Rank, Title and Customs in the East Kingdom of the SCA

(Some Kingdoms reserve spurs for Chivalry as well.) (See the notes under Sumptuary laws below for the reservation of chain necklaces.)

(In some Kingdoms landed Baronial coronets must be gold)

(In some Kingdoms Court Baronial coronets must be silver.)

No form of address, but some Kingdoms use "The Honorable Lord/Lady" (which is not supported by Society Law.)

(In some kingdoms, comes with the right to wear a plain circlet of a prescribed width.)

Lord/Lady

(In some kingdoms, comes with the right to wear a plain circlet of a prescribed width.)

• Tournament
• Defence (fencing)
• Archer
• Equestrian
• Bardic

• Cadet=black (lowest)
• Scholar=green
• Provost=blue
• Don=gold (highest)

• Scholar=black (entry)
• Free-Scholar=green
• Provost=blue
• Captain of Fence=gold (highest)

• Archer

• Marksman

• Bowman

• Master Bowman

• Grand Master Bowman

• Ludicrous Bowman

• Apprentice (not warranted by the Kingdom of residence) badge worn as a favor- sometimes on a red baldric with no edging.
• Journeyman Red baldric with white edging some kingdoms have no edging
• Master Honorary elevation from within the Chirurgeonate, also warranted) red baldric with gold edging

On duty, baldric is worn. Off-duty, but available to help in a pinch, baldric worn as a favor on the belt.

• You should have brought (or made arrangements to borrow) an appropriate attempt at clothing of the time and place. Most events have a place to change into the clothes after you have arrrived and paid your entry fee.
• Always make a point of paying and registering for each event
• Usually there will be a short line for those that pre-registered, and a longer one for people registering at the door.
• Events will usually want to know your modern and Society name. If you don't have a Society name, don't worry.
• If you are very new to the Society, this is a nice place to introduce yourself and ask for help.
• They will ask for proof of paid SCA membership (US or international) and/or your "blue card" which shows you have a waiver on file with the SCA. If you don't have one, you will be required to sign the waiver. Read it and sign.
  American membership http://www.sca.org/members/us-mem-form.pdf
  Foreign membership http://www.sca.org/members/SCA_int-member.pdf
  Adult Waiver http://www.sca.org/docs/adltwaiv.pdf
  Minor Waiver http://www.sca.org/docs/chldwaiv.pdf
  
• Many events have special waivers required for minor children to be filled out by their parent, guardian or responsible adult. Some rare events don't allow children in without parents or legal guardians: check before you travel far if the children with you are not your own.
• Many events will give you a small token instead of a receipt. You should either wear it or keep it on you.
• They may give you a string of fast instructions: "Changing rooms are downstairs, feast space sign-up over here, court starts at 11:30". Relax, and ask for help, if you are confused. "This is my first event". Gate is usually rushing to check experienced folks in, but will take the time to help new people gladly. It is not an insult of any kind if someone asks "Are you new". It is most likely an offer of help.
• If there is a site map or schedule, take one with you. You have arrived.

• Rise in place
• As they approach, reverence or otherwise acknowledge their presence
• Remain standing until told to make yourself comfortable or they leave the immediate area.
• After each piece of business, the crowd will generally applaud the people involved by shouting "vivat" (for one) or "vivant" for the plural, three times. This is Latin for "may he/they live".

• Not quite the big deal of Royalty.
• Be polite
• If you know the right title to use, use it. Otherwise, M'Lord or M'Lady will do
• Introduce yourself
• When you are ready for advanced work, try learning to bow or reverence (men) or plie (ladies), and how to properly kiss a hand without overstepping.
• When making conversation, feel free to ask questions of people: their interests, where they are from, what time frame they most like, activities within the Society.

• If there is a high table, wait to start eating until they start eating
• Bring feast gear: plates, bowls, utensils, napkins, light if permitted, tablecloth
• Pre-select space during the day if allowed
• Ask before sitting with strangers
• No alcohol unless allowed at the site.
• Introduce yourself.
• Make conversation: especially ask questions.
• Finger bowls or formal hand washing may occur. Don't worry.
• Period table settings that you may see might include a "trencher" of bread instead of a plate, no fork, shared mugs or knives, open little bowls of salt
• Don't hog the food
• pass the food
• Help with serving
• Try new things: don't make faces.
• If you have allergies or restrictions, ask the kitchen staff BEFORE the meal.
• An authentic use of a tablecloth and napkin is to have very large napkins. Pull the tablecloth over your legs and waist after you sit, and place your napkin over your left shoulder and across your body down to the table cloth.
• Fingers were often used in period eating, rather than forks.
• When finished, clear your goods. Bring plastic bags to bring home dirty dishes
• Do not wash dishes in bathroom sinks: they cannot handle the waste.

• In the East, when someone is applauded, we shout "Vivat" three times, all together. "Vivant" is the plural, for more than one person. It is Latin for "May he live" or "May they live".
• It is traditional at feasts that the highest ranking person present toast the King and Queen of the East as the first toast of the evening
• If there is a reigning Crown Prince and Princess, those are toasted next
• Autocrats and cooks frequently are toasted after that.
.

• Rise promptly
• Walk quickly, but don't run.
• Acknowledge the Person as you approach: also all the other nobles if any
• It is customary to bow or plie: if you can't or won't, try to show respect some other way.
• Kneel if your religion will allow, if not, mention it is not your custom.
• Answer with titles: Your Majesty, Excellency, Highness, etcetera
• Always face the person that summoned you: do not turn your back without permission
• No need to make a show of "disarming": if challenged, respond politely ask permission.
• When dismissed, again, don't turn your back until you have left what feels like the presence of the Crown.

• Find the Official Herald well in advance.
• Describe the business fully: no surprises. Trust the herald to keep your secret
• Know how long it will take, how many people will come up.
• You may or may not be scheduled, you are asking.
• Be available to be found before court to find out if you were scheduled
• Ask when. Modify the length and how many people will come up.
• If you are not comfortable or loud before a crowd, ask for a herald to help.
• Be ready to go when called.
• Use pomp and panoply: music, banners.
• Announce who you are, and your business, clearly and loudly.
• See above for how to behave in court.

• It's the same as with your own Crown. See above.

• If you can, find a herald to make it for you
• If you must make it yourself, do not interrupt ongoing activities, but work around their natural breaks
• Word it as appropriately as possible

• Hire a herald if you can
• Make a good showing
• Do not insult your opponent, unless it be done cleverly and without malice