Knowledge Base:Costs of Being Crown

If you're considering a reign, it's essential to be aware of the potential financial commitments. Here’s a breakdown of costs you might encounter during your reign.

Clothing Expenses

One of the most significant costs during a reign is attire. You’ll likely need to create or commission several outfits for both yourself and your consort. Typically, each outfit requires about 2-5 yards of fabric per layer, and this can add up quickly.

Reducing Fabric Costs

A great way to save on fabric is by shopping at thrift stores. Goodwill and similar stores often have a range of fabrics if you look in the fabric, curtain, and sheet sections. With a little patience and persistence, you can often find high-quality materials like silk and linen in these stores, significantly cutting down on your expenses.

Additionally, take advantage of shopping deals and coupons from online and retail stores like Fabric-Store.com or Joann's. Joann's frequently offers discounts and coupons, while Fabric-Store.com often runs sales on linen and other fabrics. By planning your purchases around these promotions, you can significantly reduce your fabric costs.

Another option to reduce fabric costs is to gather a group of people to buy fabric in bulk. Many fabric stores offer discounts for bulk purchases, and if you coordinate with other members of your court or friends who may need fabric for their projects, you can split the costs and get a much lower price per yard. Bulk buying not only helps you save money, but also ensures that everyone in the group has matching or complementary fabric for outfits, banners, or largess.

If you or your fighter believe there’s a chance of winning the Crown, the best way to keep fabric costs low is to start collecting materials as early as possible. By gathering fabric over time, you can avoid the rush and expense of last-minute shopping while building a stash of suitable materials for your reign.

Reign Coins

Reign coins are a unique and personal expense during a reign. These coins are typically designed specifically for you and your consort, used to show appreciation or recognition for acts of service and great deeds. They’re often given out as small thank-yous or tokens of favor, but can also serve more creative purposes.

For instance, our current King and Queen, Baldric and Hurrem, have used reign coins to pay "bounties" when individuals miss being called up in court. This adds a fun and meaningful dimension to the coins’ use while still keeping them as a special part of the reign.

The cost of reign coins can vary depending on design, material, and quantity, so it's important to budget for this early in your reign planning. Custom designs can make these coins a memorable and valued keepsake for both you and the recipients.

Court Favors

Court favors are typically given out at the beginning of the reign and are also custom-designed to reflect you and your consort. These favors are presented to your court members and often differ depending on the role they hold. For example, specific favors may be created for positions like Guard, Champion, or Heads of House.

Court favors can take many forms, from small tokens to more elaborate items like capes, bags, or sashes. Their main purpose is to make members of the royal household easily identifiable, and they’re often worn at events to signify their position in the court. The cost of court favors will depend on the type and quality of the items you choose to create, so this is another important expense to factor into your reign budget.

Thank You Gifts

At the end of your reign, it’s customary to give thank you gifts to members of your royal court. These gifts are a way of expressing your gratitude to those who have supported you and helped with the countless duties and responsibilities that come with a reign. They can be anything from personalized items to thoughtful keepsakes and are a meaningful way to say, "Thank you for making our lives easier."

The size and scope of these gifts can vary, but it’s a nice tradition to include in your reign planning, as it acknowledges the hard work and dedication of your court members.

Travel

Travel is a significant cost during a reign, as you will likely attend many events and functions across the kingdom and beyond. Travel-related expenses include gas, hotel stays, site fees, and occasionally flights. Additionally, there are less obvious expenses like wear and tear on your vehicle, especially if you’re traveling long distances frequently.

The cost of travel can vary greatly depending on your location. If you are centrally located within the kingdom, your travel expenses may be lower compared to someone who lives on the outskirts and must cover greater distances. Travel for events on the opposite side of the kingdom can become quite expensive, especially when factoring in repeated trips.

Although many of these expenses can be reimbursed up to a certain point, you will still need to cover them upfront before you can request reimbursement. It’s important to remember that reimbursements might not cover the full amount or may take some time to process.

Another consideration is the personal cost of time. Attending events often means taking time off work, so it’s important to consider the potential for using Paid Time Off (PTO) or even losing wages if your employment does not offer PTO. This can add to the overall cost of your reign, especially when factoring in required or highly recommended events throughout the kingdom.

Effective planning, budgeting for these travel-related expenses, and understanding the full extent of the commitment will help you minimize financial strain during your reign.

Carpooling to Reduce Travel Costs

Carpooling is an excellent option to reduce the financial burden of travel during your reign. By sharing a ride with other members of the court or attendees, you can split the costs of gas, tolls, and wear and tear on the vehicle. Even when carpooling, travel costs can still be reimbursed through the kingdom’s travel fund, allowing you to stretch your budget even further.

Carpooling not only helps to share the financial load, but it also fosters a sense of camaraderie and teamwork among those traveling together. It can also make long trips more enjoyable and lessen the strain on your vehicle. If you frequently travel for events, organizing carpools with others headed to the same destination is a great way to save money and reduce travel fatigue.

Largess

Largess is an integral part of being Crown, and while some largess is passed from reign to reign, there are times when additional largess is required. This can be especially true when traveling to large events or when specific gifts are needed for individuals or kingdoms.

Largess can be anything from handmade items to purchased goods, and while making largess yourself can help reduce costs, the expense can still add up, especially if the materials are costly or if you need to buy ready-made items. It’s important to factor in the potential need for extra largess in your reign budget to avoid unexpected expenses.

Coronets for Stepping Down

One of the significant and often personal expenses after a reign is the cost of coronets, particularly for those stepping down for the first or second time. Coronets are symbols of rank and service in the SCA and are customarily worn after you leave the throne to signify your status as a Count, Countess, Duke, or Duchess.

For your first reign, you will likely want to invest in a county coronet. County coronets typically feature embattlements to mark your new rank. The cost of a county coronet can vary depending on the materials and level of customization you choose. Simple coronets made from basic metals like aluminum or brass may be more affordable, while ornate coronets with intricate designs, gemstones, or higher-quality metals like silver or bronze can be more expensive.

For your second reign, you may want to either purchase a new coronet or modify your first coronet by adding strawberry leaves to signify your higher rank. Some prefer to design a second coronet with these leaves already incorporated, while others choose to alter their existing one. Like with county coronets, the costs for a ducal coronet or modifications depend heavily on the level of detail and craftsmanship, so this can become a substantial expense.

War Reign and the Royal Mixer

If your reign coincides with a major war, such as War of the Phoenix, there are additional costs to consider, specifically for hosting the Royal Mixer. This event, often hosted by the Crown, typically involves providing food and gifts for visiting royalty, including foreign dignitaries from other kingdoms. The mixer is an important part of fostering goodwill between kingdoms, but it does not come with an official budget, leaving these expenses to the reigning monarchs.

Royal Mixer Cost-Saving Strategies

The costs for the Royal Mixer can add up quickly, especially when providing food, drink, and gifts for a large number of guests. However, there are several ways to reduce these costs:

1. Fundraisers: One effective way to offset the costs of the Royal Mixer is to run a fundraiser ahead of time. Hosting auctions, bake sales, or other fun, community-driven events can help raise money for the mixer. These fundraisers not only generate funds but also engage the populace in supporting the reign.
2. Donations from the Populace: Working with the populace is another way to reduce the financial burden. Many members of the kingdom may be willing to donate food, drinks, or even handcrafted items for the event. Reaching out to artisans, cooks, and brewers within the kingdom can help secure high-quality goods for the mixer without significant expense. Some individuals may also donate their time to help prepare and serve food.
3. Potluck-Style Contributions: If appropriate, consider organizing the Royal Mixer as a potluck, where each member of the court or populace contributes a dish or drink. This can create a more community-focused and inclusive atmosphere while significantly reducing food costs.

By planning ahead and leveraging the support of your kingdom, you can host a memorable and successful Royal Mixer without stretching your reign’s budget too thin.