with ribbons in colors associated with the awarding royalty.
Order of the Iron Chain: given upon recommendation of the previous recipients for courage and bravery in the face of personal and real danger in the real world. The token of the order is a black iron chain.
Order of the Honor of the Lion of An Tir: presented no more than once per reign for contributing to and being the embodiment of the ideals and essence of An Tir and the Society. Recipients may place the title "Lion of An Tir" after their names, and are so styled. They are entitled to include: A lion, tail forked and nowed Sable, as a supporter in their arms, and may add to their personal banner: A stripe on dexter checky Or and Argent, to signify their estate.
Golden Unicorn/Silver Unicorn: marks of personal favor given by the late Dowager Princess, Her Serene Highness Janeltis Karaine Starfollower. This lady so won the affection of the populace during her reign as Princess of the Principality of An Tir, they petitioned that she be given a special title when she stepped down. She was counted among the royalty of An Tir.
Forget-me-not: given by the Queen as a token of personal favor. Its token is the initial of the Queen dependent from a pewter forget-me-not blossom.
King's Favor: given by the King as a token of personal favor.
Honour of the Belated Rose: given on the recommendation of the Orders of the Rose and of the Lords and Ladies of Valorous Estate, for courteous and courtly behavior. The badge is: On a heart checky Or and Argent, a rose slipped and leaved Sable.
Honor of the Lion's Cub: given to children in the realm who have shown noble merit.
La Mano d'Oro: given on the advice of the Minister of Arts and Sciences, for excellence in and service to the arts and sciences of An Tir. Its token is a medallion of a gold hand, palm forward, on a purple field. The badge is: Purpure, within a double tressure Or, a dexter hand couped apaumy Or.
Order of the Carp: given by the Queen for excellence in period dress, thought, speech, behavior, and encampment.
Order of the Silver Rose: given by the Queen to the person who finishes second in the Crown Tournament. The token is a pewter medallion of a heraldic rose, and the order's badge is: A rose argent, barbed and seeded, slipped and leaved, proper.
Order of the Silver Lily: given by the Queen to the consort of the fighter who finishes second in the Crown Tournament. The token is a pewter medallion in the shape of a lily, and the order's badge is: (Fieldless) Three lilies conjoined at the stems in pall inverted argent.
Lion's Torse: given by the King for armor worn on the field that is period, functional, and esthetically pleasing.
Sable Chime: given for a specific excellent and/or inspirational musical performance, or for continuing musical performance throughout the Kingdom.
Order of the Rose: given to those who have served a complete term as consort of An Tir. The members of the order are charged with encouraging chivalrous and courteous behavior among all members of the Society.
Order of the Lords and Ladies of Valourous Estate: consists of those who have served a complete term as consort of a territorial prince or princess. The order is charged with encouraging chivalrous and courteous behaviour among all members of the Society.
The rank of Sergeant of Arms was established in A.S. 12 to provide a way for unbelted fighters to demonstrate their proficiency in the martial arts and in the gentler disciplines of medieval culture. The rank, which is not armigerous, is bestowed and administered by the territorial baronesses of the kingdom. During the tourney the candidates are tested in heraldry, calligraphy, the arts and sciences, chess, other medieval games, and more. Their chivalry and courtesy are judged, and they compete in a tournament where the sergeants and knights judge their skill. Successful candidates swear an oath of fealty to their baroness, are addressed as Sergeant, and wear a belt with the baronial badge on the buckle. If a sergeant is elevated to the Chivalry, the rank of Sergeant is resigned. If a baroness steps down, the sergeants of that barony may choose to resign or to renew their vows to the new baroness. In the same manner, archers may earn the rank of Yeoman, rapier fighters may earn the rank of Gallant, and those skilled in the arts or in service may earn the rank of Courtier.
Whimsical Order of the Ailing Wit: given to those who pun above and beyond the call of taste and sanity. Recipients are required to warn others by identifying themselves with a label of some sort with the initials of the order.
Muckin' Tall Maul: given upon recommendation of the previous recipient for ferocity on the field during the Crown Tournament lists.
Old Shattered Shield: presented for valor and authentic death in the crown lists. The recipient must place his/her mark on the shield, and present it to the most deserving combatant at the next crown tournament.
The Maul and Shield are considered "comic" awards, more burden than honor. Another such award is the Pernicious Lily. While not actually listed in Kingdom Law, it is occasionally given at a Crown Tournament to fighters who provide dramatic or impressive deaths on the field.
The Champion of An Tir is selected at a tournament held the weekend of Summer Coronation. The Champion is the Bearer of the Great Sword of State, and serves as Regent if the Crown are unable to conclude their reign.
The Queen's Champion of Rapier Combat is selected at a tournament held the weekend of Twelfth Night Coronation.
The Kingdom Protector is selected at a tournament held on the weekend of Fall Crown Tournament, consisting of single combat between armored archers.
The Arts & Sciences Champion is selected at a tournament held the first weekend in March.
Honor of the Lion's Sword: given by the King upon an individual's completion of a term as Champion of An Tir, either by holding the position until the next Champion's Tournament or by ascending the throne during their tenure as champion.
Honor of the Lion's Rapier: given by the Queen upon an individual's completion of a term as the Champion of Rapier Combat.
Honor of the Lion's Arrow: given by the Crown upon an individual's completion of a term as Kingdom Protector.
Honor of the Lion's Heart: given by the Crown upon an individual's completion of a term as the Kingdom Arts and Sciences Champion
Fury of the Lion: a three-tiered commission for the duration of the Sovereign's reign for war fighting. The regalia gained during this commission may be retained and displayed after the Sovereign reign:
The arms of the principality are Azure, a gryphon passant and on a
mountain argent, a goblet azure within a laurel wreath vert.
Principality awards include:
Order of the Summits: given to recognize extraordinary contribution to the principality and populace. It can be given no more than once per Coronet reign, but need not be given every reign. Companions in this Order must be consulted by the Coronet for advice before an invitation is offered to a new Companion.
 | Award of the Grail: given for notable contributions in the Arts and Sciences, Service, or Martial endeavor. Recipients may wear an argent grail pendant with colored field (vert for Arts and Sciences, gules for Service, sable for Martial) on a beaded necklace. Individuals may be recognized with this award once in each area. |
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Order of the Wounded Gryphon: given for exceptional conduct and prowess upon the field of battle. Members may wear a gryphon sejant pierced in the breast by an arrow bendwise sinister argent, fletched azure.
Throne Favor of Summits: given to those within and without the Principality who make noteworthy general contributions to the Principality and its populace. The token for this award is determined by each Coronet.
Gryphon's Favor:
given to those outside the Summits who make great contributions in support of the principality.
Recipients may wear an argent grail pendant with an azure field on a beaded necklace.
Gryphon's Paw: given as a token of appreciation and honor by the Sovereign to select gentles deemed worthy. The token shall include a paw print, customized as the Sovereign desires.
Evergreen: given as a token of appreciation and honor by the Consort
to gentles deemed worthy. Recipients may wear an argent spray of barberry on a beaded necklace.
Order of the Far Voyager: given by the Coronet to recognize those members of the principality who travel great distances and represent the Summits to the Knowne Worlde in an honorable fashion. The proposed token is: fieldless, three lines per fess wavy azure, a star in chief, a mount issuant from base argent.
Shield of Chivalry: given by the Princess to that fighter whom she judges to have been most chivalrous during the Coronet Lists. It is passed on at each Coronet Lists.
Order of the Griffin's Sword: consists of those fighters who have placed second in the Coronet lists. Members may wear an argent sword bent into a ring.
Morgan's Rose: given to the consorts of those fighters who have placed second in the Coronet List. Recipients may wear an argent rose wrapped around a spear.
Order of the Aerie (closed): consists of all those who held the position of Defender or Lady of the Summits prior to the recognition of Summits as a Principality. Members may wear a black garter with a grail tippet.
Avacal was created a Crown Principality in
A.S. 26. It became a full principality
in August of 31.
The arms of the principality are Quarterly argent and Or, a griffin
rampant, on a point pointed gules a laurel wreath Or.
Principality awards include:
Golden Oak: given for being a shining example of chivalry and courtesy on a consistent basis.
Gilded Griffin: given for service
Griffin's Flame: given for achievement in the arts and sciences
Griffin's Heart: given for excellence in period dress, thought, speech, behavior, and encampment.
Griffin's Claw: given for representing Avacal outside of the principality, in an extraordinary way, in the recipient's chosen field.
Dread Red Bear of Avacal: given for succeeding in combat against overwhelming odds.
Princess' Knot: given for service to the Princess
Prince's Favor: given for service to the Prince
Order of the Griffin's Sword: those fighters who have placed second in the Coronet Tournament.
Iron Maul: given to the fighter who finishes second in the Champions of Sword Tournament.
Iron Arrow: given to the archer who finishes second in the Champion of Arrows Tournament.
Elders of Avacal: those who have served as Champions of Avacal. The four Champions of Avacal are: Champion of Sword (heavy or rattan combat), Champion of Arrows (light or missile combat), Champion of Arts & Sciences, and Avacal Bravo (rapier).
Griffin's Egg: (closed) given for outstanding service by a child.
Tir Righ began its existance as the Northern Region of An Tir. In March of
A.S. 34 it was created the Crown Principality of the North,
and in June of A.S. 38 the first Tir Righ Coronet Tournament
was held, and the group was elevated to full principality status.
The arms of the principality are Azure, on a saltire between four mullets of eight points argent a laurel wreath azure.
Principality champions are:
Scourge of the North: Heavy Weapons Champion
Skewer of the North: Rapier Champion
Scorer of the North: Archery Champion
Scholar of the North: Arts & Sciences Champion
Skald of the North: Bardic Champion
| Index of SCA Kingdom Awards articles | Kingdom of An Tir webpage |
This column was compiled from An Tir Kingdom law, Summits Principality Law, and the SCA Armorial. Assistance was provided by Mistress Elizabeth Braidwood, Alban St. Albans and Kwellend-Njal Kollskeggson.
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.