White Scarf

In many (13 of 20) SCA kingdoms, fencers may be admitted into the Order of the White Scarf, if in the eyes of the Crown and after consultation with the other members of the order), they have demonstrated a high level of expertise in the field of rapier and exemplify courtesy, chivalry, dedicated patronage to the arts and sciences and show continual service to local branches and the kingdom. They are given a white scarf to wear on the left arm or shoulder to signify their rank, and if they do not already possess one a Grant of Arms.

This is not a peerage order and was created decades before the Order of Defense was created. All the kingdoms in the Known World that have signed the White Scarf Treaty acknowledge the equivalency of order members from outside their realm. The Order of the White Scarf was the first and largest inter-kingdom order, and was used as the model for later, similar orders such as the Order of the Golden Lance.

The title commonly used is Don or Donna/Doña, but this may also used by any armiger as an alternative to Lord or Lady. In White Scarf Kingdoms and especially in the fencing communities of White Scarf Kingdoms, the title is reserved by tradition for White Scarves.

The Order of the White Scarf was originally created as an award in the Principality of Ansteorra in March of A.S. XIII (1979). It was intended to provide recognition for excellence in the growing population of rapier fighters in the principality. When Ansteorra became a kingdom in May of A.S. XIV, the order was released from the parent kingdom of Atenveldt to Ansteorra for its continued use.

White Scarves sometimes take new fighters under their wing. While names for these fighters vary they are most commonly referred to as Cadets and perform much the same function for their White Scarf as a Squire does to a Knight. Cadets commonly wear a red scarf, depending on which Kingdom they are in, as a symbol of their position.

White Scarf Treaty

The White Scarf Treaty is a unique document in the SCA, and the Order of the White Scarf is likewise a unique entity. It was originally signed in 1987 between the Outlands and Ansteorra. The text of that document is here: https://ws.avigne.org/treaty.shtml. The central feature of the treaty is the clause which establishes equivalence between the orders across kingdom lines.

At its most legalistic, the Treaty allows names and heraldry that might otherwise conflict to be registered. (Further elaboration or comment from the SCA College of Heralds would be welcome here.) The central feature of the treaty, however, is the clause which establishes equivalence between the orders across kingdom lines. The treaty is sometimes even called a treaty of equivalence. The treaty is sometimes even called a treaty of equivalence.

What this means is that the White Scarf is recognized in multiple kingdoms without being recognized SCA wide by the Corporate documents (as are Awards, Grants and Patents of Arms, and Peerages both bestowed and royal.) Thus a member of the White Scarf of Ansteorra who moves to the Outlands is treated as a member of the order in the Outlands, and vice-versa. The same holds true of all White Scarf kingdoms.

The White Scarf Kingdoms are, in order:

1. Ansteorra
2. Outlands
3. Trimaris
4. Atenveldt
5. An Tir
6. Atlantia
7. Caid
8. AEthelmearc
9. Artemisia
10. Lochac
11. Northshield
12. Kingdom of the West*
13. Avacal

* The Kingdom of the West did not actually sign the treaty but has functionally equivalent agreements in place.

With the creation of the Order of Defense in 2015, some kingdoms chose to close their Order of the White Scarf to any new members, but still recognised existing members and maintained upholding the treaty. The order has been closed in Atenveldt, An Tir, Caid, Artemisia, Lochac, Northshield, the West and Avacal.

Award Level

In most kingdoms, the Order is (or was) a grant-level Order of High Merit, equivalent in precedent to other awards at the same level.

• Ansteorra - Until 2018, the Order was a polling order of High Merit, but since 2018 has been non-armigerous.
• Outlands - The Order was an award-level Order of Merit until 1996, when it was elevated to an Order of High Merit.
• Atlantia - The Order was an award-level Order of Merit until 1996, when it was elevated to an Order of High Merit.
• Trimaris - The Order was a polling order until 2015, but is now a non-polling Order of High Merit.
• Lochac - The Order was a Polling Order of High Distinction, having precedence above grant-level orders and equivalent to the Lochac Company of Archers, until in was closed 2015.

Other Fencing Awards

Not all Kingdoms signed the White Scarf Treaty. However, Kingdoms may have awards for fencing which are independent orders like any other Kingdom award; White Scarf Kingdoms may also have other awards for fencing or rapier combat.

Orders that carry a Grant of Arms

• The Bronze Ring in the Middle Kingdom
• The Dragons Steel in Drachenwald
• The Order of Thorbjorn's Hammer in Ealdormere (Awarded for Excellence, etc., in ANY Ealdormerean martial discipline)
• The Order of the Queen's Blade in Gleann Abhann

Orders that carry an Award of Arms

• The Order of the Golden Rapier (OGR) in the East Kingdom (note that at the time the East had no Grant Level Awards)
• The Meridian Order of the Blade in Meridies

External Links

• https://ws.avigne.org/ - Outlands White Scarf page
• http://moondragon.info - history and commentary on SCA fencing by Don Tivar Moondragon