Exerpted from an article originally published in Tournaments Illuminated #110, Spring 1994.
Last updated February 9, 2020.

Etcetera - The Kingdom of Northshield

by Mistress Jessa d'Avondale

The Kingdom of Northshield began as a Crown Principality in A.S. 27, was raised to full principality status in January, A.S. 30, and became the eighteenth kingdom of the Society for Creative Anachronism in A.S. 39.

The arms of the principality are Sable, a compass rose argent within a laurel wreath, in chief an ancient crown Or.


Patents of Arms

Departing Kings and Queens are not awarded Patents of Arms. However, in the Kingdom Order of Precedence, Dukes/Duchesses and Counts/Countesses are listed ahead of holders of Patents of Arms (Knights, Laurels, and Pelicans).

Grants of Arms

Current and former Great Officers who have received a Grant of Arms may maintain a griffin passant Or as a crest. The following awards carry with them a Grant of Arms, if the recipients do not already have them:

The estate of Court Baron or Court Baroness is given by the Crown to those who have, over time, demonstrated exceptional and continual service to the Crown. Recipients may wear a coronet of silver adorned with six pearls and ornamented as they see fit A Court Barony with Grant of Arms ranks ahead of other Grants of Arms in the Order of Precedence.

Aquila et Fulmen: given to those who have, over time, demonstrated great prowess, chivalry, and leadership in one or more of the Artillery Arts. Members will be responsible for continued, conspicuous activity in Artillery and for helping others become involved and proficient. The badge of the order is: (fieldless) an eagle per pale Or and sable maintaining a lightning bolt sable and a lightning bolt Or. (Formerly known as Order of the Aquila.)

Order of the Black Griffin: given to those who have, over time, demonstrated great prowess, chivalry, and leadership in Armored Combat. Members will be responsible for continued, conspicuous activity in Armored Combat and for helping others become involved and proficient. The badge of the order is: (fieldless) a griffin sustaining a sword sable. (Formerly known as Iron Griffin Legion.)

Order of Brigits Flame: given to those who, over time, have enthusiastically striven for mastery in the Arts and/or Sciences, endeavoring to provide leadership and displaying courtesy. Members are expected to continue their pursuits in the Arts and/or Sciences and to help others find their own opportunities for enrichment therein. The badge of the order is: (fieldless) a torch argent enflamed proper. (Formerly known as Order of Bridget's Flame.)

Order of the Destrer: given to those who have, over time, demonstrated great prowess, chivalry, and leadership in Equestrian Arts. Members are expected to continue conspicuous activity in Equestrian arts, and to encourage others to become involved and proficient. The badge of the order is: (fieldless) A compass rose argent sustained by a horse rampant Or.

Order of the Hand of Tyr: given to those who have distinguished themselves over time by performing, with all due courtesy, outstanding service on behalf of the kingdom. Members are expected to continue conspicuous service and to help others find their own opportunities for service. The badge of the order is: (fieldless) on a hand fesswise sable a Tyr rune argent. (Formerly known as the Order of Tyr.)

Ordo Circini Vitruvii [Order of Vitruvius' Caliper]: given to those who, over time, have demonstrated great prowess, chivalry, and leadership in Rapier Combat. Members will be responsible for continued, conspicuous activity in Rapier Combat and for helping others become involved and proficient. The badge of the order is: Sable, a keythong maintaining a rapier in chief a caliper argent.

Order of the White Scarf of Northshield [CLOSED]: was previously given for demonstrating great prowess, chivalry, and leadership in Rapier Combat. The badge of the order was: Sable, on a pale Or between two compass roses argent a rapier sable. [formerly known as Order of the White Scarf]

Awards of Arms

An Award of Arms may be given at the Crown's discretion to individuals who have shown consistency of effort over time within the arts, sciences, service, or arts martial, and willingness to maintain involvement in the SCA. Recipients of Awards of Arms may wear a simple metal circlet, ornamented as they see fit, with no more than one protrusion, not exceeding one inch overall.

An Award of Arms may be given as a separate award, or in conjunction with the following awards:

Award of the Black Bolt: given for prowess and chivalry in artillery activities, including a level of participation beyond their own personal endeavors. The badge for the award is: (fieldless) a lightning bolt bendwise sinister sable.

Award of the Black Flame: given for proficiency in one or more of the Arts or Sciences, including a level of participation beyond their own personal endeavors. The badge for the award is: (fieldless) a flame sable. (Formerly known as the Award of the Balefire.)

Award of the Cygnus: given for substantial service to the Kingdom of Northshield. The badge for the award is: (fieldless) A swan naiant contourny Or.

Award of the Glove: given for prowess and chivalric comportment in rapier combat, including a level of participation beyond their own personal endeavors. (Formerly known as the Queen's Glove; registered as Order of the Glove.)

Award of the Griffin & Sword: given for prowess and chivalric behavior in armored combat, including a level of participation beyond their own personal endeavors. The badge for the award is: (fieldless) a griffin Or sustaining a sword argent. (Formerly known as the Griffin's Sword.)

Award of the Palfrey: given for prowess and chivalry in equestrian activities, including a level of participation beyond their own personal endeavors. The badge for the award is: (fieldless) a horse passant sable charged on the shoulder with a compass rose argent.

Non-armigerous awards

The following awards do not convey arms or precedence:

The Order of the Rose shall be open to retired Crown Consorts. It does not convey a Patent of Arms.

Order of the Crwth: given for proficiency in the performing arts (dance, bardic recitation, music, theater, etc.) The badge of the order is: (fieldless) a crwth argent.

Beare of Northshield: given to those who embody the spirit of the kingdom. No more than one person may be admitted into this order during any reign. Members may style themselves "Beares of Northshield". (Previously known as "The Order of the Great Bear.")

Award of the Hearthstead: given to groups who consistently (or specifically) excel at showing hospitality and hosting events. Eligible groups include SCA branches, households, or any body of people acting as a group, such as archers, etc. The badge for the award is: Sable, a brazier Or enflamed proper within a bordure Or masoned sable.

Award of the Gems of Northshield: given to honor groups (ex. Shires, Clans, Fighting Teams) who have, as a group, given outstanding service to the Kingdom. The badge for the award is: Sable, in cross four hexagonal gems argent.

Award of Bravura given for heroic and specific deeds of valor, courtesy, or prowess in the arts martial which have increased the renown and reputation of Northshield. This award is for individual deeds as opposed to constant performance. An example of the first might be leading a charge against a greater force at Pennsic, of the last, shooting a score of 300 in the Interkingdom Archery Competition. (Previously named the Award of Nordbandr.)

Order of the Pyxis: given for making great effort at researching, creating, and maintaining a period persona and atmosphere. The badge of the order is: (fieldless) a cross clechy Or within and conjoined to an annulet argent.

Order of the Saltire: given to those who have a proven record of widespread guidance and instruction, enriching the abilities of the Northshield populace. Members of the order may bear the badge: Vert estencely argent, a saltire Or surmounted by a lozenge ployé argent.

The King's and/or Queen's Cypher: given either by the King or Queen for personal service to the Crown, or given jointly for service to both.

The Prince's and/or Princess' Cypher: given either by the Prince or Princess for personal service, or given jointly for service to both Heirs.

Order of the Griffin of Northshield given to recognize those with 25 years of continuous authorization and activity in the martial community. Members of this Order may style themselves "Venerable Griffins."

Order of the Golden Peacock given to recognize period appearance and attire in all the arts martial. The badge of the order is: Sable, a peacock in its pride within a bordure embattled Or.

Award for Non-Martial Heroics (name pending): given for a heroic and specific deed of valor or prowess, in the areas of service or nonmartial arts, which increases the renown and reputation of Northshield.

Award for Courtesy (name pending): given for showing exemplary courtesy, over time and with consistency. Recipients are expected to continue conspicuous acts of courtesy, and to encourage others to that same standard of excellence.

Augmentation of Arms: An Augmentation of Arms may be awarded by the Crown to specially honor a person for service to the Kingdom above and beyond the call of duty. Each augmentation is a specific charge at the Crown's discretion, to be added to the individual's heraldic arms.

The Scroll of Honor: A record of the worthy deeds of the people of Northshield and its friends. The Kingdom Herald or a deputy cares for the Scroll and insures that it is displayed at court.

The Order of Persephone's Circle: consists of Royal Consorts from the days of the Principality. It is closed to any new companions, but remains in law and custom as a place of high regard and honor. The badge of the order is: Per pale sable and argent, a compass rose between in fess two pomegranates slipped and leaved counterchanged.

Youth awards

Award of Bellerophon: given to youths who have displayed prowess and courtesy in any of the Arts Martial.

Award of the Compass: given to youths for exemplary service to the kingdom. The badge for the award is: (fieldless) a pair of compasses Or.

Award of the Golden Lamp: given to youths for achievement in an Art and/or Science

Award of the White Owl: given to youths who demonstrate initiative in teaching.


Back to Index of awards articles

Kingdom of Northshield website / awards


This column was originally compiled from Northshield Kingdom law (2005) and the Polaris Herald's webpage.

Mistress Jessa d'Avondale (Marla Lecin) resides in the East Kingdom. She invites anyone with updates or corrections to this article to contact her.