Etcetera - The East Kingdom

The East Kingdom, the second kingdom of the Society for Creative Anachronism, was founded in July, A.S. 3. The arms of the kingdom are: Purpure, within a laurel wreath vert fimbriated Or, an eastern crown of three grand points tipped with pearls and two lesser points, all Or. Several award badges incorporate the kingdom colors of purple and gold, or a blue heraldic tyger, the kingdom's symbol.

Patents of Arms

Grants of Arms

Awards of Arms are given at the royalty's discretion. They also automatically accompany any of the five Orders of High Merit, if the recipient does not already bear a Patent, Grant, or Award of Arms. The Orders of High Merit are "polling orders": the Crown must consult the companions of the order via a written poll before granting the award.

Order of the Silver Crescent (OSC): given for service: either long service within an area of the Kingdom from which the entire Kingdom benefits, or by continuing service in ways which directly benefit a large portion of the Kingdom. The order's badge is: In pale a crescent inverted argent and an Eastern crown Or. Established June 13, A.S. 6, by Akbar III and Khadijah III.

Order of the Maunche (OM): given for arts and sciences, either for excellence in one specific area or for surpassing competence in several. The order's badge is: Per pale Or and purpure, a maunch counterchanged. Established October 9, A.S. 11, by Laeghaire and Ysabeau II.

Order of the Tygers Combattant (OTC): given for prowess at SCA combat, either for excellence in one weapons form or for surpassing competence in several. The order's badge is: Per pale Or and azure, two tygers combattant counterchanged. Established October 9, A.S. 11 by Laeghaire and Ysabeau II.

Order of the Sagittarius (OSag): given to those who show superior prowess at target archery, and who have distinguished themselves in archery in one of the following areas; teaching and demonstrating the art of archery, making archery equipment or by helping to arrange archery at events and/or sites. The order's badge is: Azure, a sagittary passant to sinister, the human torso turned to dexter Or. Established January 22, A.S. 18 by Viktor and Sedalia; updated March 24, A.S. 41 by Lucan and Jana.

Order of the Golden Rapier (OGR): given for excellence in the art of fence, for superior prowess in the lists, teaching, and promoting and expanding the knowledge of the art. Established April 26, A.S. 26 by Ruslan and Margaret.

Orders of Honor

Queen's Order of Courtesy (QoC): presented by the consort to those who show exemplary courtesy to all. The token is a right-hand glove bearing a blue rose charged with a gold rose. First awarded October 19, A.S. 9 by Cariadoc II and Diana II.

Order of the Burdened Tyger (OBT): presented to those gentles associated with running an event or an aspect of an event which the Crown attended, and which They feel was well above the normal standard of excellence in the Kingdom. However, it cannot be awarded at that same event. An individual can receive this award more than once. The order's badge is: Or, a tyger sejant erect, forepaws clasped over its head, azure. First awarded February 14, A.S. 10 by Aonghais II and Ysabeau I.

Order of the Tyger's Cub: for children who display admirable virtue and decorum at events. Members are entitled to act as pages to the royalty until they reach the age of 18. The order's badge is: Or, a tyger sejant azure, its forepaws resting on a torteau. First awarded October 14, A.S. 13 by Gyrth and Melisande.

Order of Troubadours: given for vocal entertainment, and especially for encouraging others to join in or respond in kind. The traditional token is a cup. Established October 6, A.S. 14 by Vissevald I and Embla.

Order of the Terpsichore: given for consistent and unselfish devotion in teaching dance and polite court movement. The traditional tokens are bells. Established October 6, A.S. 14 by Vissevald I and Embla.

King's Order of Excellence: given by the Sovereign to those who maintain a high standard of authenticity in their dress, behavior, persona, and goods, in the feast hall, in their encampments, and on the field. Established March 16, A.S. 25 by Rhys and Elaina.

Order of the Golden Mantle: given to those who have demonstrated prowess in an auxiliary capacity on the field of battle and the target range in the areas of Siege Weaponry, Scouting, and Thrown Weaponry, and given service to the Kingdom in these areas. This Award may be bestowed upon individuals or upon units (e.g. - siege weapon crews). Established March 24, A.S. 41, by Lucan and Yana.

Order of Artemis: given to those who have demonstrated prowess in combat archery on the field of battle, given service to the Kingdom (such as marshalling, commanding, building equipment, or teaching), and served the Queen on and off the field. An individual may receive this award once. Established March 24, A.S. 41, by Lucan and Yana.

Order of Gawain: given to honor and recognize those young people (up to and including the age of 17) who have distinguished themselves by acts of valor, honor, chivalry, courtesy, and leadership within a youth martial activity. Recipients of this award may wear on the left arm a green garter charged with a gold mullet. Established April 22, A.S. 41, by Gryffith and Aikaterine.

Other East Kingdom awards

Queen's Cypher: given by the queen, at her last court, to those who helped her during her reign. No more than ten Cyphers may be awarded during a reign. The token is an item bearing the queen's initial together with an "R". Established October 18, A.S. 15 by Gavin I and Tamera.

King's Cypher: given by the king, at his last court, to those who were of exceptional service during his reign. It recognizes those who have been the pillars of the Crown, beyond the call of duty. No more than ten Cyphers may be awarded during a reign. The token is an item bearing the king's initial together with an "R". Established March 9, A.S. 30 by Balfar II and Luna II.

Blue Tyger Legion: given to groups who have demonstrated exceptional martial prowess on the field. A group inducted into the Legion may hang from its banner a schwenkle (small flag), bendy purpure and Or, charged with the initials of the inducting sovereigns. No more than one group may be inducted into the Legion during any one reign. A group may be recognized in this manner more than once, in which case the initials of the sovereigns will be added to the existing schwenkle. Established November 19, A.S. 29 by Gregor II and Christence II.

Queen's Honour of Distinction: given by the Queen to recognize an act, a series of acts, or general behavior that is not already properly recognized by other Kingdom orders and awards. The token of the honor shall be specified in each reign by the Queen. A person may be so honored more than once. Established October 6, AS 31 by Elspeth.

King's Order of the Tyger of Valor: given by the King to individual members of the armies of the East Kingdom who have distinguished themselves either by displaying extraordinary command excellence on the battlefield at an Inter-Kingdom War, or by displaying extraordinary actions of valor on the battlefield at an Inter-Kingdom War. This award may be given no more than three times during a reign. Established as King's Order of the Tyger of Valor on September 29, A.S. 37 by Andreas II and Isabella II, renamed as the King's Order of the Valiant Tyger on September 25, A.S. 40 by Darius III and Roxane III, renamed as the King's Order of the Tyger of Valor on January 25, A.S. 42 by Andreas and Gabriella. The order includes all those who those who were inducted into the earlier versions of the order.

Gift of the Golden Lyre: given by the King and/or Queen to an individual or group whose single work or performance, either displayed publically or in an arts & sciences display at a Royal Progress, manifests and represents the fire and passion of the East Kingdom arts. Artistic use of period mediums, creativity, and/or inspirational value of the work or performance are considered. Documentation is not required, but is highly recommended. The award may be given to a work in progress. Individuals/groups can receive the award more than once during a reign, but not for the same work or performance. The token is a golden lyre displayed on a blue scarf or favor. Established as the Golden Lyre on September 29, A.S. 37 by Andreas II and Isabella II; renamed as Golden Tyger April 26, A.S. 37 by Darius II and Roxane II, renamed as Golden Lyre January 25, A.S. 42 by Andreas III and Gabriella. The order includes all those who those who were inducted into the earlier versions of the order.

East Kingdom Augmentation of Arms: given by the royalty to specially honor a person for service to the Kingdom above and beyond the call of duty. Each augmentation is a specific charge at the Crown's discretion, to be added to the individual's heraldic arms. This honor is infrequently granted. An individual may be recognized in this way only once. Established April 26, A.S. 37 by Darius II and Roxane II. All individuals who were presented with an augmentation of arms by prior Eastern royalty are considered to have received this award.

Royal Augmentation of Arms: given by King or Queen to those subjects that have provided exceptional service to them. Each augmentation is a specific charge determined by the issuing Royalty. An individual may be recognized in this way more than once, however, not more than once during the same reign. Established April 26, A.S. 37 by Darius II and Roxane II.

Tyger of the East: given to those who most embody and personify the ideals of the East Kingdom. No more than one person may be so recognized during a reign; a person may receive this honor only once. Established April 26, A.S. 37 by Darius II and Roxane II.

Tyger of Foreign Legions given to those East Kingdom subjects who have demonstrated demonstrated exceptional martial prowess on the field, or supported the East as field support, staff, etc., at events held in other kingdoms. An individual may receive this honor more than once. Established June 19, A.S. 40 by Gaufred Kelson II and Geneviere d'Alsace II.

The following kingdom honors are considered "Court Appointments":

King's Champion/Queen's Champion: selected each year, in the categories of fighting, fencing, archery, equestrian, and arts & sciences. The format of each competition is determined by the previous champions and the Crown. Champions are charged with defending the honor of the Crown, furthering the practice of their art in the kingdom, and serving as members of the royal household. The badge registered for the King's Champion is: A tyger rampant guardant azure maintaining a spear bendwise proper. The original Champions' tourney was held on April 6, A.S. 8 by Aonghais I and Alyson. The first fencing champions' tourney was held on June 17, A.S. 34, and the first archery champions' tourney was held on June 24, A.S. 24, both by Morguhn III and Maurya. The first equestrian champions' tourney was held on May 28, A.S. 33 by Timothy II and Gabrielle II, and the first Arts & Sciences Championship was held on May 25, A.S. 38 by Darius II and Roxane II.

King's Bard/Queen's Bard: chosen each year at a competition. They are charged with commemorating the history of the Crowns and the kingdom in song and story, furthering the practice of the bardic arts in the kingdom, serving as members of the royal household, and setting up and supervising the competition to choose their successors. The King's Bard wears a gold baldric with three purple clarions; the Queen's Bard wears a gold baldric with three purple clarions below a purple rose. They hold the honorary position of Ollaves in the Royal College of Bards (the highest of three rankings -- one clarion per rank). The positions of King's and Queen's Bard were added to kingdom law on February 3, A.S. 24, in the reign of Horic and Lea, although Queen's Bard dates at least as far back as the reign of Gavin I and Tamera, and the first King's Bard may have been made around A.S. 16-17.

Queen's Guard: composed of non-patent-bearing fighters, archers, fencers, and equestrians, chosen for their skill at arms and examplary courtesy. One is selected to serve as the captain, and a member of the chivalry is chosen to serve as their advisor. Members wear baldrics of the queen's devising, usually purple with a gold rose. Established April 7, A.S. 24 by Bronwyn II; expanded to fencers and archers on November 19, A.S. 29 by Christence II. Later expanded to equestrians, and mention of number of guardsmen removed.

There are other "traditional" honors, not listed in Kingdom law:

Shield of Chivalry: presented by the queen to the fighter who fought the most chivalrously in the crown tournament. The shield depicts a blue tyger holding a sword in his tail. It may have first been presented at a Crown Tournament hosted by the Shire of the Blak Rose, in the early days of the shire.

Admiral of the Armies: the "title" given to the runner-up in the Crown lists. It may have been first awarded by Alaric and Yseult, in A.S. 11.

Order of the Portable Feast: an honor begun by Duchess Nicorlynn of Caer Wydr, to encourage the display of elaborate table settings at Crown Tournament, Coronation, and Twelfth Night feasts. The current holders select the next recipients, and present them with a footed bowl and a scroll containing the names of all the previous recipients.

Royal Guilds are chartered by the crown, and maintain their own system of rankings. These include the Brewers' Guild, the Equestrians' Guild, the Musicians' Guild, the Royal College of Bards, the Gilded Pearl (late period arts), Athena's Thimble (embroidery), and Arachne's Web (lacemaking). Some guilds present their rankings in court, for public recognition.

Archers' skills are recognized by a system of rankings based on their Royal Round averages over the past year. These are not titles, but simply a method of comparing levels of skill. An archer with an average score of eighty or more is ranked a Master Bowman. One with an average of one hundred or more is a Grand Master Bowman. These ranks are of sufficient note that the Crown of the East reserves the right to present them at royal court; the lower rankings of Archer, Marksman, and Bowman are awarded on the local level. Each archer is entitled to wear a badge signifying his/her current ranking, and Grand Master Bowmen keep their ranking permanently. The badges contain four fretted black arrows; the color of the field and bordure vary according to the rank.

The League of Rapier Academies promotes study, service, and skill in period fencing by recreating a contemporary Academy of Defense. Contributions of its members in all aspects of period fencing are recognized through ranking in the style of the London Masters of Defense. The League is given permission to present these rankings during royal court. Scholars, students of fence, are presented with black cords. Free-Scholars, who are competent in multiple weapons forms, receive green cords. Provosts, who are competent enough in multiple weapons forms to teach others, are given blue cords. Captains of Fence, who are presented with gold cords, are masters in all forms of fencing; are warranted fencing marshals, and are expected to have organized fencing tournaments, and do research or other service for fencing.

This article was compiled from East Kingdom law and the SCA Armorial. Assistance was provided by Lord Kwellend-Njal Kollskeggson, and Mistress Caitlin Davies. The illustrations of 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.