Darkwood Awards

The Oak Tree of Service

A pendant of an oak tree dependent from a black and gold ribbon. This award is given four times a year for service to the Barony as an officer or autocrat. During Baron Sebastian's time this was given as the "Golden Acorn of Baronial Service", or the "Special Tree of Appreciation", it has since become this recognition.

Listing of all Recipients of the Oak Tree of Service

The Cupules of Darkwood

The Cupule is granted to those who have earned recognition with an Oak Tree of Service, Oak Tree of Enrichment or Oak Tree of War, for continued service in that area to the Barony. A cupule is the cap of an acorn (pronounced coop-yule), and is intended to be added to the ribbon for the Oak Tree recognition. A recipient may receive this more than once.

Please note that the cupule is an augmentation to one of the Oak Tree recognitions that may be granted by the Coronets of Darkwood. Hence, the Cupule of Service should only be given to someone who is already a recipient of the Oak Tree of Service, the same for the other two.

Listing of all Recipients of the Cupules of Darkwood

The Coil of Esteem

This award is given by the Baron or Baroness to one who has made their job easier, and/or provides a good example to the populace. This may be received more than once. Each Baron or Baroness has created their own tokens:Baron Sebastion: Yellow and back bead (The Bumble Bee).Baron Wilhelm: A gold coil on a purple and white ribbon (entwined with gold thread for additional award).Baroness Elizabeth: A silver coil on a blue and white ribbon (entwined in silver thread for additional award). Baron Erich and Baroness Liesl: A square of red bead striped with white on a red coil on a red ribbon.

Listing of all Recipients of the Coil of Esteem

The Pathfinders Toil

This is awarded to members of the populace who make a habit of doing behind the scenes labor which benefits the Barony, and who provide a good example to the populace. The token of this award is a white pearl crescent moon between two black beads on a red wire twisted into loops at both ends. The title of this recognition was changed from the Toils of Esteem by Baron Carrick and Baroness Mercy as it was often confused with the Coils of Esteem recognition.

Listing of all Recipients of the Pathfinders Toil

The Order of the Oak

The Barony's oldest and highest award, only given twice a year to the person who has contributed to the Barony in the most positive and influential manner. The token is a black roundel of leather with the Darkwood oak tree in white, and five acorns for each canton in silver.

Listing of all Members of the Order of the Oak

Wardens of Darkwood

Given to those households who uphold the honor and renown of Darkwood through their coordination of diverse skills and views to produce singular outstanding service. Token: Augmentation of their camp with a pennant bearing the heraldry of the Barony of Darkwood.

Listing of all Wardens of Darkwood

The Oak Tree of Enrichment

An oak tree dependent from a black ribbon with a white stripe is awarded four times a year for improving the Barony in a very visual or novel way in the Arts and/or Sciences. Originally called the "Silver Acorn for Baronial Enrichment" by Baron Sebastian, over time this became the current recogntion.

Listing of all Recipients of the Oak Tree of Enrichment

Acorn Spoon, Honor of the

Similar to the Wooden Spoon of the West, the Silver Spoon, the Copper Spoon, and the Ivory Spoon of the Principalities, the Acorn Spoon is a cooking competition open to those wishing to show their skill at historical culinary creations. This contest will occur three times a year: WhiteShield, Darkwood A&S, and Baroness’s Masked Ball.

Listing of all Recipients of the Honor of the Acorn Spoon

The Oak Tree of War

A pendant of an oak tree dependent from a white ribbon with a black stripe. This is given four times a year for outstanding prowess and/or being instrumental in the furtherance of the arts of war. This award is not limited to fighters.

Listing of all Recipients of the Oak Tree of War

Baronial Company of Archers

The award is a black and white hood, won by the highest scoring non-hooded archer (meeting the minimum) in a Royal Round during one of the two Baronial Archery Tournaments. Sometimes noted as Baronial Archer, or Archery Champion, this is all the same recognition.

Listing of all Members of the Baronial Company of Archers

Service Ribbon

Awarded to those fighters and non-fighters who support the war effort in a war that the Baron has declared Baronial. With Bell: Awarded to those who fought in every battle in a one day or fought both days of a two-day war.

Listing of all Holders of the Service Ribbon

War Ribbon

Given by Baron Wilhelm for members of the Huscarls when an individual attended a 1-2 day war. A bell was attached to the ribbon if the individual fought all scenarios during the war. The token is a purple and white ribbon.

Listing of all Holders of War Ribbons

Feather of Honor

Given by Baron Sebastian for attending a war practice or war and being a leader, or doing something outstanding. The token is a red feather.

Listing of all Recipients of the Feather of Honor

Baronial Water Bearer

Awarded a Baron's Favor. Recommended by the Water Bearer's Guild.

Listing of all Baronial Water Bearers

Baroness' Order of the Companion

A Baroness' Favor that can have service ribbons attached. The recipient must be a model of SCA virtues, recommended by the Seneschal to serve the Baroness as advisors and ladies (or lords) in waiting.

Listing of all Members of the Baroness' Order of the Companion

Pages' Ceremonial Escort

Awarded by a recommendation of the Page School of Darkwood from the ranks of pages who have reached a level of competence to allow them to serve at Baronial Ceremonial activities. Must be a model of SCA virtue and responsibility.

Listing of all Current and Former Pages' Ceremonial Escort Members

Baron's Favor Bead Dangly (Closed)

Baron Sebastion gave out beads as recognitions for personal service. Eventually this became the Coils of Esteem and the Toils of Esteem currently given by the Barony. (This recognition is no longer given.)

Listing of all Recipients of the Baron's Favor Bead Dangly

Gold Coil of Esteem

The Gold Coil of Esteem is a gold coil on a blue and white ribbon. Sometimes called the "Baron's Coil of Esteem". It is awarded at any Baronial Court for making the Baron's job easier. The recipient can be anyone who has helped make the Barony flow, and can be rewarded multiple times.

Listing of all Recipients of the Gold Coil of Esteem

Baroness' Token

Given for personal service to the Baroness/Consort. The token is beads selected by Her Excellency with the recipient in mind.

Listing of all Recipients of the Baroness' Token

Silver Coil of Esteem

The Silver Coil of Esteem is a silver coil on a blue and white ribbon. Sometimes called the "Baroness' Coil of Esteem". It is awarded at any Baronial court for making the Baroness' job easier. The recipient can be anyone who has helped make the Barony flow, and can be rewarded multiple times.

Listing of all Recipients of the Silver Coil of Esteem

The Blaedgesith

Given for those who distinguish themselves with enthusiasm, ferocity and joy in their various forms of art, service or fighting, and have brought brilliance to Darkwood during the Baroness' reign. They are named to the Baroness' Court as Blaedgesith, meaning (??). The token is an item displaying a piece of the Baroness' heraldry.

Listing of all Recipients of the Blaedgesith

Baronial Champion

The member of Darkwood chosen by the Baron and Baroness to be their Champion over the course of the next year. This individual will have entered the White Shield Lists, and have been chosen for their prowess and virtues upon the field during the Tourney. This honor is only given to members of Darkwood. There is no token for this recognition.

Listing of all Current and Past Baronial Champions

White Shield Champion

Champion of the annual Darkwood White Shield Tournament. The White Shield Champion receives a white shield and a wreath.

Listing of all Current and Past White Shield Champions

Baroness' Champion (Darkwood)

The Baroness' Champion, sometimes called the "Baroness' Champion Cloak", and sometimes the "Darkwood Arts and Sciences Champion" are all the same recognition.This is presented twice per year, once at White Shield Tournament in the Spring, and once at the Baroness' Masked Ball in the Fall. The individual named has been chosen by the Baroness to be her champion for the season. The token is a cloak passed from champion to champion, made by Baroness Elizabeth, using material from Baron Sebastian's fighting cloak. It has an Oak Tree on it. The arms of Baron Wilhelm and Baroness Elizabeth are on the clasps, the arms of the cantons and colleges of Darkwood are at the base of the cloak. Each recipient has the right to add their arms to the cloak, before passing it on.

Listing of all Current and Past Baroness' Champions

Captain of Darkwood

Given a Baron's or Baroness' Favor, entitled to wear special headgear and a surcoat. Must attend the Baron and Baroness at a majority of wars and war practices and lead their units. Must meet the minimum requirements of Baronial Huscarl or Baroness' Ceremonial Escort. Chosen by the Baron or Baroness based on proven leadership and/or knowledge of war tactics.

Listing of all Current and Former Captains of Darkwood

Baronial Rapier Champion

The member of Darkwood chosen by the Baron and Baroness to be their Rapier Champion over the course of the next year. This individual will have entered the White Shield Lists, and have been chosen for their prowess and virtues upon the field during the Tourney. This honor is only given to members of Darkwood. There is no token for this recognition.

Listing of all Current and Past Baronial Rapier Champions

White Shield Rapier Champion

Current and past Rapier Champions determined at the annual White Shield tournament. Award tokens unknown at this time.

Listing of all Current and Past White Shield Rapier Champions

Baronial Captain of the Archers

Awarded the title of "Captain of Archers", the recipient serves for a time in this position. Must be the highest score of those "hooded" archers at the Royal Round during a Baronial Archery Tournament.

Listing of all Current and Former Captains of the Archers

Baroness' Ceremonial Escort

A Baroness' Favor that can have service ribbons attached. The recipient must be a non-fighter and a model of SCA virtues, recommended to serve as an escort for the Baroness.

Listing of all Members of the Baroness' Ceremonial Escort

Youth Champion

Winner of the Baronial Youth Championship list held at White Shield. The award for this honor is a haversack made by a member of the Barony.

Listing of all Current and Past Youth Champions

Darkwood Lance

Given for? Token?

Listing of all Current and Past Members of the Darkwood Lance

Huscarl (Darkwood)

Awarded a Baron's or Baroness' Favor, entitled to wear special headgear and surcoat. Must be a (heavy or light) fighter who can attend a majority of Baronial wars, and be a model of chivalry. Huscarls are the personal army of the Baron.

Listing of all Current and Former Darkwood Huscarls

Company of Baronial Rangers and Yeomen

This recognition is given to those who desire to eventually obtain membership in the Order of Chivalry, and who have demonstrated proficiency in those areas of expertise required for such membership. Members of this company may wear a special token to show membership (no description given). Members of the company are expected to protect and defend the Barony of Darkwood through their skill at arms; uphold the ideals of chivalry; maintain a level of competence in the skills needed to become a member; assist in organization of succeeding Baronial Ranger tournaments. Upon attaining membership in the Order of Chivalry, a member of this company must resign.

Listing of all Current and Former Members of the Company of Baronial Rangers and Yeomen

Hauptman auf Darkwood

These individuals are Huscarls, and an example of Chivalry. They must attend a majority of Baronial, Principality, or Kingdom events, particularly the wars. They train their own fighters at war practices and/or special "Gleven" practices. The must be able to field at least 6 fighters (1 "Glev"), have 6 light fighters, or command 6 Baronial Escorts. Selected by the Baron based on proven leadership qualities and/or knowledge of war tactics. The Token is a Baron's favor: Black and white field, gold circle with a black leather starburst and a silver oak tree. They receive a surcoat, black mantle (white left front, black and white stripped right, back is black). Their personal arms may be affect to the canton of the surcoat and/or war shield. Officer arms may be affixed from the sleeves as an epaulette. They may wear a silver band entwined with black and white on their helm or headgear.

Listing of all Current and Past Hauptman auf Darkwood

Konstafler auf Darkwood

The individual so named must be a Huscarl and an example of Chivalry. They must attend a majority of Baronial, Principality, or Kingdom events, especially the wars. Train fighters in the arts of war at war practices. They advise the Baron on all matters of war. They are selected by the Baron based on their knowledge of warfare, tactics and leadership. The tokens are: Baron's favor (black and white field, gold circle with a black leather starburst and gold oak tree); a surcoat and black mantle (black and white front and back) -- their personal arms may be affixed to the canton of the surcoat and/or war shield; officer arms may be affixed from the sleeves as an epaulette; they may wear a gold band entwined with black and white on their helm or headgear.

Listing of all Current and Past Konstafler's auf Darkwood

Tree Slayer

The Tree Slayer of Darkwood is given at the Hawks Haven Archery Tourney for the person who lodges an errant arrow into a tree rather than the target. It is given for the most spectacular shot. The award is a plaque with a branch taken from Sherwood Forest and is an annual award given once per year. The plaque is then handed off to the person who becomes the next tree slayer at the next Archery Tourney.

Listing of all Current and Past Tree Slayers of Darkwood

Bard of the Oak

Winner of the Bardic Competition held once per year. The token is a white pendant with the tree of Darkwood and music notes on it.

Listing of all Current and Past Bards of the Oak