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There are many ways in which citizens of the Known World can be recognized and honored for their contributions. This article gives a brief explanation of awards given in Dreiburgen, Caid, and the Society. Most often, recognition is given based on letters from the populace. You do not have to have an Award of Arms or belong to an Order to recommend someone. For baronial awards, write to the Baron or Baroness; for kingdom awards, write to the King and Queen; for the Great Orders, write to the Order Secretary. Copies to the Chamberlain/Chief Lady in Waiting are also a good idea. Contact information for all these people can be found in the Crown Prints, the Dreiburgen News, or the Regnum.

(*) An Award of Arms is frequently given without an accompanying 'area' award, and as such is SCA-wide.

More information on Caid's awards can be found at Etcetera - The Kingdom of Caid, a reprint of a Tournaments Illuminated article.

Award of Arms (AoA): "The first level of award that conveys rank and status in the SCA, giving the holder the right to bear heraldic Arms and to use the title Lord or Lady. Given at the pleasure of the Crown - that is, for whatever reasons the reigning King and Queen find sufficient." (1)

Grant of Arms (GoA): "An armigerous award carrying greater precedence than a simple AoA, given at the pleasure of the Crown. Grants were originally created to honor successful Kingdom officers, but many kingdoms have used Grant-level Arms to add to the dignity of other awards and orders." (2) People with this level of award may use the title "The Honorable Lord/Lady (given name)," often abbreviated "THL."

Patent of Arms (PoA): "The highest level of armigerous award, given by the Crown to new members of the great orders, and in most kingdoms to former rulers of the kingdom or one of its principalities. The general requirements for a PoA are spelled out in Corpora." (3)

Dreiburgen Awards:
Baronial Recognition of Excellence: Given by the Baron and Baroness to bring the populace's attention to a worthy person or endeavor
Defender of the Towers of Dreiburgen: Given for skill at arms
Franklin of Dreiburgen: Given for passing a series of "challenges" to demonstrate a well-rounded understanding and knowledge of the SCA
Golden Ram (closed): Given for service to the Canton of Gorgonoth (which became Dreiburgen), or to Dreiburgen prior to the Order of the Towers. No longer given.
Order of the Illuminated Tower of Dreiburgen: Given for high skill in arts and sciences, formerly including combat arts (can be granted more than once)
Order of the Long Rangers: Unofficial award, Given for skill in archery
Order of the Towers of Dreiburgen: Given for high service to the Barony

Armigerous Orders (Caid): (paraphrased from award text)
Order of the Argent Arrow: Given for skill with the bow, authenticity in appearance and praiseworthy demeanor
Order of the Crescent Sword: Given for praiseworthy appearance and skill at arms
Order of the Dolphin: Given to those persons who have served Caid above and beyond the normal expectation of their office or rank
Order of the Duelist: Given for mastery of fence and personal honor
Order of the Harp Argent: Given for consistent excellence in a particular art or science

Grant Bearing Orders (Caid): (paraphrased from award text)
Order of Chiron: Given for excellence in archery, combined with exemplary manner and deportment (pronounced KI-ron; the first syllable rhymes with "sky")
Order of the Crescent: Given for many years of service to the Kingdom, and giving their time and effort generously and courteously
Order of the Gauntlet: Given for showing great prowess on the field of combat over a span of years, with skill at arms equaled by their honor and chivalry
Order of the Lux Caidis: Given for displaying surpassing skill in some art or science for a span of years
Order of the White Scarf of Caid: Given for excellence in period rapier fencing, combined with exemplary deportment, honor and chivalry (several other kingdoms also grant White Scarves)

Patent Level Awards (SCA-wide):
Order of the Chivalry (KSCA or MoASCA): "Two separate, equal and mutually exclusive orders of great merit, Knighthood and Mastery of Arms. Membership in these orders is granted by the Crown - after consultation with the members of both orders together - to those who have achieved great skill in armored combat with the replica weapons used in the Society, and who also display those qualities of courtesy, grace, and familiarity with the arts and skills of the Society required by Corpora for such recognition." Knights swear fealty to the Crown; those who for personal reasons will not or may not swear fealty to the Crown become Masters and Mistresses of Arms. (4)

Order of the Laurel (OL): "One of the orders of great merit. Membership in the order is granted by the Crown (after consultation with the order's members in that Kingdom) to those who display great skill in one or more of the Arts and Sciences, coupled with unstinting willingness to teach their mystery and to use their talents to the benefit of the Realm, and who also display those qualities of courtesy, grace, and familiarity with the arts and skills of the Society required by Corpora for such recognition." (5)

Order of the Pelican (OP): "One of the orders of great merit. Membership in the order is granted by the Crown (after consultation with the order's members in that Kingdom) to those who have served the Kingdom diligently and constructively, usually for a long period of time, and who also display those qualities of courtesy, grace, and familiarity with the arts and skills of the Society required by Corpora for such recognition." (6)

Other Awards:
Augmentation of Arms: A very special (and rare) recognition given by the Crown at their discretion
Cord de Guerre: Given for valor at war and in battle
Court Baronage: Given as a special recognition for reasons not falling in the other categories
Crossed Swords (for units): Given for valor, skill and chivalry in battle
Legion of Courtesy: Given by the Queen for exemplary honor and courtesy
L'Honneur de la Chanson: Given for excellence in the bardic, vocal and instrumental arts
Order of the Acorn: Given to minors who have shown considerable contribution to the Kingdom
Royal Recognition of Excellence: Given by the Crown to bring the populace's attention to a worthy person or endeavor
Vanguard of Honor: Given for honorable conduct and continuing leadership on the tournament field

1. The Known World Handbook, 3rd ed., p. 8
2. KWH, p. 15
3. KWH, p. 18
4. KWH, p. 9-10
5. KWH, p. 16
6. KWH, p. 18

Muirghein Dhaire has granted permission for this article to appear on the Dreiburgen web site, Feb. 1999.