What is Regalia?
The Society for Creative Anachronism gives awards for excellence in the arts and sciences, martial arts, and service to the group. Both the society and the Barony have awards to be given out. This is what you will see taking place during most courts. Individuals will be called forward to receive awards for recognitions they have earned during their time with the society.
Each award comes with: a piece of regalia (made and donated by members) which will vary depending upon the award, a heraldic scroll (illumination and calligraphy done by members), and sometimes also a title. Not all awards come with a title. Some regalia might be worn on the head, and others might be tokens worn on the belt, or perhaps they might be neck-worn. Many of the awards have a badge registered which is upon the regalia.
The first regalia you might notice is the shiny metal upon some folks' heads. Yes, those do have a meaning. Also, certain colored belts hold meaning.
The most common regalia you might see is an Award of Arms. This is a thin circlet of metal worn upon the head, its height not exceeding 1/4 inch.
The next is a Grant of Arms. It is an up to 1/2 inch band.
The Patent of Arms comes with higher recognitions, and can not exceed 1 inch.
These bands will not have any protrusions above or below the band. Others will. If you see protrusions, these folks have gained one of these recognitions:
The Barony also has its own awards and recognitions that are given out for excellence in the following areas:
Grey Wolf – Fighting, Fencing, and Live Weapons
Moonstone – Arts and Sciences
Order of the Ardent Dragon – Children’s award
Argent Unicorn (women) – Service to the Barony
Sable Axe (men) – Service to the Barony
Sanguine Mountain – The highest level Baronial award, given at the pleasure of the Baron and Baroness. It is an armigerous award, meaning that it includes an Award of Arms (AOA, with the title of Lord or Lady) if the recipient doesn’t already have it. This also means that it is recognized at the Kingdom level, and in the Order of Precedence it comes ahead of a simple AOA.
Anyone in the Barony may write a letter to the Baron and Baroness recommending that someone receive one of the awards above. In addition to the person’s name, be sure to state the award you think they deserve and why you think they deserve it. This should include specific actions or accomplishments. The recommendation should be made discreetly, in case Their Excellencies decide not to act on it immediately.
Oread and Chivalrous Dove - These awards are determined by group vote once a year. They are traditionally presented at Black Axe. In order to nominate and vote, members are required to have been with the Barony for at least a year. The men get together to select one woman who best personifies the traits of a medieval woman. The women get together to select one man who has been the most chivalrous. These awards may be given to people outside of the Barony, as long as they are known to a large number of Baronial members. No one may receive the award more than once.
There is a set of Regalia for RUM participants, as well. https://www.facebook.com/download/397034810335321/RUM%20Regalia.docx
These are not provided; graduates make their own. Even though the handbook says there is a pattern, there isn’t. The robes and hoods are based on the Cambridge masters gowns and hoods.
Non-graduates may wear a black tabard, open at the sides, unadorned. Accepted hats are John Knox, Phrygian Cap, and Pork Pie.
Graduates wear regalia representing their highest degree.
Scholars – – black robe, full length, open front, split-tube sleeves. Can be faced with black velvet along the front opening.
Lectors – black robe, full length, open front, split-tube sleeves. Can be faced with black velvet along the front opening. Also a black hood, no adornments.
Magisters – black robe, full length, open front, split-tube sleeves. Can be faced with black velvet along the front opening. Also a black hood with colored stripe representing area of study.
Philosophers - black robe, full length, open front, split-tube sleeves. Can be faced with black velvet along the front opening. Also a black hood with colored stripes representing areas of study and an outer gold band.
Teachers – regalia for highest level of degree received
Deans - crimson robe, full length, open front, split-tube sleeves. Can be faced with black velvet along the front opening. Also a black hood with crimson lining.
Provosts - black robe, full length, open front, split-tube sleeves. Can be faced with black velvet along the front opening. Also a crimson hood, lined with group colors.
Staff:
Chancellor – crimson robe, gold hood with crimson lining
Regent – crimson robe, black hood with crimson lining
Registrar – crimson robe, black hood with crimson lining
Librarian – crimson robe, black hood with crimson lining
College colors:
Culinary - yellow
Equestrian - purple
Medieval Military - white
Bardic – dark blue
Middle Eastern - orange
Practical Arts - green
Heraldic - crimson
And of course, the Crowns will give out Kingdom level awards, as well.
Below is this page http://www.goldenstag.net/MiscSCA/AwardBadgesMeridies.htm which lists these:
A reference link for the regalia associated with Royal Appointments, Orders of High Merit, and more: