corpora-early-art - 3/31/95
Early SCA Corpora and bylaws. 1972-74.
NOTE: See also the files: fundraising-msg, new-groups-msg, SCA-land-msg, travel-funds-msg, crown-cost-msg, households-msg.
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NOTICE -
This file is a collection of various messages having a common theme that I have collected from my reading of the various computer networks. Some messages date back to 1989, some may be as recent as yesterday.
This file is part of a collection of files called Stefan's Florilegium. These files are available on the Internet at: http://www.florilegium.org
I have done a limited amount of editing. Messages having to do with separate topics were sometimes split into different files and sometimes extraneous information was removed. For instance, the message IDs were removed to save space and remove clutter.
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Thank you,
Mark S. Harris AKA: THLord Stefan li Rous
Stefan at florilegium.org
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Greetings unto the Rialto, from Justin du Coeur!
I had cause recently to do a quick dig through a very old edition of
the Corpora and By-Laws of the Society. Doing so was quite an
educational experience -- I learned that the old set didn't look much
like the current one, and taught a lot about what the Society used to be
like (or what it *thought* it was like, not necessarily the same thing).
I've been inspired to share some of the more interesting bits of the
By-Laws and Corpora with the Rialto, to provide a little historical
grounding for everyone. I'll be posting bits of varying size over the
next weeks, whenever the mood strikes. It'll probably provide some
interesting perspectives on assorted recent issues. (For example, we
have the original rulings on officers being members, and a ruling on
striking from behind.) Might make for some interesting discussions...
What This Is
------------
The edition I'm taking these excerpts from appears to have been
published around 1975, by Lady Linda-Muireall von Katzenbrasse, then
Chronicler of the Society, and Sir Thorvald the Grim, Steward. It was
intended for the sole use of officers, to the degree that when you
stepped down, you were supposed to either pass it on to your successor,
or surrender it to the Kingdom Seneschal.
It collects the Bylaws of the Society, and the first four volumes of
Corpora. "Volume of Corpora?", I hear you say querulously. Yes, Corpora
in those days looked a lot different from today. Instead of being
structured as a single coherent document, it instead looked a lot like
the current Governing and Policy Decisions -- a bunch of short
decisions, on assorted subjects, in the order that those decisions were
made. Each "Volume" corresponds roughly to a year; the first four
volumes run from 1971 thru 1975.
I'm not going to type everything in, but I *am* going to enter large
amounts -- this stuff is pretty fascinating from a historical viewpoint.
I'll put it all under headers of "Historical Bylaws" and "Historical
Corpora", so that those of you who aren't interested, who have killfile
capability, can ignore the discussion easily.
(I'm probably violating copyright here, but I doubt that anyone cares
much...)
Oh, yes, if you find any typos they are my fault -- I'm typing this at
about 6:30 in the morning. (Why can't they make a model of bird that
knows how to sleep late? Grrr...)
Editorial comments will be tossed in as appropriate, in square brackets
[like this]. Also, I'll have some commentary after most segments,
pointing out the more fascinating implications of the segment. One
overall change: most of the section titles in the original are in
all-caps; I've generally changed this to mixed case to make it more
comfortable to read (and write)...
Hope people find this interesting...
-- Justin du Coeur
Deputy Eastrealm Royal Historian
The Bylaws of the Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc.
Copyright 1969 by The Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc.
Article I: Offices
The Principal Office of the Corporation shall be located in the City of
Berkeley, County of Alameda, State of California. The corporation may
have other offices as the Board may determine or as the affairs of the
corporation may require from time to time.
Article II: Members
1. CLASSES OF MEMBERS: There shall be several classes of members, to
be designated as follows:
Class A: Members of the Board of Directors of the Corporation.
Class B: Officers of the Corporation
Class C: Kings
Class D: Queens
Class E: The Nobility
Class F: The Gentry
Class G: Subscribers
Class H: Attendees
And any other such classes as the Board of Directors may see fit to
designate.
2. VOTING RIGHTS: Only Class A members shall have voting privileges,
each member of Class A being entitled to one vote on matters submitted
to a vote of said Class A members.
3. Memberships are not transferable or assignable.
4. ELECTION OF MEMBERS: Persons may be elected to the varied classes
of membership as follows:
(a) Class A members may be elected by the unanimous consent of the
Board of Directors.
(b) Class B members may be appointed by the unanimous consent of the
Board of Directors.
(c) Class C members shall be elected by armed combat, in regular Crown
Tourney, in accordance with the rules of the Lists of the Society for
Creative Anachronism, Inc.
(d) Class D members shall be elected solely by Class C members.
(e) Class E members shall be elected by any of the following methods:
(1) Having attained the rank of Knight.
(2) Having attained the rank of Master.
(3) Having been awarded the Order of the Laurel, and thereby
attained the rank of Master of the Laurel.
(4) Holding membership in Classes A, B, C, or D.
(5) Being members of the families of any of the above.
(6) Being accepted as Squires, Pages, Ladies-in-Waiting, or other
similar retainers in the retinue of any of the above.
(f) Class F members shall be elected by being persons who have not
achieved any of the above classes of membership, yet who are
recognized as responsible persons of some character; such as Heads of
Great Houses, Visiting Dignitaries, Clerics, Yeomen, Untitled Fighters
of all manner not covered in the above clauses, their families and
retainers.
(g) Class G members shall be elected to membership by their
subscribing to the Mailing List of the Society for Creative
Anachronism, Inc.
(h) Class H members shall be elected to membership by their attending
such functions as the Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc., may
organize or sponsor, and by their compliance with the rules for such
functions (as delineated in Article X), and by their signing any
waivers which may be required for such attendance.
(i) Any other classes which may be designated by the Board of
Directors shall also have means for election of members to such
classes designated by the Board of Directors.
(j) Any person may have membership in more than one of the above
classes.
5. TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP: Membership may be terminated in each
class by the following methods:
(a) Class A membership may be terminated by resignation, or by a vote
of two-thirds of the members of Class A.
(b) Class B membership may be terminated by resignation, or by a vote
of two-thirds of the members of Class A.
(c) Class C membership shall be terminated at the end of the term of
office.
(d) Class D membership shall be terminated at the end of the term of
office.
(e) Class E membership may be terminated by resignation, or, in the
case of Class 4(e) (6) above, by dissociation.
(f) Class F membership may be terminated by resignation, or, in the
case of retainers, by dissociation.
(g) Class G membership may be terminated by resignation, or by said
Class G member's allowing his or her subscription to lapse.
(h) Class H membership may be terminated by resignation, or by
non-attendance of such functions as may be arranged by the Society for
Creative Anachronism, Inc., or by refusal to comply with the rules for
such functions, or by refusal to sign any waivers which may be
required for attendance at such functions.
(i) Any other classes which may be designated by the Board of
Directors shall also have means for termination of membership in such
classes designated by the Board of Directors.
6. REINSTATEMENT: A member may be reinstated by the same procedures
provided for election of new members.
Article III: Meetings of Members
1. Annual Meeting: At least once each year the Board of Directors
shall call a meeting of the members of Class A for the purpose of the
transaction of such business as may come before the meeting.
2. Tournaments: The principal social activity of the Society shall be
the Tournament. Tournaments shall be held according to the means of
the individual Kingdom, the date and place being designated by the
King, his Seneschal, his Herald, his Supreme Autocrat (if he has
appointed one), and his Advisors, subject to the approval of the Board
of Directors, and shall be conducted under the Rules of the Lists of
the Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc.
3. Revels: The secondary social activity of the Society shall be the
Revel. Revels shall be held according to the means of the individual
Kingdom, the date and place being designated [blah, blah, as above] ..
and shall be conducted according to the manner of the Society.
4. Special Meetings: Tertiary social activities of the Society shall
fall under the heading of Special Meetings, as shall include
participation in other than Society-sponsored events, classes in
various aspects of pre-17th Century Western culture, and whatever
other activities may be deemed suitable by the Board of Directors, the
King, etc., etc., etc. [et ceteras in the original this time!]
5. Notice of Meetings: Notice consists of informing all of the members
of Class G who may reside within a given Kingdom of all
Society-sponsored events which may occur in that Kingdom, such notice
to include time, place, and the nature of the event. Notice shall be
given by mail, and shall be deemed delivered when deposited in the US
Mail addressed to the members at his address as it appears on the
records of the corporation, with postage prepaid.
6. Quorum: In the case of a Tournament, a quorum shall consist of not
less than five (5) fighters, exclusive of the King's Dukes,
participating in the lists for the Crown. In the case of a Revel, a
quorum shall consist of howsoever many persons the King and Queen deem
"enough". In the case of Special Meetings, a quorum shall be
designated by the King or his Seneschal appropriate to the conduct of
the business of the said Special Meeting.
7. Places of Meetings: Meetings may be called at any place suitable to
the conduct of the business of the event, subject to the discretion of
the Board of Directors.
Article IV: Board of Directors
1. Powers: The affairs of the corporation shall be managed by the
Board of Directors.
2. Qualification, Number, and Tenure: There shall be three directors
on the Board: although more may be added, at the discretion of the
Board, by amendment of these By-laws, but only in such multiples that
the number of directors remains uneven. Directors remain on the Board
until termination of their membership in Class A.
3. Manner of Acting: An act of the Board consists of an affirmative
decision of two-thirds of the members, except as otherwise provided
for in the By-laws, such special cases requiring unanimous consent.
4. Vacancies: In case of vacancy, the remaining directors may choose a
successor, or, if the vacancy does not cause the Board of Directors to
number less than three, choose to leave the position vacant.
5. Removal: A majority of the members of Class A may call a special
election meeting with 10 days notice to all members of Class A for the
purpose of holding a special election of directors.
Article V: Officers
1. Officers: The officers of the corporation shall be a Steward (which
is equivalent to President), a Master or Mistress of Arts (which is
equivalent to Secretary), a Chancellor of the Exchequer (which is
equivalent to Treasurer), a Chronicler, a King of Arms, a Master or
Mistress of Sciences, and such other officers as the Board of
Directors may from time to time designate. Any two or more offices may
be held by the same person, except the offices of Steward and Master
or Mistress of Arts.
2. Election, Qualifications, and Term of Office: The officers of the
corporation are ex-officio Class B members, and must be elected by the
unanimous consent of the Board of Directors. They shall hold office
until such time as their Class B membership is terminated.
3. Removal: Any officer elected by the Board may be removed by a
two-thirds vote of the Board of Directors at any time.
4. Steward: The Steward is the principal executive officer of the
corporation and shall supervise and control all of the business and
administrative affairs of the corporation, and shall preside at all
meetings of the Officers. He may sign and authorize such instruments
as he deems appropriate to the conduct of the Society's proper
business, grant charters, and delegate similar responsibilities, but
is subject to the discretion of the Board of Directors.
5. Master or Mistress of Arts: The Master or Mistress of Arts shall,
in the absence of the Steward, or in the event of his refusal or
inability to act, perform the duties of the Steward, and when so
performing, shall have all the duties, powers and restrictions of the
Steward. In addition, the Master or Mistress of Arts shall be
responsible for the artistic well-being of the Kingdoms, and shall act
to coordinate the efforts of artists of all kinds, in all arts, so
that the total environment may remain well-balanced; and shall be
responsible for encouraging especially those artistic pursuits in
keeping with the overall aims of the Society.
6. Chancellor of the Exchequer: The Chancellor of the Exchequer shall
have charge and custody of and be responsible for all funds and
securities of the corporation; receive and give receipts for money due
and payable to the corporation from any source, and deposit money in
the name of the corporation in such depositories as the Board of
Directors may select. He must maintain records and funds of the
corporation separately from his own, in order to avoid confusion.
7. Chronicler: The Chronicler shall maintain the Mailing List of the
Society, publish the official organ of the Society, _Tournaments
Illuminated_, and act as a center and clearinghouse for communications
between the members and between the Kingdoms. He shall be responsible
for seeing to it that the Seneschal of each Kingdom has a mailing list
for that Kingdom, and shall maintain a mailing service of which said
Seneschals may avail themselves if they do not have proper equipment
for notifying the Class G members of their Kingdoms of events in
accordance with the above rules for notification of meetings. The
Chronicler shall have charge and keeping of such machinery and
equipment as the corporation may own for the purpose of effecting the
above notifications and maintenance. The Chronicler shall be
responsible for making sure the Mailing List is not used for any
purpose not concerned with the Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc.,
but it shall be his prerogative to decide what shall so constitute
"concern with the Society, etc.", subject to the approval or
disapproval of the Board of Directors.
8. King of Arms: The King of Arms shall be the head of the College of
Heralds. It shall be his responsibility to direct the use of arms and
other heraldic devices within the Society, and he shall maintain a
record of all such arms as are submitted to him, complete with an
history of such members as do submit said arms and devices, and the
reasons for the use, style, granting, etc., of such arms and devices.
he shall keep an history of the Society, and he shall maintain
communications with the Heralds of all the Kingdoms, directing them on
matters of Heraldry, on the keeping of court records, on the nature of
protocol, on such problems as may be brought before him by them, and
on court ceremony. Courts of Chivalry come under his jurisdiction,
and he shall be empowered to plead causes with the Board of Directors
on behalf of the various kinds and classes of members.
9. Master or Mistress of Sciences: The Master or Mistress of Sciences
shall be responsible for the scientific well-being of the various
Kingdoms and of the Society in general. He shall direct and authorize
such research projects as he may deem suitable to the purposes of the
Society, and shall present the results of such researches to the
Chronicler for publication, thereby to benefit the membership. He
shall act to coordinate the efforts of those engaged in scientific
activities (such as, but not limited to, historical, research,
construction of weapons and other artifacts, etc.), so that the tital
environment may remain well-balanced; and shall be responsible for
encouraging especially those scientific pursuits in keeping with the
overall aims of the Society.
Article VI: Contracts, Cheques, and Funds
1. Contracts: The Board may authorize any officer or agent of the
corporation, in addition to officers so authorized by these By-laws,
to enter into any contract or execute any instrument in the name of
the corporation, and such authority may be general or confined to
specific instances. Such authority must be given in writing, dated,
and signed by at least two members of the Board of Directors.
2. Cheques, Drafts, etc: All cheques, drafts, notes, or other
evidences of indebtedness issued in the name of the corporation shall
be signed by such officers or agents of the corporation, and in such
manner, as shall from time to time be determined by the Board of
Directors. In the absence of such determination, such instruments
shall be signed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer and counter-signed
by the Steward.
3. Gifts: The Board of Directors may accept on behalf of the
corporation any contribution, gift, bequest or devise for the general
purposes of or for any special purpose of the corporation.
Article VII: Books and Records
The corporation shall keep correct and complete books and records of
account and shall keep minutes of the proceedings of the meetings of
its Board of Directors, and shall keep in the custody of the
Chronicler a record giving the names and addresses of the members,
which record shall not be copies [sic] or viewed by any person except
the officers, exce[t with the permission of the Board of Directors.
All books and records may be inspected by any member or his agent, for
any reasonable purpose at any reasonable time; however, the lists of
names and addresses of members shall not be made available to the
public without prior written approval of the Board of Directors.
Article VIII: Fiscal Year
The Fiscal Year of the corporation shall begin on the first day of
January and end on the last day of December in each year.
Article IX: Amendments to By-Laws
These By-Laws may be altered, amended, or repealed and new By-Laws may
be adopted by the unanimous consent of the Board of Directors. Such
amendments and alterations must be made in writing, and must
immediately be placed in the records of the Society, and appended to
copies of the By-Laws available to the membership.
Article X: Rules for Attendance of Meetings
Anyone may attend meetings of the Society designated as social
activities (as in Article III, Clauses 2 and 3), provided he or she is
willing to wear pre-17th Century dress, of any period or culture, sign
waivers which may be required for such attendance, and to behave as a
Lady or Gentleman. No one shall be admitted to such functions who is
not in pre-17th Century dress, or who has not made some attempt at
pre-17th Century dress, the acceptability of said attempt to be judged
ultimately by the King.
*** CURRENT STOP POINT ***
Amendment I: Attached Exhibit A shall read as amended February 22, 1971,
in attached "Exhibit B."
Copyright 1971 by The Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc.
Exhibit B -- The Rules of the List:
1. Each fighter, recognizing, the possibilities of physical injury to
himself in such combat, shall assume unto himself all risk and liability
for harm suffered by means of such combat.
2. No fighter shall participate in combat unless and until he shall have
executed a written waiver of liability and presented same to the King or
his representative.
3. Every combatant who has not yet attained the age of 21 years shall
present to the King or his representative a written waiver-of-liability
form signed by his parent or guardian prior to commencement of combat by
such combatant.
4. All combatants must be presented to, and must be acceptable to, the
King or his representative.
5. Combatants shall behave in a knightly and chivalrous manner.
6. Fighters are expected to behave as though the weapons used in combat
are real and "injuries" sustained will be judged accordingly. In judging
"injuries", all fighters are presumed to be fully armoured unless
otherwise stated.
7. Each combatant fighting in the lists for the Crown shall have a lady
to receive the Queen's Crown should he be successful in combat, though
her name need not be revealed until her crown is secure.
8. The head, face, and neck shall be protected from injury.
9. the King or his representative may bar any weapon from use upon the
combat field.
10. Any weapons mutually acceptable to the combatants in a fight may be
used on the field of battle subject to the provisions of Rule #9.
11. Where the combatants mutually desire to use any weapon previsouly
[sic] barred by the King's representative, they may present their cause
to the King. The King shall, after receiving the advice of his
representative, pass judgment upon the use of the barred weapon for a
particular fight. prior to the use of the barred weapon at a subsequent
event, it shall be presented to a Court of Chivalry for determination of
its safety and use.
12. Any combatant may without dishonor or penalty reject any challenge,
or the use of a particular weapon by his opponent, should he deem the
weapon unusually dangerous.
13. No tournament weapons shall be made of metal and no metal shall be
drawn in an offensive manner on the field at any Society event.
14. If a shield is to be used as a weapon, the shield becomes subject to
weapons restrictions and must be approved by the King or the King's
representative.
15. There shall be no thrusting except with weapons specifically
designed for thrusting, subject to the provisions of Rule #9.
16. A bladed weapon may not be grasped as a means of stopping a blow. If
a weapon in broken or dropped on the field, the combat shall stop while
the fighter is rearmed. If the fighter slips the combat shall stop while
he recovers.
17. No projectile weapons shall be allowed, and No weapons shall be
thrown, within the lists of a Tourney. All other uses of such weapons
are subject to the provisions of Rule #9.
Amendment II: As of January 1st, 1972, Article II, Section 1, Subsection
"Class G", shall read as follows:
Class G: Class G Members shall be of five (5) kinds:
1. General Members
2. Subscribers
3. Subscribing Members
4. Contributing Members
5. Patrons
******
Further, as of January 1st, 1972, Article II, Section 4, Subsection (g),
shall read as follows:
(g) (A) Class G Members shall be of five (5) kinds:
*General Members*, who shall be issued a Membership Card.
*Subscribers*, who shall be entered on The Mailing List.
*Subscribing Members*, who shall be issued a Membership Card and
entered on the Mailing List.
*Contributing Members*, who shall be issued a Membership Card,
entered on the Mailing List, and listed in the Annual List of
Contributors, unless they wish to remain anonymous.
*Patrons*, who shall be issued a Membership Card, entered on the
Mailing List, and listed in the Annual List of Patrons, unless
they wish to remain anonymous, and entitled to Special Privileges.
(B) Class G members shall be elected to Membership in accordance
with a schedule of donations to be determined by the Board of
Directors of the Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc.
******
Further, as of January 1st, 1972, Article II, Section 4, Subsection (h),
shall read as follows:
(h) Any other classes which may be designated by the Board of
Directors shall also have means for election of members to such
classes designated by the Board.
******
Further, as of January 1st, 1972, Article II, Section 4, Subsection (i),
shall read as follows:
(i) Any person may have membership in more than one of the above
classes, but all Members *must* maintain Membership in Class G.
******
Further, as of January 1st, 1972, Article II, Section 1, Subsection
"Class H", shall cease to be designated.
******
Further, as of January 1st, 1972, Article II, Section 1, Subsection (j),
shall cease to be designated.
******
Further, as of January 1st, 1972, Article II, Section 5, Subsection (g),
shall read as follows:
(g) Class G Membership may be terminated by resignation, or by said
Class G Member allowing his or her Class G Membership to lapse.
******
Further, as of January 1st, 1972, Article II, Section 5, Subsection (h),
shall read as follows:
(h) Any other classes which may be designated by the Board of
Directors shall also have means for termination of membership in such
cases designated by the Board of Directors.
******
Further, as of January 1st, 1972, Article II, Section 5, Subsection (i),
shall cease to be designated.
******
Further, as of January 1st, 1972, Article III, Section 5, shall read as
follows:
5. Notice of Meetings: Notice consists of informing all Subscribers,
Subscribing Members, Contributing Members, and Patrons, i.e., all
Members who are entered on the Mailing List, who may reside within a
given Kingdom, of all society-sponsored events which may occur in that
Kingdom, such notice to include time, place, and the nature of the
event. Notice shall be given by mail, and shall be deemed delivered
when deposited in the US Mail, addressed to the member at his or her
address as it appears on the records of the corporation, with postage
prepaid.
Amendment III: As of November 20, 1971, Article V, Section 1,
shall read as follows:
1. Officers: The officers of the corporation shall be a Steward (which
is equivalent to President), a Deputy Steward (which is equivalent to
Vice-President), a Clerk (which is equivalent to Secretary), a Master
or Mistress of Arts, a Chancellor of the Exchequer (which is equivalent
to Treasurer), a Chronicler, a King of Arms, a Master or Mistress of
Sciences, and such other officers as the Board of Directors may from time
to time designate. Any two or more offices may be held be the same person,
except the offices of Steward and Clerk.
Further, as of November 20, 1971, Article V shall include a Section 4a,
which shall read as follows:
4a. Deputy Steward: The Deputy Steward shall, in the absence of the
Steward, or in the event of his refusal or inability to act, perform
the duties of the Steward, and, when so performing, shall have all the
duties, powers, and restrictions of the Steward. When the Steward is not
absent, or otherwise inactive under the above conditions, the Deputy
Steward shall be the chief assistant to the Steward, and carry out such
duties as are assigned to him.
Further, as of November 20, 1971, Article V shall include a Section 4b,
which shall read as follows:
4b. Clerk: The Clerk shall be responsible for carrying on correspondence
for the corporation, and for any related duties which the Steward may
assign him or her. The Clerk shall also be responsible for keeping the
minutes of the meetings of the Officers of the Corporation.
Further, as of November 20, 1971, Article V, Section 5, shall read as
follows:
5. Master or Mistress of Arts: The Master or Mistress of Arts shall be
responsible for the artistic well being of the Kingdoms, and shall act
to coordinate the efforts of artists of all kinds, in all arts, so that
the total environment may remain well-balanced; and shall be responsible
for encouraging especially those artistic pursuits in keeping with the
overall aims of the Society.
Amendment V to the By-Laws
A) Amendment II to the By-Laws is hereby repealed.
B) Article II, Section 1, Subsection 'Class G' shall read as follows:
Class G: Class G Members shall be of five (5) kinds:
1. Sustaining Members
2. Contributing Members
3. Patrons
4. Associate Members
5. Family Members
C) Article II, Section 4, Subsection (g) shall read as follows:
Class G Members shall be of five (5) kinds:
1. Sustaining Members, who shall be issued a membership card
and entered on the Mailing List.
2. Contributing Members, who shall be issued a membership card,
entered on the Mailing List, and listed in the Annual List
of Contributors (unless they wish to remain anonymous).
3. Patrons, who shall be issued a membership card, entered on the
Mailing List, listed on the Annual List of Patrons (unless they
wish to remain anonymous), and be entitled to special privileges
as the Board shall define.
4. Associate Members, who shall be issued a membership card.
Associate Membership is reserved to persons who have the same
mailing address as a Sustaining Member, Contributing Member,
or Patron.
5. Family Members, who shall be issued a membership card. Family
Membership is reserved to persons who are legal dependents (as
defined by the Internal Revenue Service of the United States
of America) of Sustaining Members, Contributing Members, or
Patrons.
Class G Members shall be elected to membership in accordance with a
schedule of donations to be determined by the Board of Directors.
D) Article II, Section 4, subsection (h) shall read as follows:
Any other classes which may be designated by the Board of Directors
shall also have means for election of members to such classes designated
by the Board of Directors.
E) Article II, Section 4, subsection (i) shall read as follows:
Any person may have membership in more than one of the above classes,
but all Members must maintain Membership in Class G.
F) Article II, Section 1, 'Class H' shall cease to be designated.
G) Article II, Section 4, subsection (j) is hereby repealed.
H) Article II, Section 5, subsection (g) shall read as follows:
Class G Membership may be terminated by resignation or by said Class G
Member allowing his or her Class G Membership to lapse.
I) Article II, Section 5, subsection (h) shall read as follows:
Any other classes which may be designated by the Board of Directors
shall also have means for the termination of membership to be designated
by the Board of Directors.
J) Article II, Section 5, subsection (i) is hereby repealed.
K) Article III, Section 5, shall read as follows:
Notice consists of informing all Sustaining Members, Contributing
Members, and Patrons (i.e. all Members who are entered on the Mailing
List) who may reside within a given Kingdom of all Society sponsored
events which may occur in that Kingdom, such notice to include time,
place, and the nature of the event. Notice shall be given my (sic)
mail, and shall be deemed delivered when deposited in the U.S. Mail,
addressed to the Member at his or her address as it appears in the
records of the corporation, with postage prepaid.
L) This amendment shall become operative as of 1 January, 1975.
Action passed at meeting of 24 September, 1974.
Amendment IV
As of August 13, 1974, Article II, Section 4, paragraph (e) is
amended by the insertion after sentence (3) of a sentence to be
numbered (4) and to read as follows:
Having been awarded the Order of the Pelican, and thereby attained
the rank of Master or Mistress of the Pelican.
Further, the sentences now numbered (4), (5), and (6) shall be
renumbered (5), (6), and (7), respectively.
Amendment to the Bylaws:
1. Article V, Section 7, sentence 2 shall henceforth read: He shall be
responsible for seeing to it that the Chronicler of each Kingdom is
provided with a mailing list with which to notify members of that
Kingdom of events, in accordance with the above rules of notification
of events.
Passed unanimously by the Board of Directors at their meeting of
10 December, 1974.
The Corpora of The Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc., Volume 1
Copyright 1971 by The Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc.
The Corpora: being a body of decisions and rulings made by the Board of
Directors of the Society for Creative Anachronism, Incorporated, for use
by said Board of Directors, the Officers of said corporation, those to
whom they may delegate authority, and any and all who may have reason
to have dealings with said Corporation, its Board of Directors, its Officers,
and those to whom authority may be delegated within its framework.
No decision or ruling contained herein should be construed in any way to
affect, effect, or alter in any way the Bylaws of the above mentioned
Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc., nor to abridge in any way the
power and authority of said Bylaws; although some rulings and decisions
may be regarded as interpretations of said Bylaws.
All rulings and decisions contained herein should be considered as
directives by the above-mentioned Board of Directors of the Society
for Creative Anachronism, Incorporated, and should be followed scrupulously
until such time as said directive may be altered by the Board of Directors
of the Society, or unless specific exception is granted by said Board
of Directors in writing.
Volume One, Entry Number One
Due to the increasing difficulties in communication between the
various branches and offices within the Society for Creative Anachronism,
Inc., and due to the increasing amount of work necessary to the
accomplishment of each position, and due to the need for more general
dissemination of information at the level of corporate action; all of
which are due to the increasing size and scope of the Society and its
activities: It is the decision of the Board of Directors of the
Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc., to excerpt its specific
decisions and rulings of such nature that they may alleviate the
above mentioned problems, and publish them in a small [hah!] edition
under the title "The Corpora." This publication shall be provided
free of charge to the members of the Board of Directors, to the
Officers of the Corporation, and to the Chief Seneschal of each of
the various Kingdoms. It shall be copyrighted. It shall be made available
to the general public on the next to last day of the calendar year,
to which general public it shall be sold for a nominal fee, which
fee shall cover the cost of production at a minimum, any surplus revenue
from which publication shall go to the Society for Creative Anachronism,
Inc., Research Fund.
Volume One, Entry Number Two
It has come to the attention of the Board of Directors that a considerable
portion of the correspondence which the officers of the corporation
are forced to carry on would be eliminated if the officers of the
various Kingdoms, Principalities, Baronies, etc., all were Class E
members of the Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc.; that is, if
they were subscribers to the mailing list of the Society and thereby
received notices of events in their Kingdom automatically, and issues
of Tournaments Illuminated, which publication is designated and designed
to disseminate much of the information which is requested in the above-
mentioned correspondence, as well as to notify the populace at large
of any major policy decisions the Society may make. Such membership
in Class E would also obviate much embarrassment on the part of officers
who would otherwise not be aware of policy, both at the local and
corporate level. As the Mailing List is coded with regard to rank and
position, such membership also keeps channels of communication within
the various special departments open.
[Note to myself: Class E? Class E is the nobility. This is corrected
in a later amendment.]
It is therefore the decision of the Board of Directors of the Society
for Creative Anachronism, Inc., that henceforth all officers within
a Kingdom shall have and maintain Class E membership in the Society for
Creative Anachronism, Inc., i.e., subscription to the Mailing List of
the Society, and that non-subscription of [sic] lapsing of said
subscription shall be considered sufficient grounds for dismissal
from any post whatsoever.
It is the feeling of the Board of Directors that any person sufficiently
interested in the Society to accept the responsibilities of an office
and to carry out those responsibilities satisfactorily will be able in
good conscience to part with the small sum required for said Class E
membership. It is left to the discretion of the officers of the Kingdom
(the great lords of State) whether a King shall pay his own subscription
or whether the Royal treasury shall provide such monies. It is also left
to the ingenuity of the local populace whether those who work hard but who
have little money shall be removed from office or provided for through
the myriad forms of fund raising available to the clever, and/or intelligent,
those two qualities respectively assigned to the peasantry and the
nobility.
Volume One, Entry Number Three
It has come to the attention of the Board of Directors of the Society
for Creative Anachronism, Inc., that the criteria for the status of
Kingdom within the Society which they have previously established are
no longer adequate. Although those criteria seemed sufficient grounds
for ascension at the time they were created, the size and responsibilities
of a full Kingdom have multiplied since that time to such an extent that
fulfillment of those criteria is no longer sufficient grounds for the
supposition that the group which meets those criteria will be able to
fulfill the responsibilities of a full Kingdom and adequately serve
the populace of a full Kingdom.
It is therefore the decision of the Board of Directors of the Society
for Creative Anachronism, Inc., that all previously established criteria
for the creation of a Kingdom within the Society for Creative Anachronism,
Inc., shall be considered to be only minimums, and that the fulfillment of
those criteria shall be considered only as minimums for the creation of
a full Kingdom, and that the fulfillment of those criteria shall not be
considered in any way as sufficient grounds for the establishment of a
Kingdom within the Society, nor shall the fulfillment of those criteria
be regarded as binding upon the Board of Directors of the Society, or
its Officers, nor upon any other duly designated authority of the
Society, in such a way as to require that Board of Directors, those
officers, or those duly delegated authorities, that a Kingdom be created or
established.
It is further the decision of the Board of Directors of the Society for
Creative Anachronism, Inc., that any and all applications for change of
status of any branch of the Society shall be duly considered on the
basis of the merits of the individual application for alteration of
status, and upon the evidence and opinions submitted with said application,
and upon such opinions and evidence as may be solicited by the above
mentioned Board of Directors of the Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc.,
its officers, and other duly delegated authorities.
[Notes to myself: did Atenveldt cause this? Note that this leaves *no*
solid guidelines of how to become a Kingdom. Also, *all* branches have
to be approved by BoD.]
[From here on, I'm going to abbreviate "Board of Directors" to "BoD",
and "Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc." to "SCA".]
Correction of datum in Volume One, Entry Number Two
Class E membership in the SCA denotes members of the Nobility, not
Subscribers to the Mailing List.
It is not the intention of the BoD of the Society to open the ranks of
the Nobility to anyone and everyone who subscribes to the Mailing List.
Nor is it their intention to require all members of the Nobility, as
defined in the Bu-Laws, to become Subscribers (as some may be married
to each other, for instance), though it would be nice.
Therefore, wherever in Volume One, Entry number Two, reference is made
to "Class E Membership," please correct the mention to read "Class G
Membership"; which is, in fact, Subscription to the Mailing List of the
SCA.
Volume One, Entry Number Four
In order to clarify certain confusions, and to solidify certain
procedures, as well as to distribute the equivalent factors of
power and work more evenly, the BoD of the SCA, hereby defines some
of the practice and structure with regard to Heraldry within the
SCA.
A: The head of the College of Heralds of the SCA is the King of Arms
of the Society. For further definitions of his duties, powers, and
responsibilities, see the By-Laws of the Society.
B: By direction of the King of Arms, and with the approval of the
BoD of the Society, the College of Heralds is henceforth divided
into two parts; to wit, the College of Heralds and the College of
Arms.
C: The College of Heralds shall consist of the King of Arms, the
Chief Herald of each of the various Kingdoms, and all other Heralds
who may function as Heralds throughout the Society: at the
discretion of the King of Arms, of the Kings of the various Kingdoms,
and of the Chief Heralds of the various Kingdoms, and of the BoD of
the SCA.
D: The College of Arms shall consist of the King of Arms and the Chief
Herald of each of the various Kingdoms.
E: The Chief Herald of each Kingdom may appoint assistants to help
him with the work of the College of Arms; subject to the approval of
the King of Arms, etc.
F: The King of Arms of the Society, with regard to his functioning as
the head of the College of Arms, and with regard to his other functions,
shall be known by the specific nominative "Laurel King of Arms."
G: The Chief Heralds of the various Kingdoms shall be known by the
following specific nominatives, such names being chosen on the basis
of tradition in the various Kingdoms.
(1) The Chief Herald of the Kingdom of the West shall be called
the Clarion Herald (of the West).
(2) The Chief Herald of the Kingdom of the East shall be called
the Mural Herald (of the East).
(3) The Chief Herald of the Kingdom in the Middle shall be called
the Dragon Herald.
[Note to myself: yes, that says Kingdom *in* the Middle. Why? And
why "of the West" and "of the East", but not the others?]
(4) The Chief Herald of the Kingdom of Atenveldt shall be called
the Aten Herald.
H: The order of precedence in presentation, in ceremony, and in council
shall be as follows: The Laurel King of Arms, The Clarion Herald, The
Mural Herald, The Dragon Herald, and the [sic] Aten Herald.
I: Other nominatives and chairs of the College may be added at such time
as new Kings may ascend new thrones.
J: The duties of the Laurel King of Arms with regard to the College of
Arms are as follows:
(1) He shall preside over all meetings of the College of Arms, although
he may delegate this responsibility at such times as he may see fit.
(2) He shall maintain records of arms and devices in such manner as
is defined in the By-Laws of the Society.
(3) He shall peruse all arms and devices submitted to him through
the College for registration, and he shall give final approval or
disapproval as to their qualification. His word on the matter shall
be considered final.
(4) He shall give notification of approval or disapproval of arms and
devices submitted to him, and he shall see that the arms and devices
which he approves are placed in his files, thereby going on record
with the Society as unique and original.
K: The duties of the Chief Herald of each of the various Kingdoms, with
regard to the College of Arms, are as follows:
(1) He shall peruse all arms and devices which are to be submitted
to the College of Arms of the Society as may originate in the Kingdom
of which he is the Chief Herald. He shall screen such prospective
arms and devices as to their acceptability to the College, as well
as to their suitability with regard to the Society's aims and
concerns, and he shall accept for submission to the College those whic
he feels will be approved: and he shall reject those which he feels
will not be accepted, notifying the petitioner at the time of
rejection of the reasons for rejection; and advising the petitioner
of such steps as may be taken to make the arms or device in question
acceptable, if that is possible.
(2) He shall submit such arms and devices as have survived his
scrutiny to the College of Arms, such submission to take the
following form: He shall submit to Lord Laurel King of Arms a fully
emblazoned and blazoned copy of the arms or device, this to be done
on the proper forms; which have already been defined and executed
elsewhere. He shall then submit to the other members of the College
(the Chief Heralds of the other Kingdoms) a copy of the blazon of said
arms or device.
(3) He shall peruse and scrutinize such blazons as are submitted to him
by the other members of the College, bringing to bear his full
knowledge upon the matter. If the individual blazon thus submitted
meets with his approval, he shall do nothing. But if the individual
blazon does not meet with his approval he shall put down in writing his
reasons for so disapproving, along with any evidence he may feel necessary
for substantiation, and he shall send these to the Lord Laurel King
no more than thrity days from the postmark date of the material
submitted to him.
[This is *very* specific; doesn't it more properly belong in the CoA
policies? Why is this written into Corpora?]
L: The Chief Herald of each Kingdom shall be so appointed by his King,
but with the approval of the Laurel King of Arms. Such approval or
disapproval shall be based solely on the competence of the above-
mentioned Chief Herald to perform his duties as defined with regard
to the College of Arms, but subject, as are all matter pertaining to
the SCA, to the discretion of the BoD of the SCA.
Volume One, Entry Number Five
A Question has been raised before the BoD concerning the suitability
of striking from behind during combat engaged in under the Rules of
the Lists of the SCA.
The Board has deliberated upon this matter.
[Note: the following is in square brackets in the original; I've
translated this to curly braces to avoid confusion with my parenthetical
comments.]
{Whereas; if a man knows that he is being attacked, it is possible that
he may be struck from behind because he is unable to guard the attack
sufficiently. In such a case it is judged that he will probably be, at
the very least, prepared for the blow he receives.
{Whereas; if a man does not know that he is being attacked, it seems
probably that he will not be prepared for any blow he receives.
{Whereas; if a man is not aware of impending attack, he may inadvertantly
move in such a way as to expose to danger angles or portions of his
body which are not normally exposed to such danger.
{Whereas; if the attacker aims a blow at a certain angle or portion of
his opponent's body, and the opponent, unaware that he is being
attacked, moves; the attacker may deliver a blow such as he would
not normally attempt.
{Whereas; more injury is caused in the practice of this sport by
mistake than by deliberation.
{Whereas; attacking from behind is conducive to making such mistakes
as may be regarded inordinantly [sic?] dangerous.
{And Whereas; attacking a man without giving him any warning, and
without giving him the opportunity to defend himself, may be
considered to be Ambush.
{And Whereas; Ambush is the act of a craven, not of an honest, noble,
brave, or chivalrous man.
It is the decision of the BoD of the SCA, that:
{A} "Attacking from Behind" is constituted by attacking an opponent
in such a way that he is not aware of the fact that he is being
attacked.
{B} "Attacking from Behind" is unchivalrous and ungentlemanly
behaviour, and as such is in violation of the Rules of the Lists
of the SCA.
Volume One, Entry Number Six
Requirements for elevation to the rank of knight or master:
Fighters may be elevated to the rank of knight or master at the pleasure
of the King, subject to the following regulations. If these regulations
are not complied with, the elevation shall be subject to suit in the
Court of Chivalry, which may then submit to the Board of Directors its
opinion as to whether the elevation should be allowed to stand.
1. When a candidate for the rank of knight or master has been
approved by the King, the King shall call together all knights and
masters present, if it be at a tournament or other event, or by
telephone or letter attempt to discover the opinion of all those
of this rank as to whether the candidate has fulfilled the requirements
listed below. He may also seek other opinions if he considers it
necessary.
2. Requirements:
a. Prowess -- the candidate must be considered the equal of his
prospective peers with the basic weapons of tournament combat,
namely the roundshield and heater and broadsword and mace, and
competent in the use of the other weapons commonly used in the
lists.
b. Loyalty -- the candidate shall have been obedient to the
By-Laws, the Rules of the Lists, and the laws of his Kingdom,
and shall have consistently shown respect to the crown and to
its wearers. He shall have demonstrated his support to the
ideals of the Society be being as authentic in dress, equipment,
and behaviour as has been within his power. Before receiving
the accolade, he shall give his word to continue to fulfill the
requirements set forth in this article, to seek to increase his
skills, and to train any squires or other dependents he may have
to do likewise, as far as may be within his power.
c. Courtoisie -- the candidate shall have displayed the following
virtues:
1) Truthfulness -- a gentleman does not lie or break his word.
2) Generosity -- a gentleman gives his opponent the benefit of
the doubt when on the field, does not repeat gossip, is willing
to share his knowledge and impart his skills, and practices
hospitality according to his means.
3) Restraint -- a gentleman is always self-controlled; he can
afford to speak softly and politely and keep calm because he is
strong.
4) Gallantry -- a gentleman always remembers that his lady is the
inspiration of all honor, and respects all ladies for her sake.
5) Courtliness -- a gentleman strives to learn and practice those
manners and skills which will make him worthy of a civilized
court. He displays a knowledge of courtly etiquette and proper
forms of address, and is acquainted with all and able to
practice at least one of the following:
ACQUAINTANCE
------------
a) Dancing -- identify basic dances done at court and do one
couple and one circle dance.
b) Music -- identify common period instruments played at court.
c) Literature --tell a medieval tale.
d) Chess -- identify the pieces and recognize the basic moves.
e) Heraldry -- blazon own arms and identify common heraldic terms.
MASTERY
-------
a) Dancing -- perform all basic dances done at court.
b) Music -- play an instrument or sing in the manner of the
period.
c) Literature --compose and/or perform poetry and/or drama in the
manner of the period.
d) Chess -- play the game.
e) Heraldry -- blazon the arms of all nobility at court.
These requirements are not to be considered retroactive, however
all present holders of this rank are expected to attempt to remedy
any deficiencies they may have. It is the duty of the Kingdom to
offer instruction in all the arts and skills required via tutoring,
classes held by an appropriate officer of the Kingdom, etc.
Requirements for elevation to the Order of the Laurel:
Subjects may be elevated to the rank of Master or Mistress of the
Laurel at the pleasure of the King, subject to the following
regulations. If these regulations are not complied with the elevation
shall be liable to suit in a special court to be convened by the
Master or Mistress of Arts, and presided over by him or her, and
to include the Seneschal or Legal Advisor, the Herald, the
Guildmaster, if any, any others whose knowledge the president of
the Court deems necessary, which may then submit to the Board of
Directors its opinion as to whether the elevation should be allowed
to stand.
1. [Same as for knights/masters, with Master or Mistress of the
Laurel substituted in.]
2. [No "Requirements" heading given here.]
a. Achievement -- the candidate must have attained the standard
of excellence equal to that of his prospective peers in some art,
skill, or area of knowledge, and have made this art, skill, or
knowledge available for the service and instruction of the Kingdom,
above and beyond that expected of S.C.A. members.
b. Loyalty -- the candidate shall have been obedient to to By-Laws
and the Laws of his Kingdom, and shall have consistently shown
respect to the Crown and its wearers. He shall have demonstrated
his support of the ideals of the Society by being as authentic in
dress and equipment as has been within his power. Before receiving
the Order, he shall give his word to continue to fulfill the requirements
set forth in this article, to seek to increase his skills and
disseminate them within the Kingdom, and to train any dependents
he may have to do likewise, as far as may be within his power.
[Note two subtle differences from knights/masters. 1) Laurels do
*not* have to be authentic in "behaviour". 2) Laurels have to
disseminate their skills, not just improve them.]
c. Courtoisie -- the candidate shall have displayed the following
virtues:
1) Truthfulness -- a gentleman or lady does not lie or break his
or her word.
2) Generosity -- a gentleman or lady does not repeat gossip,
and practices hospitality according to his or her means.
[Note that it doesn't require teaching here, presumably because
this is covered above.]
3) Restraint -- a gentleman or lady is always self-controlled;
he or she can afford to speak softly and politely and keep calm
because his or her character will always assure him of [sic] her
a defender.
[Contrast with "because he is strong" in knights/masters.]
4) Gallantry -- a gentleman always remembers that his lady is
the inspiration of all achievement, and respects all aldies [sic]
for her sake. A lady is always mindful of her responsibility
to remain worthy of this respect.
5) Courtliness -- a gentleman or lady strives to learn and
practice those skills and manner which will make him or her
worthy of a civilized court. He or she displays a knowledge
of courtly etiquette and proper forms of address, and is
acquainted with all and able to practice at least one of the
following in addition ot [sic] the art or skill for which he
or she was granted the order:
[Same list as for knights/masters, with the additions:]
ACQUAINTANCE
f) Martial Arts -- he or she knows the names of the various
weapons used on the field and the theory
of their use.
MASTERY
f) Martial Arts -- fight on the field.
These requirements are not to be considered retroactive [etc. -- same
as knights/masters].
********************
Point of Clarification.
Although it is a King who bears the responsibility in the creation of
a knight, only a knight can create a knight. Therefore, if the King
should, for some reason, not be a knight (as in the case that he should
be a master) the sword with which the knew [sic] knight is given the
accolade must be held in the hand of one who is a knight; the King's
hand may then be clasped over the hand of the knight who is actually
passing on this succession.
********************
Volume One, Entry Number Seven
Dissemination of information.
Although reproduction of any part of the Corpora is forbidden by
Law without the consent and permission in writing of the BoD of
the SCA [yes, I know that this is illegal -- I'm assuming that no
one much cares any more], it is considered by the above-mentioned
Board that the Corpora will better fulfill its function if the
information contained therein is disseminated in a fashion
appropriate to the structures and goals of the Society.
Therefore does the BoD direct the Seneschal of each of the various
Kingdoms to see that the Corpora is proclaimed in part by the Herald
of each of the various Kingdoms, this proclamation to take the
following form.
That the complete text of the Corpora *up to this point*, i.e., from
the beginning of the Corpora through the text of Volume One, Entry
Number Seven, be proclaimed by the Herald at the *next immediate event*
officially scheduled by his Kingdom; and that all succeeding rulings
and entries be proclaimed at such events as may follow the Seneschal's
receipt of notice that such rulings and entries have been made.
[Note that phrases in asterisks, *like this*, are italicized in the
original.]
To further clarify: this proclamation shall take the form of a public
reading aloud of the Corpora, and shall not in any case take any other
form; most specifically shall it not take any written or printed form.
The public readinf of this material shall take place once, and once
only. The assembled populace is expected to pay attention to what the
King's Herald says. Those who miss the event at which the proclamation
occurs may consult the Seneschal, those who do not pay courtesy and
attention may purchase a copy of the Corpora at the end of the year.
Volume One, Entry Number Eight
Matters coming before the Board.
HENCEFORTH, All matters to be considered by the BoD of the SCA
must be submitted *in triplicate*, at *least* Fifteen days before
the next meeting of the Board; in order that the Members of the
Board may have time to consider such matters fairly and consult
any authorities said Members may feel in need of consulting.
Matters submitted for the consideration of the Board should be
*typed*, double-spaced, on white paper eight and one half inches
wide, by eleven inches long, with print on one side *only*.
Exceptions to this Rule may be made, but only in the most
exceptional of circumstances.
Volume One, Entry Number Nine
Conduct of Board Meetings.
HENCEFORTH, All Meetings of the BoD of the SCA, shall be recorded
on magnetic tape in their entirety. Further, All decisions shall be
recorded, along with the names of which members voted in which ways,
in the minutes.
[Note that the init-capped "All"s are that way in the original.]
A schedule of Meetings shall be established at the last Meeting
of each year, such schedule to govern the Meetings of the Board in
the coming year. Such schedule is not to be inviolable, but
alterable only upon special notice.
All the Members of the Board shall be notified of such Meetings
of the Board by Registered, Return Receipt Mail, such notification
to be mailed two weeks before the Meeting is to take place. -- In
the event of a change of schedule, the same notification shall be
given.
Volume One, Entry Number Ten
Creation of a New Position.
The Position of Librarian and Archivist is hereby created.
The duties of the Librarian and Archivist shall be to Keep and
Build a Library of Books, Pictures, Recordings, Motion Picture
Films, and so forth, for the Purpose of Research into Pre-
Seventeenth Century Western European Culture; and to Maintain
the Archives of the SCA.
[Geez; I thought *I* liked to use init-cap too much...]
Volume One, Entry number Eleven
Fees for the Chronicler's Office.
A flat fee of $5.00 is hereby authorized for 'additional copies'
of the Mailing List.
This is not to be construed in any way as the sale of this Mailing
List, or authorization of unauthorized personnel to view the
Mailing List. It merely authorizes the Chronicler of the Society
to levy a fee of $5.00 for any copy of the Mailing List which must
be run in addition to those copies run for regularly scheduled
publications: such as special mailings due to late submission of
material, or special mailings which the Society may make in
cooperation with other educational institutions.
Said fee is to be used exclusively for the expenses incurred by the
Mailing Clerk in running said extra copies.
Volume One, Entry Number Twelve
RECOGNITION of a New Office.
The BoD formally recognizes the Creation, by the Lord Laurel
King of Arms, of the Office of the Marshall of the Society; and
recognizes and approves the Office's jurisdiction over matters
concerning the Marshalling of Society Events; and the manner and
conduct of duties by Marshalls throughout the Society: Subject,
as always, to the discretion of the Board.
Volume One, Entry Number Thirteen
PERMISSION to Reprint.
The Board hereby grants the Office of the Chronicler of the Society
permissions to reprint, in *Tournaments Illuminated*, the Criteria
for Knighthood and Mastery, printed first in Volume One of the
Corpora; this permission subject to the usual restraints with
regard to copyright notice.
The Board further grants the Chronicler of the Society permission
to run extra copies of these Criteria, so that they may be
constantly available from Society Headquarters.
Volume One, Entry Number Fourteen
RESERVATIONS by the Board.
(A) The BoD of the SCA, also known as the Council of Imperial
Electors, explicitly reserves unto itself the sole and exclusive
right to determine:
1) What territorial or administrative subdivisions of the
Society shall exist, and how they shall be named or
designated.
2) Who shall exercise authority within the various
subdivisions of the Society, what rights, power and
authority they may have or exercise, and what titles,
appelations or designations they may assume.
Matters of the determination of subdivisions and the
authority of the officers of such subdivisions shall
be handled by the Imperial Chancery, in the person of
the Steward, with the advice and consent of the Council
of Electors.
Matters of the determination of names, titles, designations
and appelations shall be handled by the Imperial College
of Arms, in the person of the Laurel King of Arms.
3) What publications, statements or documents may be issued
by, in [sic] behalf of, or in the name of the Society or any
of its subdivisions.
Maters [sic] of the determination of issuance of
publications and documents shall be handled by the
Imperial Chancery in the person of the Chronicler.
(B) All other persons or officers of the Society are specifically
forbidden to exercise such right or authority without the written
approval of the above mentioned officers.
Volume One, Entry Number Fifteen
[Simply sets out the dates for BoD meetings in 1972. Suffice it to
say, there are 12, one each month.]
*THUS ENDETH THE CORPORA, VOLUME ONE, 1972 *****************
The Corpora of the The Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc., Volume 2
Copyright 1973 by The Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc.
[First page, describing what Corpora is, is repeated.]
Volume Two, Entry Number One
No Tourney shall be considered legal or its results recognized as
legitimate unless
(a) It has been announced properly in a Kingdom Neesletter [sic]
to all SCA subscribers within that Kingdom, and
(b) the Imperial Marshall shall receive the properly numbered and
executed Waivers of all participating fighters within one month
after the Tourney date.
Volume Two, Entry Number Two
The policy of the SCA, with regard to publications, shall be as
follows:
1: A Society publication shall be defined as any material mass
produced (more than ten copies) by any means, and disseminated
by the national office of the Society or any branch or
department thereof. This includes: *Tournaments Illuminated*,
the Kingdom newsletters, divers [sic] handbooks, information
sheets and brochures, monographs, etc.
2: Any statement of general Society policy, particularly with
regard to government, appearing in a Society publication must
have the approval of the BoD (this does not include quotes or
close paraphrases of existing policy statements).*
[This is clearly the John of Brook Lynn clause. Does anyone know more?]
3: Articles for Tournaments Illuminated must be approved by the
appropriate Imperial Officer, if any, and the Editor. If said
Officer does not reply within six weeks of the time the article
was mailed to him, then approval will be assumed.
4: Any monograph or handbook published by the Society must be approved
by the appropriate Imperial Officer, if any, and if possible by
an expert in the field chosen by said Officer or by the
Chronicler, or recommended by the work's author, and agreed to
by one of the above.
5: Handbooks produced under the auspices of an Imperial Office,
College, etc., shall arrange payment as follows:
(a) All production expenses shall be paid back to the original
source of funds from the first profits.
(b) Further profits shall be divided among the Research Fund,
the Office or College treasury, the editor or author and contributors,
according to a contract which shall be drawn up at the time the
material is accepted for publication. A copy of this contract
must be filed with the Imperial Chronicler.
6: Monographs by a single author shall be reimbursed as follows:
(a) As in 5: (a), above.
(b) 50% of further profits shall go to the Research Fund;
50% to the author.
* Failure to observe this ruling may render the perpetrator liable to
legal action.
Volume Two, Entry Number Three
Policy on Magic and Religion
The BoD of the SCA, acknowledges the existence of magical and religious
phenomena, at least as psychological factors, that can be used for the
good or ill of the Society and its members. The following policy shall
therefore be enforced, for the intent to use religious, magical, or
psychic powers dishonorably is unethical and constitutes grounds for
censure.
The SCA shall neither establish nor prohibit any system of magic or
religion among its members. It is therefore unlawful to violate or
infringe the religious or magical freedom of the Empire and of its
members, collectively and individually, by performing a religious or
magical ceremony at any official S.C.A. event or the association with
the name of the S.C.A. in such a way as to (a) imply that the rite is
officially authorized, sponsored or promulgated by the S.C.A.; (b) force
participants or bystanders at the event, by either direct or indirect
pressure, to join the rite; (c) perform the rite in such a location as
forces others to participate or observe whether they will or not;
(d) cause religious, magical, or psychic effects upon those who do not
wish to endure them; or (e) invoke supernatural powers or gods to the
political or social benefit or detriment of any member of the S.C.A.,
of the S.C.A. as a whole, or of any of its parts and branches.
It shall be unlawful for the S.C.A., or any member acting in the name
of the S.C.A., or any of its parts or branches, to interrupt or
interfere with any other person's lawful ceremonies, or for an officer
to discriminate against any member of the S.C.A. upon religious,
magical, or psychic grounds. It shall likewise be unlawful for any
member to claim such interference without specific and objective
evidence.
Nothing in these laws shall forbid the performance by competent
representatives of religious, magical, or psychic groups and movements
of ceremonies previous to an official event of the S.C.A. with the
intention of benefiting the event and those gathered at it as a whole,
e.g., with the intent of preventing rain, major injuries, the unethical
use of religious, magical, or psychic powers, etc.
It shall be unlawful for any combatant at an official S.C.A. event
knowingly and deliberately to use any amulet or device of magical,
religious, or psychic nature to give him thereby an advantage upon
the field of honor.
Recognition of magical, religious, or psychical organization(s) by
the S.C.A., or any of its branches, shall not be based on the magical,
religious, or psychical claims of such groups.
Volume Two, Entry Number Four
Definitions of status for branches of the Society.
1: Descriptions
(a) A *Shire* is a branch which is in the process of forming. Its hope
is to become a territorial Barony, but it has not yet developed to the
point where it deserves this title. It shall hold events, recruit
members, acquire a set of officers, and initiate registration procedures
for the Society in its state (unless another branch has already
registered there) in order to qualify as a Barony. Its officers shall
be titled "Acting Seneschal," Acting etc.," until it advances to
Baronial status.
[*This* must be why Shires aren't allowed Sheriffs! I'd bet that the
no-Sheriff rule dates back to these days, where a "Shire" corresponded
to what we think of as an incipient group! This is *great* evidence to
get the damned rule changed...]
n.b. Those groups presently titled Barony which have not yet developed
sufficiently to meet the requirements for this status as defined in
#1 (b) shall have a reasonable time to meet that definition before
being considered for reclassification.
(b) A (territorial) *Barony* is a branch sufficiently far from the guardian
Kingdom capital that its members cannot easily attend Tournaments,
Revels, and other events held at the capital. Like a province, it
has a full set of officers who are responsible to their counterparts
in the Kingdom. A Barony holds its own Tournaments, at which the
champion chooses a Queen of Love and Beauty, as well as Revels,
classes, etc. Its members are defined as those who can easily attend
events held near its capital (the residence of its Seneschal).
["the residence of its *Seneschal*"? Why not the Baron? *Is* there a
Baron for a territorial Barony?]
(c) A (charter) *Barony* is a branch formed of voluntarily associated
individuals within the territory of a Kingdom (although a member who
moves to another Kingdom may retain his affiliation with the Charter
Barony). A Charter Barony may be located in any part of a Kingdom, but
must fulfill certain other requirements in order to be granted this
status (see #2 (c)). This type of Barony is headed by a Baron or
Baroness appointed as such by the King under his power to appoint
"Court" Barons, and it has a full set of officers, who, like those
of a province rank as subordinate to those of the Kingdom. It holds
tournaments and other events and pursues a program of education and
research, while participating fully in all the activities of the
Kingdom as well.
(d) A *Canton* is a branch which bears the same relation to a Barony
as a province does to a Kingdom (see #1 (e), below). Like a province,
it has its own officers, etc., and when its Barony advances in status,
it becomes a Province. In cases where the name of the Barony includes
the term *Marches* (i.e., "The Barony of the Middle Marches"), its cantons
may be titled *Marches* instead.
(e) A *Province* is a portion of a Kingdom or Principality whose members
live close enough to the Kingdom's capital to attend Tournaments,
Revels, and other main events, but who would find weekly attendance
at guild or other meetings too difficult. Provinces have their own
officers, who are subordinate to those of the Kingdom, and may put
on their own Tournaments, Revels, and other events as well as holding
meetings, classes, etc.
[Note the extraordinary similarity of Barony and Province, especially
since it never defines whether Baronies have Barons. (Is the Baron
the Seneschal? The Baronial Champion? Both are possible readings.) More
on Territorial Barons in Entry Number Five. Note also how important the
concept of a Kingdom Capital is at this point.]
(f) A *Principality* is a branch which has a full set of officers, and
is developing well, but needs experience and more variety. A Principality
has the right to choose Princes at its Tournaments, who may reign over
its events and may be given the power to make certain awards by the
King. A Principality is still a part of the Kingdom, to whom its
officers are responsible. It may eventually become a Kingdom itself,
or remain to increase the glory of the Kingdom of which it is already
a part.
(g) A *Kingdom* is a fully developed branch of the Society. It has
officers in charge of all the main aspects of Society activity and is
developing its own specialties, has regular, well-attended Tournaments
and Revels, guild and study group meetings in between, and has taken
on the responsibility of offering demonstrations of skills learned in
the Society, and other educational activities in the community. It has
the right to hold Crown Tournaments at which its Kings are chosen, and
its Kings have the privilege of raising deserving subjects to the
Peerage and Gentry, making laws for the Kingdom, etc. A Kingdom is also
capable of advising and guiding branches of lesser development, and is
answerable for them to the Imperial government. The Kingdom is also
responsible for putting out a newsletter which will announce the activities
of all the branches within its bounds.
(h) A *Protectorate* is a term used to describe an irregular Society
branch which for some reason cannot exist within the regular feudal
structure. It is under the protection of the nearest King, but its
officers, if any, are responsible directly to the Imperial government.
2: Criteria for advancement in status.
(a) *Shire* -- The prospective Seneschal of a new Society branch shall
have formally requested permission to form a group and received
authorization from the BoD. To receive this authorization the new group
must include at least three paid memberships, including at least one
paid subscription.
(b) *(Territorial) Barony* -- At least twenty (20) paid memberships,
and at least ten (10) subscriptions (required of all officials), a
reasonably complete staff of officers, and evidence of significant
activity in the form of Tourneys, Revels, and other events appropriate
to the period. It shall have submitted regular reports to the Kingdom
Seneschal and accounts of its activities to the *Chronicles* section of
*Tournaments Illuminated*. It shall have initiated registration
procedures for the Society in its state if this has not already been
done, and shall have chosen a name acceptable to the College of Arms.
(c) *(Charter) Barony* -- At least thirty (30) paid memberships, and
at least ten (10) subscriptions, a complete staff of officers, and a
record of notable participation and contribution to the Kingdom and the
Society in the various aspects of current medieval culture by a substantial
number of its members. The members shall demonstrate in these areas on
the occasion of the Barony's elevation to this status.
(d) *Canton* -- At least three (3) paid memberships, including at
least one paid subscription. It shall report regularly to the Barony
of which it is a part.
(e) *Province* -- Although this type of group is organized for the
administrative convenience of the Kingdom, ordinarily there should be
at least twenty (20) paid memberships, ten (10) paid subscriptions,
that including subscriptions from all provincial officials. The Province
shall report regularly to the Principality or Kingdom of which it is
a part.
(f) *Principality* -- No less than fifty (50) paid memberships, and at
least twenty (20) subscriptions, a well-developed staff of officials,
a record of activity in the various fields of current medieval culture
which is appropriate to this status, and a sufficient number of fighting
men of such caliber as to provide the competition for the Princely
Coronet with the dignity and value it deserves. It shall report regularly
to its parent Kingdom, and submit regular contributions to the
*Chronicles* section of *Tournaments Illuminated*.
(g) *Kingdom* -- The groups to be included in the prospective Kingdom
shall have a total of at least two hundred (200) paid subscriptions.
The group which is to become the capital shall have a full staff of
officers with the capability to provide guidance for the groups which
shall be under their care. The Kingdom shall be able to offer instruction
in all areas of knowledge required for admission to the Peerage, and
shall have a sufficient number of fighting men of such caliber as to
provide the competition for the Regal Crown with the dignity and
value it deserves. It shall report regularly to the Imperium on its
own development and that of its subsidiary branches, and shall submit
regular contributions to *Chronicles*.
[Fascinating -- Kingdom officers were expected to be from the Capital.]
(h) *Protectorate* -- Protectorates shall be formed by special authority
of the Imperial Electors as conditions shall warrant.
3: Procedure for advancement in status.
(a) Any group wishing to change its status must make a formal request to
the Imperial Electors (BoD) which should be accompanied by the
authorization of the King of the realm in which it is located. The
Seneschal of the Kingdom should be asked to send a report expressing
his opinion of the proposed change, and the group should submit any
other related evidence of achievement they may have. If the King and
Seneschal do not recommend advancement, the case may be appealed through
the Lord Laurel King of Arms.
(a-1) If the request is for advancement to Kingdom status, the
possessions to be attached to the new realm will be decided by
negotiation and treaty between the various existing Kingdoms
concerned and the Imperial Electors.
(b) The Imperial Electors may, at their discretion, for good and
sufficient reason modify the above requirements in any particular
case. In particular, sustaining and patron memberships may be
considered in determining whether a branch does meet its obligations
to support the Imperial administration financially in proportion to
the services which a branch of its status generally requires.
[Oooh! If you read that maliciously, it *almost* says that the BoD
can be bribed into advancing a group...]
(c) The Imperial Electors (BoD) reserve(s) the right to deny any of
the foregoing statuses to any group, regardless of other criteria met,
if they have reason to believe that the interests, goals, or intentions
of the group are not compatible with the chivalric ideals and
educational goals of the SCA, in either its modern/legal or its
medieval character.
Volume Two, Entry Number Five
Ranks and Titles, Duties and Privileges
1: Court Barons
a; The title of Court Baron shall be awarded at the discretion of a
King, and shall carry only such privileges and duties as he may
indicate.
b; The Baron of a Charter Barony shall be responsible for seeing that
it is conducted so as to continue to meet the criteria by which it
attained Charter status.
c; It is recommended that the donation of this title be accompanied
by an Award of Arms, if the prospective baron possesses no rank already.
2: Territorial Barons
a; The title of Territorial Baron or Baroness shall be awarded by the
King with the permission of the Imperial Electors to the person
responsible for the establishment of a branch which has achieved
the status of Barony.
[Note that this entirely glosses over the fact that most groups are
established by a number of people.]
b; The Territorial Baron shall have the right to wear the badge of
the Barony upon a cloak bearing his own arms, and to fly the Baronial
banner before his pavilion.
c; The Territorial Baron shall have the option of presiding over
Baronial events. He may make such awards as the King specifically
delegates (such permission having to be renewed by each new King),
or establish awards which shall be specific to his Barony. Since
the duties of the Baron are ceremonial only, he shall not be
assigned, neither shall he take upon himself, any governmental
duties in his character as Baron. He may hold any Society office
for which he is fitted, but he must not in that case allow his duties
and/or privileges as Baron to influence or interfere with his
performance of his duties as an officer.
[Fascinating; the King could, according to this, assign to a Baron
the power to give, say, AoA's.]
d; If the Baron has achieved no rank already, it is recommended
that his title be accompanied by an Award of Arms.
e; If the branch founded by the Baron becomes extinct, and a new
group is later founded in the same area, the new group shall take
a different name, and its founder shall be eligible for the title
of Baron/Baroness.
f; If a territorial Baron moves out of his Barony, resigns from
the Society, travels extensively, or for some other reason will
be temporarily or permanently absent, he must appoint a Vicar,
which appointment shall be confirmed by the King. If he does not
do so, the King, advised by the Seneschal of the Barony in
Question, shall appoint a Vicar for him (this procedure to be
followed in case of the Vicar resigning, etc., also). The Vicar
shall exercise the duties and privileges described in 2: c;, and
fly the Baronial banner in front of his pavilion.
[*Really* lousy law. The implication here is that you can *never*
replace the founding Baron -- any successors are Vicars, instead.
Ten to one this is the origin of the idiotic "Baron X" vs. "Baron of X"
distinction. Note also that Carolingia did *exactly* what the law
suggested during the Great Interregnum; not at all what I'd gathered...]
g; When a Barony advances in status to Principality, the Baron,
or his Vicar, shall resign to the Prince his right to fly the
banner of the branch in front of his own pavilion, his right to
make such awards as have been instituted as specific to the group
(this does not include any awards be may have been making in his
own person), his right to make any awards delegated to him be the
King, and his option to preside over the group's tourneys, revels,
etc. He shall retain his title, his rank, and the right to wear the
badge of the group on his own cloak. The office of Vicar, if any,
shall cease.
3: Territorial Princes
a; The title of Prince shall be given to the winner of an officially
announced Coronet Tourney held in a Principality for that purpose,
and the title of Princess shall be given to the lady for whom he
fought, at coronation ceremonies to be held either at the close of
that event or at some other officially announced convenient time.
b; The coronation of the new Prince and Princess will be held at
an event or portion of an event previously announced as being for
that purpose. The tanist shall receive the ancient and honorable
coronet of the Principality according to the traditions of the
Principality. The previous Princess shall then transmit the coronet
of the Princess to the new Prince, and he shall crown his lady as
Princess (personal coronets may be assumed after the ceremony).
Such other ceremonies as are traditional in the Principality shall
also take place.
[Great -- they introduce the term "tanist" suddenly, with absolutely
no definition...]
(1) The first Prince in a new Principality shall receive his coronet
from his King, or the King's special ambassador.
c; No fighter shall enter the lists for the Princely coronet who knows
himself unable to fulfill the responsibilities that will be his as
Prince, and no Prince shall hold any other Society office during
his reign.
d; The duties of the Prince shall include:
(1) Being present at his own coronation, at the next coronet
tourney, at the coronation of the next Prince, and at all other
primary events of his reign, and signing such documents as may
be necessary for the conduct of the Principality;
(2) Being for his people the chief example of chivalry and all
the virtues appropriate to a nobleman;
(3) Knowing, upholding, and abiding by the laws of the Kingdom
and the Society, being a true and faithful servant to his King
and lord to his people, upholding their rights and working for
their benefit, maintaining the King's Justice impartially among
them;
(4) Recommending to the King for recognition those who through
their achievement and service within the Principality are worthy
of honour;
(5) Providing a Princess to fulfill the functions of that office.
e; The rights of the Prince shall include:
(1) The right to make such Royal awards as shall have been
specifically delegated to him by the King, and the right to make
awards specific to his Principality and such other awards as he
shall deem proper;
(2) The right to make such laws as he shall deem necessary for
the conduct of the Principality, subject to the approval of the
King, and such qualifications as govern the laws of the Kingdom
(see #5 e. (3));
(3) The right to receive such tithes and gifts as shall be made
to the Principality during his reign, and to make use of such
possessions and treasures as the Principality already possesses;
(4) The right to fly the banner of the Principality as his own
during his reign;
(5) The right to make his own lady Princess of the Principality;
(6) The right to call such courts as shall be necessary for the
government of the Principality with the approval of the King.
f; If the tanist of the Principality finds himself unable to serve
as Prince, he shall inform the Seneschal immediately so that arrangements
for a new Coronet Tournament may be made. If the tanist fails to
appear at his coronation without notification, the Seneschal is
authorized to proclaim that event (If it is a tournament) or the
next Tournament, a Coronet Tournament, in order to choose a new
Prince, who shall be crowned at its conclusion. If the tanist is
in all honour unable to attend his coronation event, but will be
able to reign, he may be crowned at a subsequent event, or the
ceremony may be performed privately, if necessary.
g; If a Prince must be absent from one of the principal events of
his reign, he may appoint his Princess to reign in his place, or
if she is unable, some great lord of [sic] chief officer may
preside. If he is unable to complete his reign, he shall inform
the Seneschal so that a new Coronet Tournament may be called as
soon as possible.
<the end>