Orders, Awards, and Honors of the
Kingdoms and Principalities of the SCA

The Bestowed Peerages of the SCA consist of the members of the Order of Chivalry, the Order of the Laurel, the Order of the Pelican, the Order of Defense, and the Order of the Mark. These awards are Society-wide, and are recognized throughout all the kingdoms.

In each kingdom, the Crown consults with their kingdom's members of the Order before creating a new Peer.  (The Rose is an exception in some kingdoms.)

In addition to the titles listed for each peerage, also see Alternate Titles for other languages and time periods.

In many kingdoms, the Order of the Rose is also a Peerage-level award, and it is likewise recognized across the kingdoms of the SCA. Roses are those who served their kingdom by ruling as Queen or Consort. The regalia used by members of the order of the Rose is a wreath of roses (any color).

The Order of the Chivalry consists of the Knights and the Masters of Arms. Members are recognized for their great skill at arms in combat, as well as for qualities of courtesy and grace. Knights swear fealty to the Crown during the knighting ceremony. The regalia reserved for Knights is a white belt, and an unadorned chain (of any color, but typically gold) as a symbol of their fealty. Knights are addressed as "Sir" (name), or for some female knights, "Dame" (name).
Masters of Arms are equal in rank to knights. The regalia reserved for Masters of Arms is a white baldric (worn diagonally from shoulder to hip). They are addressed as "Master" (name) or "Mistress" (name), and may choose whether to swear fealty to the Crown.

Members of the Order of the Laurel are recognized for their great skill in the Arts or Sciences, for their willingness to teach others, and for using their abilities to benefit their kingdom. They are addressed as "Master" (name) or "Mistress" (name). The regalia reserved for members of the order is a laurel wreath, worn about the head or on a garment.

Members of the Order of the Pelican are recognized for great service to their kingdom or to the Society as a whole, usually for many years and without thought of reward. They are addressed as "Master" (name) or "Mistress" (name). The regalia for members of the order is "a pelican in her piety/a pelican vulning itself," (a pelican piercing her breast to feed her young with her own blood), and a Cap of Maintenance (red, trimmed with ermine; or red, trimmed with white/red drops).

Members of the Order of Defense are recognized for their great skill at rapier and/or cut-and-thrust combat, for consistent display of the virtues of courtesy, grace, and chivalric demeanor, and for their willingness to teach others, and for service to the kingdom. They are addressed as "Master" (name) or "Mistress" (name). The regalia for members of the order is a white livery collar and the badge: "(tinctureless) Three rapiers in pall inverted tips crossed."

Members of the Order of the Mark are recognized for their great prowess in ranged martial pursuits, and for applying their skills and knowledge for the instruction of members and service to the kingdom beyond normal expectation. Ranged martial pursuits include target archery, combat archery, siege weaponry, and thrown weapons. Members are addressed as "Master" (name) or "Mistress" (name). The regalia of the Order is two white vambraces or bracers, and the badge: "(tinctureless) A set of nesting scale weights within and conjoined to a mascle fleury at the upper point." Elevations to this newest Peerage began on June 7, 2025.

The Etcetera articles were originally published in Tournaments Illuminated (the magazine of the Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc.) between 1993 and 1997. The web versions are kept updated with awards created or modified since that time.

Please contact the author, Mistress Jessa d'Avondale, if you know of any awards that should be added, updated, or corrected.

Permission is hereby given to SCA participants to reprint individual articles on SCA websites and publications, and for use in SCA classes. Author credit is appreciated!