SCA Newbie Primer

SCA Newb Primer – Printable Google Doc

The SCA is a worldwide organisation with over 30,000 registered members, dedicated to researching and recreating the arts and skills of the pre-17th century world . The Known World is divided into 19 kingdoms by geography. We are in the East Kingdom.

[The map that was formerly in this spot was created by M. McPartland, who has asked that it be removed]

The Known World is divided into Kingdoms and Principalities. The former are ruled by a king and queen, the latter by a prince and princess, selected through armed combat at Crown Tourney twice a year. A monarch’s reign is 6 months, with summer and a winter rulers each year.

Kingdoms and principalities are divided by numbers of active members into baronies, shires, and cantons. We are in the Barony of Carolingia. Barons and Baronesses are selected democratically through voting by the populace. Baronies, shires and cantons are determined by postcode. Our current excellencies are Fergus MacRae and Imigla Venture (“V”).

East Kingdom Baronial Map

Within each barony, friends or people with common interests often form households, like ours. Households can simply be groups of friends who enjoy each others company, or the household can focus on a particular activity, like cooking, service, or fighting. Some fighting households, in particular, become very large and may become mercenary households. See some of the more well known fighter households below.
                      
Bloodguard                  Darkyard                     ICOD                        VDK                   Lochleven

The Northern Army is a group of households in the northern part of the East Kingdom that fight as a unit at war. We train and fight with the First Division. While we swear fealty to both our barony and our kingdom, we have a special respect and camaraderie with the other households and fighters in the Northern Army.

Rank, Heraldry, and Sumptuary Law

As there is heraldry for kingdoms, baronies, households, and individuals, so is there for certain achievements. These achievements or social statuses are noted by a number of different things, generally worn about the person.

Royalty

	Current King and Queen gold crown (usually, not always) “Your Majesty”
	Current Prince and Princess silver crown “Your Highness”
	Duke and Duchess coronet with strawberry leaves has ruled for more than one reign “Your Grace”
	Count and Countess embattled coronet has reigned as monarch “Your Excellency”
	Viscount and Viscountess embattled coronet has reigned as Prince or Princess of a Principality
	Baron and Baroness coronet with six pearls (any spherical jewel) “Your Excellency”

Chivalry

	Knighthoods are awarded by the Crown, and are decided upon through a vote of all the Chivalry. Only a knight can make a knight. Only knights may wear a white belt, gold chain, and gold spurs. Knights should be addressed as “Sir” or “Dame”.
	Squires are the dependents of knights, and are chosen by the knights themselves. Squires receive martial and chivalric instruction from their knight. They can be identified by their red belts and squire chains.
	Men at arms may be taken by a knight or squire, who then gives martial and chivalric instruction to his man. Although not popular in the East Kingdom, men at arms can be identified by their blue belt.

Orders

	The Order of the Pelican is the highest award given for service to the Society. It’s symbol is a pelican in its piety. Individuals who receive this award should be referred to as “Master” or “Mistress.” They can be identified by a pin, medallion, or other item depicting the pelican.
		Proteges are dependents of Pelicans. It is the Pelican’s responsibility to train their protege in continued service to the Society. A protege can be identified by their yellow belt.
	The Order of the Laurel is the highest level of recognition for Arts and Sciences a member can receive. Its symbol is a laurel, which recipients wear on pins, medallions, or other items. Recipients of the award should be addressed as “Master” or “Mistress.”
		Apprentices are the dependents of Laurels. A Laurel may choose an apprentice and assist them in the arts & sciences pursuits. A laurel need not be proficient in the same art or science that their apprentice is pursuing. Apprentices can be identified by their green belts.

Prepared by Meabh of Hawkridge for House Three Sheets in A.S. 47