White Scarf

In many SCA kingdoms, fencers may be entered into the Order of the White Scarf if, in the eyes of the Crown, they have achieved the equivalent level of expertise and behaviour in fencing as that of a knighthood in standard combat. They are given a white scarf to wear to signify their membership which is an allusion to the white belts worn by knights.

Along with the level of experience being equivalent to Knights in armored combat, White Scarves take new fighters under their wing in the same way. While titles for these fighters vary they are most commonly referred to as cadets as perform much the same function for their white scarf as a squire does to a knight. Cadets wear a red scarf in the same way that squires wear a red belt.

This is not a peerage order but many of the kingdoms in the Known World that have signed the White Scarf Treaty acknowledge the rank of order members from outside their realm. Members are normally given a Grant of Arms on entering the order. The title commonly used is Don or Donna, but this is also used by Pelicans and Laurels as a Spanish alternative to Master or Mistress. Collectively members of the Order of the White Scarf are known as Defenders of the White Scarf (DWS in Armorials) or simply White Scarves.

Alternate Awards

Some Kingdoms have not signed on to the White Scarf Treaty and instead created their own equivalent orders. The Bronze Ring in the Middle Kingdom and the Order of the Golden Rapier (OGR) in the Eastern Kingdom are two examples.