The Arts and Sciences Path is all about researching and recreating historical art forms. While artistic skill is important for progression along this path, studying and demonstrating that those skills are accurate to the pre 17th-century world is equally important. The term A&S can be applied to both documented physical creations and pure research. In Æthelmearc, the Arts and Sciences are married into one pursuit, be it through documenting the cultural anthropology surrounding a particular art form or the art of persuasively writing documentation on a historical topic of interest.
Starting on the Path
Every artisan’s journey is different. Some are content to just make art and focus on what makes them happy, and that is ok. Some wish to advance along the path in pursuit of recognition and awards, and that is ok too. Those who wish to obtain peerage along this path must accept that it is a long journey with many waypoints and side quests. An artisan’s path is personal and unique to them; only they can dictate where their journey will take them and therefore, there is no “right way” to move along this path.
However, for those interested in pursuing awards and eventual peerage, here is some direction to help understand where to begin.
Choose a Focus
This focus can be broad (like the Columbian Exchange) or narrow (for example, Viking-age Scandinavian grave finds). It could be a particular artform (like embroidery) or topic of scholarly pursuit (like the philosophy of 16th-century fencing manuals). You can even have more than one focus. Whatever you choose, pursue it because it is a topic you enjoy and are genuinely interested in.
Pursue Your Focus
Practice your craft and document its historicity. To progress along the Arts and Sciences path, it is not enough to make beautiful art. Your art must also be demonstrably historically based and proving this often takes a great deal of research. Those on this path find it helpful to participate in competitions and displays in order to solicit feedback. It is also helpful to reach out for knowledgeable allies and mentors by networking at events, special interest groups, social media, and traveling outside your home radius.
Many such mentors can be found via the Ask the Laurels Facebook Group
Be Active in the A&S Community
There are many ways to be active; here are just a few examples:
- Enter a display or competition
- Donate largess
- Volunteer as a judge or advisor
- Join a guild that aligns with your interests
- Bring a project to A&S night, attend a bardic circle, or join a beverage tasting
- Help run an A&S activity
- Attend Kingdom Events and perform your art in public
- Travel outside your home radius
- Teach one-on-one, in a classroom setting or make your research accessible to others*
- Post about your work on social media or share it through digital means
- Reach out and befriend others who share your interests.
*The Polling Orders expect candidates to share their research and teach their craft, so discover what method of passing on knowledge best suits you and share what you have learned with others.
Promote yourself
It’s a good idea to create a way for others to find your art and research outside of events. Here are some ways to let people know about your work and your progress:
- Maintain a craft blog or website
- Publish to Academia.edu
- Share your work on social media
- Carry and hand out a SCA business card
- Be active in your art. Take your project to an event and add to the pre17th-century ambiance by performing a historical activity.
- Network via social media
Strive to be Peer-like
Seek to conduct yourself as a paragon of the Society. Become knowledgeable of our organization and aim to be a safe, stable, and exemplary representative of it. (See corpora and the Laurel list of virtues and responsibilities below.)
Taking a Belt
While a green belt is not officially reserved regalia, some artisans will wear one to signal that they have entered into an apprenticeship relationship with a Laurel. An apprenticeship is a contract between Laurel and a non-laurel on the A&S path. These agreements are unique to the values and goals of those entering into the contract, however in most cases, the peer agrees to help guide their dependents along the path to peerage. In some cases this can be via advocacy on the polling orders, helping to broaden their dependant’s network, or sharing in research materials (just to name a few).
Being in an apprentice relationship is not a requirement to be considered for any of the A&S orders but is a tradition with deep meaning and importance within the SCA. There are pros and cons to entering into this kind of relationship, and if you are interested in it, talk about it with your prospective peers, your community, and individuals whose opinions you trust.
Path Milestones (awards and orders)
Milestones are not stepping stones. The A&S path differs for every artisan and will lead to different places. It should also be added that these awards are not prerequisites for peerage in the A&S path either.
If you know of anyone who fits the description for the orders described below, write them in for an A&S award here. Unsure if someone you know has an award or not? If you know the spelling of the persona you can search the Æthelmearc Order of Precedence to see if they have already been recognized. This website also has a more up-to-date listing of A&S Awards which are updated as court reports are published.
Only sitting royals determine who will receive which awards and when. If someone you feel deserves an award does not receive that recognition keep writing them in!
Order of the Sycamore
Awarded for significant accomplishments in the arts and sciences, including entertaining and research. The order’s badge is: (Fieldless) Three sycamore leaves conjoined in pall per pale gules and Or.
Sycamore level artisans and researchers have demonstrated an interest in a particular field of study and have become active in that community. They may have taught a class, been a regular attendee at A&S events, or donated their art to the kingdom. They also could also just be making good art and sharing it. The Sycamore is an Award of Arms unique to Æthelmearc. Recipients of the Sycamore may register official arms with the College of Heralds and assume a noble title, such as “lord”, “lady”, non-gendered titles like “Noble” or “Armiger,” or a preferential title of equivalent status.*
*Anyone may register a Device with the College of Heralds. After an Award of Arms this Device becomes their official Arms.
Order of the Fleur d’Æthelmearc
Awarded for excellence in the arts and sciences. Individuals who already have a Laurel (in any kingdom) are not eligible for this award in the Kingdom of AEthelmearc. The order’s badge is: Per saltire gules and Or, four fleurs-de-lys bases to center counterchanged.
Fleur-level artisans are expected to be established in an area of study. They are accomplished in their art, but also knowledgeable about its historical authenticity. Not only are they local experts of their craft, they share their knowledge via online resources, one-on-one teaching, or through organized classes. A Fleur is expected to be a trusted resource, who will guide newcomers interested in learning more.
The Order of the Fleur is a polling order, which reviews candidate recommendations and periodically votes (once or twice per reign) on who is ready to join their ranks. The crown consults the order about who will receive this award and chooses who to induct.
The Fleur is a Grant of Arms unique to Æthelmearc meaning that recipients may register official arms with the College of Heralds and go by a higher ranking title, such as “the honorable lord,” “lady,” non-gendered titles like “Noble” or “Armiger,” or a preferential title of equivalent status.*
The Order of the Fleur d’Æthelmearc web site includes their handbook, list of members, and useful resources.
*Anyone may register a Device with the College of Heralds. After Grant of Arms this Device becomes their official Arms.
Order of the Laurel:
Companions of the Order of the Laurel (or ‘Laurels’) have been recognized by the Crown for their exemplary arts and research, along with their consistent display of the virtues of Grace, Courtesy and Chivalric Demeanor. Their elevation is accompanied by a Patent of Arms (the highest level of arms) and is recognized Society wide. The regalia of the order is (Tinctureless) A laurel wreath. The Order of the Laurel is recognized Society-wide. The Kingdom of Æthelmearc College of Heralds lists the Order of Precedence for all Laurels of Æthelmearc.
The Order of the Laurel is one of the five SCA Bestowed Peerages, along with the Order of Chivalry, the Order of the Pelican, the Order of Defense, and Order of the Mark. Peers are supposed to be trusted representatives of the Society and therefore bear the qualities of Peers.
Peer-Like Qualities (PLQs)
According to Corpora (VIII. A.1. page 32), peers should embody the following virtues.
“They shall have:
- been obedient to the governing documents of the Society and the laws of the kingdom.
- consistently shown respect for the Crown of the kingdom.
- set an example of courteous and noble behavior suitable to a peer of the realm.
- demonstrated support for the aims and ideals of the Society by being authentic in dress, equipment and behavior as is within their power.
- shared their knowledge and skills with others.
- practiced hospitality according to their means and as appropriate to the circumstances.
- made every effort to learn and practice those skills desirable at and worthy of a civilized court. To this end they should have some knowledge of a wide range of period forms, including but not limited to literature, dancing, music, heraldry, and chess, and they should have some familiarity with combat as practiced in the Society.*
- participated in Society re-creations of several aspects of the culture of the Middle Ages and Renaissance.”
*This line does not literally mean that candidates should know how to dance and play chess, but rather that they should not become siloed into just one area of the SCA. It is important to understand how the society runs and be involved in more than one aspect of it. Therefore it is recommended that those wishing to pursue this goal take time to enjoy the other things the SCA has to offer as well. Try volunteering at registration or as a retainer, experience a Crown Tourney, shoot some arrows…. anything that draws your interest. Give people a chance to know your character and see you in different spaces.
Responsibilities
Becoming a Laurel is not as simple as receiving an award. When someone is writ to the Order of the Laurel, they are invited to sit vigil and contemplate whether to accept their new station and the responsibilities that come with it. These responsibilities are outlined in Corpora (VIII. A.4.b.ii. Page 34).
“The duties of the members of the order are as follows:
- To set an example of courtesy and chivalrous conduct.
- To respect the Crown of the kingdom; to support and uphold the laws of the kingdom and Corpora.
- If in fealty, to support and uphold the Crown of his or her kingdom.
- To enrich the kingdom by sharing his or her knowledge and skills.
- To advise the Crown on the advancement of candidates for the Laurel. ”
Artisans and Researchers at the laurel level are expected to be exemplars of the society and experts in their field of study. Their art should be skilled, and their understanding of the cultural anthropology surrounding that artform should be vast. Laurels are pillars of the A&S community, who actively teach their craft and support the Arts and Sciences community as judges, facilitators, teachers and mentors.
The Order of the Laurel is a polling order, which reviews candidate recommendations and periodically votes (once or twice per reign) on who is ready to join their ranks. The crown consults the order about who will receive this award and chooses who to give a writ.
Other Awards
As previously mentioned, there is no “right” way to pursue A&S and not all paths lead towards the polling orders. There are many other awards that reward A&S as well.
Award of Crowns Treasure
Awarded for significant and dedicated donation of Largesse. Artisans who regularly make and gift their creations to the Crown can be given this award.
Award of the Golden Escarbuncle (green)
Given in recognition of a single noteworthy event in the eyes of the Crown. The color of the teardrop indicates the nature of the event: Green for Arts and Sciences.
Order of Howlings Wolf
Awarded to those individuals who helped create and support entertainment of the Kingdom. In particular, those whose efforts enhance the festivities and evening revels with inclusive, joyous, and heroic acts of shenanigans. Many brewers, dancers, and performers hold this honor as a result. This award may be given out to no more than three people during any particular reign.
Award of Irons Quill
Awarded to illuminators, word-smiths and calligraphers who have served the kingdom by executing scribal service on short time-lines or in great abundance.
Order of the Golden Mirror
Awarded to costumers for authentic-appearing garb. This award does not require documentation or that the costume be made by the wearer. It recognizes the recipient for having the knowledge and taste to reliably dress as if they “stepped out of a period painting”. This award conveys an Award of Arms if the recipient does not already have one.
Order of the Golden Stirrup
Awarded for authentic-appearing martial kits. Costumers and armorers might be given this award. This award conveys an Award of Arms if the recipient does not already have one.