Meridies was created as a principality of Atenveldt in
A.S. XI, and became the fifth kingdom of the Society for
Creative Anachronism in A.S. XII. The arms of the
kingdom are Argent, on a pale sable a crown of three points, above each
point a mullet argent, overall a laurel wreath counterchanged.
Meridies kingdom law states that anyone receiving an award which carries armigerous status (an Award, Grant, or Patent of Arms), or being invested as a territorial Baron or Baroness, is required to be a paid member of the Society in good standing.
Order of the Bough, Meridies: given to those who have served the
kingdom well and faithfully, above and beyond normal expectations, and who
have consistently displayed courtesy and chivalry in an exemplary manner.
Those who live outside the boundaries of the kingdom may be given this award
for meritorious service to Meridies, no matter what their citizenship status.
Companions of the order may place the initials CBM after their names. The
order's badge is Sable, in pale the Lombardic uppercase letter M argent and a tree
branch couped fesswise reversed to sinister Or.
Order of the Velvet Owl: given to those who have shown outstanding
skill and accomplishment in the arts and sciences, who have imparted those
skills to the populace of Meridies by regular teaching and sharing of ability
in their particular specialty, and who have consistently displayed courtesy
and chivalry in an exemplary manner. Companions of the order may place the
initials CVO after their names. The order's badge is:
(Fieldless) An owl's head cabossed within and
conjoined to an annulet argent.
Order of the Scarlet Star: given to those who have served
the kingdom well and faithfully, above and beyond normal expectations, by
consistently and successfully administrating a number of Society events
and/or feasts. Companions of the order may place the initials CSR after
their names. The order's badge is:
Sable, a mullet gules fimbriated between two pallets argent.
Members of the above orders take precedence over simple Grants of Arms due to the service of the members of the order. Previously, the Bough, the Velvet Owl, and the Scarlet Star conveyed Grants of Arms to their recipients. The Crown still has the option of giving Grants of Arms to new members of these orders.
Order of the Sable Sword: given to those who have
served the kingdom with longtime excellence, quality, and chivalry in
the fulfullment of duties of a martial nature, and have shown outstanding
skill and accomplishment in the Martial Arts, have imparted those
skills to the populace of Meridies by regular teaching and sharing of
ability in their particular specialty, and have distinguished
themselves in war, on tournament fields, and in the training of new
fighters. Companions may place the initials CSS after their names.
The order's badge is: Sable, on a pale between two escutcheons argent a
sword argent.
Order of the Legio Ursi: Also referred to as the Legion of the Bear. Given to those who have exemplified and furthered the art of soldiering, who have shown outstanding skill upon the field of war, who have imparted those skills to others by teaching and training, who consistently display leadership, courtesy and chivalry, in an exemplary manner, above and beyond normal expectations. Election into the Order requires an Oath signed by the Sovereign, Consort and recipient. The Oath reads: "I shall and for as long as I remain a soldier of Meridies, defend the Crown and Kingdom and serve within the Legion of the Bear, pledging the safety of the Crown and Heirs with this my sworn Oath." Members may place the initials MLU after their names, and shall be styled in procession as "Praetorians of the Legio Ursi," or "Members of the Legion of the Bear." Membership within the Order may be withdrawn if a member fails to display continuous dedication to the ideals and mission of the Order. Members who are elevated to the Chivalry are honorary members, and do not participate in the consulting of the Order.
Order of the Split Arrow: given to those who have served Meridies with longtime excellence, quality and chivalry in either combat or target archery. Companions may place the initial CSA after their names. The order's badge is: Argent, on a pale sable between a pair of arrows inverted and in chief a mullet argent.
Order of the Argent Comet: given by the Crown to those who
have demonstrated outstanding service to a shire, college, or other group not
directly administered by a barony. Companions may place the initials CACM
after their names. The order's badge
is: (fieldless) a comet fesswise argent.
Order of the Guidon, Meridies (closed): was given to those who served the cause of combat in the arts of war, archery, or the tournament, with longtime excellence, quality, and chivalry. Companions may place the initials CGM after their names, and may display a guidon (tapering flag) with the kingdom flag at the hoist, followed by the bearer's badge, and having a black schwenkel with a white mullet at the fly.
Territorial Barons and Baronesses, as representatives of the Crown, have the right to bestow the service order specific to their baronies. These baronial orders may carry with them an Award of Arms, at the discretion of the Baron and Baroness, and with the Crown's permission:
Order of the Red Raven (CRR): Barony of South Downs
Order of the Sable Gryphon (CSG): Barony of Thor's Mountain
Order of Denial (CDN): Barony of Grey Niche
Order of the Sanguine Mountain (CSM): Barony of Iron Mountain
Order of the Axe (CAA): Barony of Axemoor
Order of the Dreamstone (CD): Barony of Bryn Madoc
Order of the Diamond Bear (CDB): Barony of Small Grey Bear
Order of the Osprey's Jess (COJ): Barony of Osprey
Order of Golden Sea Lion (GSL): Barony of Seleone
Order of the Doubloon del Mar (CDM): (closed) former Barony of Arenal
Order of the Golden Iris (CGI): (closed) former Barony of Glaedenfeld
Order of Tempered Steel (CTS): (closed) former Barony of Hammerhold
Order of the Dragon's Eye (CDE): (closed) former barony of Draconia
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 CR after their names.
Order of Meridian Majesty: given by the consort to those who have personally served her/him well, truly, and faithfully. Members may place the initials CMM after their names and may wear on their shoulder a black ribbon edged in gold and silver.
Sovereign's Pleasure: given by the sovereign to those who have personally served him/her well, truly, and faithfully. Members may place the initials CKP after their names. The order's token is a ring, selected by the Sovereign.
Order of the Meridian Cross: given to those who show promise and skill
in the arts and sciences. Members may place the initials CMC after their names.
The order's badge is: (Fieldless) A moline cross quarterly argent and sable.
Order of the Argent Lily: given to those exemplifying courtliness
(refinement and elegance). No more than one male and one female may be
selected during any reign; the Crown need not select anyone if no suitable
candidates are found. Members may place the initials CAL after their names.
The order's badge is: a lily blossom argent.
Order of the Argent Shield: given to fighters who have distinguished
themselves in war, on the tournament field, and in the training of new
fighters. Members may place the initials CAS after their names. The order's
badge is: (Fieldless) An escutcheon within and conjoined to an
annulet argent.
Order of the Meridian Broken Bow: given to archers who have displayed courteous and chivalrous conduct and have distinguished themselves in the
field of archery. Members may place the initials CMB after their names, and bear the
badge: Sable, on a pale between two bows argent a crossbow sable.
Order of the Weapons Master: given to those who show great skill in the use of real weaponry, primarily throwing axe, knife, spear, and bow. The order has the right to govern itself and to define the standard of its various rankings up to the rank of Weapons Master. Members may place the initials CW after their names.
Order of the Argent Lance of Meridies: given to those equestrians
who have displayed courteous and chivalrous conduct, and who have
distinguished themselves in the field of equestrian sciences. Members may
place the initials ALM after their names, and may carry on their tournament
lances a small black pennon bordered in white, bearing an uncial `M' above
a white tilting lance, whenever engaged in equestrian activities.
The badge of the order is: Sable, in pale an uncial M and a tilting lance argent.
Order of the Argent Rapier: given to those who have distinguished themselves with the rapier in war, on the tournament field, and in the training of new rapierists. Holders may place the initials CAR after their name.
Order of the Cygnet: given to children for courtly behavior and
honorable service rendered. Members may place the initials CC after their
names. The order's badge is: Per bend sable and argent two swans naiant and
a bordure counterchanged.
Order of the Rising Swan: given to subjects of Meridies, age 17 and under, to recognize outstanding service and achievement above and beyond that recognized by the Order of the Cygnet. Members of the Order may place the initials CMRS after their names. The order's badge is: (fieldless), A swan roussant within and conjoined to an annulet argent.
Order of the Cygnet's Nest: given to those who have worked
tirelessly on the behalf of children. Members may place the initials CCN
after their names. The order's badge is: (Fieldless) A swan argent
sitting in a nest proper within and issuant from an annulet argent.
Order of the Guiding Hand, Meridies: given to those who have served
the kingdom well and faithfully by giving encouragement and assistance to
newcomers and any in need. Members may place the initials CGHM after their
names. The order's badge is: Argent on an egg sable the Lombardic uppercase
letter M argent.
Order of the Chalice: members are elected by virtue of their valor, grace, and service to the kingdom. Election is by unanimous vote of the companions of the order. Any member failing to strive for the improvement of the order's high standards may be asked by any one member, or required by the majority of the members, to remove himself from the order. As it is an order of humility, the order carries no title or precedence, and has no recognized principal.
Order of the Athanor: members are elected by virtue of their contributions
to historical study in the Society. Election of members rests with the Crown,
with the advice of the scholars of the order. The award carries no title or
precedence, only the regard which the learning and repute of the scholars
themselves naturally deserve. Members are granted the right
to style themselves "free scholars" and to wear academic
dress. Each member is required to either publish one scholarly paper per year
in any publication of the SCA, or to submit at least one scholarly paper per
year to be filed in the archives of the Royal University of Meridies.
The order's badge is: (Fieldless) A retort atop an athanor argent.
Order of Compostella (Pilgrim's Order): given to those who travel greatly in the service of the Crown and the kingdom. Members may place the initials CPO after their names. The insignia is the shell of St. James of Compostella, a common pilgrim's emblem.
Order of the Broken Brank: given to those who have enriched the
kingdom greatly through their service to the Chirurgeon's office. Selection of
new companions rests with the Crown, on the recommendation of the Kingdom
Chirurgeon. Members may place the initials CBB after their names. The order's
badge is: Per bend sinister azure and argent goutte de sang, a fleam
counterchanged.
Order of the Burning Trumpet: given to those who have enriched the
kingdom greatly through their service in the Herald's office. Selection of
new companions rests with the Crown, on the recommendation of the Beacon
Principal Herald. Members may place the initials CBT after their names.
The order's badge is: (Fieldless) A trumpet Or issuing flames gules.
Order of the Sable Quill: given only once per reign, to those who have
shown exemplary merit and skill in the authorship, publication and
dissemination of articles of scholarly interest to the Society, the kingdom
and its members. Members are encouraged to continue their work, and to
contribute to Seasons (the kingdom arts and sciences newsletter), the
Royal University of Meridies, and Tournaments Illuminated.
The Crown may call upon
members to aid in the education of the kingdom by requesting, as a patron,
specific articles and/or research in the recipient's areas of expertise.
Members may place the initials CSQ after their names, and bear a sable
feather with three argent mullets as a token. The order's badge is:
(Fieldless) Upon a quill pen bendwise sinister sable, a mullet argent
Award of the Crown's Favor: given to territorial groups or households in the kingdom who have either served the kingdom directly or set worthy examples of behavior. Recipients may attach to their group's device a small pennon: Argent, on a pale sable a mullet argent. This award may be received multiple times; each time another mullet is added to the pennon, up to a maximum of five. For each additional award, the mullets are changed one by one to gold.
Order of the Duvant Cross: given for exceptional skill, courtesy and honor on the field of Youth Combat. This order named in honor of Count Sir Francois Duvant, First Prince and Fourth King of Meridies, whose shining example of honor, chivalry, and courtesy has been the model for all who have come after. Members of the Order may place the initials C.D.C. after their names, and may bear the Order's badge: Sable, a cross formy Argent, between in bend, two mullets of five points Argent.
Order of the Argent Slipper: give to those who have greatly enriched the Kingdom by the instruction of its populace in the art of European or Middle Eastern dance.
Companionate of the Bard: given to those who have served the kingdom in
the capacity of Kingdom Bard. Members are elected only once to the order,
though they may serve the kingdom as Bard upon more than one occasion.
Members may place the initials CCB after their names. The badge used by
the Kingdom Bard and members of the companionate is: Vair, a harp Or.
Companionate of the Poet Laureate: those who have served the kingdom and
Crown as Poet Laureate of Meridies. Members are elected only once to the
order, though they may serve the kingdom as Poet Laureate upon more than one
occasion. Members may place the initials CPLM after their names.
The badge used by the Poet Laureate and members of the companionate is:
Vair ancient, a lion's head cabossed Or, orbed and langed gules.
Companionate of the Meridian King's Champion: those who have
served the kingdom in the capacity of King's Champion. Members may place the
initials CMKC after their names. The badge used by the King's Champion
and members of the companionate is: Sable, two swords in saltire proper, in chief three
mullets in chevron argent.
Companionate of the Meridian Queen's Champion: those who have
served the kingdom in the capacity of Queen's Champion. Members may place the
initials CMQC after their names. The badge used by the Queen's Champion
and members of the companionate is: Argent, two swords in saltire sable,
overall a rose gules.
Companionate of the Queen's Yeoman: those who have served
the kingdom in the capacity of Queen's Yeoman. Election into this order rests
solely with Her Majesty, and is given to those who have shown
outstanding archery skill in winning the Queen's Yeoman Archery Competition.
Members are elected only once to the order, though they may serve the
kingdom as Queen's Yeoman upon more than one occasion. Members
may place the initials CQY after their names. The badge used by the
Queen's Yeoman and members of the companionate is: (Fieldless) A
sheaf of three arrows inverted, overall a rose argent.
Companionate of the King's Lancer: those who have
served the Kingdom in the capacity of King's Lancer. The King's Lancer
leads and organizes the Royal Horse Guard. Election into this order rests
solely with His Majesty and is given to those who have shown outstanding
horsemanship in winning the King's Lancer Equestrian Tournament. Members are
elected only once to the order, though they may serve the Kingdom as
King's Lancer upon more than one occasion. Members may
place the initials CKL after their names. The badge used by the King's
Lancer and members of the companionate is: Checky sable and argent, a knight armed cap-a-pie mounted
upon a horse courant to sinster a bordure embattled Or.
Companionate of the Meridian Queen's Rapier Champion: those who have served the Kingdom in the capacity of Queen's Champion. Election into this order rests solely with Her Majesty, and is given to those who have shown outstanding archery skill in winning the Queen's Rapier Champion Competition. Members are elected only once to the order, though they may serve the kingdom as Queen's Rapier Champion upon more than one occasion. Members may place the initials CMQC after their names.
An Augmentation of Arms of Three mullets argent, one and two may be placed (where appropriate) upon the arms of any individual or group recognized for exceptional service to the kingdom of a nature not normally recognized through Society awards, such as actions of a particularly honorable or charitable nature. Those Augmentations bestowed prior to May 2001 may take the form: Three mullets argent, fesswise.
| Index of SCA Kingdom Awards articles | Kingdom of Meridies webpage | |
This column was compiled from Meridies kingdom law. Assistance was provided by Lady Marthe Elsbeth of Oak Hill, Master Allan of Moffat, THL Jennet of Tewkesbury, 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.