Society for Creative Anachronism

The Society for Creative Anachronism (or SCA for short) is a non-profit educational organization devoted to studying and re-creating the Middle Ages and Renaissance. The primary focus is on Western European culture, but can also include other regions such as the Middle East and Japan with which Western Europe had contact during 800-1650 CE. The SCA is easily described as a Middle Ages Arts Revival Recreation Organization.

Peerages

This use of the term "peerage" is unique to the Society and should not be misconstrued to have any resemblance whatsoever to historical peerage as practiced in the United Kingdom or similar countries, although they are inspired by medieval concepts.

Related Topics:
Peerage - United Kingdom - Medieval

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

SCA Peerages are bestowed as lifetime awards to those who receive them, though the recipient may surrender the title if s/he so wishes. It is possible, though usually difficult, to receive again a peerage so surrendered. There has been only one case where the Society revoked a peerage, in this case a Knight who was convicted of being a hitman in the "mundane" (real) world.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Peerages are bestowed by the Crown (King and Queen) of a Kingdom. In most cases (except for Royal Peers), this is done at the request of the members of a given peerage, but there have been rare instances where the King has bestowed the honor on those not considered by (or even more rarely, against the wishes of) the given peerage. Often this has led to a number of that peerage surrendering their rank in protest.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

• Knights represent the epitome of combat arts and chivalry. Knights are expected be well rounded, and to be working for the good of the Kingdom and Society. Knights are recognized by their white belts and gold chains. They are addressed as Sir for men, but the women are split between Dame and Sir. Most take under their wing promising younger fighters as their Squires, who are recognizable by their red belts. Some Knights serve as squires first, but this is not a requirement.
• Because Knights are required to swear fealty to the crown, no matter their feeling towards the individuals on the throne, some have chosen an alternate title of Master of Arms. They wear a white baldric rather than the belt, and swear fealty only when they choose. Masters of Arms (addressed as Master or Mistress) are common in some regions, and almost non-existent in others. In regions where the practice is common, a Master of Arms enjoys the same privileges and honors as a knight, but bears a different responsibility: a Master at Arms generally holds his or her loyalty to be with the Kingdom, not with the King, and acts accordingly.
• Pelicans are so named for the medieval belief/legend that a mother pelican will, in times of need, prick her own breast to feed her lifeblood to her brood. Masters and Mistresses (Dames) of the Pelican have shown such devotion in the service of the SCA in general. Often, these are among the leaders running the day-to-day business of the Society, holding offices, running events, and assisting with the organizational aspects of their local or regional group, their Kingdom, or even the Society as a whole. They are recognized by their medallion, depicting the above mother pelican, and their associates (called Protégés) wear yellow belts to announce to the Society that they are working towards the honor.
• Laurels are the artisans of the Society. They are considered experts in their fields, researching, practicing, and teaching their arts and sciences to others in the Society. Laurels vary in art from armor making, to singing, to weaving, to any other art and craft performed within the medieval period. They are expected to use and be knowledgeable about medieval and Renaissance materials, techniques for construction, and styles in their art. They often have green-belted Apprentices learning from them.
• Royal Peers are members of both the simplest and most difficult peerage to join. One simply must have ruled as monarch of a Principality or Kingdom. For more information on how this is accomplished, see Royalty below. Royal Peers go by a range of titles, from Viscount/Viscountess (former principality monarchs), Count (or Earl)/Countess (who have served once on a Kingdom throne), and Duke/Duchess (who have served two or more times).

Royalty

Although there is no historical precedent for this method of selecting rulers, each SCA kingdom is "ruled" by a king and queen chosen by a Crown Tournament. This is typically held as a double-elimination, one-on-one, heavy-weapon-combat tournament. The winner of the Crown Tournament and his/her Consort are styled "Crown Prince and Princess" and serve a training period under the current King and Queen prior to acceding to the throne and ruling in their turn. Most kingdoms have two reigns of about six months per year, though some have three reigns per year. The training period is typically half a reign.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

As of 2005, only one Queen has been made 'by her own hand' (by winning a crown tournament), though two other Queens have served as Sovereign (rather than Consort) when the Prince or King died before or during their reign.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

While reigning crowns do have a significant influence within their individual kingdoms and the larger Society, their duties are primarily ceremonial. The day-to-day business of running the Society is performed by volunteers or appointees in kingdom-level offices, and by the Society's Board of Directors. In fact, the Society Board of Directors can strip any crown of its authority (retroactively to the beginning of their reign, even after it has ended) if they abuse their authority.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~