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Order of the Pelican

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Heraldry
Pelican in her piety.jpg
A Pelican in her piety
Award Information
Type: Society Award
Founded: {{{founded}}}
Premiere(s): {{{premiere}}}
Recipients: Order of the Pelican

Introduction

The Order of the Pelican is one of the four SCA Bestowed Peerages, along with the Order of Chivalry, the Order of the Laurel, and the Order of Defense.

Companions of the Order of the Pelican (or 'Pelicans') have been recognized by the Crown for their exemplary service to the Kingdom and/or the Society, along with their consistent display of the virtues of Grace, Courtesy and Chivalric Demeanor. Their elevation is accompanied by a Patent of Arms (the highest level of arms).

Service

Generally, the Pelican candidate's service is long-term, on-going, and has made a great difference to other members of the SCA. They can have rendered such service by running events, holding offices, or assisting with the organizational aspects of their local or regional group, their Kingdom, or the Society as a whole.

Peerage Qualities

As for the virtues, the SCA Governing Documents state the requirements for any Peerage candidates:

"They shall have:

  • been obedient to the governing documents of the Society and the laws of the kingdom.
  • consistently shown respect for the Crown of the kingdom.
  • set an example of courteous and noble behavior suitable to a peer of the realm.
  • demonstrated support for the aims and ideals of the Society by being authentic in dress, equipment and behavior as is within their power.
  • shared their knowledge and skills with others.
  • practiced hospitality according to their means and as appropriate to the circumstances.
  • made every effort to learn and practice those skills desirable at and worthy of a civilized court. To this end they should have some knowledge of a wide range of period forms, including but not limited to literature, dancing, music, heraldry, and chess, and they should have some familiarity with combat as practiced in the Society.
  • participated in Society re-creations of several aspects of the culture of the Middle Ages and Renaissance."

Responsibilities

The Governing Documents also state that the duties of the members of the order include:

  • setting an example of courtesy and chivalrous conduct.
  • respecting the Crown of the kingdom; supporting and upholding the laws of the kingdom and the governing documents of the Society.
  • (if the member has sworn fealty to the Crown) supporting and upholding the Crown of his or her kingdom.
  • enriching the kingdom by sharing his or her knowledge and skills.
  • advising the Crown on the advancement of candidates for the Pelican.


Symbols of the Order

Companion of the Order of the Pelican The heraldic symbol of the Order of the Pelican is 'A Pelican in her piety' - that is, piercing her breast with her beak to feed her chicks with her own blood.


Pelican Cap of Maintenance

Some members also wear a brimless round hat trimmed with fur and/or banded with white feathers, called a Cap of Maintenance.

Elevation to the Order

(to be added)

Vigils

Ceremonies

Swearing Fealty

Dependents

As Knights may take on squires, Pelicans may take on dependents known as 'Protegés'.

History of the Order of the Pelican

The Order of the Pelican was established in 1972 by the SCA Board of Directors. It was initially intended to be awarded by the Board to honor service to the central organization of the SCA. In 1974, Corpora included both the "Imperial" Pelicans, and a version awarded by the Kingdoms. By 1977 the Board had ceased giving the award.

(See a more detailed history at history.westkingdom.org/Misc/PelicanHistory.htm.)


Awards of the East Kingdom
Society Awards: Award of Arms, Grant of Arms, Court Barony, Chivalry, Laurel, Pelican, Defense, Royal Peerage, Rose

Armigerous Orders: Silver Rapier, Silver Tyger, Silver Brooch, Apollo's Arrow, Silver Wheel, Silver Mantle
Orders of High Merit: Golden Lance, Golden Mantle, Golden Rapier, Maunche, Sagittarius, Silver Crescent, Tygers Combattant
Orders of Honor: Gawain, Sovereign's Order of Excellence, Consort's Order of Courtesy, Tyger's Cub, Terpsichore, Troubadours, Tyger of the East, Order of Gilder
Other Awards: Burdened Tyger, Augmentation of Arms, Blue Tyger Legion, Company of Morpheus, Company of the Pennon of the East, Golden Lyre, Rabbit in the Moon, Sovereign's Cypher, Sovereign's Award of Esteem, Order of Valor of the East, Consort's Cypher, Consort's Award of Esteem, Company of Fellowship, Durga, Anansi's Web
Closed: Artemis, Fatima, Guardsman, Pheon
Other Information: Customs & Traditions