The Order of Defense is bestowed on those people who are “considered the equal of his or her prospective peers with the basic weapons of rapier and/or cut-and-thrust combat. The candidate must have applied this skill and/or knowledge for the instruction of members and service to the kingdom to an extent above and beyond that normally expected of members of the Society.“ (Corpora, Article VIII.A.4.d)

The Order of Defense is one of the four SCA Peerages, along with the Order of the Chivalry, the Order of the Laurel, and the Order of the Pelican. It is a Society wide Award that is recognized in every Kingdom in the Knowne World and conveys to the member a Patent of Arms, no matter which Crown of which Kingdom bestowed the Award.

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)

Members of the Order of Defense are “to:

• set an example of courtesy and chivalrous conduct on and off the field of honor
• respect the Crown of the kingdom; to support and uphold the Laws of the kingdom and Corpora
• to support and uphold the Crown of his or her kingdom, if in fealty
• enrich the kingdom by sharing his or her knowledge and skills
• enhance the renown and defend the honor of the peer’s Lady or Lord
• advise the Crown on the advancement of candidates for the Order of Defense” (Corpora, Article VIII.A.4.d)

Members of the Order of Defense wear a white livery collar.

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 Corpora for Peerage Awards, and The Crown has consulted with the current members of the Order in Their Kingdom.

Members of the Order of Defense may choose to swear fealty to the Crown, but are not required to do so.