West Kingdom Awards and Orders

(fs) indicates fingerspelling

• AWARD

• Grants of Arms - Individual Grants of Arms may be given at Their Majesties' wish. Grants are usually given to Greater and Lesser Lords of State (kingdom officers), their deputies, and founding (territorial) barons and baronesses. Grants of Arms also accompany the following:

  • The Order of the Royal Missile Company: given by the Crown after consultation with the members of the order, to recognize those who have demonstrated high achievement and service to the kingdom in archery or missile combat. They shall also have demonstrated chivalry, courtesy, and aspects of courtly behavior and accomplishment expected of any armiger of the West. Members of the order advise the Royal Archer and the Earl Marshal, and conduct research into aspects of the arts of archery and missile combat. The token of membership in this order is a green scarf bearing three arrowheads conjoined in pall inverted, points to center, within and conjoined to an annulet Or. This order includes all members of the former Royal Company of Archers and the Royal Company of Yeomen.

  • The Order of the Western Gold Scarf: given to those who demonstrate high achievement and service to the kingdom in the development and teaching of the equestrian arts, as well as skill in riding. They shall also have demonstrated chivalry, courtesy, and aspects of courtly behavior and accomplishment expected of any armiger of the West. Members of the order advise the Crown and the Kingdom Minister of Equestrian Arts on, and conduct research into, all aspects of Equestrian Arts. The token of membership in this order is a gold scarf bearing a white demi-sun.

• Scarves of Achievement:

  • The Order of the Scarf of Merit: given to those who are exemplars of unwavering service to the Kingdom. The token is a red scarf bearing a Leaf of Merit to be worn on the arm.

  • The Order of the Scarf of the Rose Leaf: given to those who are exemplars of surpassing excellence in the Arts and Sciences. The token is a blue scarf bearing a Rose Leaf to be worn on the arm.

  • The Order of the Scarf of the Ash Leaf: given to those who are exemplars of surpassing excellence in the various forms of combat practiced in the Kingdom. The token is a purple scarf bearing an Ash Leaf to be worn on the arm.

  • Order of the Golden Poppy: (closed) this award was given to the winners of the annual kingdom arts and sciences competition. Members of the Order may wear a wreath of poppies and may also modify their armory by adding a poppy or poppies to their arms as an Augmentation of Arms.

• Awards of Arms - An Award of Arms is usually bestowed by the royalty for service or other significant contribution to the well-being of the Kingdom or Principality. The following awards also convey Awards of Arms, if the recipient is not already armigerous:

  • Leaves of Achievement:

    • Order of the Leaf of Merit (OLM): given for substantial and unobtrusive service to the kingdom. The token is a pendant in the shape of a laurel leaf.

    • Order of the Rose Leaf (ORL): given for achievement in the arts or sciences. The token is a pendant in the shape of a rose leaf.

    • Order of the Ash Leaf (OAL): given for expertise in combat (including, but not limited to, armored combat, rapier, and combat archery). The token is a pendant in the shape of a ash leaf.

  • Court Baron / Baroness: These titles are bestowed at the discretion of the royalty. By Kingdom law, the precedence of Court Barons and Baronesses is after Leaves of Achievement and before other orders/awards that bestow Awards of Arms.

  • Order of The Western Lily: offered to those the Crown finds deserving of great honor for both their individual excellent achievements and for their consistent contributions in teaching others of their skills and knowledge of the arts, sciences and other activities that strengthen and enhance the Kingdom. The token of this award is a pendant of a natural lily.

  • Order of Missile Champions: Membership in the order is offered to the winner of the annual Kingdom Archery Championship. This order was formerly known as the Order of the Levis Armaturae, and later the Ordo Primorum Telis.

  • Order of the Western Prima Spada: Membership in the order is offered to the winner of the Annual Kingdom Rapier Championship. The champion's duties include running the next annual competition, answering any rapier-related challenge to the Crown from another kingdom, offering counsel and support at kingdom-level wars, and attending the Crown as needed. The tokens of the champion are a medallion and a cloak bearing the order's badge, to be passed to successive champions. Members of the order are given a Green and Gold Sword Knot to display attached to the hilt of their sword on formal occasions.

• Kingdom Champions - The positions of Kingdom Arts and Sciences Champion, Kingdom Equestrian Champion, and Kingdom Rapier Champion also convey Awards of Arms, if the champions are not already armigerous.

  • Arts & Sciences Champion: the winner of the annual Kingdom Arts and Sciences Pentathalon. The current champion may wear the medallion and/or cloak of office, and must begin at least one project for the benefit of the Kingdom such as teaching classes, organizing guest lectures, demonstrating period A&S techniques, creating an A&S prize challenge, or contributing to the kingdom through regalia or fundraising prize(s).

  • West Kingdom Equestrian Champion: the victor of the annual Kingdom Equestrian Championship. The champion's duties include: running the next annual competition, answering any equestrian-related challenge to the Crown from another kingdom, offering counsel and support at kingdom-level wars, offering counsel and support to the equestrian community, and attending the Crown as needed. The tokens of the champion shall be a banner and a heraldic caparison, to be passed to successive champions.

  • Archery Champion: the winner of the annual Kingdom Archery Competition is invested as champion at 12th Night. The champion is granted membership in the Order of Missile Champions at the same time. The champion's duties include: running the next annual competition with the assistance of the Kingdom Missile Marshal/Royal Archer, answering any missile-related challenge to the Crown from another kingdom, offering counsel and support at kingdom-level wars, and attending the Crown as needed. The tokens of the champion are a medallion and a cloak to be passed to successive champions.

  • Rapier Champion: the winner of the annual Kingdom Rapier Championship. The champion is offered membership in the Order of the Western Prima Spada. The current Rapier Champion wears a coat or cloak with the badge of the office, and a red cord to be worn as a sword knot.

• Non-armigerous awards

  • Order of the Boar of the West: given to members of the populace who, by their many, varied, and long-term contributions to the kingdom, are threads in the warp and weft of the fabric of the Kingdom. These contributions rise above those of Pillar, Western Roll of Honor, and the Order of the Silver Molet (Closed). This award can be awarded only once per reign. The token of this order is a boar's tusk given from the Crown to the Recipient. So that all will know the high esteem in which the Sovereign of the West holds the recipient, induction into the order also carries an Augmentation of Arms. The individual may augment their arms with Per pale vert and Or, a cross botanny counterchanged, a tribute to the premiere of the Order.

  • Augmentation of Arms: given at the discretion of the Crown, for whatever reason the Crown may desire. It is an addition to the Arms of the recipient, the form of which is determined after consulation with the College of Arms.

  • Queen's Order of Grace (QOG): offered by the queen to those she regards as having displayed great courtesy and chivalry. The token is a medallion of a crowned rose, from which a pearl hangs.

  • Order of the Queen's Cypher (QC): offered by the Queen to those who have helped her personally during her reign. The token is a medallion, usually in the shape of the queen's initials. It is possible to receive Cyphers from several different queens.

  • Queen's Order of Maintenance: The Queen's Order of Maintenance is given to the individual (or, rarely, individuals) who are found by a Queen to be critical to the success of her reign. They are given a token which includes a teardrop as a part of the design.

  • The Crown's Favor: Given to recognize those who who, by their actions, have assisted Their Majesties in a significant fashion. They are given a token carrying the depiction of the King's Crown on one side and the Queen's Crown on the other.

  • Order of the Queen's Treasure: offered by the Queen to those who, by their consistent efforts in creating various works and providing such items to the Crown to use as gifts to others, greatly contribute to the Crown's ability to show largesse. The token for this award shall be a treasure chest depending from a ribbon of kingdom colors.

  • Order of Valor: offered by the Crown to those fighters who have made noteworthy contribution to the kingdom in war, especially in leading war units. The order's symbol is a torse braided of green, gold and red.

  • Knight Banneret: given to individual members of the Chivalry who have shown continuing support to the Crown in battle. They may display on the fly of their banners a stripe colored barry Or and vert (the kingdom colors).

  • Defenders of the West (DefWest): given to combattants and non-combattants alike (water-bearers, marshals, heralds, chirurgeons, and many others) who have supported the army of the West in any significant manner. Members are given a braid of green, gold, and blue ribbons, colors from the arms of all three of the kingdom's principalities.

  • Order of the King's Lance: given to those who have shown excellence in and continued support of the equestrian arts. The token is a silver lance suspended from a ribbon. The duties of the members of this Order are to advise the Minister of Equestrian Arts and to conduct research into aspects of medieval equestrian arts.

  • Order of the Queen's Arrow: given to those who have shown excellence in and continued support of target archery. The duties of the members of this Order are to advise the Royal Archer and to conduct research into all aspects of medieval archery. The token of this order is a small arrow suspended on a ribbon.

  • Order of the Silver Mantle: those participants in the martial disciplines, such as armored combat, combat archery, rapier, and equestrian combat, whose harness and equipment is of exceptional beauty.

  • Pillar of the West: given to groups (such as households) who have as a group made noteworthy contribution to the kingdom. A group so honored may add an augmentation to their badge of Or, a crown of three points, voided vert.

  • Western Roll of Honor: given by to those who by their actions have inspired the populace or have substantially enriched the realm. Their name is added to the Western Roll of Honor, a scroll listing the name, date, and deed for which they are being recognized. The token given is a heater-shaped medallion with the Western demi-sun above a rolled scroll.

  • Royal Page of the West: this title is given to those children who have demonstrated exceptional courtesy and given of their service or talents to the kingdom. The token is the letters "RP" strung from ribbons.

  • Order of the Golden Acorn: given to those who have given willingly and generously of their time and abilities for the sake of the children. The token is a small pendant of an acorn on a green ribbon.

  • Wreath of Valor: given at Crown Tournaments to the fighter whose valor on the field has proved most worthy to Their Majesties. The token is a wreath of rosemary with a red ribbon wrapped around it.

  • Wreath of Chivalry: given at Crown Tournaments, to the fighter whose chivalry throughout the tournament has proved most worthy to Their Majesties. The token is a wreath of rosemary with a white ribbon wrapped around it.

  • Muckin' Great Clubbe (MGC): given at Crown Tournaments for ferocity on the field. The recipient of the honor is responsible for maintaining the Clubbe (a massive polished wood club with a ten-inch spike driven through it) by the application of a pound of wax, and for choosing the next holder of the Clubbe.

  • Old Battered Helm (OBH): given at Crown Tournaments to a fighter who dies gloriously on the field. The helm itself is a freon-tank helm, which each new recipient is expected to mark with a battering from a weapon.

  • West Kingdom Paragons of Merriment: given to those individuals who help create and support period entertainment and activities for the enjoyment of the populace. In particular those whose efforts enhance the festivities and evening revels through dance, music, performance arts, and any other social activity may prove worthy for this honor. The token for this honor is a ribbon of festive colors with a leather roundel stamped with the initials of the award.

  • Order of the Noble Manor: given once per year at June Crown to those individuals whose excellent and regular efforts have created an exceptionally period and well-appointed encampment. The most recent recipient of the award will be given a banner to display, which shall be passed on each year, or may create a banner in a form that best suits their encampment. Any such banner shall incorporate kingdom colors and the silhouette of a culturally appropriate dwelling. After the year of holding the initial banner, recipients of this honor may display a personal banner as mentioned above.

  • Commendabilis: The title Commendabilis is given by the Crown to both the fighter who was vanquished in the final round of the Crown Lists and their consort. It is given in recognition of all the combatants who fought with honor and chivalry in the Lists and those who inspired them. The ceremony names those so recognized as Commendabilis Regni Occidentalis. The token given is a pendant in the shape of an oak leaf.

  • Order of the Silver Nib: given by the Crown to scribes of the kingdom for excellence in their scribal work and the quantity of scrolls they have produced. The token is a silver pen nib on a black and gold braided ribbon.

  • Western Hero: given to those few fighters whose actions in war have transcended that of their fellow combatants by displaying indomitable spirit and honor on the field of battle. Those so honored will have their name, the date, the field of battle, and the act(s) that earned them this recognition inscribed on a Scroll of Honor, with all others who have been so recognized, to be immortalized for all time.

  • Order of the Wooden Spoon (OWS): given to the victors of the kingdom cooking contests. Members of the order wear a wooden spoon on a ribbon. It is possible to receive the award and tokens multiple times.

  • Order of the Pied d'Argent: given to the winners of kingdom dance competitions. The token is a small pendant or pin of a silver dance slipper.

  • Order of the Western Centurion: given to those fighters who, by their actions and leadership, substantially contribute to the Kingdom's war effort. The recipient is given a pendant in the form of a silver shield. Members of this order shall have the right to carry a centurion's swagger stick appropriate to their culture.

  • First Spear Centurion: Western Centurions who continue to display these leadership skills may be designated First Spear Centurion. The person so designated shall hold that position until a new First Spear Centurion is named by the Crown. First Spear Centurions shall have the right to mark their tokens with a spear for each instance they serve as First Spear Centurion.

  • Wreath of Athena: At every Crown Tournament event, individual artisans will be invited to display their Arts and Sciences projects; these projects need not be completed or accompanied by documentation. The individual whose item is voted most popular by the populace receives the "Wreath of Athena", a rosemary wreath decorated with purple and yellow ribbons, (the colors of the Arts and Sciences Office) which they may wear for the duration of the event.

  • Goutte d'Encre Noire: Given to those who continue to produce scrolls for the Kingdom of the West after they have received the Order of the Silver Nib. This award can be given to an individual as often as Their Majesties believe appropriate and as recommended. The token for the Honor is a black stone in the shape of a drop of ink, which may be appended to the token of the Order of the Silver Nib. This order had been closed. Their Majesties Uther and Vera re-opened this recognition for Spring Crown, 2021 (A.S. LV).

  • Order of the Grey Goose Shaft (OGGS): (closed) Given for excellence in archery. The new member of is presented with a personalized arrow. This order was closed in The West when the award was transferred to the Kingdom of An Tir.

• Kingdom Honors last for the duration of a reign. These include:

  • Queen's Champion: The Queen's Champion is selected solely at the discretion of the Queen to champion her honor. The champion is given a leather baldric to wear on which the Queen's arms are displayed. In the early days of the Kingdom, the Queen awarded her Favor, often after a tournament specifically held for that purpose. The recipients of the Queen's Favor are listed as equivalent to this honor.

  • Queen's Guard: Membership in the Queen's Guard is offered to individuals selected solely at the discretion of the Queen. Members of the Queen's Guard are given a red leather baldric to wear on which the Queen's arms are displayed.

  • King's Huscarls: The King's Huscarls are fighters (usually, but not limited to, the Chivalry) selected at the discretion of the King to serve as the King's house guard, specifically during time of war. They may wear the badge Or, a crown dancetty of three voided vert surmounted by a sword gules to signify that they will stand between the Crown of the West and any danger that threatens it. threatens it.

  • Queen's Artisans: Artisans who are not yet companions of the Laurel are selected to serve the Queen in whatever manner she requires during her reign.

• Territories of the West Kingdom

  • Principality of Cynagua (geographic area of Northern Central Valley & Sierras of California & the Northwest portion of Nevada).

    • Bestwodeshire

    • Shire of Canale

    • Shire of Champclair

    • Shire of Belogor

    • Shire of Danegeld Tor

    • Shire of Fendrake Marsh

    • Barony of Fettburg

    • Province of Golden Rivers

    • Shire of Mont d'Or

    • Shire of Mountain's Gate

    • Barony of Rivenoak

    • Province of Silver Desert

    • Shire of Thistletorr

    • Shire of Vakkerfjell

    • Shire of Windy Meads

  • Principality of the Mists (geographic area of the Greater San Francisco & Monterey Bay areas in California).

    • Shire of Caldarium

    • Shire of Cloondara

    • Shire of Crosston

    • Barony of Darkwood

    • Canton of Hawk's Haven

    • Province of the Mists

    • Canton of Montagne du Roi

    • Province of Southern Shores

    • College of St. David

    • College of St. Katherine

    • Shire of Teufelberg

    • Shire of Vinhold

    • Barony of Westermark

    • Shire of Wolfscairn

  • Principality of Oertha (geographic area of the state of Alaska)

    • Shire of Earngyld

    • Barony of Eskalya

    • Shire of Hrafnafjordr

    • Shire of Pavlok Gorod

    • Barony of Selviergard

    • Barony of Winter's Gate

    • College of Saint Boniface (incipient - see Wintersgate)

  • The Marches (portions of Northern California & Central California, Japan, Guam, Korea, & Thailand).