Archival Customs & Traditions

*All Moneyers are called to form a circle (representing coins in general) around the altar (Stump and bolster, dies, snips and hammer arranged over the top).

Minister, (Masters or Fellows),-“As we have done from the beginning-from our past and on to tomorrow, we come together now to call forth a new apprentice.

“Step forward and kneel if you would take on the responsibilities of an Apprentice”.

“If there be a sponsor let them speak now on your behalf”, (pause),

“Place your hand upon the anvil…and recite this oath”:

To you my Guild brethren I promise; to uphold the Traditions my Guild treasurers, to honor my Masters, Fellows and Journeymen. To be a faithful Apprentice to my sponsor. And strive to be worthy of my craft.

*Apprentices are generally led to the “Altar” after showing their dedication by coming to workshops and really working for at least two nights or a weekend at an event. Then they are asked if they would Apprentice to the Guild-if the reply is favorable then they are asked to promise to uphold the Guild’s traditions and be a good Apprentice to their sponsor-who will then take them to himself to instruct-returning to council with his Guild brethren when he believes that the Apprentice as served out all requirements.(this is seldom a fixed time-I have seen it done in as little as a weekend)*

i.e. the following:

*made punches, cut one die, hammered out 240 penny blanks from pellets, all for inspection by the shops senior Journeyman to examine. The blanks will be absorbed into the Guild as well as the tools.* 

*All Moneyers are called to form a circle (representing coins in general) around the altar (Stump and bolster, dies, snips and hammer arranged over the top).

Minister-“As we have done from the beginning-from our past and on to tomorrow, we come together now to recognize our brother/sister________ as one among many”.

“Step forward and kneel if you would take on the rights and responsibilities of a Journeyman”.

“If there be a sponsor let them speak now on your behalf”, (pause),

“Place your hand upon the anvil…and recite this oath”:

To you my Guild brethren I promise; to uphold the Traditions my Guild treasurers, to keep my craft from the forger, honor my Masters, confide in my Fellows and Journeymen and treat well with my Apprentice. And to whatever lands I roam or Lords I serve my Craft goes with me.*(then follows the Hammer stroke-the hammer striking the ground beside the anvil-though it was held as if to strike the hand. He/she is then liberally doused with beer Hugged and given their medallion/Counting board.*

*(same Intro)

…..of a Master/Fellow

X sponsor-but there must be two Masters present for a new Master to be made or one for a Fellow.

By my works with hammer and steel-and by my colors-I take the oath of a Master- I swear to uphold the Guild and its Traditions-to keep the secrets of my craft from the forger. To honor my Masters, Fellows and Journeymen. And to teach the Apprentice well. And to what ever lands I roam or Lords I serve-my craft goes with me.*

*usually a Master is given the gift of a Gold medallion and is then sprinkled with Brandy and offered a cup to sip.* 

The guild has 4 ranks

Apprentice *Must be sponsored by at least a Journeyman*

Journeyman

Fellow *Fellows MAY act as independent “ministers” with permission usually in isolated locations*

Guild Master *It takes two Masters to make a new one. Also as far as the Guild is concerned anyone that wishes to join the Guild should be questioning themselves-what can I do for the Guild-never what can the Guild do for me. Remember this is work for the good of your Kingdom-the rewards and honors due you will come-as well as the fun-and especially the knowledge-all in good time. Follow these tenets and your Guild will not let you down- so, talk to your Guild-for as a Journeyman in the Guild you have a voice. Even though your Minister may take a different course of action-respect the office and follow his wishes. For this is HIS time to lead.*

Promotion

Apprentices can be taken by the minister or superintendents

Journeymen and Fellows can only be promoted by the minister *(Actually Fellows can make Journeymen, But Masters only can make Fellows)* *Another odd note-Three Masters can strip a person of any Guild Rank*

Guild Masters can only be made by other Guild Masters assembled in a group of no less than two.

Guild Masters do not have to be members of the Order of the Laurel  * all promotions are done with a laying on of hands-transmitting the authority and honor* * To date there are only 8 known Masters in the Knowne World* *Their status is recognized as such in the Interkingdom Guild as well*

1 Emmerich of Vakkerfjell, OL,OP

2 Obadiah the Obstreperous, OL,KSCA,O

3 Titus of Wormwood, OL

4 Karl the Meek and Mild (a.k.a. Beerslayer)

5 Iain Gearr-Sheallach O Maoilbhreanainn, OL

6 Ian Cnulle (of An Tir but often associated with the WKMG) OL

7. Dubghall Monetarius, OL

8. Derian le Breton, OL 

Apprentice = copper

Journeyman = silver

Fellow = brass

Guild Master = gold

copper, silver, and brass are provided by the guild

gold is provided by the fellow Guild Masters 

The guild has 6 office categories available 

(number of positions available in (#) )*In the West*

Praefectus/Guild Minister (1) Guild Minister

Procurator/Regional Authority or Principality Overseer (4)

[The Marches, Oertha, Cynagua, Mists]

Exchequer/Treasurer (1)

Curator/Museum Coordinator (1)

Opifex Maximus/Senior Journeyman (1)

Caput Monetae/Mint Warden (as many as there are mints)

[Mint is synonymous with Workshop (e.g. William Frazier is the Mint Warden for the mint located in the Barony of Allyshia)] *Must have the permission to host a West Kingdom Guild Mint from the current Minister, this is renewable, but subject to termination and reporting*

Office names have both English and Latin equivalents, learn them both.

Pay rates “Those who do the work get the pay.” (# indicated in pennies)

Praefectus                    4

Procurator                    3

Exchequer                    3

Curator                        2

Opifex Maximus           2

Caput Monetae            2

Master                         4

Fellow                          3

Journeyman                  2

Apprentice                   1

Visitor                          1

*These are extra coins handed out at the end of the night workshop* 

The official drink of the guild is brandy (cognac when available)

Journeymen are baptized in beer

Fellows and Masters are baptized in brandy

Toast the guild and the patron saints at least once each year *You will be fined if you refuse to toast* 

Medallions go onto red ribbon, cord, beaded necklaces, etc. because the red tends to hide the blood better. *In reality it shows the blood bond between us as a family of Moneyers, that is why you will here people say My brother/sister Moneyer.* 

Each meeting starts with an announcement of what has transpired since the last meeting that pertains to or affects the guild.*Both within Kingdom and around the world from other Guilds-as news can be gleaned. This alone promotes our continued bond.* 

The newest Guild Master wears the apron adorned with the patron saints posed in our guild medallion. *This is a copy of our Guild medallion-each Kingdom Guild should consider making a Kingdom specific medallion-which is a badge of belonging, as well as a set of seals for official Guild documents. They must be handed over ceremonially before the King at the change over of Ministers-with these words, “Your Majesty it is time for younger hands to prevail”. There is currently a push to have a Inter-Kingdom Medal struck for all Moneyers.* 

It is rumored that there is a guild staff that the minister uses to keep Apprentices in line but no photographic evidence exists to support the story at this time. *No mere rumor-it does exist and is the only other piece of Western Guild Regalia-though seldom used.* 

Each new Journeyman should be presented with a counting cloth of their own that allows them to participate in the grading and counting of guild work. *Though in the past only Masters got one on promotion-the shift to giving them to Journeymen was the earliest tradition change in the West.* 

Once a Journeyman guild members are allowed to mark one die as their Mon die for use in the commemorative strikes indicating to the recipient their participation and responsibility in the issue.*This is the real honor for a Moneyer-for the Royals know by these dies who works for him/her. So a share of the common blanks from the Royal Pound is allocated to each Moneyer present at their striking if he/she has a die ready to do so.* 

All requests should be directed to the guild minister. *The Guild Minister acts in council with the die cutters in the guild to determine who has available time and sufficient skill to cut the dies-the commission then being allocated by the Guild Minister (often there may be time and life conflicts and busy times-so care is taken to match a die cutter to the job) and that information given out by the Guild Minister alone so no one can be misinformed on who is doing what. i.e. no repetitions of work or dropping of the ball. In the case of any commission or order you, the guild contact, pass the work along either up or down the ladder QUICKLY for the success of all - don’t rush work - ask your guild to help you. You do should not have to do it all or take on all the commissions - that will lead to oversights and ill repute. Remember the honor of your guild rides on your good communication and honorable actions. 

When possible presentations are made in court so that the largesse of the guild and the recipient may be shown by tossing coin to the assembled masses. *This usually done as we leave court from delivering the Royal Pound.* 

Any time striking occurs, 5 extra strikes should be set aside for the guild museum and delivered with information about the strikes to the Curator. *This is a hard one to stay up with but try and do so. Discipline in this endeavor is necessary - perhaps assigning this job to someone not involved in the striking is best.* 

The guild has two patron saints: Dunstan and Elegius

Feast Days: Dunstan : May 19 ; Elegius : December 1

Hagiography: Dunstan    Elegius 

Guild legend has it that at one time flip-flops were required foot ware especially during casting sessions. (See note about Booga Booga below for possible reasoning.) 

On occasion the guild minister will call a Moneyers Moot to discuss matters of import and choosing direction for the guild.

New ministers often call a moot to begin gathering support for their leadership via consensus. Though they will seek the advice and consent of the active Masters of the Guild. Guild Masters by tradition are the only ones allowed to vote on decisions of importance. Buying Equipment, spending funds, and the like. 

To ward off evil spirits at the end of a striking session guild members shout this phrase as if to confuse the hammer wielder while it actually serves to force concentration – it is amazing really, you should try it! *This tradition comes from a very funny story – and the phrase is shouted at the striking of the last coin of an order - scary but fun. Ask me about the story* 

A hand gesture done at a distance to indicate the gesturer’s belief that a fellow moneyer is talking out his ass. *The gesture is best witnessed as the story is told. Just ask us sometime.* * The gesture is best used to interrupt someone at a distance while deep in conversation.* 

An evil orange hammer that has assaulted many guild members hands – BEWARE! * Another well story worthy of nights around the fire with a beer in hand.* Squish may even be considered our earliest regalia.* 

In the past guild members struck by hammer wielders have been given small hammers that they may suspend from their guild medallions as a reminder to all the suffering they have endured for the good of the guild.* Almost any shop injury occurs with a hammer at some point - so it is a worthy Moneyer that wears his hammer “cluster”.* 

If a hammer wielder happens to hit a die holder during minting operations the two are to switch positions and recommence operation. Note that a trip to the hospital does not change the situation, it only delays the inevitable position switching. *In the Guild there are always folks that naturally gravitate to some jobs - mine was the Hammerman. And I have the longest accident free stint in the history of SCA Moneying.*