In the SCA there are society level awards ie. they are recognized throughout the Known World. They are are armigerous (see definition) and confer different titles, rights, and responsibilities; and heraldry. These are the Award of Arms (AoA), Court Barony, Grant of Arms (GoA) and the Patent of Arms (Peerage).[1]
Heraldry Display
These awards give you the right to display your 'achievement of arms' ie. a full formal display of a coat of arms. This form of display can be used for decorative elements, banners, and of course on your scrolls.
An achievement is your device surrounded by all the extra elements accorded to you by your rank in the SCA. Each SCA Kingdom has its own customs for achievements and those shown below are for the Kingdom of Atenveldt. The Sumptuary Traditions and Guidelines for Atenveldt define what each rank can display
The achievement always contains some sort of shield shape, upon which the arms are rendered. It can also contain other elements which surround the shield. The rank of the owner of the arms determines what kind of elements may be used in the achievement.
Award of Arms
Often the first award a player receives. An Award of Arms (AoA) is given to active members of the Kingdom who look like they will continue with the SCA. The AoA is one of the most special recognitions and conveys many rights.[2].
This title is recognized throughout the SCA and is the first award that conveys precedence and armigerous status.
This award grants the recipient the right to use the title ‘Lord’, ‘Lady’ or a gender-neutral [3] title and to display ‘arms’ (their own heraldic design) in the SCA. See the Achievement of Arms table below for the heraldry elements that can be used with an AoA.
| Shield | can be any shape that was found in the SCA time period. Lozenge shapes were often used to denote women. |
| Helmet | Can be any style in the SCA period. Must face dexter (left), must be dull gray color (no shiny) |
| Supporters | Can be any object, beast or human found in the SCA period. They do not have to match. They must be mirrored and appear to hold the shield up. |
Grant of Arms
The Grant of Arms (GoA) is an SCA society-wide award with a rank between that of a Patent of Arms and an Award of Arms[4]
A GoA can be given for a variety of reasons that emphasize remarkable contributions to the Kingdom over a long period of time. This award entitles individuals to be addressed as 'The Honorable Lordship/ladyship/Noble' and to add more detail to their personal arms.
In Atenveldt, some awards automatically confer a Grant of Arms when they are given - these are high ranking awards such as "Commander of XXX" or the "Golden" awards.
See the Achievement of Arms table below for the heraldry elements that can be used with a GoA.
Court Barony
The Crown can give the title of Court Baron or Court Baroness to anyone who has gone above and beyond while serving the Kingdom, or in giving personal service to the Crown. In Atenveldt, this award gives the holder the right to wear a 6-point coronet (under 1½ inches tall); to be titled “Their Excellency”; and add to their personal arms.
See the Achievement of Arms table below for the heraldry elements that can be used with a Court Barony.
In Atenveldt a Court Barony ranks just above an Award of Arms. A Crown may choose to give a Grant of Arms at the same time as the Court Barony.
Peerage (Patent of Arms)
Peerages are the highest level of award given in the SCA and they recognize outstanding service to the Kingdom or expertise in a particular area. However a peer is more than that, they have to show qualities worthy of the title of peer – such as courtesy and respect to others, be passionate about sharing their knowledge, and play a significant role in our community. In short, be the kind of person we want to admire. Our Peers can be some of the most well-known and respected members of the SCA community.
Each order has different heraldic elements for visual identity (the one shown here is a Laurel). See the Achievement of Arms table below for those used by Peerage orders and Royalty.
In Atenveldt, there are five peerage orders - Chivalry, Laurel, Pelican, Master of Defense,Royal Peers. The Crown regularly meets with them to discuss potential candidates for the order and seek advice.
References
- ↑ “Society Level Award.” Cunnan Wiki, Kingdom of Lochac, SCA Inc, 28 Mar. 2018, accessed 5/1/2021. cunnan.lochac.sca.org/index.php/Society_level_award.
- ↑ Vibert, Milicent. “Award of Arms.” MiddleWiki RSS, Kingdom of the Middle, SCA Inc, 30 Sept. 2013, middlewiki.midrealm.org/index.php/Award_of_Arms.
- ↑ de Luna, Juliana. “Gender-Neutral Titles for SCA Armigers.” July 2018 Letter of Acceptances and Returns - Cover Letter, Laurel Queen at Arms, SCA College of Heralds, 29 Sept. 2018, heraldry.sca.org/loar/2018/07/18-07cl.html.
- ↑ Cunnan.lochac.sca.org. 2009. Grant Of Arms - Cunnan. [online] Available at: <https://cunnan.lochac.sca.org/index.php/Grant_of_Arms> [Accessed 6 January 2021].
Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Coat of arms". Encyclopedia Britannica, 13 May. 2020, https://www.britannica.com/topic/coat-of-arms. Accessed 24 January 2021.
Lobsterthermidor. (2020, December 19). Achievement (heraldry). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Achievement_(heraldry). author: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Lobsterthermidor
Table of Achievements of Arms
| Rank | Shield | Helmet | Torse | Mantling | Supporters | Crest | Coronet (can replace torse) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No AoA | Yes | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Award of Arms | yes | Gray non-metalic in profile to dexter |
no | no | as desired | no | no |
| Grant of Arms | yes | Gray non-metalic in profile to dexter |
2x owner's colors |
same as torse (no ermine) |
as desired | no | no |
| Court Barony | Yes | Gray non-metalic in profile to dexter |
2x owner's colors |
same as torse (no ermine) |
as desired | no | plain gold band with 4x visible pearls |
| Thegn/Bannthegn | Yes | Gray non-metalic 45 degrees to dexter |
2x owner's colors |
same as torse can use ermine |
as desired | no | plain gold band with 4x visible pearls |
| Master of Defense |
Yes | Silver, full face or profile |
2x owner's colors |
same as torse can use ermine |
as desired | as desired | No |
| Laurel | Yes | Silver, full face or profile |
2x owner's colors |
same as torse can use ermine |
as desired | as desired | Laurel wreath may replace torse |
| Pelican | Yes | Silver, full face or profile |
2x owner's colors |
same as torse can use ermine |
as desired | as desired | Chapeau may replace torse |
| Chivalry | Yes | Silver, full face or profile |
2x owner's colors |
same as torse can use ermine |
as desired | as desired | no |
| Viscounty | Yes | Silver, full face or profile |
2x owner's colors |
same as torse can use ermine |
as desired | as desired | Coronet of a single point |
| County | Yes | Silver, full face or profile |
2x owner's colors |
same as torse can use ermine |
as desired | as desired | Crenellated coronet |
| Duchy | Yes | Gold, full face or profile |
2x owner's colors |
same as torse can use ermine |
as desired | as desired | Coronet with strawberry leaves |
| All Awards | B. of Atenveldt | Tir Ysgithr |
| Sun Dragon | Mons Tonitrus | Twin Moons |
| Ered Sul | Granite Mountain |
- ↑ Kingdom Seneschal (Ed.). (2018, May 1). Kingdom of Atenveldt Sumptuary Traditions and Guidelines. Kingdom of Atenveldt.
