Currently approximately 8000 people around the Knowne World actively participate in target archery, combat archery, siege weapons, thrown weapons and equestrian martial activities.  While no ultimate decision has yet been made the Board believes that a proposal of a path to peerage for these individuals is worthy of deep consideration.

Having received advice from the Peerage Committee, Directors have discussed the matter and following some minor amendments to language which align the proposed draft of Corpora wording to the existing patent orders, the Board feels that the proposal has matured to the point where commentary on the proposed Corpora wording from members is requested. This commentary will assist the Board in forming further decisions relevant to its consideration of this matter.

The draft Corpora language approved for commentary is:

VIII.A.4: 

e. The Order of <Name> 

(i) Members of the Order of <Name> may choose to swear fealty but are not required to do so. The candidate must have attained the standard of excellence in skill and/or knowledge equal to that of their prospective peers in a pre-17th century martial pursuit as practiced in the SCA, including, and limited to, target archery, combat archery, thrown weapons, equestrian activities, and siege engineers.  The candidate must have applied this skill and/or knowledge for the instruction of members and service to the kingdom to an extent above and beyond that normally expected of members of the Society. 

(ii) The duties of the members of the order are as follows: 

(a) To set an example of courtesy and chivalrous conduct on and off the field of honor. 

(b) To respect the Crown of the kingdom; to support and uphold the laws of the kingdom and Corpora. 

(c) If in fealty, to support and uphold the Crown of their kingdom. 

(d) To enrich the kingdom by sharing their knowledge and skills. 

(e) To enhance the renown and defend the honor of the peer’s Lady or Lord.

(f) To advise the Crown on the advancement of candidates for the Order of <Name>. 

(other sections re-numbered as needed) 

Knowing exactly what the people who work, study, and play in the Society want a potential new peerage to achieve and do will be key to moving forward in this discussion.  The Board welcomes any additional context that people feel may be of use to the discussion.

We are looking for your feedback – as you begin to type up your comments please feel free to include your thoughts on the following questions:

• Does this language fill the gap I personally feel exists in the paths to peerage, why or why not? 
• What is my ideal vision of a new peerage and its members? What virtue will they embody? 

EDIT: If you are a financial member of the SCA, please include the relevant information.

The expertise of our community is invaluable, and these responses will contribute significantly to an outcome that positions our Society to meet its goals and future opportunities.

Corpora, including the By-Laws, can be found in its entirety here: https://www.sca.org/resources/document-library/govdocs/.

Please email all commentary to SCA-Comments@sca.org and use the title “Omnibus Peerage Proposal” in the subject line.

NOTE: Do not use attachments in your commentary. Attachments will mark your message as spam and it will be rejected by the server.

You can also send commentary by mail, Postage-Prepaid, to:

Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc.
RE: Omnibus Peerage Proposal
P.O. Box 611928
San Jose, CA 95161

Commentary regarding this proposed Corpora change, must be received by the Board no later than April 2, 2024.

NOTE: 

The Board of Directors also expresses its gratitude and appreciation for the dedicated service of all those individuals who have worked tirelessly as members of the Peerage Committee.

As we acknowledge the duration of efforts relating to this work, with the Committee having fulfilled its requested function, the Directors commend all members and release the Committee from the work with the Board’s gratitude for their time and service.

Commentary Request – Draft Corpora Wording – Omnibus Peerage Proposal