Crown tournament

Twice a year in each SCA kingdom there is a mighty tournament, called the Crown Tournament where the toughest and best fighters do combat. The victor gains the right to 'rule' as 'King' or 'Queen' following their investiture a few months later. Their chosen consort becomes their Queen or possibly King, if a female fighter wins. There has been one Queen by right of arms in the SCA, in the Kingdom of Ansteorra. She defeated her husband (and consort) in the final. Several ladies have won Coronet Tourneys.

In Lochac, the investiture customarily happens at 12th Night (early January) and Midwinter Coronation (held on one of the first two weekends in July).

In period, there were various other ways to become king or queen.