The Kingdom of Gleann Abhann started off as the western region of the Kingdom of Meridies,
gaining its name, which is Gaelic for "River Valley" in A.S. 30.
In A.S. 33 it was elevated to Principality level, and it became the nineteenth kingdom of the Society for Creative Anachronism in
November of A.S. 40.
The arms of the principality are Per pale gules and sable, a ram rampant within a
laurel wreath and in chief a coronet argent.
In accordance with Kingdom law, anyone receiving an award carrying a Grant of Arms or higher must be a paid member of the Society in good standing.
Order of the Aries: given to those who have excelled as heavy weapons fighters, showing prowess in tournaments or upon the field of war, displaying pageantry, chivalry, and honor. They also have shown long time service in the training of new fighters and sharing of martial knowledge. The Crown may induct a maximum of three individuals per reign. Companions of the Order may place the initials C.O.A. after their names. (Previous recipients of the Principality Order of the Aries were grandfathered into the Kingdom Order, but did not automatically receive a Grant of Arms.)
Order of the Diamond Chalice: given for exceptional service to the Kingdom. Companions of the Order may place the initials C.D.C. after their names.
Order of the Silver Lamp: given for exceptional talent in the Arts and Sciences. Companions of the Order may place the initials C.S.L. after their names.
Order of the Queen's Blade: given to those who have exhibited exceptional skill in the Arts of Defense (Rapier), have conveyed their knowledge to others, and have displayed chivalry on the field and in support of the Kingdom. Companions of the Order may place the initials C.Q.B. after their names.
Order of the Sable Banner: given for exceptional skill in the science of War, and faithful service as soldiers in the Gleann Abhann Army. The Order is charged to assist the Order of the Chivalry in mustering and training of the Gleann Abhann Army in times of War. Members of the Chivalry may only be inducted into the Order under Emeritus status. Companions of the Order shall be styled as the King's Bannermen, and may place the initials C.S.B. after their names.
Order of the Combattant Ram: given for exceptional proficiency and instruction in the Martial Arts -- includes heavy weapons, light weapons, and combat archery. Holders of the Order may place the initials O.C.R. after their names.
Order of the Onyx Chalice: given for significant and steady service to the Kingdom. Holders of the Order may place the initials O.O.C. after their names.
Order of the Silver Ram: given to those who display proficiency in the Arts and Sciences. Holders of the Order may place the initials O.S.R. after their names.
Order of the Rose: presented, at the pleasure of the Crown, to past consorts of the kingdom. Companions of the order may place the initials C.R. after their names.
Order of the Jeweled Horn: given for exceptional courtesy, honor, and nobility. One male and one female shall be accepted into the Order per reign. Holders of the Order may place the initials O.J.H. after their names.
Order of the Lamb: given to children for exceptional service. Holders of the Order may place the initials O.L.G.A. after their names.
Citizen of Gleann Abhann: given to subjects of another Sovereign Kingdom who have rendered great service and dedication to the Kingdom of Gleann Abhann. Holders of the Order are entitled to style themselves as Honorary Citizens of Gleann Abhann and are accorded the right to bear the badge of the Populace of Gleann Abhann.
Order of the Jeweled Ring: given to those individuals or groups who have offered great service to Her Royal Majesty. The Order shall be given by Her Royal Majesty and shall be signified by a ring from Her hand. Holders of the Order may place the initials O.J.R. after their names.
Sovereigns Letter of Endorsement: given to those individuals or groups who have offered great service to His Royal Majesty. The Letter of Endorsement shall be given by His Royal Majesty. Holders of the Order may place the initials S.L.E. after their names.
Order of the Gleann Abhann Bard: those who have served the Crown as Bard during Their reign. The award may be given only once per reign. Companions may only be elected once to the Order, though they may serve the Kingdom as Bard upon more than one occasion.
Order of the Gleann Abhann Equestrian: those who have served the Crown as Equestrian during Their reign. The award may be given only once per reign. Companions may only be elected once to the Order, though they may serve the Kingdom as Equestrian upon more than one occasion.
Order of the Gleann Abhann King's Champion: those who have served Gleann Abhann as the King's Champion. The award may be given only once per reign. Companions may only be elected once to the Order, though they may serve as the King's Champion upon more than one occasion. Election to this Order rests solely with His Royal Majesty.
Order of the Gleann Abhann Queen's Champion: those who have served Gleann Abhann as the Queen's Champion. The award may be given only once per reign. Companions may only be elected once to the Order, though they may serve as the Queen's Champion upon more than one occasion. Election to this Order rests solely with Her Royal Majesty.
Order of the Gleann Abhann Rapier Champion: those who have served Gleann Abhann as the Rapier Champion. The award may be given only once per reign. Companions may only be elected once to the Order, though they may serve as the Rapier Champion upon more than one occasion. Election to this Order rests solely with Her Royal Majesty.
Order of the Gleann Abhann Yeoman: those who have served the Crown as Yeoman during Their reign. The award may be given only once per reign. Companions may only be elected once to the Order, though they may serve the Kingdom as Yeoman upon more than one occasion.
The augmentation shall take the form of a rams head cabossed argent, collared gules, or the form of a rams head cabossed argent, collard sable as appropriate to the arms of the recipient.
| Index of SCA Kingdom Awards articles | Kingdom of Gleann Abhann webpage | |
This column was compiled from Glenn Abhann kingdom law. Assistance was provided by Lord Saran mac Imair, Diamond Principal Herald of the Kingdom of Gleann Abhann.
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.