View source for Consort

A '''consort''' is a member of the opposite sex that has a strong relationship with another person. This could mean they are married or it could just be a very strong friendship. Both people are regarded as each other's consort.

Historically, the consort of a [[noble]] would normally be granted a [[rank]] or the [[honorific]] [[Lord]] or [[Lady]] just by being their husband or wife. For instance, the wife of an [[Earl]] is a [[Countess]]. The wife of the [[King]] is called the [[Queen]]. However, in [[modern]] society the husband of a Queen is not necessarily a King (cf. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip).

=== Consorts in the SCA===
[[SCA]] '''consorts''' are a regular part of the [[game]] that the SCA is. Many [[member]]s have a consort for a variety of reasons. The most common is support and inspiration during [[combat]] and other competitions. 

For some things, a [[fighter]] must have a consort. For instance, during [[Crown Tournament]]s each fighter must have a consort. The victor wins the title of [[King]] or [[Queen]] by [[right of arms]] and his or her consort will become [[Queen]] or [[King]] for their inspiration, grace and beauty.

Elsewhere, the decision whether or not to have a consort or be one is up to the individual. It is something that can be either taken seriously, or not. For some, their consort could be their boyfriend/girlfriend, husband/wife, for others it's simply a friend. Two fighters can be consort to each other. Either way, to formalise the friendship, [[favour]]s are commonly exchanged and worn to display the linkage and help rally the fighter during combat. During [[court]], should one of the partnership not be present, then the other acts as his/her representative.

Because being a consort means different things to different people, before coming a consort a few things should be discussed. For instance:
* How long do you plan to be consorts for? (One [[tourney]]? Until one of you leaves the SCA? Whatever?)
* What are each of your expectations of your roles? ([[water bearing]], being present at all tournaments). 
* If the person you are to be consort to is in a relationship, does the other person know? (some people can become awkward about such things).

Note also that when it comes to something like a [[Crown tournament]] or [[Coronet tournament]], consorts may need to meet other requirements. To enter a Crown Tournament, both the fighter and his/her consort must be [[SCA membership|SCA member]]s to be eligible. They must also understand and meet the [[Kingdom]] [[Laws|Law]] and [[Corpora]] requirements for participating in the tourney, and be willing to take on the responsibilities of becoming [[king]]/[[queen]] or [[prince]]/[[princess]]. 

''An informative site about this topic is [http://www.atenveldt.org/Home/Articles/HowtobeaConsort.aspx How to be a consort] ([[Atenveldt]] webpage)''

[[category:title]]