====== Patent of Arms ======

A **Patent of Arms** is the highest award that can be bestowed in the [[scaism:society for creative anachronism|SCA]]. It is rarely given on its own, rather an individual is normally inducted into one of four polling orders: the [[Order of the Chivalry]], the [[Order of the Laurel]], the [[Order of the Pelican]], and the [[Order of Defense]].  Together, these orders are known as Peerages, and their members are known as Peers of the Realm.  They all hold equal rank. 

Patents of Arms are a Society wide Award that is recognized in every Kingdom in the [[scaism:Knowne World]].  As such, the qualifications for each peerage are laid out in [[scaism:Corpora]].  

===== Peerage Qualities =====
These qualities must be met by every potential peer, independent of the order they are being elevated to.
Any peerage candidate "shall have:
  * been obedient to the governing documents of the Society and the laws of the kingdom
  * consistently shown respect for the Crown of the kingdom
  * set an example of courteous and noble behavior suitable to a peer of the realm
  * demonstrated support for the aims and ideals of the Society by being authentic in dress, equipment and behavior as is within their power
  * shared their knowledge and skills with others
  * practiced hospitality according to their means and as appropriate to the circumstances
  * made every effort to learn and practice those skills desirable at and worthy of a civilized court. To this end they should have some knowledge of a wide range of period forms, including but not limited to literature, dancing, music, heraldry, and chess, and they should have some familiarity with combat as practiced in the Society
  * participated in Society re-creations of several aspects of the culture of the Middle Ages and Renaissance"  (Corpora, Article VIII.A.1)

===== Orders =====

In addition to the Peerage Qualities listed above, each Order has an additional set of requirements that a candidate must meet before being inducted into said Order.  
  * The [[Order of the Chivalry]] recognizes martial prowess in [[activities:martial:armoured combat]].
  * The [[Order of the Laurel]] recognizes excellence in the [[activities:arts_sciences:start|arts & sciences]].
  * The [[Order of the Pelican]] recognizes exemplary [[activities:service:start]].
  * The [[Order of Defense]] recognizes martial prowess in [[activities:martial:rapier combat|Fencing]].

===== Elevation =====

Each Crown may chose to elevate Subjects of Their Kingdom to the Order, but the Crown must ensure the Subject meets the criteria as described in [[scaism:Corpora]] for Peerage Awards, and The Crown has consulted with the current members of the Order in Their Kingdom.


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