Baron

A baron (from Frankish baro meaning warrior and Old English beorn meaning nobleman) was a rank of nobility. Introduced by William the Conqueror as a title for landowners that were loyal to him. Every man who held a manor was a baron and those that held many were greater barons.

In modern times, the baron ranks below a viscount and is the lowest of the peers.

Barons in the SCA

Barons and Baronesses come in two varieties. The honorific for Baronial personages is, "Your Excellency"

Landed Barons/Baronesses

The first variety is the Landed Baron/Baroness. These gentles hold the Barony for the Crown, and are the Royal Presence in that Barony when the Crown cannot be there. They are effectively local management. They may hold courts and reward people with Baronial level awards. Landed Barons and Baronesses wear coronets usually featuring something that identifies the Barony they represent.

They are Territorial Nobility.

Court Barons/Baronesses

The other variety of Baron/Baroness is a Court Baron/Baroness. The giving of Court Baronies is at the sole discretion of the Crown, and it is usually given to a person who has done a lot for the SCA but doesn't neatly fit into the requirements of another award. It is also the custom in many kingdoms to reward Landed B&B's with a Court Barony when they step down. Court Baron and Baronesses often wear simple coronels, or ones which show their personal device or badge.

Court Barons and Baronesses (at least in the US) often jokingly refer to themselves as "landless white trash." (To contrast with "Landed B&B," of course.)

Addressing the B&B

There are several ways to address a Landed Baron or Baroness, including the following examples (using Hugh and Therasa, the fifth B&B Stormhold, as examples):

• Baron Hugh the Little and Baroness Teresa Commins
• Sir Hugh the Little, Baron Stormhold and Lady Teresa Commins, Baroness Stormhold
• Baron and Baroness Stormhold also works.

See Also:

• Honorific