The finer points of etiquette and protocol, or, "We've done everything wrong at least once."

Baroness Kathryn Brian Chevreuil, O.L. (called Brianna)
Originally written for Newcomer's Revel, September 6, A.S. 38. Revised March, A.S. 40

Regardless of how we operate in the modern world, there is a certain standard of behavior that we adhere to in the SCA. Our Corpora states that the primary rule is that, "all participants are expected to behave as ladies or gentlemen" (Article IIB).

However, what does that mean, really?

This breaks down into several areas, which we can cover briefly now:

There is nothing that says that you must alter who you are to fit into a medieval mindset; merely that it is necessary for you to understand what it means for you to operate in an SCA social situation.

There are several things that we do to enhance the ambience of the SCA, in general practice:

Respect, Deference, and Courtesy

Respect and Deference are two words that you hear a great deal in the Society, along with Courtesy; which is what this class is all about. I'll start with definitions.

Respect:

  1. To feel or show deferential regard for; esteem.
  2. To avoid violation of or interference with: respect the speed limit.
  3. A feeling of appreciative, often deferential regard; esteem.
  4. The state of being regarded with honor or esteem.
  5. Willingness to show consideration or appreciation.

Deference:

  1. Performing or showing an action of courteous respect.

Courtesy:

  1. Polite behavior.
  2. A polite gesture or remark.

The whole idea, in my opinion, is that respect is at the base of all of it -- Respect has its visible behavioral outcomes in Deference and Courtesy. For example: I have a great deal of RESPECT for Baroness Katherine of Holford, due to our long-standing friendship and her well-thought-out and considered opinions. I show her DEFERENCE by listening to her answers when I come to her for advice on something and when I refer to her by one of her titles (Excellency, Mistress) -- I also don't just walk up to her and interrupt her while she is speaking to someone else or attempting to perform a task -- I wait until it's a good time. All of this encompasses COURTESY.

Respect for Yourself

Respect for Others
This involves the following: This involves the following:
  • Knowing yourself and your limits.
  • Understanding your boundaries, and that some boundaries are not to be broken.
  • Knowing that this is a game of fun, there are rules/
  • Making an effort to be the best person you can be.
  • Knowing that if you make a mistake, it's not the end of the world and that you can apologize.
  • Knowing other people and their limits.
  • Understanding other people's boundaries, and how they can change depending on the type of work that they're doing.
  • Knowing that this is a game of fun and making it fun for everyone, not just you.
  • Making an effort to have a great environment so that everyone can be the best people they can possibly be.
  • Knowing that if other people make the occasional mistake that it's not the end of the world and they can apologize.

The SCA Visual Code, or, "What are those people wearing, and what do we call them?"

Everyone starts out in the Society with no awards, and is called "M'lord" or "M'lady". The SCA's award system is based on a merit system -- the theory is that gentles are given awards by the Crown or the Coronet based on the overall merit of what they do to be productive members of the Society, and in the Kingdom of the Outlands if you are a member (it's required for most awards).

Who Wears What (A handy table, descriptions to follow later)
People wearing Crowns or Coronets:
Title What that means What they wear What you call them, or do Examples
King and Queen Ruler of our Kingdom Crown of the Outlands Your Majesty, and bow/curtsey His Majesty Hrorek and Her Majesty Caiolfhinn
Crown Prince and Crown Princess The people who just won Crown but haven't stepped up A coronet which has one point in the front Your Royal Highness (Formal), or Your Highness (informal), bow/curtsey His Royal Highness Bela and Her Royal Highness Claudia
Prince and Princess Rulers of a Principality (we don't have any) A coronet which usually has one point in the front Your Highness, and bow/curtsey Other Kingdoms have principalities; we don't
Duke and Duchess Someone who has reigned as Crown twice A coronet with 4 points and strawberry leaves Your Grace Duke Olaf, Duchess Cainnleach, Duke Maelgwn, Duke Verron
Count and Countess Someone who has reigned as Crown once A coronet with 8 points, embattled (like the top of a castle) Your Excellency Countess Adrianna, Countess Aindrea, Countess Rosalind, Count Giovanni
Viscount and Viscountess (pronounced "vi-count") Someone who has been Prince of a Principality, regardless of how many times A coronet which takes various forms, often with personal arms and one point in the front Your Excellency Viscount Sterling, Viscount Berold, Viscountess Diana
Territorial Barons (current Barons of Caerthe, al-Barran, Dragonsspine, Citadel, Unser Hafen, Caer Galen, and Fontaine The Crown's representative to rule the Baronies A coronet with 6 points and pearls/balls on top of each point. It will often have something from the Barony's heraldry on it, such as Caer Galen's harp Your Excellency, and bow/curtsey Baron Carrick and Baroness Katherina (CG), Baron Kronos and Baroness Kathryn (Caerthe), Baron Alexander and Baroness Mardannah (UH)
Barons and Baronesses of the Court Retired territorial Barons, or someone given this title by the Crown. This carries the right to use the title and the coronet. Other people have been given this award at the pleasure of the Crown for service, or for recognition of grace and chivalry A coronet with 6 points and pearls/balls on top of each point. This will often have parts of personal heraldry on it. Your Excellency Retired: Baron Douglas and Baroness Keridwen, Baroness Kate, Baron Gareth and Baroness Cygny (they have the title of "territorial retired," and/or "founding baron/baroness")
Barons/Baronesses of the Court: Baron Grellan, Baroness Brianna, Baroness Anne Bigod
Retired Territorial: Baron
Douglas and Baroness
Kerdwen, Baroness Kate,
and Baron Gareth and
Baroness Cygny. (they
have the title of "territorial
retired", and/or "founding
baron/baroness".)
Barons and
Baroness of
the Court
Retired territorial barons, or
someone given this title by the
Crown. This carries the right to
use the title and wear the
coronet.
Other people have been given
this award at the pleasure of
the Crown for service, or for
recognition of grace and
chivalry.
A coronet which has 6
points and pearls/balls
on top of it. This will
often have parts of
personal heraldry on it.
Your Excellency
Barons/Baronesses of the
Court: Baron Grellan,
Baron Stefan, Baroness
Brianna, Baroness Anne
Bigod.
People Wearing Other Things (Peers):
Title
What that means
What they wear
What you call them, or do Examples
Order of Chivalry
(Knights)
Made a peer for
excellence in Heavy
Combat
A white belt, unadorned
chain, spurs
Sir (sometimes ladies take
the title Mistress/Dame
Sir Vlad, Sir Tracker, Sir
Bjarki, Sir Mavrikki, Sir
Olaf, Sir Bela, Sir James
Order of Chivalry
(Masters at Arms)
These gentles do not
swear fealty and thus
have different title)
Made a peer for
excellence in Heavy
Combat , equal in rank
and stature with
Knights
A white baldric, black
spurs
Master (or Mistress)
Master Odan, Master
Gunwaldt
Order of the Laurel
Made a peer for
excellence in Arts and
Sciences
A medallion with a Laurel
wreath on it
Master, or Mistress
Mistress Kate, Master
Douglas and Mistress
Keridwen, Mistress
Rowen, Mistress Guernin,
Mistress Eirene, Mistress
Arwen, Mistress Teren
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Order of the Pelican Made a peer for
excellence in Service
to the Society
A medallion with a Pelican
on it
Master, or Mistress
Mistress Kate, Master
Walter and Mistress
Fiachra, Mistress
Gabrielle
People Wearing Other things (Populace)
Title
What that means
What they wear
What you call them, or do Examples
Thegns of the Iron
Heart
Grant level award for
Heavy Combat
Circlet, the order medallion Your Lordship/Ladyship
THL Leifr, THLTakashi,
THL Kaleriia, THL Devon,
THL Cugan, THL
Keridwen
Order of the Flower Grant level award for
Arts and Sciences
Circlet, the order medallion Your Lordship/Ladyship
THL Rivka, THL Grellan,
THL Guillaume
Order of the Stag
Grant level award for
Service
Circlet, the order medallion Your Lordship/Ladyship
THL Wyndylyn, THL
Robert, THL Roland
Defenders of the
White Scarf
Grant level award for
Rapier Combat
Circlet, and a white scarf
pinned to the left shoulder
Don/Doña, or Your
Lordship/Ladyship
Don Jean-Eric, Don
Wulfgang, Dona Rowena,
Dona Aindrea, Don
Christian
Order of Sharparrow-
called Archers of the
Iron Rain
Grant level award for
Archery
Circlet, and a white glove
worn on the belt
Your Lordship/Ladyship
THL Larke, Baron
Daffydd
Grant of Arms
General Grant of Arms Circlet
Your Lordship/Ladyship
THL Paul of Sutton
Defenders of the
Stag's Blood
AOA level award for
Heavy Combat
Red sash with a white stag
on it
Lord/Lady
THL Keridwen, THL Leifr,
Lord Ulrich, THL Paul,
Argent Hart
AOA level award for
Arts &Sciences
Order medallion
Lord/Lady
Lady Dierdru
Stag's Heart
AOA level award for
Service
Order medallion
Lord/Lady
Lady Adeliza de Harcourt
Stag's Tines
AOA level award for
Rapier Combat
Green sash with stag's
antlers on it
Lord/Lady
Lady Lucrezia (Ildiko),
Lady Tanwen
Golden Pheon
AOA level award for
Archery
Order medallion
Lord/Lady
THL Larke, Master
Daffydd
Order of the Silver
Stirrup
AOA level award for
Equestrian
Order medallion
Lord/Lady
THL Thorhalla
Award of Arms
General Award of
Arms
N/A
Lord/Lady
Lady Crestina, Lord
Reynhardt, Lady Sabine
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THE SCA VISUAL CODE
OR, THE EXPLANATION OF,
“WHAT ARE THOSE PEOPLE WEARING, AND WHAT DO WE CALL THEM?”
All the titles and awards in the Society are hard to remember: and thus the most polite fall-back that any new person can take is, “My Lord/Lady, I’m new. What should
I call you?” Any gentle worth their salt will answer this politely. If they don’t, please come see me and I’ll have a chat with them.
The SCA, like the modern military, has a visual code which gives the social rank of the person you’re talking to, and a clue as to what they have done (or
been recognized for) during their SCA career. It’s a merit-based system, where you start out with no title and work your way up.
The easiest way to explain this is from the top down, since the people at the top are most visible.
A. The King and Queen: They wear the Crowns of the Outlands. All other headwar that looks like a crown is called a coronet and is worn by someone else.
Nearly all the awards that a gentle gets in the SCA come from these people.
a. Call them Your Majesty
b. They have a 10-foot presence around them personally, and in some cases around the Royal Thrones.
c. If they come into a room that you’re in, or pass close to you, please stand up. A small bow or curtsey is nice as well. They will let you know if you can
sit down again, if they stick around.
B. The Crown Prince and Princess: They are the heirs, and are around between Crown Tournament and Coronation. They have coronets that have one point in
the front, and a green stone. These folks can sometimes grant awards, at the order of the Crown.
a. Call them Your Royal Highness
b. They have a 10-foot presence around them personally, and in some cases around the Princely Thrones.
c. If they come into a room that you’re in, or pass close to you, please stand up. A small bow or curtsey is nice as well. They will let you know if you can
sit down again, if they stick around.
C. The Prince and Princess: We don’t have any principalities here in the Outlands, but they do in other Kingdoms. Princely coronets are varied, but they’re pretty
obvious because they’re usually large. These folks can sometimes grant awards, at the order of the Crown.
a. Call them Your Highness
b. They have a 10-foot presence around them personally, and in some cases around the Princely Thrones.
c. If they come into a room that you’re in, or pass close to you, please stand up. A small bow or curtsey is nice as well. They will let you know if you can
sit down again, if they stick around.
D. Landed Barons and Baronesses: These gentles are the Crown’s representatives in the Baronies. They wear coronets that have 6 points, pearls, and often have
the device of the Barony on it. Landed Barons can grant Baronial Awards (with permission of the Crown), and can also pass on awards from the Crown.
a. Call them Your Excellency
b. They have a presence around them personally that is variable depending on whether or not they’re in Court.
c. If they come into a room that you’re in, or pass close to you, please stand up. A small bow or curtsey is nice as well. They will let you know if you can
sit down again, if they stick around.
d. The order of precedence for the Landed Barons is in order of the Barony’s creation. Thus, in the Outlands it is: Caerthe, al-Barran, Dragonsspine,
Citadel of the Southern Pass, Unser Hafen, Caer Galen, and Fontaine dans Sable.
E. Dukes and Duchesses: These are gentles who have served as King or Queen twice. They have coronets that have 4 points, and strawberry leaves. Call them
Your Grace.
F. Counts and Countesses: These are gentles that have served as King or Queen once. They have coronets that are embattled (looks like a top of a castle) with 8
uprights. Call them Your Excellency.
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G. Viscounts and Viscountesses: These are gentles who have served as Prince or Princess (in any principality), regardless of the number of times served. We have
several gentles in the Outlands who hold this title from the days when the Outlands was a principality of the Kingdom of Atenveldt. Viscounty Coronets vary
in size and composition, but often have one point in the front. Call them Your Excellency.
H. Peers of the Realm: There are three equal orders of Peerage, listed below in order of their creation.
a. The Order of Chivalry, created in the 1
st
year of the Society and consisting equally of Knights and Masters of Arms. These gentles have been
recognized for their prowess in the fighting arts.
i. Knights wear a white belt, an unadorned chain, and spurs. Call them Sir (or {“Dame”, if it’s a woman and she prefers it—there are a couple
that do). Knights are required to swear fealty to the Crown.
ii. Masters of Arms wear a white baldric and black iron spurs. Calling them Master (or Mistress, if applicable) is fine. Masters of Arms do not
swear fealty to the King.
b. The Order of the Laurel, created in the 2
nd
year of the Society. These gentles have been recognized for excellence in the Arts and Sciences. Laurels are
not required to swear fealty to the Crown, though many do.
i. Masters and Mistresses of the Laurel wear a medallion that has a laurel wreath on it, or they may wear it as jewelry or as a design on their
clothing. Outside the Outlands, they may wear a laurel wreath upon their head, but that’s not commonly done here. Call them Master or
Mistress.
c. The Order of the Pelican, created in the 6
th
year of the Society. These gentles have been recognized for excellence in the Service to the Society. Pelicans
are not required to swear fealty to the crown, though many do.
i. Masters and Mistresses of the Pelican wear a medallion that has a Pelican (in her piety, feeding her young) on it, or they may wear it as jewelry
or as a design on their clothing. Call them Master or Mistress.
I. Grant Level Awards: The Thegns of the Iron Heart, The Order of the flower, the Order of the Stag, the Defenders of the White Scarf, the Archers of the Iron
Rain, and the Order of the Silver Stirrup. All the recipients of the Grant awards may wear a circlet of ½”, unadorned. All of these orders have specific
medallions that go with the awards.
a. Call these folks “Your Lordship” or “Your Ladyship”.
b. Exception: Defenders of the White Scarf wear scarves on their shoulders, and are referred to as “Don” or Dona”.
c. People who have the Kingdom Grant level awards have more precedence than those with a “simple grant”, even though they all have the same title.
J. Award of Arms Level awards: Call these folks My Lord or My Lady.
a. Kingdom AOA Awards: The Stag’s Blood, Stag’s Heart, Argent Hart, Silver Tynes, and Golden Phaeon. They have medallion sand take first
precedence among the AOA Awards.
b. Baronial Awards: These are awards given out by the Landed Barons with the permission of the Crown, and they carry an AOA if the recipient does not
already have one.
c. Simple AOA: This takes the lowest precedence of the AOA level awards, and is usually the first award that someone gets in the Society. This is usually
given out by the Crown (sometimes by their representative), and is a really special time for the recipient.
K. Non-precedential awards: These carry no precedence but are often really cool and show off some important things.
a. The Walker of the Way: This is the Outlands award given to those who have been a shining example of what gentles in the Society should be. It is only
given out by the Crown once per reign, and carries with it a great deal of prestige.
b. The Court Barony: These are gentles who have been Landed Barons and who have retired, or who have shown extraordinary grace and courtesy. The
Crown grants these at their pleasure, and you call them “Your Excellency”. No other precedence is attached to them, save if the Crown decides to
attach an AOA or GOA to them; aside from what other awards the person might have already.
c. Awards for personal service to the Crown/Landed Barons: There are quite a few of these, and they’re very wonderful and heartfelt.
d. Recognitions from groups for being wonderful: Most of these are from within the particular group you’re in, or sometimes a group you visit. Most of
the time, they carry no precedence whatsoever, but they’re really lovely.
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A word on the visual code of Students:
Typically, Peers take students of various sorts, and being able to identify them is useful. Being a student is a job, NOT a rank; regardless of who the Peer might actually
be. Usually, Teachers will mark the belts and/or scarves of their students with either a heraldic badge or device (sort of a, “if found, please return to….”).
There are as many different Teacher/Student relationships as there are people—so a good rule of thumb is to ask questions about what you see if you don’t quite
understand what’s going on.
Please note that all of this next section is TRADITION, not law.
Squires: These are the students of Knights and Masters at Arms, they are typically sworn in fealty to their Peer. In the Outlands, they wear red belts. Usually they’re
addressed by their title, if they have one (Lord such and so).
Men at Arms: These are typically the students of Knights, or of Royal Peers who are not a member of the other three orders. Men-at-arms typically do not swear fealty
to their Peer, and it is often used by the Knights as a trial period before the student is taken as a squire. In the Outlands, I have not seen a set color for men-at-arms
belts.
Apprentices/Students: These are the students of Laurels, typically not sworn in fealty to their Peer (although some do). Many in the Outlands wear green belts.
Address them by their title, if they have one.
Protoges/Students: These are the students of Pelicans, typically not sworn in fealty to their Peer (although some do). Many in the Outlands wear yellow belts.
Address them by their title if they have one.
The Students of Grant Level Awards: There are two Grant Level Awards which take frequently take students in the Kingdom of the Outlands; one whose charter
states it as a provision, and a second which does not. Typically, the members of the other grant orders do not take formal students; although it has been known to
happen.
• Cadets: Students of the Defenders of the White Scarf (provided in the charter), these gentles wear a red scarf pinned to their shoulder.
• Students of Sharp-arrows (Scouts): Students of the Archers of the Iron Rain wear a red glove similar to their Teacher’s white glove on their belt.
Notes on Historical Reasons behind the Manners:
I have yet to complete this section, as most of the historical reasons behind the Courtesy that are taught in the SCA are still at this point for me anectdotal until I can
document them. Here’s a few that I can tell you about, but have yet to research:
1) The lady is escorted on the left of the gentleman (“chick drives”), so that a right-handed gentleman may draw his sword from the left hip to defend her. This
changes if they pair are walking along a road—the gentleman walks to the inside of the road, to keep the lady safe from marauders and/or being splashed by
carriage wheels.
2) Use of titles always comes when you meet someone for the first time, or when they are doing a job. They will let you know when you are allowed to use a
familiar term with them. (comes from the French phrase which translates as, “You may ‘tu’ me”, or use the familiar ‘you’”.
3) Heralds who cry, “Make way for….” are usually trying to open up a hole in a crowd so that a processional can go through. This hearkens back to days where
people traveling in processionals or caravans were not impeded by crowds or herds of livestock—it was an advance warning that something was coming that
needed to get through.
4) Standing up when a guest enters the hall is a long-standing tradition among various medieval peoples—but I have yet to document this.
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Good Ideas for Survival in Courtesy
1) When in doubt, ask. If you are unsure of a situation, or how to address someone, it is actually considered good manners (and good thinking) to
ask someone a question. Example: “I’m sorry, My Lord, how do I address you?”
2) Please, May I, and Thank You are all polite phrases, as well as period ones. They work the same way as they do in the modern world.
3) The use of titles with one another is a sign of respect—not only for the person that you’re addressing, but for yourself in upholding graceful
formality. The use of titles should ALWAYS be used with the Crown.
4)
The Crown has a 10-foot presence, and that presence should be acknowledged and respected. When they come into a room, get up (unless you
can’t) and acknowledge their presence—this can be as simple as a short bow or a nod, but please do it.
5) Offering to help someone with their load, or getting the door for someone is always considered polite. Do not get huffy if they politely refuse, as
they may be load-balanced for a specific reason. Do not just walk up and snatch something out of someone’s hands.
6) Conversational distance in the SCA is slightly wider than in the Modern world, unless you know the person well. Physical access is always
controlled by the recipient. No is also a period word, and should be taken very seriously. Its translation, in any situation, is always NO.
7) Escorting someone (especially a lady) somewhere is a time-honored tradition. If done politely, it is a nice way to meet new people and help them
in the process.
8) Be aware of your surroundings. If your behavior is disrupting other people’s fun, it may be time to re-evaluate what you are doing. It’s a good idea
to take your cues from the tone that is set by the activity. (e.g. Bad idea to be whooping it up loudly in the back Court during a Peerage
Ceremony).
9) Be aware of other people’s boundaries and body language—it will give you strong clues as to the formality of the situation, or whether they are
busy with something, or whether they can talk at all.
10) Please control your weapons. Sheathe them and care for them, do not let them go wandering out alone and do not let them wander into other
people’s personal space.
11) If you are kneeling in court, please note that the kneeling pillows are there for your comfort for you to kneel upon as the Crown addresses you.
Please also be aware of what you might be showing to the Crown/Coronet—really low-cut necklines and kilts that gap open can create
consternation, both for you and the Crown.
12) While it is realized that there is a need for many gentles to have electronic communication on them due to their modern employment, please keep
your cell phones and pagers set to silent ring while at events—the sound can be extremely disruptive.