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The following sections describe the process further. They are broken down by the kind of award, since the details vary depending on that.
The following sections describe the process further. They are broken down by the kind of award, since the details vary depending on that.
== Common Concepts ==
There are a lot of elements that are common to any award. While a Peerage may vary a bit from an Award of Arms, the basic outline of what needs to happen is actually pretty similar.
First is figuring out which event to give the award at. This can be a complex negotiation, especially if the recipient is from an outlying area, or doesn't frequent Royal Progress events. Not every event is always possible: the Crown is trying to balance their schedule, and make sure that no single Court runs too long, so they may try to avoid doing it at an event that already has a long docket. (They usually try to avoid giving most awards at Pennsic because of this: that court can easily run out of control unless it is tightly limited.) You may need to talk quietly with people who know the recipient best, to find out where they will be, or what they might be convinced to attend.
Once that is decided, it is important to make sure that the people who matter most to the recipient can be there. This varies a lot from recipient to recipient, but someone should always make sure that their spouse is present, if they have one. It also often includes:
* The recipient's family, if they are at all involved in the Society;
* Their Peer, if they are in fealty to one;
* Their Household, if they are in one;
* The local nobility (that is, their Baron and Baroness);
* Other close friends who would want to be there.
That said, you need to be careful not to blab too widely or conspicuously. Most SCA awards are surprises, and many Crowns care deeply about this: some frown deeply on word being leaked to the recipient. Unless you are told otherwise, you should assume that the award is going to be given as a surprise. '''If you know for sure''' that the recipient would rather know about it in advance, talk to the Royalty or their representative about it. In such cases, a Writ of Summons will sometimes be issued -- this is an official notice to the recipient that they will be receiving a particular award at a particular event. But the decision on this is up to the Crown, and you should abide by it.


== Page Outline ==
== Page Outline ==

Revision as of 17:01, 27 December 2009

(NOTE: this page is intended to become a full discussion of what needs to be prepared for an award ceremony, to be linked from the main EK website. Justin and Caitlin are organizing it; please speak with them before changing anything. Initially, we are brainstorming the outline, before we begin wordsmithing.)

The Crown give out many awards during their reign, of many different sorts: Awards of Arms, Peerages, Orders of Honor and many others. Each one matters a lot, and each one should be special to the recipient. But the Royalty can't do that on their own -- each award takes a bunch of work, and needs help from the people who know the recipient.

So if you recommended someone for an award, or are a close friend or relative of the recipient, they may well need your assistance. This page describes how award ceremonies generally work, and gives some ideas of how you may be able to help out.

Summary

We'll cover everything in detail below. But here are the high points:

  • Someone needs to make sure the recipient will be at a Royal Progress event to get the award.
  • The word needs to get out to appropriate people that it will be happening.
  • For some awards, appropriate regalia like medallions or coronets need to be arranged.
  • For Peerages, a vigil usually should be set up.

The following sections describe the process further. They are broken down by the kind of award, since the details vary depending on that.

Common Concepts

There are a lot of elements that are common to any award. While a Peerage may vary a bit from an Award of Arms, the basic outline of what needs to happen is actually pretty similar.

First is figuring out which event to give the award at. This can be a complex negotiation, especially if the recipient is from an outlying area, or doesn't frequent Royal Progress events. Not every event is always possible: the Crown is trying to balance their schedule, and make sure that no single Court runs too long, so they may try to avoid doing it at an event that already has a long docket. (They usually try to avoid giving most awards at Pennsic because of this: that court can easily run out of control unless it is tightly limited.) You may need to talk quietly with people who know the recipient best, to find out where they will be, or what they might be convinced to attend.

Once that is decided, it is important to make sure that the people who matter most to the recipient can be there. This varies a lot from recipient to recipient, but someone should always make sure that their spouse is present, if they have one. It also often includes:

  • The recipient's family, if they are at all involved in the Society;
  • Their Peer, if they are in fealty to one;
  • Their Household, if they are in one;
  • The local nobility (that is, their Baron and Baroness);
  • Other close friends who would want to be there.

That said, you need to be careful not to blab too widely or conspicuously. Most SCA awards are surprises, and many Crowns care deeply about this: some frown deeply on word being leaked to the recipient. Unless you are told otherwise, you should assume that the award is going to be given as a surprise. If you know for sure that the recipient would rather know about it in advance, talk to the Royalty or their representative about it. In such cases, a Writ of Summons will sometimes be issued -- this is an official notice to the recipient that they will be receiving a particular award at a particular event. But the decision on this is up to the Crown, and you should abide by it.

Page Outline

  • Common concepts
    • Stuff that pertains to any award
    • Figuring out an RP to give it
    • Who to Notify
      • Family, if involved in SCA
      • Peer, if they have one
      • Household
      • Possibly local nobility
      • Possibly other friends
    • Surprise
      • By default, assume awards are supposed to be a surprise
      • If you know for sure that they don't want a surprise, notify the Royalty
        • Don't break it without checking first: some Royalty care a lot about this
        • Writ of Summons can be the best way to split the difference
  • Orders
    • Arranging for a medallion
      • Often provided by a friend in the Order, but not always
      • If they have a Peer, check with them *first*
      • Royals can usually provide a medallion if necessary, but usually better ceremony if one is given
  • Baronies
    • Arranging for a coronet
  • Peerages
    • Setting up a vigil
      • Need to know event well in advance
      • Will usually need a bunch of help
      • Some households care passionately about this, and will want to run it
      • Talk to autocrat, to line up space for vigil
      • Open to all/Peers/Order?
      • Furniture
      • Food?
      • Guest book?
    • Lining up sponsors
    • Regalia
    • Good clothing for court
      • "In case of Peerage" box -- extreme case, but can be very snazzy