In Case of Peerage Templates

At some point in your time in the SCA you may be elevated to one of the Peerage Orders. Induction into these Orders is often a grand ceremonial event, and it is an event that is all about the person being elevated. To that end, many members of the populace have found it a good idea to have an In Case of Peerage (ICOP) letter and to keep a copy of that with a person or persons close to them who can share this information with organizers of the peerage ceremony. Below are some topics you may want to address in your ICOP letter.

If you find yourself the organizer of such an elevation, you will want to obtain a copy of any ICOP letter that exists (and see https://wiki.eastkingdom.org/index.php?title=Planning_a_Peerage_Ceremony for other suggestions).

Topics to address in an ICOP

Writ or No Writ

Do you dislike surprises? Do you want time to mentally prepare yourself before your elevation? Does the thought of several weeks or months pending make you anxious? Do you prefer to have some notice before being called into Court to prepare yourself?

Who Should Run the Elevation

Who should contact speakers & speak with Royalty?

Who Should Run Your Vigil

Can be the same person running the elevation or not. Tradition varies depending on area & Peerage lineage.

===Speakers=== (more than one choice recommended) Rose: Chivalry: Laurel: Pelican: MoD: Populace (optional & very royalty/region dependent):

People to Notify

Parents; friends who would have to travel, etc. Include contact information & anything in particular you might want them to do. Try to indicate if these are Mandatory and the Peerage must be scheduled around their availability.

Vigil Food

Preferences, who might cook for you. Be as specific or as general as you'd like.

Vigil Details

What would make you happy as part of your vigil? Peers only? Open? Are there any rules you’d want to set? Those could include things like “my kids are always welcome to come in to see me between other guests” or “I’d like a time limit for individuals so I can see as many people as possible.” What would you like the tone of your vigil to be? I’ve seen a medieval cloister, set up for quiet contemplation, and what was basically a cocktail party.) (Note for Chiv/MOD: Some candidates want to do a fighting vigil.

Vigil Book

If you choose to have one, think about the details. What sort of book do you want? What sort of things do you want people to write in it?

Health Concerns

Do you have:

Food allergies
Sensory overload problems
Mobility limitations
Seating comfort needs

Persona Non Grata

This could range from “unwelcome at my vigil” to “please limit contact/don’t leave me alone with this person for long."

Regalia

What pieces would you like? Who might make them for you? Do you have a period example that you’re fond of? Do you want “traditional” styles or something persona-specific?

May include: Cap; Wreath; Medallion; Chain; Cloak… etc. depending on specific Peerage traditions & personal preference.

Measurements

Full set to cover any clothing or regalia you might need.

Scroll

Who might want to make a scroll for you? Do you have a dream style or person’s work?

Ceremony

Do you want persona appropriate elements as part of your ceremony? Or SCA standard? Do you want your whole household as an entourage or to walk in only with a Peer or partner? Do you want a boast or herald? Music? This can be very dependent on the royalty’s time and whim.

Oath of Fealty

Is this something you want to do? Do you have a particular oath you want to use?

Small nice things

Handkerchiefs because you’re a crier? A favorite treat? Tokens to give to visitors at your vigil?

Translation

Whether for a scroll or for your ceremony is something that might take additional time. It’s something worth noting in your ICOP if having something in the language of your persona is important to you.

Set dressing

Another thing that may take substantial time if you have a particular vision. (e.g. Building a cloister out of a 10 by 10 pop-up; setting up a tent to feel like a norse home; etc.)

Preferred forms of Address

Want a persona-specific title?

Preferred Events

You may not always get to choose the event at which you are elevated, but if you specify a few preferred events there is a greater chance of it happening according to your wishes. Consider listing event parameters as well as, or instead of specific named events. For example, do you want a 'wet' site? Prefer it not be a Champions event where you'd like to compete for Champion? Indoors? Outdoors? Time of year?

Who should questions be directed to

There may be questions not addressed in this letter. Who should these questions go to? This may be the person organizing the elevation or running the vigil, but you might have reasons to specify someone else. Whoever you name here should also have a copy of the letter.

Some other advice regarding ICOP letters:

If you are recommending someone for elevation to a Peerage (https://wiki.eastkingdom.org/index.php?title=Recommending_Someone_for_an_Award) you may want to subtly verify the existence of an ICOP letter and/or subtly encourage the creation of one.
If you have a letter, revisit it regularly. Do not keep it entirely to yourself, as that removes much of the purpose of such a letter.
If you have an established formal relationship with a peer (Squire, Protege, Student, etc.) please consider keeping a copy of the letter with that person.
If you hold a peerage, don't think you are off the hook. There may come a day where another is bestowed. You'll probably want to change some things the second time around.
Similarly, if you feel there is a reasonable chance of a peerage, but are uncertain as to which one, there is nothing wrong with having more than one letter prepared.
Not everything is included here. This is your ICOP letter. Include anything that you may want people to know.

Thanks to several members of the populace who contributed templates towards this.