In A.S. XI, Atlantia was created as a principality of the East Kingdom. It became the eighth kingdom of the Society for Creative Anachronism in A.S. XVI. The arms of the kingdom are Per pale argent and azure, on a fess wavy cotised counterchanged a crown vallery Or, overall a laurel wreath vert.
Atlantian law notes that all instances of "King" and "Queen" should be read as "Sovereign" and "Consort", in those cases where the throne may have been won by the Queen.
Grants of Arms also accompany the six Atlantian Orders of High Merit (if the recipient is not already armigerous). The Crown consults with the members of these orders before admitting new candidates.
Order of the Golden Dolphin: given to those subjects of the kingdom who have distinguished
themselves by their exceptional service and leadership in the kingdom. The order's badge
is: Per chevron enhanced engrailed argent and azure, in base a dolphin
naiant to sinister Or.
Order of the Pearl: given to those subjects of the kingdom who have
distinguished themselves by their efforts and willingness to teach others the
arts and sciences of the period, and/or those who have achieved excellence in
the arts and sciences of the period. The order's badge is: (fieldless) On an
escallop inverted azure a plate.
Order of the Sea Stag: given to those subjects who have distinguished themselves
by their teaching of
armored combat, rapier combat, combat and target archery, thrown weapons, siege warfare, or youth combat.
The order's badge is:
Azure, a stag's head cabossed and in base two tridents in saltire argent.
Academie d'Espee - the Order of the White Scarf of Atlantia:
given to those subjects who have excelled in the exercise and advance of
the noble art of fence, and have distinguished themselves as examples of
the precepts to which it is devoted. The order's badge (subject to
registration) is: Argent, a pale couped between two unicornate
seahorses azure.
Order of the Yew Bow: given for excellence in skill with bow and arrow (either target or combat),
thrown weapons or siegecraft. The order's badge is: (fieldless) A unicornate natural seahorse's head erased, maintaining
in its mouth an arrow inverted bendwise. All past members of the Order of the
King's Missiliers (prior to Feb 7, 2003), the Order of the Nimrod (closed),
and the Award of the Yew Bow (closed) are considered to be members of this order.
Order of the Kraken: given to those non-belted fighters who have distinguished
themselves by constant excellence on the field. The badge of the order is:
(fieldless) A kraken Or. All past recipients of the Award of the Kraken (closed) are
considered to be members of this order.
The titles of Court Baron and Baroness, given at the discretion of the Crown, convey an Award of Arms. Awards of Arms also accompany the Atlantian Orders of Merit:
Order of the Bright Leaf: given to those who have distinguished themselves in their efforts in arts and sciences of the period.
Order of the Silver Osprey: given to non-belted fighters who have distinguished themselves by consistent effort on the field.
Order of the King's Missiliers: given to those who have distinguished themselves by their efforts with bow and arrow (either target or combat), thrown weapons, or siegecraft.
Queen's Order of Courtesy: given by the Queen to those
subjects she deems worthy by reason of their consistently exemplary courtesy to subjects of
all ranks in the Realm and in the Society at large. The Queen may call upon the
members to assist her with their aid or advice in encouraging courteous
behavior, whenever she may deem this necessary, and the members are bound
to assist the Queen to the best of their abilities. The token given is usually a
medallion bearing an escallop.
There are a number of Kingdom Awards; an individual can receive any of these more than once:
Order of the Non Pareil: given to those who have shown excellence,
honor, courtesy, and chivalry above and beyond any duty. The members of this Order
exemplify what it means to be an Atlantian. The award may be given only once
per reign. The badge of the order is: Or, a sword between four towers sable.
Shark's Tooth: given by the King and Queen, jointly or individually,
to those who have performed acts of valor for the kingdom.
The badge for this award is a natural shark's tooth.
King's Award of Excellence: given to those the king deems deserving, who have distinguished themselves by their excellent contributions to the kingdom. The token is a gold pendant, upon which is inscribed the king's initial, in blue.
Undine: given to those subjects the queen deems deserving, who have distinguished themselves with exceptional service to her. The token is a blue pendant, upon which is inscribed the queen's initial, in gold.
Silver Nautilus: given to those who have distinguished themselves by
an extraordinary achievement in the Arts and Sciences. The badge of the order is:
(fieldless) A nautilus shell argent.
Fountain: given by the King and Queen, jointly or individually, to those who have performed acts of service for the kingdom.
Herring: given to those who have distinguished themselves by extraordinary achievement as autocrats.
Hippocampus: given to young people (from 10 to 17)
whose service and contributions to the kingdom have distinguished them in the eyes of
the Crown and kingdom. The badge of the order is: (Fieldless) A sea-horse per fess argent and azure.
Golden Gazelle: given to young people (up to the age of 17) who have distinguished themselves by acts of courtesy.
Order of the Sea Urchin: given to children 12 years of age and
under who have distinguished themselves by their contributions to the kingdom. Recipients
may wear a badge: (fieldless) A Sea Urchin argent.
Atlantia also has Kingdom Notables -- positions held in service to the Crown for one year. These positions are awarded at competitions run by the current Kingdom Notable, in conjunction with the Crown. At each competition, a panel of three or more judges selects three finalists, from which the Royalty choose the new Notable.
Royal Brewer: for excellence in making beer, ale, mead, wine, or other period alcoholic beverages, and for combining excellence in product with a reasonable attempt at authentic ingredients and recipes. T he Royal Brewer should encourage brewing in the kingdom. Suggested goals are: brewing for the Crown, displaying work at events, sponsoring brewing competitions, and teaching. The badge registered to the position is: Azure, on a pale between two mugs argent, a unicornate natural seahorse azure.
Royal Baker: for excellence in producing at least two period types of baked goods, such as breads, cakes, pastries and wafers, and for combining excellence of product with a reasonable attempt at period materials and/or style. The Royal Baker should encourage baking in the kingdom Suggested goals are: service for the Crown, sponsoring baking competitions, and teaching.
Poeta Atlantiae (Royal Poet): for excellence in composition of poetry in at least two period forms, and combining excellence in poetic composition with a reasonable attempt at authentic period styles, both in material and structure. The Poeta Atlantiae should encourage the arts of poetry in the kingdom. Suggested goals are: writing for or about the Crown, displaying work at events, sponsoring poetry competitions, and teaching.
Royal Bard: for excellence in the individual performance of: singing, instrumental music, poetic rendition, or storytelling. The Royal Bard is encouraged to be proficient in at least two of these fields, and is expected to combine engaging and entertaining performance with a reasonable attempt at authentic period styles, both in material and presentation. In addition, the Bard should encourage the performing arts in the kingdom. Suggested goals are: performing for or writing compositions about the Crown, performing at events, sponsoring bardic competitions, and teaching.
Scrivener Royal: for excellence in calligraphy and illumination. The Scrivener acts as the personal scribe of the Crown, holding office under the Clerk of the Signet and dealing with promissory/scroll production and special scribal needs at events the Royal attend. The Scrivener Royal should encourage calligraphy and illumination in the kingdom. Suggested goals are: creating scrolls for the Crown, sponsoring calligraphy and illumination competitions, and teaching.
| Index of SCA Kingdom Awards articles | Kingdom of Atlantia webpage |
This column was compiled from Atlantian Law, the SCA Armorial and On the Ordering of Rank and Precedence in Atlantia, by Duchess Ysabeau Cameron of Lochiel. Assistance was provided by Dominus Herveus d'Ormonde (Triton Principal Herald), Mistress Jaelle of Armida (Argent Snail Herald Extraordinary), and Lord Kwellend-Njal Kollskeggson. The arms of the kingdom were rendered by Miles Reginald Hastings. Award badges created by Eldred &Aelig;fwald, from the http://scribe.atlantia.sca.org/ clip-art page.
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 (362 Cherry Avenue, Bound Brook, NJ 08805; mlecin@optonline.net) invites anyone with updates or corrections to this article to contact her.