Awards in Caid

Introduction

It is right and fit that volunteers should be recognized for their contributions. To do so, the Society created a structure of awards based on the Order of Honor/Merit from Feudal Europe, ranging in precedence to allow for recognition at many levels of contribution and service.

Honors are given for a wide variety of reasons, from simple recognition of participation or admiration to acknowledgement of real life heroic deeds. These usually come in the form of a small token, such as a medallion or favor, or a piece of regalia as a visual representation of inclusion in an Order.

The awards listed in this article contain some that exist on a Society level, meaning they are registered to the Society and are regulated by Corpora. The remainder of awards are exclusive to the Kingdom of Caid and are regulated by Kingdom Law. All awards hereafter appear in descending order of precedence. For more on the order of precedence, please review Protocol Heraldry 101: The Order of Precedence.

PROTIP: Orders of Merit outside of the SCA were formed to recognize contributions to the Crown, realm, or organizations through charitable contributions or laudable personal skills/military performance. These are still prevalent today, especially in England.

Royal Peerage

Royal Patents of Arms (POA) are given to recognize the successful completion of one or more reigns as the Crown of a Kingdom. All of the awards in this category are Society level awards.

Duchy is given to those who have served as Crown to a Kingdom for two successful reigns. Recipients are granted the title of Duke, Duchess, or an approved alternative equivalent, are addressed as “Your/Their Grace”, and are able to use/display a coronet with strawberry leaves.
County is given to those who have served as Crown to a Kingdom for one successful reign. Recipients are granted the title of Count, Countess, or an approved alternative equivalent, are addressed as “Your/Their Excellency”, and are able to use/display a coronet embattled.
Viscounty is given to those who have served as Coronet to a Principality for one successful reign. Recipients are granted the title of Viscount, Viscountess, or an approved alternative equivalent, and are addressed as “Your/Their Excellency”. The regalia for this rank is regulated on the Kingdom level. Caid does not regulate viscomital coronets.
Order of the Rose is given to those who have served as a Consort of Kingdom for one successful reign. Recipients do not have additional titles or forms of address, and are able to use/display a wreath of Roses.

PROTIP: The Order of the Rose is non-armigerous in Caid and some Kingdoms, but carries a Royal Patent of Arms in other Kingdoms. In the East Kingdom and Drachenwald, it is a polling order.

Patent of Arms

Patents of Arms (POA) are given to recognize individuals who have prolonged and advanced levels of participation, the greatest recreation of period garb and accessories, and mastery to expert levels of proficiencies in a given art, science, or combat form. This award reaffirms the recipient’s right to bear their unique arms, and raises their precedence level. The recipient is also granted the right to use the reserved badges and regalia of the Order and the title Master, Mistress, Dame, Maestro, or other comparable alternative titles. This rank does not have a specific form of address. Each of these orders is a polling order, and are Society level awards, however the Crown consults with their kingdom’s members of the Order before creating a new Peer.

Order of Chivalry is granted to individuals with extreme martial prowess in Armored Combat. Knights may use/display a white belt and unadorned closed chains of any color, and have the exclusive use of the title “Sir”. Masters of Arms may use/display a white baldric, and use the title of Master. By tradition in Caid, only Companions of the Chivalry may wear spurs outside of equestrian activities.
Order of the Laurel is granted to individuals who have achieved mastery level proficiency in the Arts and Sciences, and who share their skills for the betterment of the realm. In Caid, candidates must have mastery in a primary and high skill in a secondary art form before being considered for inclusion. Companions of this Order may use/display a laurel wreath.
Order of the Pelican is granted to individuals who have deeply enriched the realm through years of quality service and participation. Companions of this Order may use/display a Pelican in its piety, a Pelican vulning itself, and a cap of Maintenance.
Order of Defense is granted to individuals with extreme martial prowess in Rapier and/or Cut-and-Thrust Combat. Companions of this Order may use/display a white livery collar and three rapiers in pall inverted tips crossed.

PROTIP: The Order of Chivalry is unique in that they have Knights and Masters of Arms. The largest difference is that the former must swear fealty to the Crown at the time of their elevation, where an oath is optional to the latter. They are considered equal in precedence within the Order of Chivalry.

Grant of Arms

Grants of Arms (GOA) are given to recognize individuals who have consistent and moderate level participation, increased to moderate recreation of period garb and accessories, and journeyman to master levels of proficiencies in a given art, science, or combat form. This award reaffirms the recipient’s right to bear their unique arms, use/display the badge of the order if one is a member, and raises their precedence level. By tradition in Caid, this gives the recipient the title of The Honorable Lord/Lady/Noble, and can be addressed as “Your/Their Lordship/Ladyship/Nobleship” or “The Honorable Lord/Lady/Noble”. The Orders in this category are unique to Caid, with the exception of a “bare” Grant of Arms.

Order of the Argent Blade is granted for outstanding skill in Rapier combat.
Order of Chiron is granted for outstanding skill in Target Archery.
Order of the Crescent is granted for outstanding Service to the Realm.
Order of the Gauntlet of Caid is granted for outstanding skill in Martial combat.
Order of the Golden Lance of Caid is granted for outstanding skill in Equestrian activities.
Order of the Lux Caidis is granted for outstanding skill in a particular Art or Scientific field.
Order of the White Scarf of Caid was granted for outstanding skill in Rapier combat. Recipients are able to use/wear a white scarf worn on their left arm or shoulder. This Order has chapters in several kingdoms under the “Treaty of the White Scarf”. It was closed in Caid when the Order of Defense was established and has been replaced by the Argent Blade.
A Grant of Arms is granted for advanced participation and contributions to the Realm without relating to a specific skill, but does not admit the recipient to any of the above Orders.

In Precedence, a Grant of Arms ranks just below all Grant bearing Orders.

PROTIP: The use of “The Honorable …” as a title or “Your ….-ship” as a form of address is not recognized by Corpora, and is not an official within the Society. The recognized title and form of address for all Grant bearing individuals is the same as those with an Award of Arms or equivalent, outside of the Court Barony. It is only used in some kingdoms, and by tradition only.

Court Barony

Court Baronies are ranked just above Award or Arms and are given for contributions that fall outside the regular structure of awards. This comes with an Award of Arms if the recipient does not already have one, the tile of Baron, Baroness, or a comparable alternative title, and the right to wear a “Baronial” coronet (each kingdom has their own practice regarding sumptuary regulations on coronet designs. In Caid, there are no sumptuary laws outside of the regulations outlined by Corpora; however, a coronet for this rank traditionally contains single raised point or 6 raised pearls encircling the rim). The Court Barony is a Society-wide honor.

PROTIP: In some Kingdoms, a Court Barony comes with a Grant of Arms, and ranks just above all other Grant-bearing Orders.

Award of Arms

Awards of Arms (AOA) are given to individuals to recognize beginning level participation, an attempt at recreating period garb and accessories, and novice to journeyman levels of proficiencies in a given art, science, or combat form. This comes with an Award of Arms (if the recipient does not already have one), the right to bear unique arms (a device can now be called arms), and the title of Lord, Lady, Noble, Armiger, or other comparable alternative titles, can use/display the badge of the order if one is a member, and raises their precedent level. The Orders in this category are unique to Caid with the exception of a “bare” Award of Arms.

Order of the Arcus is granted for superior skill and appearance in Combat Archery.
Order of the Argent Arrow is granted for superior skill and appearance Target Archery. This Order was originally named the Silver Arrow of Caid.
Order of the Chamfron of Caid is granted for superior skill and appearance in Equestrian activities.
Order of the Crescent Sword is granted for superior skill and appearance in Martial combat.
Order of the Dolphin of Caid is granted for superior Service to the Realm, along with noteworthy appearance.
Order of the Duellist is granted for superior skill and appearance in Rapier combat.
Order of the Harp Argent is granted for superior skill in a specific Art or Scientific field, along with noteworthy appearance.
An Award of Arms is granted for consistent participation and contribution to the Realm without relating to a specific skill, but does not admit the recipient to any of the above Orders.

In precedence, an Award of Arms ranks just below all Armigerous Orders.

Non-Armigerous

The awards and honors listed below do not carry any precedence, nor do they carry any additional tiles or forms of address. The recipients can use/display the badge of the order (if applicable), and any additional regalia as noted. All awards in this category are unique to Caid unless otherwise specified.

Augmentation of Arms is granted to recognize years of consistent, exemplary service and dedication to the Kingdom. Recipients are able to modify their device/coat of arms with an augmentation. This is a rare and special society-wide award. The standard form of an augmentation of arms in Caid is the registered Populace badge – a cross of Caid.
Corde de Guerre of Caid is granted to recognize exemplary fighting or extreme acts of valor in war combat. Recipients are able to use/wear a blue and white braided cord on their left arm or shoulder.
Award of the Crossed Swords of Caid is granted to warbands or fighting groups for exemplary prowess and comport on the battlefield. Any member of the active group may display the badge, even if they were not active when the award was granted.
The Order of the Furison of Caid is granted to exemplary, inspirational, and long-serving teachers.
Legion of Courtesy is granted by the Consort to those who comport themselves with extraordinary courtesy, grace, and kindness.
L’Honneur de la Chanson is granted to recognize excellence in Musical Arts, both vocal and instrumental.
Ordo Cordis is granted at most once per reign to individuals who embody the ideals of Caid through exemplary behavior, exceptional virtue, and inspirational courtesy. The extraordinary conduct of these individuals represent the very best of what it means to be Caidan.
Royal Recognition of Excellence is granted for various and unique reasons.
Order of the Vangard of Honore is granted to those fighters with the highest comportment and chivalry on the Tournament Field. Recipients are able to wear/use an orange and black woven band on their left arm or shoulder.

PROTIP: The Augmentation of Arms is a practice that was used, dating back to at least the 12th Century, to commemorate a notable achievement. This was usually done by adding a charge/element bearing the Royal arms, though the practice did vary by Kingdom and over time. The first known example allowed the bearer to add the double headed eagle of the Holy Roman Empire to their arms. Future examples pushed this to a “Chief of Allegiance”, which then morphed into piles, escutcheons, cantons, and flaunches. Quartering with the Royal arms was a common practice for augmenting arms.

Youth

Order of the Acorn is an award granted to Youth participants for contributions and excellence in service to the Realm.
Order of the Argent Star is an award granted to Youth participants for honor and chivalry displayed in the martial forms.
Order of the Crescent and Flame is an award granted to Youth participants for contributions and skill in the Arts and Sciences.

Reign Specific

Sigilium Regis is given at the end of a reign to those who have provided service to the King during his reign. Recipients are traditionally given a brooch in the form of a Cross of Caid displaying the monogram or emblem of the King.
Signum Reginae is given at the end of a reign to those who have provided service to the Queen during her reign. Recipients are traditionally given a brooch in the form of a silver crescent displaying the monogram or emblem of the Queen.
Signum Regni is given at the end of a regin to those who have provided service to the Crown during the reign. Recipients are traditionally given a brooch in the form of a Cross of Caid, silver crescent, or other style displaying a monogram or emblem of the Crown.
King’s Favor is a token of appreciation given by the King throughout his reign for varying personal reasons. This is usually a small favor bearing the King’s personal heraldry or livery colors, but there is no set standard.
Queen’s Favor is a token of appreciation given by the Queen throughout her reign for varying personal reasons. This is usually a small favor bearing the Queen’s personal heraldry or livery colors, but there is not set standard.
Royal Favor is a token of appreciation given by either (as a gender neutral option to the favors above) or both of the Crown throughout their reign for varying personal reasons. This is usually a small favor bearing the Crown’s personal heraldry or livery colors, but there is no set standard.
Queen’s Personal Recognition was a token of appreciation granted by the Queen. This was replaced by the Queen’s Favor.

Court Appointments

King’s Champion is usually given the the combatant who finishes second in the Crown lists, as this is the person who “most tested the mettle” of the new Sovereign; however the King may choose his Champion directly. The King’s champion wears a baldric bearing with the King’s badge.
Queen’s Champion is usually given the the victor of a special tournament in each of the martial forms: Armored, Rapier, Unarmored, Archery, Thrown Weapons, and Equestrian. The Arts and Sciences Champion is usually determined by a contest at Festival of the Rose. Each Champion has form-specific regalia including: baldrics, tabards, swords, bucklers, quivers, or belts that display a yellow rose on a blue pale (vertical stripe), and may also wear a favor of the Queen. The Queen may forgo a competition and choose her champions directly.
Royal Champion is the same as Queen’s Champion above, but in a gender neutral format.
Sovereign/Consort’s Champion is the same as either King’s/Queen’s Champion above, but in a gender neutral format.

Miscellaneous Honors

Arts and Sciences Pentathlon Champion is granted to the highest scoring individual entrant in the Pentathlon competition. This event occurs every two years, and the winner must submit 5 different entries in 4 different judging categories.
Arts and Sciences Pentathlon Team Champion is granted to the highest scoring team entrant in the Pentathlon competition. This event occurs every two years, and the winning team must submit 5 different entries in 4 different judging categories.
Bard of Caid is granted to the victor of the Bardic Championship Contest, which has varying formats. Usually, the contest has several rounds over several events. The recipient serves as the “Bard of Caid” for a year, oversees the competition to determine the successor, and is not eligible to win two years in a row.
Caid Archery Open Champion is granted to the victor of the tournament held at Caid Archery Open.
Caid Rapier Open Champion is granted to the victor of the tournament held at Caid Rapier Open.
Crescent Artisan is granted to the highest scoring individual entrant in the Arts and Sciences competition hosted at Crescent Artisan Event. As this events runs on the non-Pentathlon years, victors serve as Champion for 2 years.
Defender of the Arts is granted to the victors of the Armored and Rapier Tournaments hosted at Crescent Artisan Event. As this events runs on the non-Pentathlon years, victors serve as Champion for 2 years.
Personal Heraldic Title – Granted by the Principal Herald for longstanding and extraordinary service to the College of Heralds. This award allows the recipient the use of a heraldic title unique to them in perpetuity, and also advances them to the proficiency rank of Herald Extraordinary. This award is a Society level award, and in Caid is granted with the assent of the Crown;
Right Noble Guild is granted to Guilds or study groups that have provided great service or contributed to the benefit of the Kingdom. Recipients may stylize the guild or group as “the Right Noble _____” and display the guild’s “arms” with full achievement including helm, torse and mantling, crest, and supporters.
Right Noble Household is granted to households that have provided great service or long time contributions to the benefit of the Kingdom. Recipients may stylize the household as “the Right Noble _____” and display the Household’s “arms” with full achievement including helm, torse and mantling, crest, and supporters.

Territorial Awards

Each Barony in Caid has a set of non-armigerous awards that are granted for varying reasons – usually a distillation of the areas of merit that exist for Kingdom awards. While not listed in this article, they can be found along with their descriptions in the Caid Order of Precedence.

There are two current shires in Caid that were able to register awards despite their disqualification to do so: the Shire of Darach registered their award before the limitation was imposed and the Shire of the Isles registered theirs when they were a Barony. When Isles reverted to a Shire and the award regulations were impsoed, these awards were transferred to the Kingdom. These honors can still be granted, but must be done by the Crown.

Melusine was an honor granted to recipients in the shire of Darach. This order was never registered and only granted at one event.
Order of the Sable Oak of Darach is granted for outstanding achievement and service to the Shire of Darach.
Order of the Crimson Tower is granted for outstanding achievement and service to the Shire of the Isles.

All Baronial awards in Caid are non-Armigerous and are equal in precedence.

Closed Orders

Order of Aurora Caidis was granted to Youth for contributions and skill in the Arts and Sciences. The award was replaced by the Crescent and Flame.
Landmark of Caid was given to distinguish locations that were found to have special significance to the Kingdom.
New Battered Helm was given to the the combatant with the best death at Queen’s Champion Tournament. Recipients would be given the Battered Helm by the previous recipient; it was expected that each recipient would do damage to the helm before passing it along.
Make-a-Wish Prince/Princess for the Day is a rare honorary award granted to children participating in the Make-A-Wish Foundation whose “wish” was to be Royalty for the day. While still an active Order, there have been no new recipients for over 30 years.

If you have questions on the Award structure, or the Order of Precedence, please reach out to your local Principal Herald or Educational herald deputy.

Happy Heralding!

For further reading:

Kingdom of Caid, Order of Precedence

SCA College of Heralds, List of Alternative Titles