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Awards
Taking the time to say, “Thou Dost Rock!
Events and meetings are all volunteer run. The people that work in the kitchen at feast, teach renaissance dancing, play music at dinner, and create the lovely scrolls that are awarded in court, are all done by members of the SCA, who slapped down the same event fee as everyone else.
Awards exist as a way to say “THANKS!” for going above and beyond to make the SCA experience interesting and enjoyable for all.
What do these awards mean in terms of the life in the SCA? Actually, very little. They yield what is scientifically referred to as a ‘warm and fuzzy’ factor. It feels good to see someone, that you know is deserving, get officially recognized for their efforts. Sometimes awards are accompanied by scrolls or official titles. In the SCA the award scrolls resemble pages from illuminated manuscripts (created by Kingdom artists), not period legal documents. While the titles don’t necessarily impart ‘society influence’ they do sound pretty cool. (ie. Petra of Syracuse may become Lady Petra of Syracuse.)
There are three tiers of awards:
Society-wide Peerage orders: Given to people who have put in many years of service not just within their local group but across kingdoms! (follow the link and and see "Rank in the SCA, or How Come She is Wearing a Crown?")
SCA Kingdom and Principality Orders, Awards, and Honors: Mostly awarded to people who have put in years of service and whose efforts have been felt throughout their kingdom.
Barony Orders, Awards, and Honors: The real backbone of the SCA is its operations at the local level. It’s the small local events that most of us attend regularly and it’s the weekly meetings and practices that help to refresh our passion for historical inquiry. Awards at this level are granted to those whose efforts are a true asset to thier local group.
Order of the Windmill
The Order of the Windmill is an award for service. This means that the person has shown true initiative and enthusiasm for the smooth running of the local group. (The people that work in the kitchen at events, hold offices in the Barrony, teach classes, run fight practices, etc..) These are the people that make things happen! Identifying phrase - "Sure, I can do that."
Note to scribes: This is a fieldless badge, which means that it may be placed on any color background. The center circle may be colored in, as depicted, or left open and uncolored.
Order of the Capstan
Order of the Capstan: Awarded to people that have displayed superior skill and knowledge (and a willingness to share their knowledge) in the realms of Arts & Sciences. These are the 'go to' people when you have questions about hand sewing, brewing, how to make the unicorn on your scroll not look like an angry duck, etc.. Identifying phrase - "No, really that's good you just need a little..."
Note to scribes:
This is a fieldless badge, which means that it may be placed on any color background. The center circle may be colored in, as depicted, or left open and uncolored.
Order of the Guard of the Windmill
(aka Order of the Millguard)
Order of the Guard of the Windmill of Delftwood (aka Order of the Millguard): This is awarded to those who have shown expertise in the martial arts. Fighters, Achers and Fencers, Oh My! Identifying phrase - "OW! Good One, Hee-hee, now my turn!"
Notes to scribes: This is a fieldless badge, which means that it may be placed on any color background. A saltire moline gyronny argent and azure. The official name ("Order of the Guard of the Windmill of Delftwood)" is what is registered with the College of Arms. That said, "Order of the Millguard" is how the order is known within the barony, and may be used on scrolls.
Order of the Mistral
The Order of the Mistral is given for representing the spirit of the Barony of Delftwood.
"This will be given out to people who live in the Barony for being the best representatives of the Barony. These are people who through their actions,attititudes, and prescence are the phyisical embodiment of the Spirit of Delftwood." -Baron Oeric Lestrange
It is the only award which is limited to one new member per year, traditionally inducted at Seven Deadlies. Identifying phrase - "I assure you the Baron was NOT involved and furthermore, I'm fairly sure he is allergic to wool..."
Notes to scribes: A mistral is a female representation of "wind". The stylized "air" shown here is a heraldic cloud. This is a fieldless badge, which means that it may be placed on any color background.
Friend of the Windmill
Like the Order of the Windmill" but for non-citizens of Delftwood. It has no officially registered name or badge. Generally, a token is given (of the coronets choice).
Citizen of Delftwood
Whereby non-residents of Delftwood who have shown honor and friendship to our fair barrony may be made citizens. There is no official title or order, per se, but citizenship allows non-residents to be inducted into the baronial orders, if the coronet chooses. So, when a baron(ess) wishes to induct a non-resident into a baronial order, citizenship is granted first, followed (usually immediately) by the induction into the order.
(...so much simpler than understanding the SCA award structure itself...)
Is there someone that you feel deserves a good pat on the back? Recommending someone for an award is simple. There is a great article "Suggestions for writing award recommendation letters" on the Barony-Marche of the Debatable Lands (Pittsburgh) website, that gives some excellent tips. Make sure you know the person's society name, real name, and who has the authority to give him/her the award. If it's a society or Kingdom level award the reigning monarch needs to receive the recommendation. AEthelmearc has an online award recommendation form on their website. If it's a local award it would be the current coronet. Anyone can recommend deserving persons for an award! You don't have to have to have a specific title or be a member of an order to recommend someone else be inducted! Do it for our friends who are really making a difference, do it for the King/Queen/Baron/Baroness who won't have to much to do in court otherwise, do it for the rest of us who also won't have a lot to do in court otherwise...
Just Do It!
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