Deputy

A deputy officer in SCA usually means one of two things:

• A subordinate position with specific duties. For example, the Earl Marshal is responsible for all martial activity in a kingdom. The Kingdom Marshal of Fence is a deputy of the Earl Marshal with responsibility for rapier combat.
• A possible replacement for the office in question, often one who is being trained to fill the position. For example, a shire herald might have a deputy she is training as her successor.

Sometimes the term Drop Dead Deputy is used, or simply Drop Dead. This deputy is one who usually has no duties but who will take over the position should the current office holder suddenly find themselves unable to serve. The derivation of the term should be obvious.