Etiquette, Behaviour and Courtesy in the SCA
The first rule is: Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Most of us had the same ones when we first started and are more than keen to explain things to someone in that position.
Some of these guidelines are for safety reasons (especially when concerned with sharp objects), but otherwise this is all in fun and as long as you are generally polite to everyone no-one will be upset if you use an incorrect title or bow in the wrong direction.
General Behaviour at events
One of the things that most new people are nervous of at events, is behaviour. What do you say if your hand has just been elaborately kissed by a gentleman in snazzy parti-coloured tights and impressive whiskers? How do you greet a lady in a large farthingale and a gold crown who is walking towards you?
To appear courteous, the general rule of thumb is to bow/curtsey to everyone you are introduced to. Do this most of all whenever you are approached by someone wearing a coronet/crown. It is also useful to observe and copy the behaviour of others towards such people and you will soon figure out the different titles and status of the people concerned. Try not to be flustered by anyone who speaks “forsoothly”, it is not a requirement of the society, but some feel that it enhances their experience.
Very often you will see good friends greet each other with modern familiarity, however everyone is punctilious in observing the above etiquette when dealing with crowned rulers, during court and when on official business. Some people in the Society will greet others by clasping wrists instead of shaking hands, especially to denote fellowship of some manner, though this really is something you see more in the Kingdoms in America, or with people from there.
Many members of the Society carry some form of weapon when off the combat field, even if it is only an eating dagger. There are certain important courtesies, which govern handling this.
- Never touch another person’s weapon or knife without his or her permission.
- If drawing a sharp steel weapon for display, say, “Clear!” loudly enough that anyone within range can hear it.
- If examining another person’s sharp weapon or knife, never touch the blade with your fingers (this is not good for the metal).
- Never display an aggressive posture towards another person with a real weapon.
- Never, ever, engage in any form of combat or mock combat with sharp steel.
Religion can be a tricky issue in the society. The inter faith conflicts that marred history should not be a part of one’s persona even if appropriate for your time and place of interest. The only rule we have about religion is that religious ceremonies can’t take place as a central element in or at an event. However it is also the custom for officials of any kind not to make any religious references in documentations or presentations even though religion would have been a central part of the societies we try to portray. In this case we have had to sacrifice authenticity to more enlightened sensibilities. However, this does not stop members from taking on religions personas such as monks or nuns and several of them do. Other than that please be courteous and respectful of the beliefs of others.
How to address others
All members of the Society, unless they have deliberately taken a specific persona (and this can lead to some strange results, such as “Lord Thomas the Beggar”), are assumed to be gentlefolk for which reason the address “My lord / My lady” is the usual one unless you know of a specific title. Men are referred to in general as “lords”, women as “ladies”. If you are in a couple with someone, it is normal, regardless of any titles, to introduce him or her with the phrase, “This is my lord” or “This is my lady”, in the third person, one might refer, for instance, to “Benvolio’s lady, Rosamund” or “Rosamund’s lord, Benvolio”.
It is customary for a lord, upon introduction to a lady, to kiss her hand. This has no implications other than politeness in a medieval style. Ladies who do not wish their hands to be kissed should not extend them upon introduction to a lord.
Very new members will often be referred to as “Milord” or Milady”, as a courtesy. The actual title of “Lord” or “Lady” is conferred by an Award of Arms which has to be earned. It is one of the first awards that people gain and is granted to people who have demonstrated a willingness to help out, an eagerness to learn and who have shown dedicating to the Society. Until this award is gained, a person cannot give themselves a title, nor can they use a coat of Arms.
The following are modes of address specific to certain titles. The titles are there to add pomp to courts and to aid the feel of the Society. Don’t let them put you off.
Awards of Arms - The recipient is addressed as Lord or Lady followed by their first name.
Baron or Baroness - A Baron or Baroness is referred to as ‘Your Excellency’ or Baron “name” or Baroness “name”. They normally wear a coronet of some sort.
Grant of Arms – Addressed as Lord or Lady followed by their name. Some kingdoms use ‘Honourable Lord’ and ‘Honourable Lady’ followed by first names or as His Lordship / Her Ladyship and you’ll find some of that used in Drachenwald. It’s not institutionalised or prohibited so people often use which ever they like. When speaking to a GoA holder simply referring to them as Lord / Lady “name” is quite common.
Patent of Arms - Only the peers of the Society hold Patents of Arms. The peers are split into four groups, the group in which a Peer is in, determines the form of address appropriate. These groups are; the members of the Order of the Laurel, Order of the Pelican, Order of Chivalry and lastly Royal Peers. Members of the Order of the Pelican and Laurel are style Master “name” and Mistress “name”. Members of the Order of Chivalry are styled Sir “name” if in Fealty to the Crown when elevated to membership of the order and thus Knights. If they do not swear fealty to the Crown at that time they are Masters of Arms and are know as Master or Mistress “name”. The titles Sir and Knight are used by both men and women, though Ladies may chose to use the title Dame if they prefer.
Royal Peers are those who have served as ceremonial heads of principalities or kingdoms. Previous territorial Prince/Princesses, (having ruled a term as titular Prince or Princess of a Principality within the Kingdom) are given the titles of Viscounts and Viscountess when they step down, as a reward for their hard work. They are normally addressed as ‘Your Excellency’ or Viscount / Viscountess “name”. Similarly, someone who as reigned once as King or Queen will step down with the award of the title of Count/Earl and Countess, also know as “Your Excellency” or Count and Countess “name”. Finally, the highest title awarded in perpetuity for reigning over a Kingdom for two terms are the titles of Duke and Duchess. They are known as Duke “name” or Duchess “name” or as “Your Grace”. Lost yet? Don’t worry, it is normal for those with such titles, to wear small coronets – similar to crowns but not quite in the same league as a Royal Crown. If you have to address someone wearing one, who has not been introduced to you, the default would be “Your Excellency”.
The Royal titles in use in the society are:
King and Queen - Correctly called Your Majesty.
Prince and Princess - Called Your Highness.
Titles of Custom but not enshrined in Society Law
These titles are used by custom in this kingdom but while they may indicate dedication in a particular field, they are not counted towards the Order of Precedence for awards.
Don and Donella – Used in some kingdoms to denote a holder of a senior Rapier award called ‘The White Scarf’.
Protégé – An apprentice to a member of the Order of the Pelican. Not a reserved title.
Squire – An apprentice to a Knight or Master at Arms. Not a reserved title.
Apprentice – An apprentice to a member of the Order of the Laurel. Not a reserved title.
Scholar – A student or holder of Drachenwald’s top Rapier award – ‘The Dragon’s Steel.’
Preceptor – The head of the Fencing Academy. An office rather than a title.
Prefect – The top membership rank in the Fencing Academy.
Provost – A member of the fencing Academy between Prefect and Free Scholar.
Free Scholar – A member of the Fencing Academy.
Captain – a title of custom only. Captaincy’s are sold as a fund raiser for the Kingdom.
Admiral - a title of custom only. Admiralcy’s are sold as a fund raiser for the Kingdom.
Royal Artisan – The person who won the annual Kingdom Arts and sciences competition by entering and winning three or more different categories of craft. It’s possible for the competition to be won and for no one to have entered multiple areas of craft, in which case there is no new Royal Artisan.
There are other titles used but these are the common ones that you will encounter in this Kingdom. Quite often you will find titles translated such as Graf for Count or Seignior as Lord etc. as recipients often would like to use their titles as they would have done in the country/culture of their persona.
Behaviour Around the Crown
One always stands when the King or Queen stands, though at a crowded feast this is not expected.
One always bows or curtseys when the King or Queen passes by. Ladies curtsey. If you pass the Thrones of the King and Queen, you bow or curtsey as appropriate, even when they sit empty. The idea is that you are honouring and acknowledging the Throne of Drachenwald and whoever bears the crown at that time, rather than the individuals in themselves.
On an aside, traditionally when referring in writing to the King or Queen as He or She or Her or Your or His etc. you always capitalise the first letter (as an Your Majesty or His Majesty)
Behaviour In Court
When the Royal Herald suddenly summons you (in whatever manner, including “all new people please approach…”) to appear before Their Majesties, it means that you are being called up in Royal Court. You should stand up, divest yourself of weapons and make your way towards the Crowns. About ten feet from the Thrones, or roughly on a level with the forwardmost row of onlookers, bow or curtsey as appropriate, then walk to the cushion that is set before the Thrones and kneel. It is worth noticing that the cushion is very nice and has the Kingdom arms on it but it is on this that you should kneel (unless you have gone up as part of a group). No court goes by without someone thinking that it’s too nice to use a kneeler and thus they end up kneeling uncomfortably on the floor to the sniggering of the heralds.
On your way back you rise and bow or curtsey then step backwards for three or four steps, bow or curtsey again and then turn and flee. Please be careful if you are wearing long flowing clothes, you need to make sure you don’t stand on them getting up. Most Royalty are mildly amused by people strangling themselves by standing on the end of their cloak and then trying to stand up but it is not an experience that you will forget in a hurry.
Only Knights and members of the Royal Court (Royal champions, guards, etc.) are permitted to carry weapons of war in Court. Technically this does not apply to eating knives (the phrase weapons in the law is “weapons of war”) but in this Kingdom, it is customary not to bring any weapons into the presence of the Crown in Court. This is something of which to be aware.
Further Points of Etiquette
It is important to remember that there is no law saying that one’s persona must reflect anything about one’s mundane person, including race or gender. One of the more entertaining parts of this game is the chance to indulge in what interests you, not what you come from. There are African-Americans in the Society with European personas, Scandinavian people with Oriental personas and cross-gender persons of both persuasions. Ladies have been known who prefer to fight as a male persona as in their time period women were very rarely warriors. Even though all women are welcome to fight as ladies in the SCA, All such should be respected.
Please bear in mind that the SCA is not a “performance” society and we are not hired by historical locations or organisations. However if we are lucky enough to secure such a venue for one of our events, we often find ourselves in the position of interacting with the general public who happen to be visiting. Our activities are aimed mainly at members, but can provide an entertaining spectacle to non-members.
If your first event happens to be one of this kind, please try to be extra aware about things like drinking out of modern cans, or wearing sunglasses or wrist-watches, as they detract from the experience of those watching. Be prepared to answer questions. If you do not feel able to, explain that you are new and direct them to someone else.