Order of the White Scarf

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The Order of the White Scarf of Ansteorra is a non-Armigerous award given in the Kingdom of Ansteorra for exceptional skill and abilities on the duello field of combat.

Overview

There shall exist in Ansteorra an order unto which the Crown shall select persons who have demonstrated all of the following qualities:

  • Exceptional skill and chivalry in combat with weapons of the duello;
  • Service to Ansteorra and its people;
  • Knowledge of the courtly graces; and
  • Obedience to the laws and ideals of Ansteorra and of the Society for Creative Anachronism.

This Order shall be known as the Order of the White Scarf of Ansteorra.

Companions of the order are entitled place the initials WSA after their names and to be styled and announced in procession as "Companion of the Order of the White Scarf of Ansteorra”. It shall be recognized tradition in Ansteorra to address members of the Order as “Don” or “Doña.” Companions of the Order shall be entitled to wear a white scarf about the left shoulder or above the left elbow.

Precedence

Companions of the Order inducted prior to October 2018, shall take precedence after all nobility and peerage and before simple Grants of Rank. The Order of the White Scarf, Star of Merit, Iris of Merit, Centurions of the Sable Star, Arc d'Or of Ansteorra, and Golden Lance of Ansteorra are held to be of equal precedence.

Those created post October 2018, hold no precedence from this award.

History

The Order of the White Scarf was created as a Principality order by Tessa and Simonn, 3rd Coronet Princess and Prince of Ansteorra, under Salene of Mightrinwood and Theo of Mightrinwood, Queen and King of Atenveldt, in AS XIII (1979). The original name was "Cavalier of the Society for Creative Anachronism." That name was found unsuitable by the Herald's Office, and the name was changed to "Order of the White Scarf" by HRM Joselyn and Lloyd of Ansteorra the following year.

The White Scarf was the first award in the SCA specifically for rapier fighters. In October of A.S. XXI (1987), the Kingdom of the Outlands signed a treaty with Ansteorra to create their own Order of the White Scarf. Since then, ten other kingdoms have received permission to use the name "White Scarf" for their top-level rapier award. Further information may be found here.

October 13, 2018 Change to the Order by Jason & Marguerita

These are the words of Their Stellar Majesties, read into law during their step-down court: "The Order of the White Scarf holds a special place in the heart of Ansteorra. It has long held high standards as the pinnacle of the Rapier community. It not only recognizes prowess, courtly graces, and other qualities, but also has a special relationship with the Queen. With the introduction of the Masters of Defense, it is no longer the pinnacle of rapier combat, yet neither Their Majesties, nor the Order wish to see the standards for the order changed.

"In searching for a solution, Their Majesties have looked to other orders of high prestige. Both the Orders of the Rose and the Lions of Ansteorra are non-armigerous orders, whose prestige far outshines the simple precedence shown by their place in the Order of Precedence.

After long consultation with the Order, Their Majesties have decided to make the Order of the White Scarf non-armigerous as well. In all other aspects it will remain the same. It will keep its high standards, polling status, and special place in the heart and history of Ansteorra. Those who received it previously will keep their Grant level precedence.

"This however, creates an opportunity for something new. An order for those who have excelled in rapier or cut and thrust combat. Those who have surpassed the Sable Talon and are progressing towards the White Scarf and / or the Masters of Defense. It will be equal in precedence with the other Grant level orders. It is not a polling order, but will be awarded by the Crown through recommendations, similar to the Iris of Merit and Star of Merit. The name of this order shall be the Blade of Merit of Ansteorra, with a badge of “Sable, on a pale gules fimbriated, a rapier inverted Or”. The members of the order shall also be entitled to wear a ribbon paly, sable, Or, and gules.

At this time, their Majesties call forth the premiers of this order…
Cornelius Merilainen
Gabriel of Maccuswell
Marie de Girau

Insignia/Blazon

whitescarf.gif
Blazon: Sable on a pale argent between two rapiers, guards to center, proper, in chief a mullet of five greater and five lesser points sable.
Insignia: A white scarf worn about the left shoulder or above the left elbow.

Award Recipients