Greetings and Glad Tidings unto the populace from Donna Serena da Riva

In past weeks a document titled “The Kingdom Law of Meridies” has arrived in most of our postal boxes. Within its pages are the rules by which we all play. A large portion of the document is devoted to establishing and defining the awards and honors that can be bestowed upon the citizens of Meridies. These awards are given at the whim of the Sovereign and Consort, but their Majesties cannot be everywhere and know everything that is being done at the populace level. To these ends they rely upon you, good gentles, to write to them and recommend to them those that you see performing good acts within this Kingdom.

While the Kingdom Law is a mandatory read, it is written in jargon that can be a mite bit cumbersome; therefore the purpose of this missive. Below you will find a simplification of the major awards that are given by the crown. Please consider it only a guide, a cheat sheet if you will, and if you wish to write a letter consult Kingdom Law (www.meridies.org/senschal/meridies_kingdom_law.pdf) for the full description of the award. I encourage you heartily to make your voice heard and to write on the behalf of those good gentles you deem worthy.

Service Awards

Awards of Arms – an award for general service above and beyond expectations, usually early in ones SCA career

The Order of the Rising Swan – for outstanding service and achievement by gentles 17 and under

The Order of the Cygnet – for courtly behavior and honorable service by younger children

The Order of Compostella – for gentles that travel the kingdom in service a great deal

The Order of the Guiding Hand, Meridies – for encouragement and assistance to newcomers or anyone who has need (i.e.: demos)

The Order of the Broken Brank – for exemplary service in the office of the chiurgeon

The Order of the Argent Comet – for exemplary service to a group not directly administered by a barony (This is the equivalent of a Baronial service award i.e. Red Raven for gentles that do not live in a Barony)

The Order of the Burning Trumpet – for exemplary service in the duties of a Herald

The Order of the Cygnet's Nest – for working tirelessly on the behalf of the children

The Order of the Bough Meridies – a consulting order for gentles who have served well and faithfully above and beyond expectation (All consulting orders have the right to poll their members and make recommendations to the crowns as to whom should be inducted. With that in mind, if you feel someone deserves to be in a consulting order then a letter should be written to both the Crown and the secretary of the Order)

The Order of the Scarlet Star – an order for consistent and successful administration in the capacity of event and/or feast management (i.e. auto-cratting and/or feast-cratting)

Grants of Arms – this description for this award has been recently rewritten to place emphasis on the esteem in which it should be held. “Grants of Arms are given at the pleasure of the Crown to those persons of outstanding achievement to the Kingdom. This is an award of special dignity and is not bestowed lightly.” Further on Law reads, “Particularly in this matter of Grants is restraint urged; the existing orders (Bough, Velvet Owl, Scarlet Star, Sable Sword, Legio Ursi, Split Arrow, and Meridian Blade) are sufficient for all areas of the arts, sciences, and service; such fair coinage should not be debased.”

Augmentation of Arms – bestowed to either an individual or group for exceptional service not normally recognized through Society Awards.

Arts & Science Awards

The Order of the Meridian Cross – for gentles showing promise and skill in the arts and sciences

The Order of the Velvet Owl – a consulting order for outstanding skill and accomplishment in the Arts and Sciences (This emphasizes passing such knowledge on through teaching)

The Order of the Sable Quill – for exemplary skill in authorship, publication of SCA medium (This award is given only once per reign)

The Order of the Argent Slipper – for teaching of dance to the populace, above and beyond expectations

The Order of the Argent Lily – for exemplifying the ideals of comporting oneself as befitting a lord or lady of the Middle ages, i.e. authenticity (Only given to one man and one woman per reign)

The Order of the Athanor – for contributions to historical study in the Society (a pure Science award)

Fighting Awards

The Order of the Argent Shield – for gentles who have distinguished themselves in war, on the tournament field, and in the training of new fighters (Heavy)

The Order of the Argent Rapier – the same as Argent Shield but for Light weapons

The Order of the Argent Lance – the same as Argent Shield and Rapier but for Equestrian

The Order of the Duvant Cross – for exceptional skill, courtesy and honor in Youth Combat

The Order of the Meridian Broken Bow – for distinguishing oneself in the field of archery

The Order of the Weapons Master – for distinguishing oneself in the use of live weapons

The Order of the Legio Ursi – a consulting order for those who have exemplified and furthered the art of soldiering

The Order of the Split Arrow – a consulting order for longtime excellence, quality and chivalry in pursuit and teaching of Archery

The Order of the Sable Sword – a consulting order for longtime excellence, quality and chivalry in pursuit and teaching of Martial Arts (heavy weapons)

The Order of the Meridian Blade – a consulting order for longtime excellence, quality and chivalry in pursuit and teaching of the Rapier Arts

Updated 4/05