What Do I Call The Guy With The Hat?
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Last Updated: November, 2017; August, 2018; July, 2022, March, 2023
Author: Hirsch von Henford, Grün der Spitzenklöppler (aka Juana Isabella de Montoya y Ramirez),
with some modifications suggested by Frederick of Holland.
Policy Level: Informational
Intended Audience: Court heralds, general populace
Abstract: Introduction to titles and forms of address.
This page is to help explain how to address those of varying ranks in the SCA, with an emphasis on West Kingdom practice. It will be broken down by 'ranks'. Much of the information below is also in the award descriptions for the Kingdom-level awards.
In order to be as complete as possible, this document will include descriptions of
Addressing: talking to people with titles,
Referring to: talking about people with titles (this can include introducing
someone who has specific titles),
Signing: if you have titles, signing documents/letters/email/social media posts.
Note that most titles are gendered (assuming male/female). There are a few titles that are available for those who do not conform to the standard binary options, but at this time, not a lot. This is not intentional, just something that as the world and the SCA evolve, we are having to work out how to handle non-binary titles.
In addition, it is possible, in the case of the Royalty and Royal Peers that there may be, at various points, same-sex couples, or cases where the sovereign is female and the consort is male. It is nigh on impossible to deal with every permutation. If something is mentioned in the text below, it is based on specific cases that have occurred.
Notations in the text below -- in an attempt to be consistent for options ... Usually something in Parentheses means to "fill in the blank", such as (name). In some cases only the first name is used (for sitting royalty). Otherwise, depending on how formal or informal you wish to be, you may use first name only, or full name. If something is inside square brackets ( [ ] ), then there are options noted, for example: [King / Queen] means one or the other, not both. Finally, you may see a set of letters, such as "KSCA" or "MSCA", these are what is sometimes called "Alphabet Soup" -- because some people have a lot of recognitions and sometimes use all them. They are meant to be acronyms to qualify a person's titles (KSCA = Knight of the SCA, for example). Some recognitions don't have "alphabet soup", such as Duke or Duchess.
Royalty
The Royalty have several different forms of address. These will be broken down starting at the top:
The King and Queen of the West
We often talk about "The Crowns of the West" when we are referring to the King and Queen, or if this happens, the Queen and King (it may happen someday), or however you need to deal with them. To simplify, you can also use the Sovereign (the individual who won the Tournament), and the Consort (the individual whose favor was carried by the Sovereign into the tournament).
Addressing: Your Majesty, Your Majesties, Your Royal Majesty, Your Royal Majesties, My Liege (if you are in fealty)
Referring to: His Majesty, Her Majesty, Their Majesties, Their Royal Majesties, [King / Queen] (first name)
Signing: (first name), [King / Queen] of the West; (first name), [Rex / Regina] Occidentalis; [King / Queen] (first name)
The Crown Prince and Crown Princess of the West
The Crown Prince and Crown Princess are the heirs to the Crowns of the West, determined at a Crown Tournament.
Addressing: Your Royal Highness, Your Royal Highnesses, [Prince / Princess] (name), Crown [Prince / Princess]
(name)
Referring to: His Royal Highness (name), Her Royal Highness (name), Their Royal Highnesses (name and name),
Crown [Prince /Princess] (name), [Prince /Princess] (name)
Signing: (name), Crown [Prince / Princess] of the West
The Prince and Princess of the Mists, Cynagua, and/or Oertha
Addressing: Your Highness, Your Highnesses, [Prince / Princess] (first name) (optionally, "of Principality Name")
Referring to: His Highness (first name), Her Highness (first name), Their Highnesses (first name and first name),
[Prince /Princess] (first name) (for all of these, you can add "of Principality Name")
Signing: (first name), [Prince / Princess] of (Principality Name)
Note that where "Principality Name" is noted above, use the word "the" for "The Mists", but not for "Cynagua" or "Oertha", so "Their Highnesses (name and name) of the Mists", versus "Their Highnesses (name and name) of Cynagua".
Also, by default, the first person named when using both names, should be the sovereign, the second should be the consort. So in the example of the sovereign being female, Princess (first name) and Prince (first name) of (Principality name) is perfectly correct, and one listening should understand the first person named is the sovereign, the second the consort.
In addition, during a recent reign in the Mists, the Prince was the Consort, and insisted on using "Prince Consort" where it made sense to do so, rather than simply "Prince". If you're not sure, it is safe to use "Prince", but if you know there is a preference, you should use it.
To date, there was one case of a same sex couple on the Thrones of the Mists. At that time, the proper terms were "The Princes of the Mists" when referring to both, when referencing them individually they were "Prince of the Mists", although some folk addressed the consort sometimes as "Prince Consort of the Mists".
The Heirs to the Principalities
Each Principality uses different titles for the heirs of the Principality, so these forms of address are used after the Coronet Tournament, and before They are invested:
Mists:
Addressing: Your Excellency, Your Excellencies, [Lord / Lady] of the Mists (first name),
Lord and Lady of the Mists (first name and first name)
Referring to: His Excellency (first name), Her Excellency (first name), [Lord / Lady] of the Mists (first name),
Lord and Lady of the Mists (first name and first name)
Signing: (first name), [Lord / Lady] of the Mists
Cynagua:
Addressing: Your Excellency, Your Excellencies, [Lord / Lady] of the Swan (first name),
Lord and Lady of the Swan (first name and first name)
Referring to: His Excellency (first name), Her Excellency (first name), [Lord / Lady] of the Swan (first name),
Lord and Lady of the Swan (first name and first name)
Signing: (first name), [Lord / Lady] of the Swan
Oertha:
Addressing: Your Excellency, Your Excellencies, [Lord / Lady] Borealis (first name),
Lord and Lady Borealis (first name and first name)
Referring to: His Excellency (first name), Her Excellency (first name), [Lord / Lady Borealis] (first name),
Lord and Lady Borealis (first name and first name)
Signing: (first name), Lord / Lady Borealis
Landed Barons and Baronesses
While Landed Barons and Baronesses are not in the standard "hierarchy" in many ways, they are the representatives of the Crown for their respective Baronies. As such, we should discuss forms of address for them as well.
Addressing: Your Excellency, Your Excellencies, [Baron / Baroness] (first name)
Referring to: His Excellency (first name), Her Excellency (first name),
[Baron / Baroness] (first name) of (Barony)
Signing: (first name), [Baron / Baroness] of (Barony)
There have been a couple of cases of same-sex couples who were landed Baronesses. They can be called "The Baronesses of (Barony)" when referencing both of them, and depending on preferences, both the sovereign and the consort are "Baroness". There have also been cases where there was only one person (Baron or Baroness) on the throne of the Barony.
Founding Baron and/or Baroness
While rare, there are a few folk around who were the first Baron or Baroness of a Barony. These are called
"Founding Baron" or "Founding Baroness". However, when addressing them, the word "Founding" is not used.
This is a permanent title, whether or not they were granted the title of Court Barony upon stepping down
from reigning as Baron or Baroness.
Instead, in the cases where you see "of (Barony)" above, the word "of" is removed, and one can use
the full name or just the first name, depending on how formal they wish to be -- for example, the founding
Baroness of Winter's Gate, might be addressed as "Morgana yr Oerfa, Baroness Winter's Gate" -- note
that the word "of" is removed.
Addressing: Your Excellency, Your Excellencies, [Baron / Baroness] (name)
Referring to: His Excellency (name); Her Excellency (name); (name), [Baron / Baroness] (Barony)
Signing: (name), [Baron / Baroness] (Barony)
Royal Peers
Royal Peers are those who have reigned as King and/or Queen, and/or Prince/Princess of a Principality, at least once. These are the highest permanent titles a person may earn within the SCA and the Kingdom of the West.
Duke and Duchess
These are people who have reigned as King / Queen (Sovereign / Consort) twice or more.
Addressing: Your Grace, Your Graces, My [Lord Duke / Lady Duchess]
Referring to: His Grace (name), Her Grace (name), Their Graces (name and name),
[Duke / Duchess] (name)
Signing: [Duke / Duchess] (name)
Count and Countess
These are people who have reigned as King / Queen (Sovereign / Consort) once.
Addressing: Your Excellency, Your Excellencies, My [Lord Count / Lady Countess]
Referring to: His Excellency (name), Her Excellency (name), Their Excellencies (name and name),
[Count / Countess] (name)
Signing: [Count / Countess] (name)
Viscount and Viscountess
These are people who have reigned as Prince / Princess (Sovereign / Consort) at least once (there are no additional titles, despite many jokes over the years, for those who reigned as Prince or Princess more than once).
Addressing: Your Excellency, Your Excellencies, My [Lord Viscount / Lady Viscountess]
Referring to: His Excellency (name), Her Excellency (name), Their Excellencies (name and name),
[Viscount / Viscountess] (name)
Signing: [Viscount / Viscountess] (name)
Peers
Each peer ranks at exactly the same level -- the term "Peer" means "a person who is equal to another in abilities, qualifications, age, background, and social status."
The Order of Chivalry
The Order of Chivalry is granted for prowess at SCA combat skills. This Order includes Knights and Masters at Arms. There are discussions all over the place about the differences between the two, let's not get into it here.
Addressing: [Sir / Dame / Domina / Lady / Master / Mistress] (name)
Referring to: [Sir / Dame / Domina / Lady / Master / Mistress] (name)
Signing: [Sir / Dame / Domina / Lady / Master / Mistress] (name)(, [KSCA / MSCA])
The Order of the Laurel
Members of this Order are experts in at least one area of the Arts and/or Sciences practiced in the SCA.
Addressing: [Master / Mistress / Dame / Laureate] (name)
Referring to: [Master / Mistress / Dame / Laureate] (name)
Signing: [Master / Mistress / Dame / Laureate] (name)(, [OL])
Note that Laureate is meant to be a non-binary title here, and is used in place of "Master" or "Mistress". If you use Laureate, the "alphabet soup" for "OL" shouldn't be used, as it's redundant.
The Order of the Pelican
Members of the Order of the Pelican are recognized for outstanding service to the Kingdom, their local branch(es), the SCA at large, etc.
Addressing: [Master / Mistress / Dame] (name)
Referring to: [Master / Mistress / Dame] (name)
Signing: [Master / Mistress / Dame] (name)(, [OP])
The Order of Defense
Members of this Order are recognized for their skills in Rapier / Cut and Thrust combat. Note that the name of the Order is "The Order of Defense", not as is often used in Social Media "Masters of Defense" or MOD.
Addressing: [Master / Mistress / Dame] (name)
Referring to: [Master / Mistress / Dame] (name)
Signing: [Master / Mistress / Dame] (name)(, [OD / OOD / Order of Defense])
The last bit of "alphabet soup" is just to clarify, because "OOD" sounds odd (and a bit like an encounter from Dr. Who), and "OD" doesn't really have a good "feel" to it.
The Order of the Mark
Members of this Order are recognized for their skills in distance weapons (Archery, Thrown Weapons, Javelins, etc.).
Addressing: [Master / Mistress / Dame] (name)
Referring to: [Master / Mistress / Dame] (name)
Signing: [Master / Mistress / Dame] (name)(, [OM / Order of the Mark])
The Order of the Rose
Members of the Order of the Rose are those who have served as Queen at least once (or if it happens in the West, which it may someday, as King Consort ?).
The Order of the Rose was created in the early days of the Society, before the titles of Duchess or Countess were used for those who had served as Queen. All Kings were, in those days, automatically made Knights, so it was felt that those who had served as Queen deserved recognition as well.
There is no specific address for a member of the Order of the Rose, as they are either a Countess or a Duchess, so that title should be used. However, when signing something, a member of this order may use the letters "OR" if they wish.
Grants of Arms and Recognitions That Carry Grants of Arms
In the West Kingdom, there are currently only two awards that give the person given them a Grant of Arms:
The Royal Missile Company (archers, javelineers, other distance weapons)
The Western Gold Scarf (equestrian arts)
The Scarfs of Achievement: The Order of the Scarf of Merit,
The Order of the Scarf of the Ash Leaf, and The Order of the Scarf of the Rose Leaf.
These recognitions do not have specific forms of address that are different from the Grant of Arms (see below).
Addressing: [Lord / Lady / Armiger / Noble / Your Lordship / Your Ladyship] (name)
Referring to: [Lord / Lady / Armiger / Noble / The Honorable Lord / The Honorable Lady / His Lordship / Her Ladyship] (name)
Signing: [Lord / Lady / Armiger / Noble / The Honorable Lord / The Honorable Lady]
(name)
Armiger or Noble are gender neutral terms used for those who are non-binary.
An individual could use for "Alphabet Soup", "GA" or "GoA" if they so desired, particularly if they used one of the first four titles listed as options above (Lord, Lady, Armiger, Noble) -- this would difference them from an Award of Arms.
Awards of Arms and Recognitions That Carry Awards of Arms
There are several awards that carry, along with the award itself, an Award of Arms, if the recipient has not already received one.
These are: The Order of the Western Lily, The Orders of the Leaf of Merit / Rose Leaf / Ash Leaf, achieving one of the Kingdom Championship titles (Archery, Equestrian, Rapier), Court Baron or Court Baroness.
"Alphabet Soup" for these awards: The Order of the Western Lily is "OWL", the Order of the Leaf of Merit is "OLM", the Order of the Rose Leaf is "ORL", the Order of the Ash Leaf is "OAL", and an Award of Arms is "AA" or "AoA".
With the exception of the Court Barony titles, the others all use the exact same forms of address as someone with an Award of Arms:
Addressing: [Lord / Lady / Armiger / Noble] (name)
Referring to: [Lord / Lady / Armiger / Noble] (name)
Signing: [Lord / Lady / Armiger / Noble] (name)
Armiger or Noble are gender neutral terms used for those who are non-binary.
Court Barony -- This one is fun, because it provides a variety of methods of address:
Addressing: [Lord / Lady / Armiger / Baron / Baroness] (name)
Referring to: [Lord / Lady / Armiger / Baron / Baroness] (name)
Signing: [Lord / Lady / Armiger / Baron / Baroness] (name)(, [Baron / Baroness] of the Court of the West)
In the last bit about signing you will see: (, [Baron / Baroness] of the Court of the West). Note that if you use that, don't use "Baron" or "Baroness" before your name, it becomes redundant. Using something like: (name), Baron of the Court of the West works, or even Lord (name), Baron of the Court of the West, but Baron (name), Baron of the Court of the West doesn't really work.
Any Other Awards with Titles?
In the West, no. However, we try to respect titles from other Kingdoms, so if someone introduces themselves to you with a title that isn't discussed here, it doesn't mean it's wrong. You may want to ask the proper form(s) of address if that happens.
There are however, many other awards that may be granted, from Kingdom down to Baronial level. These are called "non-armigerous" awards, recognitions that do not grant specific titles. Some of these have specific "Alphabet Soup", like the Queen's Order of Grace, which is often referred to as the "QOG".
In addition, there are, what we are calling here in the West, "Honors" -- these are usually recognitions that have a duration. These can include "Queen's Champion", and so on. They can be for the duration of a reign, and they can go for a year (or until a new champion is determined, in the case of champions). Some are codified as changing hands at specific events, and some may be at the whim of the royalty.
What Do I Use If I Don't Have Any Of These Titles?
"The Lord" or "The Lady" is always acceptable. Remember that officially the SCA assumes that we are all nobility, even if we haven't been granted specific recognitions yet. So using "The Lord (name)" or "The Lady (name)" is acceptable.
What If I Can't Remember All of Those Titles?
Here's a simple rule of thumb: If someone is not wearing a coronet (typically a metal circlet), then "My Lord" or "My Lady" should always be acceptable. If someone is wearing a coronet (or Crown), "Your Excellency" is acceptable. Some people may correct you, but try not to take it as an insult -- if you don't know, you don't know.
Different Language Titles?
If you have a persona that is not "English", which most of these titles are, there are heralds who have researched period forms. There is an approved list of titles that may be used if you wish, at the SCA College of Arms website: The List of Alternate Titles. You may use an appropriate title from that list in place of the ones given above.
Signatures -- Alphabet Soup
As noted above, several awards have "Alphabet Soup" -- letters that may be appended to the end of a signature. One should be careful (see "Title Stacking" below), as one could start to sound cocky or even arrogant, which is of the opposite of "humble" ("humility" being a knightly virtue, after all). If you wish, you may add some of them, but it is generally not a good idea for someone with a lot of awards to try to load up everything they have.
Examples that can work:
Master (name), OL, ORL
Duke (name), Baron of the Court of the West
Examples of "a bit much":
Master (name), OL, OP, ORL, OLM, AA, QOG, QC, QC, QC
Duke (name), KSCA, OAL, QOQ, Baron of the Court of the West
Title Stacking
As noted above under "Signatures", one should try to remember humility. "Title stacking" is a term used when someone signs something like:
Duke Count Viscount Sir (name), KSCA, OAL, QOG, Queen's Champion or
Master Master (name), OL, OP, ORL, OLM, Baron of the Court of the West, QOG, QC2
This comes across really poorly. If you have a LOT of awards and recognitions, good for you. It means that various royalty have come to believe you are worthy of these honors. However, if you show off in this fashion when signing a letter, or a social media post, it sounds like you're bragging. Or, in some cases, it can come across as bullying someone ("I'm more important than you, see all this?") -- even if that's not what you were trying to do.
Simpler and more humble versions of the examples above:
Duke (name), KSCA, Queen's Champion or
Master (name), OL, OP, Baron of the Court of the West or
Baron (name), OL, OP
They carry a lot of weight behind them, but they don't look like you're trying to overwhelm your reader.
What if I am an Officer?
If the letter or social media post relates to your office, then sure, go ahead and use your title. For example:
Master (name), OP, Seneschal of the West
However, if the post has nothing to do with your office, it is best to leave the office off -- if it is not germane to the topic, don't use it.