.gif)
New Member's Guide
Introduction
What
is the SCA?
Getting
Involved
Glossary
SCA
Etiquette
Your
Persona
Your Name
Medieval Clothing
Making Clothes
Your 1st Event
Awards
Officers
SCA Etiquette
Recreating the courtesy of the Middle Ages has always been one of the main goals of the SCA. Courtesy includes common actions such as opening doors for others, helping someone who is wrestling with a heavy load, or offering food to someone who visits your encampment.
But courtesy in the SCA is more than just treating other people politely. It also involves greeting people according to their rank or station. In the SCA, as in the Middle Ages, there are many forms of address, depending on the rank or station of the person being addressed. This can be confusing for many of us.
The following guidelines will help you identify the rank and proper form of address for those you meet.
Remember: if you are unsure of the rank/station of a person, or do not remember the proper form of address, you can simply address them as "My Lord" or "My Lady" until you determine the proper form.
| Rank/Station | How to Identify | How to Address |
|---|---|---|
| King or Queen | Gold crown with points all around | Address a "Your Majesty" Bow as they approach or pass you |
| Prince or Princess | Silver crown with one point in the front | Address as "Your Highness" Bow as they approach or pass you |
| Duke or Duchess | Gold embattled coronet with strawberry leaves | Address as "Your Grace" Bow as they approach or pass you |
| Count or Countess |
Gold embattled coronet |
Address as "Your Excellency" Bow as they approach or pass you |
| Territorial Baron or Baroness | Simple gold coronet with six spheroids (usually large pearls) | Address as "Your Excellency" Bow as they approach or pass you |
| Court Baron or Baroness | Simple silver coronet with six spheroids (usually large pearls) | Address as "Your Excellency" Bow as they approach or pass you |
| Knight | White belt, gold chain (usually heavy) and spurs | Address as "Sir" |
| Master or Mistress at Arms | White baldric and spurs | Address as "Master" (for men) or "Mistress" (for women) |
| Laurel | Medallion with a green laurel wreath | Address as "Master" (for men) or "Mistress" (for women) |
| Pelican | Medallion with a pelican | Address as "Master" (for men) or "Mistress" (for women) |
It is proper to bow to people with crowns or coronets on their heads. A crown or coronet has "stuff" on it, like jewels, decoration or protrusions, as opposed to simple, unadorned, metal circlets.
For everyone else, if you know that person has an Award of Arms, address them as "Lord" or "Lady." If you know they have a Grant of Arms, address them as "Lordship" or "Ladyship." Refer to the Awards section to learn more about these awards.
If you do not know someone's station, simply address them with the always courteous "milord" or "milady" and you can hardly go wrong.
Return to Coeur d'Ennui Home Page
This is the recognized Web Page for the Barony of Coeur D'Ennui of the Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc. The maintainer of this page is Donna Dralus (Grafina Iliya). It is not a corporate publication of the Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc. and does not delineate SCA policies. In cases of conflict with printed versions of material presented on this page, the conflict will be decided in favor of the printed version.
Copyright © 2000 - 2002 Kingdom of Calontir/Barony of Coeur d'Ennui. The original contributors retain the copyright of certain portions of this site.
For information on using photographs, articles, or artwork from this website, please contact the web minister at WebMinister@calontir.sca.org. They will assist you in contacting the original creator of the piece. Please respect the legal rights of our contributors.