Rank and Protocol

or

How to Talk to Kings and Princes Without Getting Sweaty Palms

Rank in the SCA is merit-based.  In general, the more rank someone has, the less likely they are to be a touchy idiot, or to be real sensitive about their rank.  That is:  the more important someone is, the easier you are going to find them to talk to.  Modes of address and regalia differ from kingdom to kingdom, so I am going to avoid specifics and give you a little background that should work just about everywhere.

"M'lord" and "m'lady" are your fall-back terms of address.  They apply to anyone of any rank.  If anybody gets bent out of shape at being so addressed, please overlook them in charity, and move on.  They have way worse problems than you do.

Anyone wearing a white belt is a Knight, and should be addressed as "Sir" <First name>." If you don't happen to know his name, just say, "Excuse me, Sir Knight, might I know your name?"  It is rare to find a Knight not wearing his white belt.  It may seem peculiar to address that cute, delicate lady from the Barony of South Downs as "Sir Kytte," but that's the correct style of address for her.  Honest.  (Incidentally, yes. Sir Kytte is of modest stature.  And yes, she's heard all the jokes about "short-sirkyttes."  Even the neat one you just thought up.)

Anyone wearing a laurel wreath is a Laurel, and should be addressed as "Master <First name>" or "Mistress <First name>."  If you don't know their name, just say, "Excuse me, Mistress Laurel, might I know your name?"  Many Laurels only wear their laurel wreaths on their heads for formal occasions.  To spot stealth Laurels, be alert to a medallion they wear with a laurel wreath on it.

Pelicans generally don't wear much in the way of regalia.  They've GOT some, mind you, but I just don't see it all that much.  (It might be because a Cap of Maintenance looks a lot like a beanie. So to spot Pelicans, be alert to the Pelican medallion.  You can address Pelicans as Master and Mistress, same as Laurels.

If someone is a Count, that means that he is a former King, and you can address him as "your Excellency."  If someone is a Countess, that means that she is an former Queen, and you can also address her as "your Excellency."  You may be able to spot Counts and Countesses by their embattled circlets.  These are crown-like affairs with crellenations that look kinda like a castle wall.  Many choose not to wear them, though.  If someone is a Duke, it means that his has been King twice.  If someone is a Duchess, it means that she has been Queen twice.  Both Dukes and Duchesses are addressed as "Your Grace."  Dukes and Duchesses may wear a circlet with strawberry leaves on it, but most don't bother, except for formal occasions.

And that brings us to the Royals.  Anyone wearing a wide circlet with actual, un-adorned points on it is probably some kind of royalty or other. If it's a big, beefy looking crown, you're probably looking at the King or Queen.  The proper form of address is "your Magesty."  If the crown is more delicate, it's probably the Prince or Princess.  The appropriate address for them is "Your Highness."

And that's the short form.  Not complicated at all, is it?

Don't worry.  If you like, we can MAKE it complicated.  I've not said anything about the difference between a Crown Prince and a Territorial Prince, or a Court Baron or a Territorial Baron.  I've omitted Masters-at-arms, Vicounts, Jarls, and Earls entirely.  But those are details that aren't that important when you just want to walk up to someone and ask them where they got that neat hat they are wearing.  Stick to these guidelines and you are unlikely to offend anyone.

--- Will

(On formal Occasions, His Lordship, Master William McNachtan, CL)