Basic SCA Etiquette

• Don’t walk through the eric/list field (the roped off areas) • Do bow to the thrones (if applicable), even if they are empty • If you smoke, so in designated areas only; marijuana is not allowed • Don’t take too much in the buffet line - leave plenty for others - then go back when all have had a chance • Hide/cover modern items (except eyeglasses, mobility aids, etc. ) Keep cell phones quietly hidden. • When camping, move your vehicle to the designated area as soon as possible

• Ask for permission (May I enter?) before proceeding to cut through a campsite or approach a tent.

• Don't wear a crown if you are not entitled to one,

Gentlefolk are generally addressed by the title of their highest rank. When in doubt, don't forget that "My lord" and "My lady" are perfectly acceptable titles for anyone.

The terms sergeant, squire, protégé, apprentice, arcuarius, sergeant, courtier, yeoman and gallant describe various flavours of fealty relationships. These terms are not titles and it's not appropriate to use them before a name. If you want to mention that someone is a squire/protégé/apprentice or sergeant/courtier/yeoman/gallant you should say who they are in fealty to. GOOD: "Joe Cannonfodder, squire to Duke Hammerhand" BAD: "squire Joe Cannonfodder" How can anyone know to tell His Grace Duke Hammerhand of the deeds of courtesy his squire has performed if they don't know who Cannonfodder is squired to?

Award of Arms entitles the recipient to style him or herself "Lord" (note capital) or "Lady." They are properly addressed as "Lord (name)" or "Lady (name)." "Lord Joe made his own armor." "Would you ask Lady Mary if she has a large wooden spoon we can borrow?"

Grants of Arms: The Honourable Lord or The Honourable Lady. They may be addressed as Your Lordship or Your Ladyship. The Honourable Lord Joe is our new shire Chirurgeon. Here comes (optional: the Honourable) Lady Mary with a chest full of books. (to Mary) May I assist Your Ladyship?

Royalty of the Society: The reigning King and Queen. They are referred to as "The Crown", "The Sovereign and Consort" or "The King and Queen". "Your Majesty".

The heirs to the throne, the Crown Prince and Princess. They are referred to as "The Coronet", "Their Highnesses" (singly "Your Highness") or "Their Royal Highnesses" (singly "Your Highness").

Duke/Duchess. These are people who have ruled an SCA kingdom two or more times. They are referred to as "Your Grace".

Count/Countess. These are people who have ruled an SCA kingdom once. They are referred to as "Your Excellency". Embattled coronets are reserved for counts and countesses. Furthermore, wreaths of roses are reserved to people who have been a consort of a kingdom one or more times.

Viscount/ess. These are people who have ruled an SCA principality one or more times. They are referred to as "Your Excellency".

The heirs to the principality thrones/coronet. They are addressed as "Your Excellencies" (singly "Your Excellency"), and in An Tir are known as the Tanist and ban-Tanist, or Tanist and Tanista, depending on the principality.

Barons and Baronesses use the title "Baron" or "Baroness" in front of their names. When you talk to them directly, they may be addressed as "Your Excellency".

Bestowed Peers:

Order of Chivalry. This is received for heavy weapons fighting. This has two branches, Knights and Masters of Arms. Knights are addressed as "Sir (name)", Masters as "Master (name)".

Order of the Laurel. This is received for skill in a medieval art/science/craft. They are addressed as "Master or Mistress. "Dame" is a common alternative to "Mistress".

Order of the Pelican. This is received for service to the Society. They are addressed as "Master or Mistress. "Dame" is a common alternative to "Mistress".

Everyone else. There is no special title, though by courtesy, we use "my lord" or "my lady" for everyone, if we don't have any other title to call them.

You will note that Kings and Queens wear crowns, while everyone else wears coronets. This is an SCA usage, not a historical one, since there is no difference between the two.