Award Recommendations and Awards...

Awards are an important part of life in the SCA. Awards allow Her Excellency and I to recognize the hard work of the populace, and through that recognition inspire others to follow in (or continue on) the same path. Her Excellency and I cannot be everywhere at once, nor can we see everything people are doing, so award recommendations are a key tool in decided who should receive awards. There is however a small amount of “mystery” surrounding award recommendations and sadly the number we receive per year is surprisingly low. What follows is a short FAQ on award recommendations. This is intended for Baronial awards, but a lot of the advice also applies to Kingdom level awards. If there are any additional questions feel free to contact Her Excellency or myself and we will guide you.

Why is recognition important?

Awards are how the SCA acknowledges the hard work and efforts of people who make the society what it is. People often shy away from awards because of modesty or because they feel accepting an award somehow cheapens the motivation behind their efforts. This is not the case. An award is not just a cookie for doing a good job, it is a physical representation of the appreciation felt for that person. Equally, receiving an award acts as an inspiration to other people to follow the same path, not because they hope to get a nifty scroll, but because of the “magic” that is felt in court when a deserving person receives recognition.

What is an award recommendation?

Simply put, an award recommendation is a written request to the Baronage requesting that we recognize a member of the populace with an award. A written request (electronic or paper) is preferred because it gives us a record of the request along with key details. Verbal recommendations are easily forgotten in the hustle and bustle of meeting/events, so Her Excellency and I try to avoid them. Please don’t be offended if we respond to a verbal recommendation by asking you to submit it in writing. Every recommendation is important to us and we don’t want any slipping through the cracks.

How do you write a recommendation?

A recommendation does not require a lot of information but the more details that are provided the easier it will be to make a decision. Additional details also help the scribes work on scrolls and medallions that are tailored to the persona or interests of the person. The following minimum information is required.

• Real name of submitter.
• SCA title and name of submitter.
• Real name of recipient.
• SCA title and name of recipient.
• What award/recognition the recipient should be considered for.
• Why should they be considered for the award/recognition?
• What events are they attending the in the future.

How do I submit an award recommendation?

Once you have written the recommendation send that information to Her Excellency and I via e-mail or Facebook (see the Contact/Staff link of the blog). Make sure to copy in both of us.  Please understand it takes a while to prepare an award. The scribes need time to work their magic, we have to schedule when to give out the award, and so on. There is almost zero chance we will act on a recommendation in less than a month’s time. Take that into consideration when sending them in.

Does it require an award/title/certain level of experience to recommend an award?

You do not have to have an award/title/certain level of experience to recommend an award for another person. Anyone can recommend a person for any of the Baronial awards. Additionally you do not have to be a member of the Barony to recommend people for Baronial awards.

I want to recognize a person, but I don’t know what award applies.

Not a problem. If you are not sure what award applies it is acceptable to list the reason(s) you feel the person should be recognized and Her Excellency and I can decide what recognition fits best. For example you might say “I saw Bob at Ice Dragon and he spent the entire day helping people unload cars and carry stuff to the list fields”. Her Excellency and I might ask some additional questions to narrow down the best choice of recognition. Even if we decide it is not the right time for an award we might still recognize the person in some way.

Can I put in a recommendation for a person who is not a member of the Barony (or I am not sure if they are)?

Yes! Baronial awards are not restricted to member of the Barony. A person from another area can be recommended for and awarded Baronial awards.

Is it unethical to recommend awards for my friends/partner/children?

Not at all. Ultimately Her Excellency and I decide who gets what awards, and we may take the submitter into consideration, but a close relationship to the recipient does not disqualify the request. Very often it is the people closest to us that see the hard work we are doing. The Society is founded on honor and we trust in our populace to make honorable and unbiased recommendations.

There is no way that person doesn't already have that award.

Sadly that is not always the case. Very often people get passed over for awards because people assume they already have it and never submit a recommendation. Put in the recommendation anyways. If the person already has the award there is no harm done.  

I suggested an award but it didn't happen, why?

There are three parts to that. First it is 100% possible that Her Excellency and I decided it wasn’t time to recognize the person; it happens. We keep a record of all recommendations and continue to review them over time in the event our opinion changes. Secondly, timing is an issue. We have to balance our court docket with when the person is attending events. Sometimes it takes a while to coordinate everything. Lastly, things do fall through the cracks and we forget or misplace a recommendation. In each case it is acceptable to ask about the progress of your recommendation but please respect our decisions.

The person I want to be recognized does not like coming into court.

Not a problem. Coming into court is not required to recognize a person. Her Excellency and I are sympathetic to the wishes of people and can arrange to recognize the person in a way that they are comfortable with. 

More information: 

How to Write a Recommendation Letter by Duchess Dorinda Courtenay

List of Baronial Awards/Orders

Meet Layla Bint Mikhael!

Continuing our series of interviews with members of our Barony, we'd like to introduce you to Layla a recent transplant from our Cousin Barony of Thescorre. Layla has been visiting the Barony's fighter practices working on A&S projects and getting to know the people of the barony while working hard on her education. We can't wait to see her at events and all that she plans to accomplish in the coming year.

Real Name: Leah Kotlarchyk

SCA Name: Layla Bint Mikhael

Persona: Officially, 9th century Khazarian.  Unofficially, I'm exploration mode.

How long have you been involved in the SCA:  On and off, for 5 years.  A cumulative 3 years of which was 'on'.

Some lovely tablet weaving by  Layla

What activities do you participate in?:  Mostly, Arts and Science.  I really enjoy making things and I'm especially fond of fiber arts.  I also love to dance and attempt to participate in dancing when I have the time.  I've recently delved a bit into archery.  I haven't had much time for it yet but I hope to shoot more in the future.

Blackwork by Layla

SCA Goals in 2017:  I'd like to see some kind of improvement in my abilities in the area of Arts and Sciences.  At the moment, I have my sights set on tablet weaving.  Additionally, making sure I have enough garb ready for Pennsic War.  And, of course, getting to know everyone in my new barony is on the top of my SCA to-do list!

Interview with Jenna Macpherson of Lions Tower

We are continuing our series of interviews with members of the Hael with Jenna Macpherson of Lions Tower. A fixture at local practice and events, Jenna is certainly an inspiration to all who meet her and is always a pleasure to speak with. Thank you Mistress Jenna for taking the time to answer a few questions and introduce yourself to any who might already know you (which I am sure if a short list). 

Real name: Carole Goranson

SCA name:  Jenna Macpherson of Lions Tower

When did you join the SCA or how long have you been involved? October 1985 so 32 years.

What is your Persona? Persona is early-is Scottish.

Do you belong to any groups in the SCA?

 I currently stand as the head of house Lions Tower in the stead of Sir Raimund of the Striat and Viscountess Angharad of the Sleeping Lion. I am also squire to Sir Angus MacBain head of House Singing Stone with his lady Mistress Yvianne. I have a protégé baron Boris Dragonsbane of house Dragonsbane and affiliate of House Highrafters and clan Kaminari.

What activities do you participate in?

Over 32 years there are very few activities I have not participated in. I have been seneschal of the Hael 3 times (2 terms each), I have been the autocrat of Ice Dragon I believe 5 times, the autocrat for two coronations, masked ball, crown tourney, and academy. I have been on staff for many local events as marshal, mol, or in the kitchens. I've been on Pennsic staff for chirurgeons and for youth combat. I have held the offices of seneschal, mol, fencing marshal, and youth combat marshal, or been deputies to those offices on the local, regional, and kingdom levels. I am most proud of my work in youth combat. In 2014 I re-authorized in rapier and authorized for the first time (at age 50) in heavy combat and have fought in 3 crown tournaments (in addition to being a consort in several others). I received a pelican at war practice in 2005 from Maynard von dem Steine and Liadain ni Dheirdre Chaomhanaigh.

Do you have any SCA goal for 2017?

For 2017 I have a number of goals in regards to my rattan fighting. I am currently being held back a bit due to knee replacement surgery in October 2016. I also have a new protégé to work with for the next year and I have some goals in mind for him as well. There are a couple office I would like to be a part of when they become available.

What advice would you give a new person in the SCA?

I would tell a new person that you can never ask too many questions. We in the SCA have so much knowledge across so many areas that the questions never end. After 32 years I find my mind still consumed with new questions as I begin new activities and new relationships. As the kingdom is growing out of its difficult teen years, there are always new avenues for participation. I have found, quite recently in fact that the only opportunity that is truly missed is the one we don’t claim for ourselves.

Sound the Horn!!! Champs approaches...

Calling all Champions! Time is quickly approaching when Her Excellency and I must select new champions. We are sounding the call to the lands seeking new blood to step up and serve the Barony! It is our goal to keep things interesting, so this year instead of a dedicated Baronial Champs event we are holding our champion tournaments at our local practices. The purpose for this is two fold. First we hope to relieve everyone's already busy event schedule, but more importantly we want to draw attention to our local practices and the hard work that goes into them.


What does it take to be a Baronial champ? Glad you asked! The only requirements include: You must be a resident of the Barony or the Canton, you must have the required authorizations for the activity you wish to participate in (such as a heavy authorization), and you must be able to attend the Seven Pearls event in September (located in Endless Hills). Other than that it is open to all.

Don't shy away from competing because you are new, or you don't feel you have enough experience. The honor of being a champ is about representing the Barony not about bringing home the win. This is a great chance to experience a new side of SCA life and Her Excellency and I will be equally proud of anyone who steps up.

More details will follow on when the tournaments will be, the format for each, and who is running them. Over the next month or so we will reach out to our current champions to discuss the details. Her Excellency and I will also decided on when we will hold the tournaments for the "non-practice" activities as well as when we will hand out awards such as Chivalry champ.

Please stay tuned for more information.

New Staff member and many thanks!

My apologies for the delay posting this information. On each anniversary of our investiture Her Excellency and I privately contact each member of our staff and give them the option to stay another year or move on. We decided to do this because four years is a long time (that being the potential length of our reign) and it was important to us that our staff had the freedom to enjoy the SCA in their own way. 

This year our Head of Retainers, Mistress Geirný Thorgrímsdóttir, has made the choice to move on. Her Excellency and I would like to offer our thanks and love to Mistress Geirný for her hard work, advice, and guidance during our first year as Baron and Baroness. It was  a comfort knowing we had the council of a former Baroness of the Hael as well as such a good friend at our side as we started our journey. I am not sure my words alone can describe the level of dedication and service Mistress Geirný brings to Our Barony and to the Kingdom. She is certainly a credit to both. For me it is people like Mistress Geirný that make the SCA such a special place. When you see her, please take time to thank her for all that she does. Mistress Geirný offered the following lovely words.

"My year (and a bit) as Head Retainer has come to an end. It has been an honor and a pleasure to work with Their Excellencies and I could not be happier with them and for them. And with all of my staff who have helped to look after them, and helped them to create the atmosphere the Society strives to foster. You folks are the best! Thank you, Your Excellencies, and everyone who has been a retainer and or guard. Please welcome and thank Lady Genevieve O'Connor to the role. I ask all staff to please do what you can to assist her in assuming charge of and maintaining the Baronial Entourage. She is a kind and lovely gentlewoman, who I have no doubt will do a fantastic job! Lastly, I'd like to thank my comrade, Saku, Captain of the Guard, who is the backbone of the retinue. Without you, I'd probably have made a muck of things. YIS, Geirny"

Thankfully another good friend, recently returned to the Barony, and has agreed to take on the roll of our Head of Retainers. We are proud to welcome Lady Genevieve O'Connor to the staff. Her Excellency and I thank her ahead of time for taking on such a busy and often demanding task. 

If you are interested in joining our team of guards and retainers please contact us. We welcome both new and experience people and there is no minimum time requirement. Volunteer once or many times. You can find the contact information for our staff here: 

Staff contact information

We also have a Facebook page for the guards and retainers (we have to add you before you can see it, so please contact us). 

Guard and retainer Facebook page

Meet a Newer Person in Our Barony

His Excellency and I would like to highlight a member of the Rhydderich Hael every once and awhile in our time as B&B. This time I decided to approach Vanessa a.k.a Thalia (His Excellency's Lady) and learn a bit about her and everything that she is hoping for in the Society in the future. 

Real Name: Vanessa Hayes

SCA Name: Thalia Papillon

Persona: Viking

I joined the SCA as I have always have had an interest in Medieval History and everything that this involves and enjoy the experience of watching and being involved in all the medieval activities, including dance, sword fighting, and archery, and most of all, being part of a group with others who share a common interest. I joined the SCA back in December 2015 when I attended my first event which was the Baronial Investiture for the Rhydderich Hael, and then spent some time while I was still down in Virginia with a smaller SCA group, Shire of Isenfir, in Charlottesville, Virginia. I got involved with activities through the Shire of Isenfir including Renaissance dance, Archery, and Medieval game nights. I attended two other SCA events including Atlantia Kingdom Arts and Sciences and Gemutlichplatz with the Shire of Isenfir. I officially became a SCA member in October 2016 and received my blue card.

Interests in SCA:  Fencing and Archery

                              Renaissance Dancing

                              Other activities including attending events and trying craft related activities

                              within the SCA.

SCA Goals in 2017: Continue to improve with Archery skills

                                 Authorize in Fencing

                                 Explore Different areas of service SCA has to offer

                                 Get involved with helping at SCA events

                                 Attend variety of SCA events and do Archery tournaments and Fencing

                                 Attend Pennsic 2017 for whole week during War week

I have continued to attend SCA events during this year with my guy, Magnus De Lyons, in different areas including Pennsylvania, New York, and West Virginia to include events such as Blackstone Raids, Æthelmearc War Practice, and first Pennsic experience in July 2016.

My first real experience with Medieval reenactments was in college and I got to participate in Adventures in Midland Live Action Role play through a friend in college. This is where I just happened to meet a handsome man, Lance Kazmark, a.k.a. Magnus De Lyons, who was the leader of Adventures in Midland, and spent the next year dating Magnus and sharing times LARPing with Midland. There are still photos to this day of our time together in Midland. Through the magic of Facebook, Lance (Magnus) and I have found each other again, 20 years later, and have come together again for a second chance at love and happiness with each other.

I was so proud to join the SCA when I did, and proud to be a part of witnessing Magnus step up as the Baron of the Rhydderich Hael at my first SCA event, Baronial Investiture with his friend, Miriel Du Lac. Magnus has played a big part in introducing me to the SCA. We have attended many events together, while I was still living in Virginia, and after a year of long distance dating, I decided to move to New York and share a home with my love. I am proud and excited what I have accomplished over the past year while being involved in the SCA. I was able to achieve my interests in Archery, Fencing, and Renaissance Dancing. I was happy to acquire my first Bow and arrows from Magnus, while attending Blackstone Raids in West Virginia.

I enjoy taking photos at SCA events and capturing the experience of SCA events in photos and have been able to share these photos with others in newsletters done by Magnus De Lyons.

I continue to work on my Archery skills and have attained Archer status and completed the Iron Sails Archery tournament at A Shoote at Wyldwoode with Magnus. I have become involved in Fencing practice for the past several months now and continued with Archery to become a part of the Hael Hounds and the Barony as a whole, which has meant so much to me. I look forward to attending more events and weekly practices for Fencing and Archery. I have officially started working on my heraldry with name and device. My inspiration for my SCA name is Butterflies, which has had a lifelong meaning as my given name "Vanessa" means Butterflies.

The Hael Celebrates 12th Night With Friends, Family, and Far Traveled Guests

As the night opened up, Barony members young and old, streamed into the Elks Lodge doors, carrying burdens of food, fun, and even fighting gear ready to share the celebration together. Warm greetings were exchanged, food laid out for people to enjoy, and handshakes, hugs, and gifts were passed around the people attending.

His Excellency and I had the honor of welcoming guests from the far lands of the Stronghold of Warriors Gate (South Korea), and introducing them to the Baronial populace. They presented us with a gift of Soju and a Celadon Vase and His Excellency and I offered them a basket with tokens from the barony.  It warmed our hearts to see one person after the next stand in line to offer gifts of their own to our guest and their family from the area, we were happy to hear how welcome they felt.

And still there were more festivities, a hard fought Festive Clothing contest was held and was won by a show of applause from the populace for their choice. The winner being THL Fionnghuala, with her lovely sweater emblazoned with skiing polar bears and happy penguins. She was awarded a gaudy necklace of a golden dragon, so that she might show her festive cheer proudly.

While the people enjoyed food and festivities, others strapped on their fighting gear to share blows in the fighting gym, able to learn from one another and share a list with our guest from South Korea, giving him many good fights before he would have to return to his Stronghold.

Yet again the night was filled with warmth, cheer, and good wishes to be shared the whole year round. What a wonderful Barony We have and His Excellency and I hope to see the baronial populace shine, for their Barony, their Kingdom, and the Society in the coming year!

VIVANT!