The Laurels of Æthelmearc are currently working on articles to be published on the Laurels' website, for the guidance of aspiring Laurels, gentles who have received Writs of Summons to the Laurel, and new Laurels seeking to find their way.  Various Laurels have written  articles to contribute to this effort; until the Laurel website is ready, I am posting them here.

What are the Different Arts Awards in AEthelmearc?

What are Laurels Looking for in Candidates?

What Is the Role of the Order of the Laurel in Æthelmearc?

Laurel/Apprentice Relationships

What Is Expected of a Laurel?

The Twelve Gifts of Peerage

What Are the Different Arts Awards in Æthelmearc?

By Mistress Alicia Langland

 In our Society, there are many ways in which individuals can be recognized for their contributions to the greater good.  One of these areas is artistic achievement. 

 Here in Æthelmearc, there are several awards specifically given for artistic merit: 

These awards do form a hierarchy, and that hierarchy is echoed in other awards in the Kingdom (e.g., Golden Alce/Gage/ Chivalry or Keystone/Millrind/Pelican).  It certainly is not a requirement that someone must receive a “lower” award before receiving a “more advanced” one. 

However, as an artist becomes more and more proficient in his skills and more knowledgeable in his field, it is only natural for that person’s influence to grow as well.  So, an artist who at first created things solely for his or her own pleasure now begins to teach others locally.  As a result, The Crown might choose to induct this person into the Order of the Sycamore; a Sycamore may use the title “Lord” or “Lady” if he or she does not already have an Award of Arms.

As the Sycamore grows to higher levels of achievement, digging more deeply into his field and reaching out to teach others farther afield, the Order of the Fleur might request that the Crown make the Sycamore a Companion of their Order. This award represents a higher level of skill than a Sycamore;  not surprisingly, Companions are charged with continuing and increasing their skill, encouraging and teaching others, and seeking to expand their range of activities.  Recipients receive a Grant of Arms (GoA) and may use the title “Honorable Lady” or

“Honorable Lord.”  (Members of the Peerage are not eligible for awards in the same field for which they received their Peerage; for example, after receiving a Laurel, that person may not receive a Fleur.)

The Sycamore and Fleur are given only in Æthelmearc; no other Kingdoms may bestow these awards.  The Laurel, on the other hand, is a Society-wide award.  Because of this, there are requirements in Corpora (the governing document for the SCA, Inc.) about the criteria a person must meet in order to be considered for this award.  (To read this for yourself, go to http://www.sca.org/docs/govdocs.pdf, Section VIII A; Part 1 lists General Requirements for any Patents of Arms, and Part 4.b lists requirements specifically for the Order of the Laurel.) 

As the name “Peerage” implies, the Laurel is the pinnacle of arts awards in our Society.  Unlike the Sycamore and the Fleur, the Laurel is more than an “arts award.”  It recognizes those who are not only the best in their fields but who also exhibit the qualities we admire most.  In addition to outstanding artistic contributions, a Companion of the Laurel must also have demonstrated significant service and consistently courteous behavior.   New Laurels are recognized by the King and Queen after consulting with the Order of the Laurel. Recipients may use the title “Master” or “Mistress” (or its equivalent) in front of their name.

Anyone can write to the Crown and ask that someone be considered for any of these awards.  After all, the King and Queen cannot possibly be aware of everyone in the Kingdom who deserves to be recognized with an arts award.  There is even an Award Recommendation

A recommendation form is available on-line; it can be found here.  For some hints on recommending someone for a Laurel, please see [insert link to article – to be written -- here].

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What are the Laurels looking for in candidates?

By Mistress Arianna of Wynthrope

Corpora defines a Laurel as someone who has “attained the standard of excellence in skill and/or knowledge equal to that of his or her prospective peers in some area of the Arts or Sciences. The candidate must have applied this skill and/or knowledge for the instruction of members and service to the kingdom to an extent above and beyond that normally expected of members of the Society.” 

Corpora further defines all peers as required to be obedient to SCA and Kingdom laws, show respect for the Crown, set an example of noble and courteous behavior, be as authentic in dress, equipment and behavior as possible, share their knowledge and skill with others, practice hospitality, and learn and practice a wide range of skills including literature, dancing, music, heraldry, and chess, and familiarity with SCA combat, and participate at events.

 What does all this mean?  Let’s take it one piece at a time.

Skill and/or knowledge

Attaining skill equal to other Laurels can be difficult.  Laurels are moving targets.  A Laurel who was elevated ten years ago has probably continued to refine and expand his or her skills well beyond what brought them the peerage.  Laurels also move on to other arts and sciences, and sometimes achieve renown in a completely different field from the one for which they were elevated.

As a result, one of the things Laurels usually try to keep in mind when considering candidates for their order is whether the individual has achieved a similar level of expertise to that of most Companions at the time they were elevated.  New members are not expected to possess the skills of someone who has been a Laurel for years.

On the other hand, if your art is something unusual that other members of the order do not have knowledge of, you cannot be directly compared to the existing members in terms of your knowledge and skill.  As people break ground in new fields, the current Laurels must educate themselves on those fields in order to understand a candidate’s work and assess whether the candidate has achieved the appropriate level of Mastery.  Sometimes this can take a long time; Laurels are people too, who have jobs and families and lives outside the SCA, so it may be a while before sufficient members of the order understand a new art well enough to judge a candidate’s readiness. 

Another consideration is how an art and the resources to gain skill in that art have changed over time.  For example, in A.S. XV, very few illuminators used period pigments.  The materials and knowledge required to create and use them were less accessible than they are now.  These days, an illuminator who does not at least dabble with period pigments is less likely to be considered to have reached mastery of the art than they were 15 or 20 years ago.  Similarly, in A.S. X the height of costuming research was Norris’ “Costume and Fashion.”  In A.S. XL, someone who cites Norris as their primary source will lose points in arts competitions and their research might be considered poor, because we have so many better sources available now.  In addition, the advent of the World Wide Web has made access to those sources widely available even to people who live far from universities and big libraries.  We expect candidates to make use of those resources in their work.

Unlike comparing the skill of new candidates to “old” Laurels, these changes in standards over time are valid.  We expect members of the SCA A&S community to grow in their knowledge and use of resources as the availability of resources grows in the world.

Instruction and Service

No matter how good you are at an art or science, if you work in solitude and never pass your knowledge and skills along to others, you are not a peer, you are simply a skilled craftsman.

To be a peer, you must influence people around you, so that they learn and achieve skill in your art.  This is sometimes called “Impact.”  A brewer who makes marvelous mead using period recipes and techniques becomes a peer when he or she holds workshops, forms or runs a guild, teaches classes at an academy or schola, writes articles for local, Kingdom or SCA newsletters, holds a local, regional or Kingdom Arts office or otherwise spreads the goodies around.

Some people are uncomfortable standing in front of a class, or even a small room full of people, talking about their art.  That’s ok.  You can work with people one-on-one, even chatting informally, or write articles.  As long as you’re transmitting the information, you’re teaching and providing a service to the Kingdom.

Peer-like Qualities

Courteous and Noble behavior are difficult to define, but to paraphrase a mundane politician, most people “know it when they see it.” 

When the Laurel considers a candidate’s peer-like qualities, they look for patterns of behavior over time. Is the candidate honest, kind, generous, welcoming and considerate of others?  A shorthand way of saying this is “Would I send a new person to this candidate for help?”  If a candidate can be trusted to handle new people, a newspaper reporter or a TV crew, then they probably have the appropriate peer-like qualities.

We understand that everyone has bad days (just like us).  If you have a temper tantrum in the middle of one event because something has gone wrong, it won’t disqualify you from a peerage.  If you later go back and apologize for losing your cool, it will probably even count in your favor – you were adult enough to recognize your mistake and make amends.

Obedience to SCA and Kingdom laws is part of peer-like qualities.  Honor, honesty and integrity demand that we work within the rules, or work within the system to change them, rather than circumvent or break them.

Wide range of skills

Of course we don’t expect everyone to be chess masters or heraldic experts in order to become peers.  However, we do want generalists who understand the framework in which our game is played.  We are portraying noblemen and women who, especially in the more enlightened and educated times of our period, would have had most or all of the skills listed in Corpora.  Henry the VIII played chess, danced and wrote music; Richard the Lion-Hearted sang and wrote poetry; and in period all nobles knew enough heraldry to allow them to identify friend and foe.  Candidates for the peerage should show that they understand the SCA and its culture broadly, and are fully integrated into the Society across a variety of areas. 

This category answers the question that sometimes pops up when a new Scadian arrives with spectacular arts skills acquired mundanely.  Do you give a Laurel to a marvelous artisan whose ability is superior to everyone else in the kingdom in that field, when they’ve been in the SCA for less than a year?  No, because that person needs time to acculturate – to cease being a “mundane in funny clothes” and become a true member of the Society.

 Conclusion

At order meetings and when answering polls, most Laurels will have these categories in mind as a rough “checklist” that each candidate must meet.  However, candidates’ achievements in each area do not have to be equal.  An outstanding artisan who is too shy to teach classes may be acceptable as long as he or she has reached out to others in the art in some fashion.  Someone whose impact on the kingdom has been enormous – holding office, advancing research, mentoring many students – might qualify even though his or her skill as not quite as high as other Laurels in the same field.  The question of “how much is enough” in any given category differs from Laurel to Laurel and is the subject of much debate, but we can all agree that we look for people who exemplify the best in the arts, courtesy, service and participation in the Society.

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What Is the Role of the Order of the Laurel in Æthelmearc?
by Mistress Arianna of Wynthrope

The Laurels of Æthelmearc consider the disseminating of information on medieval and renaissance arts and sciences to be our most important task.   Each of us was recognized by the Crown not only for our skills as artisans, researchers and/or performers, but also for our dedication to teaching those skills to others. 

Teaching

Teaching can take many forms.  While teaching at an Academy or schola is the most obvious forum for transmitting knowledge, not all of us are comfortable standing in front of a classroom full of people.  If you are interested in our art, we are interested in telling and showing you what we know.  The exchange might take the form of formal classes at events, workshops in our home group, one-on-one training (either formally or informally) or written articles in newsletters. 

Finding the Right Laurel

If you are interested in learning from a Laurel, you can browse through the Æthelmearc Laurel web page to find the Master or Mistress nearest you whose area of skill and interests match yours.  Don’t be shy – contact that Laurel and ask for information and help!  Most Laurels have a passion for their arts and are eager to share what they know.

Apprentices

Laurels who wish to establish or recognize a special relationship with a particular individual may ask that person to become an apprentice.  But don’t think you must be apprenticed to someone to learn from them, or to become a Laurel yourself!  Most of us will gladly teach anyone who approaches us politely, with interest and enthusiasm.  There are as many ways to be an apprentice as there are Laurels - that topic is covered in this article - but if you wish to become someone's apprentice, it's a good idea to get to know the Laurel well and also to seek the advice of others before you make a commitment.

Peer Qualities

As Peers of the Society, most of us also believe it is our duty to set an example of courtly and honorable behavior, and to teach those values to our apprentices and associates.  This does not mean we are perfect.  We have good days and bad, and while we try to be kind and considerate, sometimes we get busy or cranky just like you.  Please forgive us and understand that we are human, too.

Diversity

While people often speak of “the Laurels” or “the Chivalry” or “the Pelicans,” please also remember that we are individuals.  We may share a passion for our arts, but our personalities and viewpoints are as diverse as those arts. None of us individually presumes to speak for the order as a whole, and just because one Laurel (or more) holds a particular viewpoint does not mean that “the Order” does too.

Laurel-sponsored Activities

As an Order, the Laurels of Æthelmearc occasionally sponsor special activities at events, like Artisans’ Exhibits or Forums.  These are intended as venues in which artisans, no matter their rank, can display their work and their research, and receive feedback, advice and support from the Laurels as well as the populace.  The Order has also provided “Ask a Laurel” tables at Academy sessions.  Don’t be intimidated by a gaggle of Laurels chatting together – we’re talking to each other only because you haven’t come to talk to us yet!  Please jump right in with questions, ideas, and samples of your work.

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Laurel/Apprentice Relationships

By Maitresse Yvianne d Castel d’Avignon

What is an apprentice?

 While most Laurels will teach anyone who comes to them with a question, an apprentice is someone who has a more formalized relationship with a Laurel. What that relationship is varies but it usually involves an agreement for the Laurel to support and guide you in things related to becoming a Peer- skill, knowledge, research skills, comportment, etc. Being an apprentice doesn’t give you more “status” than someone who is not an apprentice. Though law does not require it, some Laurels request that their apprentices wear green belts or favors so that others may recognize them as someone on a quest to Master their art.

 What an apprentice is not is a rank.  It is a job description.  Apprentices are expected by their mentors to work, and to learn, and to progress in their arts.  If you seek to become an apprentice solely to gain prestige, you should rethink your plans.  Any glory earned doesn't come from the association with a Peer but from your own accomplishments.

 Do I need to be an apprentice to become a Laurel?

 In Æthelmearc, more so than many other Kingdoms, it is not necessary to be an apprentice to become a Laurel. The arts community in Æthelmearc is very active. If your name were to come up in a Peerage discussion, chances are someone would recognize the name and possibly know a little about what you do. Being an apprentice assures that should your name come up at a Laurel meeting that someone who knows a lot about you and what you do would be there to offer counsel to the Order. Having a Laurel to guide you also assures that there will be someone there to answer any questions you may have about your art or the Peerage.

 How do I find a Laurel to apprentice to?

 If possible, get out there and meet some Laurels. We’re not all alike in temperament or approach to the arts. Some will happily take an apprentice who is not working in the same field as they received their Laurel for…. Others require their apprentices to focus on the same art.

 An exercise that may help you find a Laurel that will complement you is to write down your answer to the question … What is a Laurel? What would the perfect Laurel do, how much do they need to know (period and modern), how often should they teach, how would they treat others, how might they approach a problem, character traits… anything you can think of. Then look at the list and see if it is reasonable to expect any one person to meet the ideal you have in mind? Laurels are still human after all. If your desired role model exists, the Laurel you are looking for may be at the next event…. ask others if they know the person you are seeking. If your expectations are realistic and nobody knows a Laurel that fits your definition of a Peer perhaps they haven’t been recognized yet. You will need to determine if it’s better for you to keep looking for the perfect Laurel to guide you, find someone who is close to that ideal or develop a relationship with several Laurels to direct you, with or without being apprenticed to one of them.

  A Laurel may approach you with an offer of apprenticeship, you can ask a Laurel directly or what is most commonly done is a third party acts as an intermediary between the Laurel and the prospective apprentice. Once you determine that there is an interest it’s not uncommon for there to be a period of discovery and enlightenment. Much like an extended job interview, this is the time for you to get to know each other better. Some Laurels will request that you be a formal Student of theirs for a period of time before they will offer you an apprenticeship. Others will decide that there is a strong connection between you and make the offer almost immediately.

 How can I be sure it’s the right Laurel for me?

 Just like any relationship, there re no guarantees. It’s usually best to ask lots of questions and not rush into anything. Talk openly and honestly about what you expect out of the relationship and what the Laurel expects of you. Talk with other apprentices. They will have different perspectives, even if they are apprenticed to the same Laurel.

 Do you have to become an apprentice in a “court” ceremony?

 The actual ceremony of becoming an apprentice is as varied as the relationships. You do not have to receive a belt in court or sign any papers for an apprenticeship to be valid. You and your Laurel may choose to do this as part of the ceremony. You will need to work together and speak honestly with each other to make sure you are in agreement with whatever ceremony you choose.

  What happens if I become an apprentice and then discover it isn’t working?

 Talk with your Laurel. It could be something the two of you can work out and become closer friends through the trial. If you decide between you that it is necessary to end the relationship, then it’s best to part on the best terms possible. You may both feel a bit depressed, but who doesn’t when a relationship doesn’t work out?

 This is a great time to assess where you want to go with your art. Wait a while before you revisit if being an apprentice is something that will work for you. You may find other ways to achieve your goals. There is no shame in letting go of being an apprentice but continuing on towards Mastery alone with only occasional guidance from Peers.

 Can my Laurel dissolve the relationship?

 Either party can discontinue the relationship at any time. Occasionally when a Laurel moves to another Kingdom or feels they are not meeting your needs, expectations or conditions of apprenticeship they will offer to break the contract. If they feel you would be best served by being apprenticed to another Laurel, they may make arrangements for you to meet them or discuss transfer of your apprenticeship. You are not being “sold”. You do not have to accept another apprenticeship if you do not want to. There is no need to rush into another relationship if you are unsure or uncomfortable with it.

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 Being an apprentice, or not being an apprentice, isn’t a reflection of who you are. A green belt is just a public way to acknowledge that you are devoted to an art and confirmation that you have someone to help guide you. The lack of a green belt does not mean that you do not have the knowledge, skill or support that someone wearing one does.

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What Is Expected of a Laurel?

By Mistress Alicia Langland

For many in our Society, attaining a Laurel is a goal to strive for.  What some do not realize is that the striving does not stop once the Laurel wreath is placed on an artist’s head.  Indeed, most Laurels would confess an even stronger urge to live up to the title once it has been reached than they had felt before their elevation.  They realize:  With greater rank comes greater responsibility.* 

What are these responsibilities?  And where do they come from?  There are three very different sources, each with varying sets of expectations:

Corpora states that advising the Crown on the advancement of candidates for the Laurel is one of the duties of the Order.  Royalty are required to consult with the Order when considering candidates to elevate.  In order to fulfill this obligation, members of the Order owe it to The Crown to:

Not surprisingly, one of the duties of a Laurel mentioned in Corpora is to enrich the kingdom by sharing knowledge and skills.  Obviously, to enrich the kingdom, we need to extend our knowledge and skills beyond the Laurel circle to the Populace.   To do this, members of the Order owe it to the Populace to:

But the people of Æthelmearc look to us for more than just teaching specific skills;  they look to us, as stated in Corpora, to “set an example of courtesy and chivalrous conduct.”  To do this, members of the Order also owe it to the Populace to:

When an artist is elevated to the Order of the Laurel, he or she may receive symbols of this new rank:  a wreath, a medallion, a cloak.  These symbols do more than proclaim, “The bearer is a masterful artist.”  It also says, “This artist is a member of a community.”  With his or her knowledge, skills, interests, and enthusiasm, each member contributes to the overall health of that community.  In addition to the responsibilities already mentioned, Companions of the Laurel owe it to the Order to:

Obviously, members of the Order cannot be everything to everybody all of the time;  sometimes real-life obligations can get in the way of a Laurel ’s ability to fulfill these responsibilities.  However, each member of the Order should strive to be the best Laurel he or she can be, each and every day. 

By meeting these expectations, we help to ensure the health and vitality of our Kingdom.

* quoting Mistress Kris Gilbari, whose skill with words is almost as beautiful as her skill with a brush.

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The Twelve Gifts of Peerage

by Dame Aoife Finn of Ynos Mon

Adapted from old European folk tales, wherein noble children are given these 12 gifts at birth, usually by 12 wise women (in stories like the earliest versions of Sleeping Beauty). While Peers are not always wise, your elevation is a sort of rebirth, and your life will be changed. Please accept these words as humble advice for the inevitable moments when PEERAGE seems like a challenge to you:

The first gift is strength. May you be able to call on it whenever needed, and never misuse it.

The second gift is beauty. May your actions and presence reflect the beauty we all deserve to witness.

The third gift is courage. May you speak and act with the certainty that you have followed the correct path, knowing it is not always the path most traveled.

The fourth gift is compassion. May you always remember that every action has consequences. May you be gentle to yourself and others, and find the strength to take responsibility for your actions.

The fifth gift is hope. As you struggle to find direction, may you see the possibilities, and not the obstacles, trusting that life is full of goodness and that you will be able to find that goodness.

The sixth gift is joy. May you keep your heart and mind open, light, and free.

The seventh gift is talent. May the abilities that brought you this far be used for the good of others.

The eighth gift is imagination. May it furnish you with vision, and enrich your dreams.

The ninth gift is respect. May you recognize something to respect in every person you meet.

The tenth gift is wisdom. Wisdom will show you the difference between knowledge and understanding. May you always be able to hear it's tiny voice.

The eleventh gift is love. May the love you feel grow each time you give it away.

The twelfth gift is faith. May you find the support of faith in the inherent goodness of mankind whenever you have need of something to believe in.

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