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So You Think You've Found Someone Special...
     (an Essay on Awards by Lord Raven Blackheart)

    So you think you've found someone special and you want everyone to know it. What do you do? Submit them for an award? Good idea! Once you've made this decision, then what? I'm very glad that you asked.

    First be certain that the person has truly earned the honour of receiving such recognition. Today we will concentrate on an Award of Arms (AoA) recommendation.

    Typically, there are two very general reasons that a person is recommended for an AoA: either the person in question has committed a single, highly deserving act of service, honour, or chivalry; or a person has a history of continued service. It should be something that you would feel comfortable putting in writing and signing your name to. A person asking you to recommend them for an award is not a reason to actually recommend that person for an award (nor is someone petitioning on behalf of an individual). In such cases, I would be somewhat more than reluctant to actually honour such a request, and may even be moved to address such circumstances to those with the authority to grant such awards. The way to receive an award is to behave in a manner deserving of an award so that it is obvious to the entire populace that you should have received an AoA long ago, not to ask for it or to have someone else run a campaign in your name. If you deserve it, others will notice. Remember that it may be okay to consult with others on the merits of an individual, but only to clarify your own opinion, not to influence theirs, and never, under any circumstances, tell the person in question that you are submitting them for an award.

    Okay, let's say, for the sake of argument, that the person you have personally witnessed help in cleaning up after every feast your branch has ever had, assist every camp on site in setting up and tearing down at the last half dozen or so events, dresses in completely documented garb, and stays in persona even at the business meetings, is someone that you actually believe worthy of an AoA. What is the next step? Yes, telling somebody would be good. Who? That's right, not the person you wish to submit, we already said that. How about telling whomever is responsible for granting the award? Let's see, for an AoA that would be... The Crown. How should you tell Them? Well, if They are anything like me, it would be difficult for Them to remember all of the details addressed to Them on a daily basis unless you put it on paper, so I would suggest that you write Them a letter.

    I guess the next question is what do you say to Their Most Glorious and Excellent Majesties? There are a few things that are extremely important to tell in this letter. I would be inclined to tell Their Majesties who I was submitting, not just the name, but their SCA branch, address, mundane name, how long they've been playing, and any other details like this that you may know. Naturally you would also want to explain why you feel that the person deserves an award. The challenge here is to be brief but to ensure that you include all the details. Tricky. Hmmm, what else? It would be nice to tell Their Majesties why you are telling them all of this. A simple sentence like 'I would like to recommend this person for an Award of Arms' should do the trick. You know, I bet Their Majesties would also be interested in knowing who you are, and what your relationship might be to the person you have submitted. If the person is your significant other, a member of your household, your parent or child, or just someone you've seen at a few events, make sure you so state.

    Ooops, don't forget to sign it.

    It looks like we have a pretty good letter going here, there are just a few more things to keep under consideration. Be respectful. This is your King and Queen that you are addressing, treat them as such. That reminds me, since you have told Their Majesties who you are, and who you are submitting, why not tell Them who They are (not that They would forget, mind you, just as a matter of respect). Their Most Excellent, Glorious and Royal Majesties King ________ and Queen ________, Just and Rightful Sovereigns of all An Tir, the Most Beautiful Kingdom in the Knowne World is probably something we can build upon. Now, should Their Majesties have separate mailing addresses, send them each a copy (this is very important!). Of course, do keep in mind that in those periods between a Crown Tournament (May Crown and September Crown) and the following Coronation event (Twelfth Night and July Coronation) we should also send a copies of our letter to Their Royal Highnesses the Crown Prince and Princess of An Tir (again a separate copy for each should they not have a common mailing address).

    That should do it, now where are my stamps, and what exactly is the international postage rate to Canada?

Copyright 2003 by John Synder aka  Raven Blackheart - Posted Jan 2003
 

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