Kingdom Law 05/93

ARTICLE I - Defined Arms of the Middle Kingdom

SOVEREIGN: Argent, a pale gules, overall a dragon passant vert, below an ancient crown or, surrounded by a laurel wreath proper.

CONSORT: Argent, a pale gules, overall a dragon passant vert, below an ancient crown or, surrounded by a wreath of roses argent, barbed and seeded proper.

ARTICLE II - Powers, Duties and Limitations of Royalty

II-100 The Sovereign and Consort of the Middle Kingdom, hereinafter referred to as the Crown, shall reign supreme over these lands in accordance with the By-Laws and the Corpora of the Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc., and the laws of the Middle Kingdom.

II-101 The Crown shall have power to change these laws only after obtaining sage counsel from the Curia Regis as herein defined, provided that said changes do not in any way conflict with any part of the laws of the modern governmental institutions having authority over those areas within which the Middle Kingdom is said to hold sway. These changes must be publicly proclaimed at Court and published in the Pale before becoming law.

The Coronets of a Principality shall have the power to change the laws of the Principality provided that the changes have been reviewed by the Curia, and approved by the Crown of the Middle Kingdom, and that said changes do not in any way conflict with any part of the laws of the modern governmental institutions having authority over those areas within which the Principality is said to hold sway or the laws of the Middle Kingdom. These changes must be publicly proclaimed at a Principality Court and published in the Kingdom and Principality newsletters before becoming law.

II-102 Prior to passing a substantive law change, the Crown or the proper Curia Regis member shall publish that proposed law change in the Pale and allow such time as it is deemed necessary for comment on the proposed law change by the membership and populace at large.

II-103 The Crown shall have the power to declare proclamations as they so choose. Such proclamations shall have the force of law and shall be in effect only for the duration of their reign. These proclamations must be publicly proclaimed at Court and published in the Pale before taking effect.

II-104 The powers of the Crown shall extend only to the affairs of the Kingdom, not extending to the modern world.

II-105 No Sovereign, Consort, Tanist or Tanist’s Consort may apply for or hold Corporate Office should the tenure of that office coincide with their reign.

II-106 When a scroll of arms is presented by the Crown, both the Sovereign and Consort shall sign it.

II-107 The Crown shall report all awards given at Their Courts to the Pale. The Crown may delegate this responsibility as they see fit, but the ultimate responsibility shall rest with the Crown.

II-200 The Tanist and Consort shall act as Regents of the Crown whenever both the Sovereign and Consort shall be unable to act due to absence.

II-201 When acting as Regents, providing they have prior approval of the Crown, the Tanist and Consort shall enjoy the same rights to gifts and duties as the Crown, save that when signing documents of any nature, they shall sign as Regents of the Crown, the same to be countersigned at a later date by the Crown.

II-202 If the Sovereign, Consort, Tanist and Tanist’s Consort are absent, a Regent may be appointed by the Crown, said Regent to be any person of proven worth whom the Crown shall chose.

II-300 The area encompassed by a ten-foot circle around the throne shall be considered the Sanctum Mediterraneum and as such may not be entered save by the Great Lords and Ladies of State and those having received leave from the Crown to do so. The Sanctum Mediterraneum shall be extended to the edge of the Lists at all Tournaments.

II-400 A member of the College of Seneschals and of the College of Heralds shall be at the side of the Throne at all times when Court and other public Kingdom business is being conducted.

II-500 The Royal Family shall be defined as Sovereign, Sovereign’s Consort, Tanist, Tanist’s Consort, Territorial Prince and Princess, and Territorial Principality Heir and Heiress.

II-600 The Coronet of a Territorial Principality within the Middle Kingdom shall have the right to make simple Awards of Arms as They see fit to subjects of Their Principality.

ARTICLE III - Great Lords and Ladies of State

III-100 All Great Lords and Ladies of State shall be considered to be of equal rank save for instance of specialty.

III-101 At the Crown’s discretion, a Great Lord or Lady of State may be given a Grant of Arms, after passing a six-month probationary period.

III-102 Holders of Grants of Arms by virtue of past service to the Middle Kingdom as Great Officers of State may use a Dragon Crest in displaying their arms. Same crest is reserved to these holders of Grants of Arms. Holders of Grants of Arms by virtue of service prior to becoming a great officer of the Middle Kingdom may be granted the right to use a Dragon Crest in displaying their arms.

III-103 All Great Lords and Ladies of State shall be appointed by the Crown in consultation with the office’s predecessor and the Curia Regis, subject to approval from the appropriate Society officer.

III-104 All Great Lords and Ladies of State shall be held, with their subordinates, responsible to uphold all Laws of the Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc., and in particular, those of the Middle Kingdom.

III-105 All Great Lords and Ladies of State shall be empowered to appoint such assistants in office as are needful to the effective performance of the duties of that office. All these appointments shall be made under Warrant.

III-106 There shall be maintained a permanent record of all correspondence and activities carried on in the performance of the duties of each office, the same to be subject to examination by any member, with cause, of the Curia Regis of the Middle Kingdom and further subject to be turned over to any successors in the office.

III-107 All Great Lords and Ladies of State shall maintain a record of all the names and addresses of their subordinates in office, regardless of the level of the subordinates. An up-to-date copy of this record shall be provided to each member of the Royal Family at each Crown Tournament.

III-108 The Great Lords and Ladies of State are: Kingdom Seneschal, Dragon Herald, Earl Marshal, Kingdom Minister of Arts and Sciences, Kingdom Chronicler, Kingdom Chancellor of the Exchequer and Kingdom Chirurgeon.

III-109 All Kingdom Great Officers shall be warranted for an additional period of one and one half (1 1/2) years following satisfactory completion of a six (6) month probationary period; and possibly be extended for a third year. No Kingdom Great Officer shall serve for a continuous period of more than three years.

III-200 The Seneschal of the Middle Kingdom shall be the principal legal representative of the Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc., within the Middle Kingdom.

III-201 The Kingdom Seneschal shall be responsible for all procedures involved with authorizing new groups and changing the status of existing groups and shall keep a list of the dates on which all groups have been authorized or have had their status changed.

III-300 The principal Herald of the Middle Kingdom shall be called the Dragon Herald and shall perform all those duties in office as are considered proper by ancient tradition.

III-301 The Dragon Herald shall act as the voice of the people in all petitions to the Crown.

III-302 The Dragon Herald shall act as the voice of the Crown in making all proclamations of the Crown.

III-303 The Dragon Herald and his subordinates shall enjoy the traditional immunities of that office, so long as the duties of that office are being carried out.

III-400 The Earl Marshal of the Middle Kingdom shall make every effort to promote the safe and orderly conduct of combat on the Lists of the Middle Kingdom in accordance with the Rules of the Lists and the conventions of the Middle Kingdom.

III-401 The Earl Marshal shall be responsible for the proper handling of all waivers after they are fully and properly executed. The Earl Marshal shall allow no person in any combat activity, either single or as part of a team, unless they have properly and fully executed a waiver.

III-402 The Earl Marshal shall be responsible for the proper training and conduct of all combatants and prospective combatants of the Middle Kingdom and shall develop a positive program for the attainment of this end.

III-403 The Earl Marshal shall be responsible for the training and appointment of all marshals of the Middle Kingdom

III-404 No person shall represent himself as a member of the Middle Kingdom Marshalate without the specific approval or warrant of appointment of the Earl Marshal.

III-500 The Kingdom Minister of Arts and Sciences shall have the responsibility for the encouragement and organization of the study and practice of the peaceful Arts and Sciences within the Middle Kingdom, and for the maintenance of records of research in these arts and sciences.

III-600 The Kingdom Chronicler shall have the responsibility for publishing and mailing the Pale, the official newsletter of the Middle Kingdom, on a regular schedule. The Chronicler shall print all public announcements and report news therein.

III-601 The Kingdom Chronicler shall maintain a checking account which shall be used for all monetary transactions in the operation of his or her office and the publication of the Pale.

III-602 The Kingdom Chronicler shall make quarterly financial reports concerning his or her office to the Curia Regis

III-700 The Chancellor of the Exchequer shall maintain a record of the acquisition and disbursement of the funds of the Middle Kingdom.

III-701 The Chancellor of the Exchequer shall submit a financial report to the Curia Regis at least once every three months.

III-702 Monies exceeding the amount of one hundred dollars ($100.00) shall not be disbursed from Middle Kingdom funds without the assent of a quorum of the Curia Regis.

III-800 The Kingdom Chirurgeon shall have the responsibility for the encouragement, development, and organization of the study, practice, and research of the practical applications of first aid.

III-801 The Kingdom Chirurgeon shall have the responsibility for upholding the policy set forth by the Chirurgeon’s Handbooks of the Society and of the Kingdom.

III-802 The Kingdom Chirurgeon shall have the responsibility for coordinating InterKingdom participation of Kingdom’s chirurgeons’ guilds as needed when the Middle Kingdom hosts InterKingdom events.

III-803 The Kingdom Chirurgeon shall have the responsibility for coordinating with the Earl Marshal the participation of the Kingdom Chirurgeons’ guilds as needed at events.

ARTICLE IV - Lesser Lords and Ladies of State

IV-100 All Lesser Lords and Ladies of State shall be appointed or removed from office under signed warrant of the Crown by their respective superiors.

IV-101 There shall be maintained a permanent record of all correspondence and activities carried on in the performance of the duties of each office, to be subject to examination by any member of the Curia Regis with cause, and further subject to be turned over to any successors in office.

IV-102 A record shall be kept of all subordinates in each of the offices, to include addresses.

IV-200 The Keeper of the Archives shall be appointed by the Kingdom Seneschal and shall keep safe copies of all documents of the Middle Kingdom and such property of the Crown as is entrusted to his care.

IV-301 The Curia Secretary shall record and maintain a file of the minutes of the meetings of the Curia Regis. Copies of the minutes shall be disseminated to all members of the Curia Regis within three weeks of any meeting.

IV-400 The Kingdom Historian shall be a deputy of the Kingdom Chronicler and shall be responsible for the accumulation and compilation of records of all historical affairs.

IV-500 The Information Officer shall be a deputy of the Kingdom Seneschal and shall be responsible for disseminating information concerning the Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc. and its activities within the Middle Kingdom.

IV-600 The Chatelain(e) shall be a deputy of the Kingdom Seneschal and shall be responsible for the introduction and education of new and prospective members in the culture, customs and courtesies of the Society. The Chatelain(e) shall also be responsible for the coordination and training of local, baronial or provincial officers as needed for assistants

IV-700 The Minister of Protocol shall be a deputy of the Dragon Herald and shall be responsible for education relating to protocol, order of precedence issues and ceremonial function of the Middle Kingdom at the discretion of the Dragon Herald and the Crown.

IV-701 The Clerk of Precedence shall be a deputy of the Dragon Herald and shall be responsible for maintaining the Kingdom Order of Precedence. The Clerk of Precedence shall provide the Crown with an updated Order of Precedence at each Crown Tournament

IV-800 The Kingdom Signet shall be a deputy of the Dragon Herald and shall be responsible for the coordination of scribe’s efforts to provide scrolls for the Crown.

IV-900 The Archer General shall be a deputy of the Earl Marshal and shall make every effort to promote the safe and orderly conduct of archery within the Middle Kingdom. In addition, the Archer General shall be responsible for the training and Warranting of Archery Marshals as assistants.

IV-1000 The Dean of the Equestrian College shall be a deputy of the Earl Marshal and shall make every effort to promote the safe and orderly conduct of equestrian activities within the Middle Kingdom. The Dean shall be responsible for overseeing the administration of the College, the training and warranting of Equestrian Marshals and shall coordinate all period equestrian activities within the Middle Kingdom.

IV-1001 The Dean shall ensure that the rules and conventions of the Equestrian College are followed for all equestrian activities. In cases where the rules are not being followed, the dean of the Equestrian College is responsible to taking proper steps to bring about compliance, to prohibit violators from participating, or both. The Dean shall be responsible for suggesting changes or additions to the rules of the Equestrian College to the Earl Marshal.

IV-1100 The Marshal of Fence shall be a deputy of the Earl Marshal and shall coordinate all period fencing activities within the Middle Kingdom. The Marshal of Fence shall be responsible for all required paperwork pertaining to period fencing. The authority of the Marshal of Fence shall not extend to other forms of combat activity.

IV-1101 The Marshal of Fence shall ensure that the rules and conventions for period fencing are followed. In case the rules are not being followed, the Marshal of Fence is responsible for taking proper steps to bring about compliance, or to prohibit violators from participating, or both. The Marshal of Fence shall be responsible for suggesting rule changes or additions to the Earl Marshal.

IV-1102 The Marshal of Fence shall be responsible for the training and Warranting of Fencing Marshals in the Middle Kingdom to assist him in his duties. The Marshal of Fence may choose regional deputies at his discretion, subject to approval by the Earl Marshal and Crown.

IV-1200 The Minister of Regalia shall be a deputy of the Kingdom Chancellor of the Exchequer and shall be responsible for obtaining and maintaining any regalia and possessions of the Kingdom in a manner that befits a Kingdom.

IV-1201 The Minister of Regalia shall be responsible for providing the Crown with any regalia or possession requested from inventory for the reign at Coronation, and receiving said regalia or possessions back at the end of their reign. The Minister of Regalia shall also be responsible for providing the Royal Heirs with any regalia requested from inventory for their tenure as heirs at Crown Tournament upon victory, also receiving said regalia back upon their Coronation. The Minister of Regalia shall deliver to the Crown at Coronation any tokens of favor (such as champion’s tabards) which are to be passed out at the Crown’s discretion, and returned at the end of the reign.

IV-1202 The Minister of Regalia shall be responsible for maintaining an inventory of items possessed by the Kingdom. This inventory shall be updated as needed, and presented to the Crown, its Royal Heirs, the Kingdom Seneschal, and the Kingdom Chancellor of the Exchequer within 30 days following Crown Tournament.

IV-1203 The Minister of Regalia shall be responsible for notifying the Curia Regis of any repairs or additions needed to the inventory, and shall be responsible for obtaining approved items or repairs in a timely manner.

IV-1204 The Crown, the Tanist and the Tanist’s Consort shall obtain the use of the regalia owned by the kingdom for Their station only by checking out such regalia as is in a serviceable state as determined by the Minister of Regalia, from the Minister of Regalia.

The Crown is responsible and accountable for whatever regalia is checked out from the Minister of Regalia for Their use and must check in or account for the same regalia as well as turning in any additional regalia received before the Crown can step down.

The Tanist and the Tanist’s Consort are responsible and accountable for whatever regalia is checked out from the Minister of Regalia for Their use and must check in or account for the same regalia as well as turning in any additional regalia received before they can be coronated.

Any regalia leaving the possession of the Minister of Regalia for maintenance or repair must be signed out by the persons responsible for the maintenance or repair. The person signing out the regalia will be held accountable for the regalia and shall report to the Minister of Regalia on a monthly basis as to the progress of their work on the regalia.

Any regalia leaving the possession of the Minister of Regalia permanently for whatever reason can only do so with the permission of the Crown and approval of the Curia.

The Minister of Regalia shall create keep the necessary records to account for all the regalia of the Middle Kingdom.

Failure to check in or account for regalia used during a reign or while serving as Royal Heirs will constitute an incomplete reign.

IV-1300 The Chancellor of Regalis Universitas Mediterraneae shall be a deputy of the Crown, and shall be responsible for the day-to-day administration of Regalis Universitas Mediterraneae.

ARTICLE V - The Curia Regis

V-100 The Curia Regis of the Middle Kingdom shall consist of the Royal Family (to include the Coronet and heirs of territorial principalities), The Great Lords and Ladies of State of the Middle Kingdom, the seneschal(s) of territorial principalities within the Middle Kingdom, the Chancellor of RUM and such other persons as are appointed by the Crown for the duration of the reign

V-102 A quorum of the Curia Regis shall consist of the Crown, the Kingdom Seneschal, and three other Great Officers of State.

V-103 Members of the Curia Regis, except for the Kingdom Seneschal and the Crown, who are unable to attend an official meeting of the Curia Regis may petition the Crown to be represented by a deputy of their choice at such official meetings.

V-200 Corporate Officers may, when present, be invited to attend all meetings of the Curia Regis and their opinions invited on any matter being discussed.

V-300 Other persons may be asked to attend if they have expertise in the matter to be discussed. They shall attend only for the duration of the discussion of said matter. They are there at the invitation of the Crown.

V-400 A quorum of the Curia Regis must meet at least three times during every reign.

V-401 Minutes of the Curia Regis shall be made available to the populace by subscription, in electronic format on-line, and in any other formats deemed necessary, effective, and efficient by the Crown and the Curia.

V-500 The Coronet (and/or) Heirs of Territorial Principalities will present to the Curia a report on the state of Their Principality, as a part of Curia Meetings.

ARTICLE VI - Crown Tournaments and Coronations

VI -100 Crown Tournaments of the Middle Kingdom shall be held on Memorial Day weekend in May and the 3^rd full weekend of October, except for unusual circumstances.

Coronations of the Middle Kingdom shall be held between the second full weekend in April to the second full weekend in May and between the second full weekend in September to the second full weekend in October, except for unusual circumstances.

VI-101 Coronations and Crown Tournaments of the Middle Kingdom shall be rotated amongst the different regions of the realm so that such events can be distributed fairly throughout the Middle Kingdom. The following schedule shall start the rotation and set the pattern for the future:

Bids will be sought from both primary and secondary regions in the rotation. Bids will be accepted from any branch in the Kingdom. In the case of two equal event bids, preference will fall to the bid originating from the region in the rotation cycle.

At the end of this schedule the same pattern of regional assignments is repeated. The regions used shall be those as defined by the office of the Kingdom Seneschal. Within each region, we look first to the Baronies and Province of the Middle Kingdom to host the assigned events. A Special deputy of the Kingdom Seneschal’s office will assist the groups in the planning of their events as needed. This deputy will also ensure that each group who has a desire to host such an event in the region has an opportunity to apply to do so. The Special Deputy will ensure groups preparing prospective event bids are aware of the requirements and policies for hosting Kingdom events, and that the bid is compliant with the same.

The Kingdom Seneschal will coordinate with groups hosting kingdom events to ensure that the needs and spirit of the event are maintained.

The goal is for each event to be on the Kingdom Calendar at least nine months before the date of the event. This will help with the event planning process and free up the kingdom calendar for other groups planning events.

If no group within the region due to host the event has submitted a bid within 10 months of the event, the Special Deputy will forward the best available bid packages to the Kingdom Seneschal, regardless of region of origin. All branches of the Middle Kingdom are encouraged to seek out suitable sites for Kingdom events, and to submit bids on Kingdom events, with preference going to the region listed in the rotation.

The group hosting the event for the region needs to submit an event plan to the Kingdom Seneschal, for review and approval by the Curia Regis. The Special deputy of the Kingdom Seneschal’s office will coordinate the event plan and offer whatever assistance and advice as needed.

To ensure the best possible Kingdom Events, the Special Deputy will procure back-up event bids for use in the case of failure of the original plan through loss of site or inability to meet the needs of the event.

VI-200 All belted and baldricked fighters may compete in any Crown Tournament by right, provided that they inform the Tanist in writing by his Coronation. Unbelted and unbaldricked fighters may be given the privilege of competing by the Crown. The entrance of any fighter into the Crown Tournament List shall be governed fully by the Laws set forth in the Corpora and the Rules of the Lists of the Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc., and the Laws of the Middle Kingdom.

VI-201 All belted and baldricked fighters may compete in any Coronet Tournament for which they meet the residency requirements, by right, provided that they inform the Territorial Coronet and Crown in writing.

VI-202 It is the duty of the Coronet, with the approval of the Crown, to exclude anyone from participation in Coronet Tourney for just and stated cause and to inform them of the same in a confidential manner.

VI-203 All Combatants and Consorts for Crown Tournament must submit to both Their Royal Highnesses and the Kingdom Seneschal: letters of intent, proof of membership valid through the month following Crown Tournament, and photo identification with birth date. Their Royal Highnesses may make additional requirements at Their discretion. These materials must be received by the date of Their Royal Highnesses’ Coronation with exceptions at Their discretion.

VI-300 The exact manner of conducting the Crown List shall be decided solely by the Crown, save that once the combatants are chosen, the pairing shall set places in a double elimination list and shall be by the luck of the draw and by no other means.

VI-400 All combatants for the Crown and those for whom they fight shall have resided within the Middle Kingdom for at least six months immediately prior to the Crown Tournament. They shall reside within the Middle Kingdom at the time of the tournament and shall expect to remain so for at least one year.

VI-500 All combatants for the Crown and those for whom they fight shall have participated in Middle Kingdom activities for at least six months immediately prior to the Crown Tournament. Combatants shall have fought in at least four official tournaments within the Middle Kingdom. This will ensure their familiarity with the fighting standards of the Middle Kingdom, Kingdom customs and the duties of the office to which they aspire.

VI-501 No person under 21 years of age may be fought for in any Crown Tournament in the Middle Kingdom. Emancipated minors may be exempted at the discretion of the Crown on a case-by-case basis, but proof of emancipation is required.

VI-600 No Sovereign, Consort, Tanist, Tanist’s Consort nor Territorial Prince nor Princess nor their heirs may either fight or be fought for in any Crown or Coronet Tournament.

VI-601 No Great Lord nor Lady of State nor an appointed successor to a Great Office may either fight or be fought for in a Crown Tournament where the reign would coincide with their tenure in office.

VI-700 In such instance where a Principality within the Middle Kingdom shall become a Kingdom in its own right, a crown tournament shall be held consisting of fighters from within the Principality, and the victor shall immediately be crowned Heir of the New Kingdom and crown an Heir’s Consort also from within the Principality. The Heir shall be crowned Sovereign of the new kingdom and crown a Sovereign's Consort, at a time and place mutually agreed upon by the Crown of the Sovereign Kingdom and the Heirs to the new kingdom, in consultation with the Prince and Princess of the Principality. The conduct of the Crown Tournament shall be at the discretion of the Crown of the Middle Kingdom in accordance with the laws and customs of the Middle Kingdom.

ARTICLE VII - Authorizations for Combat Activity

VII-100 All persons shall be formally accepted, tested, and approved for combat activities as defined in Governing and Policy Decision 12 before entering any lists held within the Middle Kingdom. Authorizations for the lists of the Middle Kingdom shall be conducted by the Crown or heir designate.

VII-101 A person who has not participated in a Society combat activity at an officially sanctioned event for more than one year may be asked to re-authorize in that activity at the discretion of the Marshal in charge.

VII-102 No person under 18 years of age is authorized to participate in combat activities within the Middle Kingdom except as provided for by marshallate policies. Persons under 18 years of age who may be authorized to participate in other kingdoms are permitted to compete under Middle Kingdom guidelines.

VII-103 No member of the Middle Kingdom marshallate, including chivalry, is allowed to train any person under the age of 18 for SCA combat using any method which could result in bruises or more severe injuries being inflicted upon that person except as provided for by special warrant from the Earl Marshal or designated representative

VII-104 Only persons who are current members of the Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc. are authorized or are allowed to be authorized to participate in combat activities within the Middle Kingdom. Persons who are not current members of the Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc. who may be authorized in other kingdoms are not authorized within the Middle Kingdom.

VII-105 While an individual whose membership lapses may not participate in any lists held within the Middle Kingdom during the lapse, the individual need not reauthorize following resumption of membership except as provided in VII-101.

VII-200 The Earl Marshal shall keep a current list of all authorized persons in the Kingdom. The list shall be made available at all tournaments within the Middle Kingdom.

VII-300 An individual’s authorization may be revoked by the Crown or a Warranted Marshal for a serious cause. Said individual must satisfactorily pass the authorization requirements before being allowed in the lists again.

ARTICLE VIII - Contracts with the Modern World

VIII-100 All contracts requiring the Middle Kingdom of the Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc., to appear or "perform" must have the approval of the Middle Kingdom Curia Regis.

VIII-101 The actual contract document must be submitted to the Curia Regis for review prior to approval and signing.

VIII-102 Any contract signed by the Kingdom Seneschal for the Middle Kingdom requiring an expenditure of or exposing the Middle Kingdom to liability of more than $1,000.00 shall be reviewed by qualified legal counsel.

VIII-200 Contracts covered by Section VIII-100 shall be signed by the Kingdom Seneschal.

VIII-201 Authority to negotiate and sign a contract covered by Section VIII-100 may be delegated to a person or persons only by the Kingdom Seneschal with the approval of the Curia Regis.

VIII-202 Monthly progress reports shall be required of all persons engaged in negotiating a contract covered by Section VIII-100 even if such a report consists only of "no contact, no progress, nothing done" on a postcard to the Kingdom Seneschal.

VIII-300 All negotiations of a contract covered by Section VIII-100 shall be concluded in such a time frame that they may conveniently be presented to a meeting of the Curia Regis, rejected, re-negotiated if necessary, resubmitted to a Curia Regis and submitted to the Chronicler, if approved, before the deadline for the Pale is passed. This means that negotiations must be concluded at least a month before the applicable Pale deadline.

VIII-301 Negotiations not being concluded in time is not grounds for running a special issue of the Pale.

ARTICLE IX - Orders, Precedence, and Symbols of Rank

                Sovereign/Sovereign’s Consort
                Tanist/Tanist’s Consort
                Territorial Princes/Princesses
                Heirs/Heiresses of Territorial Principalities
                Dukes/Duchesses
                Counts/Countesses
                Viscounts/Viscountesses
                Peers of the Realm
                Territorial Barons/Baronesses
                Court Barons/Baronesses

                Awards and Orders conferring Grants of Arms
                                1.                Dragon’s Heart
                                2.                Gold Mace/Greenwood Company/Bronze Ring/White Lance/Evergreen
                                3.                Grant of Arms
                Awards and Orders conferring Awards of Arms
                                1.                Willow/Silver Oak
                                2.                Purple Fret/Queen’s Favour/Doe’s Grace/King’s Chalice
                                3.                Dragon’s Tooth/Dragon’s Barb/Cavendish Knot/White Chamfron/RedCompany
                                4.                Gaping Wound
                                5.                All other Awards of Arms

IX-101 There shall also exist within the Middle Kingdom certain awards and orders which shall not convey precedence:

IX-102 Awards granted to a branch, guild or other organized group of the society shall not convey individual precedence to the members of that group.

IX-103 Except for Royalty, all placement within the different classifications of the Order of Precedence shall be done according to seniority in that title.

IX-104 Honors given by organizations below Kingdom level shall not appear in the Kingdom Order of Precedence although they may be used in their appropriate Orders of Precedence, i.e. Baronial awards may be employed in order to define a Baronial Order of Precedence.

IX-105 In planning and executing a Grand Procession, the Crown, or the presiding heraldic officer, with the permission of the Crown, may determine the Order of March as they desire. Individuals created of more than one title may have their choice as to which title they march under in the Grand Procession.

IX-106 The Order of the Rose shall exist in the Middle Kingdom for the purpose of encouraging chivalrous and courteous behavior among all members of the Society. Candidates shall have held the office of Consort for at least one full reign. Membership shall be automatic upon descension from the throne. Membership in the Order of the Rose shall not convey precedence.

IX-201 The Tanist and Tanist’s Consort may wear crowns of silver ornamented as They see fit.

IX-202 The Prince/Princess of a Principality may wear coronets silver, ornamented as They see fit.

IX-203 The Principality Heir and Heiress may wear coronets of silver with a single dance, ornamented as They see fit.

IX-204 Dukes and Duchesses may wear coronets with strawberry leaves, ornamented as they see fit.

IX-205 Counts and Countesses may wear coronets embattled, all gold, ornamented as they see fit.

IX-206 Viscounts and Viscountesses may wear coronets embattled, all silver, ornamented as they see fit.

IX-207 Great Lords and Ladies of State may wear the badges of their respective offices.

IX-208 Peers of the Realm may wear the badges of their respective Orders as defined by Society Law.

IX-209 Landed Barons and Baronesses may wear gold coronets with six pearls (spheroids), ornamented as they see fit.

IX-210 Court Barons and Baronesses may wear silver coronets with six pearls (spheroids), ornamented as they see fit.

IX-211 Members of the various Kingdom Orders may wear the badges of their respective Orders.

IX-212 Members of the Populace with Awards of Arms may wear a simple metal circlet, ornamented as they see fit, with no more than one protrusion. The overall height of the band shall not exceed one inch. The circlet shall not resemble any of the coronets listed above.

ARTICLE X - Financial Accounting

X-100 All monies for SCA purposes must be handled through the local SCA account. No incoming monies shall be handled through private accounts.

X-200 All groups hosting a Middle Kingdom level event as defined in X-800, shall file a financial accounting with the Middle Kingdom Exchequer within one month following said event.

X-400 All accounts held in the name of the SCA, Inc., in the United States shall be registered under the Federal tax number 94-169-8556. All accounts in Canada shall be registered as "(John Doe), in trust for the barony/shire (N)."

X-500 Any group which disbands or is dissolved by the Board of Directors shall have two options regarding any funds held by said group:

1. Any funds remaining shall be turned over to the Chancellor of the Exchequer of the Middle Kingdom for use by the Kingdom;

2. The group may, at the discretion of the Curia Regis, donate the funds to an IRS approved charitable institution.

Failure to do one of the two above will result in the last known funds being reported to the IRS as personal income for the last reported exchequer or seneschal.

X-600 All appeals for funds within the Middle Kingdom done in the name of the Middle Kingdom, the Royal Family, or any Greater or Lesser Lady or Lord of State, shall be approved in advance by the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

X-700 All groups hosting a Middle Kingdom level event, as defined in Article X-800 are required to split the profits from the event with the Middle Kingdom. These Moneys are to go to the General Fund.

X-800 A Middle Kingdom level event is defined to be a Crown Tournament, Coronation, Kingdom Arts and Sciences Competition, War, Border Raid or any other event so proclaimed in the Pale by the Crown.

ARTICLE XI - Oaths of Fealty

XI-100 The Oath of Fealty of the Knights of the Middle Kingdom shall be as follows: "I here swear fealty and do homage to the Crown of the Middle Kingdom: to ever be a good Knight and true, reverent and generous, shield of the weak, obedient to my liege-lord, foremost in battle, courteous at all time, champion of the right and the good. Thus swear I, (Name)."And the Crown shall answer: “This do We hear and will never forget: to be your Liege-Lord, rewarding fealty with love, valor with honor, and oath-breaking with vengeance."

XI-200 The Oath of Fealty of the Great Officers of State of the Middle Kingdom shall be as follows: "I here swear fealty and service to the Crown and the Middle Kingdom: to well and loyally administer my Office and give wise counsel to the Crown according to my knowledge and ability. Thus swear I (Name)." And the Crown shall answer: "This do We hear and will never forget, nor fail to reward that which is given: fealty with love, service with honor, and oath-breaking with vengeance."

XI-300 The Oath of Fealty of the Prince and Princess of a Middle Kingdom Principality shall be as follows: “I here swear fealty and do homage to the Crown of the Middle Kingdom: to hold the Principality of (Name) in fief from the Crown, to loyally uphold and enforce your laws in those lands and give wise counsel to the Crown according to my knowledge and ability. Thus swear I (Name)."And the Crown shall answer: “This do We hear and will never forget, nor fail to reward that which is given: fealty with love, service with honor, and oath-breaking with vengeance."

XI-400 At the Crown’s discretion, the word "justice" may be substituted for the word "vengeance" in each Oath of Fealty.

XI-500 As it is the Crown’s duty to be true and faithful rulers for Their subjects, upholding Their subjects’ rights and working for their benefit, so shall the Crown not permit oaths of fealty to restrict Their subjects from full participation within the Society. If for reasons of conscience a subject be unable to swear an oath as specified within these laws, the Crown shall create an alternate ceremony that both respects the integrity of the individual and enhances the pageantry and flavor of the Society.

ARTICLE XII - Courts of Chivalry and Courts of Inquiry and Arbitration

XII-101 Courts of Chivalry of the Middle Kingdom are for the express purpose of investigating matters within the medieval framework of the Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc., and pertain only to conduct and subjects within the structure and definitions of the Society.

XII-102 All persons involved in the convening and proceedings of a Court of Chivalry should bear in mind the seriousness of the affair. Courts of Chivalry should not be convened for trivial reasons and should be regarded as a last resort. All other avenues available for settling the matter should be exhausted before a Court of Chivalry is convened.

XII-200 The Earl Marshal shall have the responsibility for the convening of all Courts of Chivalry of the Middle Kingdom.

XII-201 In such case as the Court of Chivalry shall be desired wherein the Earl Marshal is the subject, the Crown shall appoint a Peer of the Realm to assume all duties assigned to the Earl Marshal by these articles.

XII-202 The Kingdom Seneschal shall act as advisor to the Earl Marshal and the Crown on matters of Society and Kingdom Law.

XII-203 Any person or group desiring the convening of a Court of Chivalry for any reason shall petition the Earl Marshal and the Crown in writing, presenting a summary of the reasons for the Court and any evidence to be presented.

XII-204 The Earl Marshal shall determine if the evidence warrants a formal Court and shall inform the Crown of his decision.

XII-205 If the evidence does not warrant a formal Court, the Earl Marshal may, with the approval of the Crown, settle the matter in a lesser manner; for example, by means of a reprimand, or may recommend remedial action to the Crown.

XII-206 If the evidence warrants a formal Court, the Earl Marshal shall convene the Court as provided for by these articles.

XII-300 The populace shall be notified of the date and place of the Court by means of an announcement in the Pale, as provided for in these articles. All Courts of Chivalry shall be open to the populace.

XII-400 The Crown shall preside over a Court of Chivalry, or may, at Their discretion, appoint a Royal Peer to preside in the name of the Crown. It is suggested, in a case where the proceedings of a Court shall extend beyond the end of a reign, that the new Crown appoint the former Presiding Peer to continue in that office, to preserve the continuity of the proceedings.

XII-401 The judgment of a case before a Court of Chivalry is reserved to the Crown; judgments rendered by a Royal Peer presiding in the name of the Crown are subject to review by the Crown before becoming official.

XII-402 The Kingdom Seneschal and the Dragon Herald or their representatives shall be present at a Court of Chivalry to advise the Crown or Presiding Peer.

XII-403 The composition of a Court of Chivalry and the procedure followed in presenting evidence is at the discretion of the Earl Marshal, subject to the restrictions of these articles.

XII-500 In any case where a person or group of persons may be the subject of a Court of Chivalry, the following procedure shall be followed.

XII-501 The evidence in the Court shall be heard by the Crown or the Presiding Peer, who shall be advised by a Council of Peers of the Realm. The number of this Council is at the discretion of the Earl Marshal, but at no time shall a case be heard with a Council of fewer than six. The members of the Council shall be selected by the Earl Marshal with the approval of the Crown and the subject of the Court from a pre-existing pool of potential Councilors.

XII-502 The Earl Marshal shall maintain a pool of potential Councilors that shall consist of at least two members of each of the Peerages; Chivalry, Laurel, Pelican, and Royal, two landed Barons or Baronesses, and two members of the populace who do not fit either of the previous categories, from each region of the kingdom. The Earl Marshal may, at his discretion, appoint more of any one group to the pool. The Earl Marshal with the approval of the Curia, shall appoint said potential councilors for a term of two years on a rotating schedule to be set by the Earl Marshal.

XII-503 Councilors will be chosen from the pool and seated for any session of the Court by the subject of the court subject to the approval of the Earl Marshal and the Crown or the Presiding Peer. Any Councilor who has a conflict will recuse herself or himself from potential selection.

XII-504 The Earl Marshal shall notify the subject of the Court in writing that the Court is to be convened, and shall include:

5. The time and place of the jury drawing, said time to be not less than two weeks following the notification of the subject.

6. A list of four proposed dates and places for the Court to be held, said dates to permit publication of the chosen time and place in the Pale, and covering a span of not less than four weeks.

XII-505 The subject of the Court shall choose one of the proposed dates and places for the Court and shall notify the Earl Marshal in writing of this choice within two weeks of being notified of the Court. In the unusual circumstance where none of the proposed dates and places is acceptable, the subject shall petition the Earl Marshal and the Crown in writing within two weeks of being notified of the Court, to request another date and place. The granting of said petition shall be at the discretion of the Crown. If the subject of the Court fails to respond within the period specified by these articles, the Earl Marshal shall select one of the proposed dates and places and shall notify the subject in writing that the Court will be held then and there, with or without the subject’s attendance.

XII-506 The subject of a Court shall be allowed to be represented and advised by such counsel as he or she chooses. The Crown shall appoint a Peer of the Realm acceptable to the subject to aid in his or her defense, if the subject so requests.

XII-507 The subject of a Court shall have the right to present evidence and call witnesses in his or her defense, and shall be allowed to cross-examine all witnesses called.

XII-508 The Earl Marshal shall cause a complete record of the proceedings to be made by whatever means is determined to be most efficient and reliable. A copy of this record shall be made available to the subject of the Court if he or she should wish to appeal the judgment.

XII-509 Upon the conclusion of the case, the jury shall present to the Presiding Peer their recommendation upon the disposition of the case. The judgment in the case shall be rendered by the Presiding Peer, subject to the review of the Crown if They are not presiding.

XII-510 The judgments of Banishment from the Society or Degradation from the Peerage shall be stated in the form of a formal request from the Crown to the Board of Directors, since enactment of these judgments is reserved to the Board.

XII-511 The Board of Directors of the Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc., is the ultimate appeal for any member of the Society. Any judgment of a Court of Chivalry may be appealed to the Board as provided for in the Corpora.

XII-600 The judgment of any Court of Chivalry shall be published in the Pale as soon as possible following the adjourning of the Court.

XII-701 The Court of Inquiry & Arbitration is intended to provide an opportunity for fair arbitration between antagonistic parties and the establishment of the facts of a complaint.

XII-702 A request for a Court of Inquiry & Arbitration must be made in writing to the Kingdom Seneschal, specifying the reasons for the request, after the lesser mechanisms for reconciliation have been used and proven unsatisfactory to one or more of the antagonistic parties. After receiving such a request, the Kingdom Seneschal shall inform the Crown of the need to convene a Court of Inquiry & Arbitration.

XII-800 The Seneschal shall establish a date for the convening of the Court after consultation with the Crown. The Court may only be convened within the Middle Kingdom, at an official event published in the Kingdom Newsletter. The Kingdom Seneschal shall notify the antagonistic parties of the convening of the Court in writing, by return receipt requested mail, a minimum of ten days prior to the date of convening of the Court. Any of the antagonistic parties may appeal the scheduled date directly to the Kingdom Seneschal or Crown.

XII-801 Failure of an antagonist to appear after such proper notification has been made may be considered by the Judge or Panel of Judges to be a plea of 'no contest' to the complaints specified. If this occurs, the Judge or Panel of Judges may proceed with reaching a decision in the matter.

XII-900 The Crown may function as the Judge of the Court of Inquiry and Arbitration, or may appoint a triumvirate Panel of Judges, as the Crown sees fit. The Judge or Panel of Judges shall consider the merits of a complaint and offer resolution to the antagonistic parties. In the case where a Panel of Judges sits, a simple majority vote shall constitute a decision of the Court in all matters.

XII-901 The Kingdom Seneschal shall sit as an adviser to the Court. The Judge or Panel of Judges may select such other advisors or assistants as seem appropriate. The Earl Marshal shall act as the Sgt. of Arms to the court.

XII-902 The Curia Secretary shall keep an official record of the Court's proceedings and decisions. Copies of this official record shall be provided in a timely fashion to the antagonistic parties, the Judge or Panel of Judges, and the Crown if the Crown does not sit as Judge of the Court. The Kingdom Seneschal as archival material shall keep this official record. Each antagonist has the right to file a formal written response to the decision by the Court with the Kingdom Seneschal during this time, such a response then becoming a part of the archival material.

XII-903 It is expected that the Court shall be convened for only a short period of time. To this end, the antagonistic parties shall be asked at the outset of the Court if they can agree, in part or in whole, to a list of stipulated facts in the matter as prepared by the Advocate.

ARTICLE XIII - Succession of the Crown in the Absence of the Sovereign

XIII-100 In such case as the Sovereign or Consort shall be unable to fulfill the duties of the Crown, the other shall fulfill all the duties of the Crown until the successor is crowned at the customary time of Coronation.

XIII-200 In such case as both the Sovereign and the Consort shall be unable to fulfill the duties of the Crown, the Tanist and Tanist’s Consort shall be proclaimed Sovereign and Consort, respectively, and shall fulfill all the duties of sovereign and consort until the customary time of Coronation. At this time, the Tanist shall be crowned Sovereign by the Premier Peer of the Realm who has beforehand been Sovereign, according to the customs of the Middle Kingdom. The Tanist’s Consort shall then be crowned Consort according to the customs of the Middle Kingdom.

XIII-300 In such case as there shall be no Tanist or Tanist’s Consort, a Crown Tournament shall be held under the supervision of the Sovereign, according to the laws and customs of the Middle Kingdom.

XIII-301 In such case as the Tanist or Tanist’s Consort shall be unable to fulfill his or her duties, the one who is able shall fulfill all the duties of the Tanist and Tanist’s Consort until the customary time of Coronation at which time he or she shall be crowned Sovereign according to the customs of the Middle Kingdom.

XIII-400 In such case as both the Sovereign and the Consort shall be unable to fulfill the duties of the Crown, and there is neither Tanist or Tanist’s Consort, the Dragon Herald, as voice of the Crown, shall proclaim a Regent. Said Regent shall be the Coronet of the Senior territorial principality in the Middle Kingdom. A Crown Tournament shall be held under the supervision of the Earl Marshal, according to the laws and customs of the Middle Kingdom, as soon as is possible. The victor in the Crown Lists shall be immediately crowned Sovereign by the Regent, according to the customs of the Middle Kingdom. The victor’s consort shall then be immediately crowned Consort according to the customs of the Middle Kingdom. The new Crown shall hold a Crown Tournament as soon as it can be announced in the Pale to choose a Tanist and Tanist’s Consort to be crowned at the customary time of Coronation.

ARTICLE XIV - Recognition and Advancement of Subsidiary Groups

XIV-100 All groups desiring recognition or advancement within the Middle Kingdom shall petition both the Kingdom Seneschal and the Crown.

XIV-101 The Kingdom Seneschal shall keep the Crown appraised of the progress of all such petitions.

XIV-200 Groups other than Cantons (and their equivalents) are required to have a Seneschal, an Exchequer, a Pursuivant, and at least one of the following: Minister of Arts and Sciences, or Marshal. Cantons are required to have a Seneschal, an Exchequer and at least one of the following: Pursuivant, Minister of Arts and Sciences or a Marshal.

XIV-201 If any training of fighters is to be undertaken, the group must have an appropriate Marshal.

XIV-202 If monies are held by the group, an Exchequer is required. A group may not hold monies in the name of the Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc. until it has been officially recognized by the Middle Kingdom Seneschal as an incipient or full-status group.

XIV-203 Upon obtaining full status, a group shall recommend and request warrants for their officers.

XIV-300 Prospective groups shall submit a name to the Kingdom Seneschal and the College of Arms.

XIV-400 Existing groups shall not be permitted a division or advancement which will foster a schism or factionalization of a political nature in the resident population.

XIV-500 Prospective new baronies must reach and maintain a level of at least 30 sustaining and 10 additional associate or higher memberships.

XIV-600 Prospective new principalities must reach and maintain a level of at least 125 sustaining and 50 additional associate or higher memberships.

XIV-700 No geographic area, other than a group officially recognized by the Kingdom Seneschal, may have officers, a champion, or defined borders. Groups listed on the Middle Kingdom Collegium Seneschallorum are officially recognized by the Kingdom Seneschal.

XV-100 A letter of request from the populace and polling information from the Kingdom Seneschal's office shall be forwarded to the Crown for consideration of any appointment of a Territorial Baron and Baroness. The letter and polling must reflect the consensus of the members of the Society within the proposed Barony. The populace of a Barony and the resigning Baron/Baroness (if a Baron and Baroness are currently in place) shall in this way advise the Crown regarding the appointment of a new Baron/Baroness. Consideration of the letter and polling requires that the selection of the Baron and Baroness must not be substantively opposed by the members resident in the Barony.

XV-200 Pursuant to these considerations, the Crown shall appoint as Baron and/or Baroness those individual(s) deemed most fit to represent the Royal presence in the Barony.

XV-210 The term baron refers to the male gender. The term baroness refers to the female gender. No two members of the same gender shall be appointed as baron and baroness.

XV-300 Territorial (Landed) Barons and/or Baronesses may not also hold the offices of Baronial Seneschal or Baronial Exchequer. In addition, a Territorial Baron and/or Baroness may not be a signatory on any Baronial bank account.

XV-301 Territorial (Landed) Barons and Baronessess must reaffirm their fealty in person to the Crown of the Middle Kingdom (or the Crown's appointed representative) at least once per reign.

XV-302 Territorial (Landed) Barons and Baronessess must report, in writing, to the Crown of the Middle Kingdom (or the Crown's appointed representative) at least once per reign. This report shall be due at each Coronation.

This report shall include: contact information for both the Baron and Baroness (including address of residence, telephone and e-mail contact information, if applicable) copy of current, valid Society membership, information regarding the state of the Barony, summary of events and meetings attended by the Baron and Baroness, and changes to any existing Baronial Charter. The first report shall include a copy of the Baronial Charter, if one exists.

XV-303 All Baronies will have established a term of office of five (5) years for the Baron and Baroness. At the end of the term shall have conducted within their barony, a polling of the populace for a new Baron and/or Baroness. The current Baron/ess may be nominated for the polling. This polling shall be conducted through the office of the Kingdom Seneschal, following the Kingdom Seneschalate policies. The polling shall be conducted in all regions of the kingdom following the Coronation schedule, as established in Kingdom Law VI-101.

XV-304 Territorial Barons and Baronesses, once titled, shall retain said title until such time as they leave their Barony to become a resident of another place so as to preclude their continued active participation in the affairs of the Barony. Upon leaving their Barony, they shall resign their territorial title and, at the discretion of the Crown, may be styled Baron/Baroness of the Court.

XV-305 The populace of the Barony and the resigning Baron/Baroness shall advise the Crown regarding the appointment of a new Baron/Baroness by a written petition reflecting the consensus of the members within the Barony. Consideration of this petition requires that it must not be substantively opposed by the members resident in the Barony.

XV-400 In the case of an extended, but temporary, absence of the Baron/Baroness, he/she may request that the Crown appoint a Vicar to fulfill the duties of Baron/Baroness until their return.

XV-410 The vicar may fulfill the duties of the baron/baroness for up to one year. The Crown may choose to extend the period of time that the vicar serves up to a maximum of eighteen months.

XV-420 If a baron/baroness is not active for one year without the appointment of a vicar, the crown shall appoint a new baron/baroness. Not active is defined as no participation in the resident barony at events and/or meetings.

XV-500 Baronial Court may only be held within the territory of the Baron/Baroness holding Court.

ARTICLE XVI - Miscellaneous Laws

XVI-100 Anyone may attend Middle Kingdom events provided they wear an attempt at pre 17th century dress and adhere to the requirements for participation as specified in Society law.

XVI-200 The research and display of medieval gunnery is to be permitted, but no weapon is to be discharged under any circumstances under SCA auspices, except for signaling purposes at the Pennsic War.

XVI-300 Within the constrictions of federal, state, local and SCA ordinances, any person may choose any persona, regardless of race, national origin, or sex.

XVI-400 No household, guild, association, etc., organized for the purpose of assassination or of slavery shall be allowed in the Middle Kingdom as this does not meet with the basic principles of chivalric behavior. Assassination games may still be played with the advance knowledge and consent of the players. No activity, contest or publication which appears to condone or frivolously treat slavery shall be allowed in the Middle Kingdom.

XVI-500 No Great Officer of the Middle Kingdom or their warranted Deputies shall produce any official publications without approval of the Curia Regis.

XVI-501 Content of any official handbook is subject to editing by the appropriate Great Officer and the Crown before publication.

XVI-502 All profits resulting from such publications must be returned to the Kingdom Treasury as required by the Exchequer, for disbursement through the normal budgeting procedure.

XVI-503 Full financial reporting must be made to the Kingdom on a regular schedule as required by the Exchequer.

XVI-600 There shall be established within the Middle Kingdom an avenue for the dissemination of knowledge and information regarding the historical Middle Ages and Renaissance together with the history, traditions and customs of the Middle Kingdom. This organization shall be called the Regalis Universitas Mediterraneae, hereafter called RUM. RUM shall be governed and administered pursuant to its by-laws which shall be approved and signed by the Crown, after consultation with the Curia Regis.

XVI-601 RUM shall be overseen by a Chancellor, who shall be empowered to appoint such assistants in office as are needful to the effective performance of the duties of that office.

XVI-700 All Great Officers of State and principality officers shall be Sustaining, Contributing, or Patron members of the Society for Creative Anachronism, Incorporated, and shall maintain such membership while they are officers. All Lesser Officers, deputies, and local branch officers shall be Sustaining, Contributing, or Patron members or shall be Associate or Family members with immediate access to the Pale provided by a subscribing membership at their residence, and shall maintain such membership while they are officers.

XVI-800 Local, baronial or provincial officers shall be appointed by their kingdom superiors and their appointments confirmed by the Crown or Coronet, as appropriate. These officers must not be substantively opposed by the people of their branch, but the final decision regarding their tenure remains with the superior officers and royalty.

XVI-810 Officers once removed from office for just and stated cause may not hold said office again.

XVI-900 The deliberations of each of the Patent Orders are conducted in the Crown’s confidence. No person shall violate that confidence without the express permission of the Crown. Deliberations of the Patent Orders specifically includes polls and any other correspondence between the Crown and the Order as a whole as well as any discussions within the Peerage meetings.

XVI-1000 An officer may resign by sending written notice to their baronial (if applicable), principality/regional and kingdom superior. The failure to send in required reports can be held to serve as a resignation from office by the Great Officer of State that the office reports to. Resignation from office is without prejudice.

XVI-1010 An officer serves for the duration of their warrant or the length of their tenure in office (a maximum tenure may be imposed on the offices under their jurisdiction by a Great Officer of State). Warrants run from one Crown Tourney to the next unless specifically superimposed by a new warrant issued by the Crown and the Great Officer of State for that office. Warrants may be renewed or not, by the Crown and the Great Officer of State. Such a lapse of warrant or tenure is without prejudice towards the outgoing officer.

XVI-1020 The Crown may suspend an officer while an investigation is conducted regarding that officer. The suspension may last no longer than the duration of the reign. The investigation will be conducted in a timely fashion by the affected Great Officer and a recommendation for disposition via removal for cause or reinstatement will be rendered. If the investigation is not complete by the end of the reign in which it was begun, the Great Officer will make a recommendation to the Heirs--in conjunction with the outgoing Crown--as to the disposition of the matter.

XVI-1030 A Great Officer of State may suspend an officer under their jurisdiction while an investigation is conducted regarding that officer (pursuant to XVI-1020). The suspension may last no longer than thirty days, at which time the Great Officer will either request that the Crown invoke Its suspension privileges under XVI-1020, re-instate the officer, or recommend that the officer be removed for cause

XVI-1040 The Crown and a Great Officer may remove one of their officers or an officer under the jurisdiction of their office permanently for just and stated cause. Removal for just and stated cause requires that the Crown and Great Officers act in concert. The just and stated cause for removal from office must be given in writing to the officer removed, but may not be published. A copy of the removal for just and stated cause must remain in the permanent files of the Crown and Great Office.

Officers once removed from an office for just and stated cause may not hold any type of office under the same Great Office again.

A removal for just and stated cause can be suspended at any future date, should new information warrant such. The suspension of a removal for just and stated cause requires that the Crown and the Great Officer act in concert. A record of the suspension of a removal for just and stated cause must remain in the permanent files of the Crown and Great Office.

XVI - 1050 Once an officer has resigned or a warrant has lapsed and is not renewed, or the length of tenure has expired, or an officer’s warrant has been revoked, or the officer was removed for just and stated cause; a new officer acceptable to the Crown and the Great Officer of State must be chosen by the group. Either the Crown or Great Officer of State may specify a method for the group’s selection. The Crown and the Great Officer of State may appoint an individual other than any selected by the group to the office, subject to the restrictions under these laws.

XVI-1100 Events cannot be placed on the Kingdom Calendar or in the Pale if scheduled for a date already reserved by a group within a 100-mile radius, unless the group hosting the event previously scheduled gives permission.

If the first group denies permission, exceptions permitting the scheduling of the second event within the 100-mile radius include specific-focus events that will clearly and unmistakably appeal to generally very different audiences, i.e. a dance event and a war practice, an equestrian challenge and a bardic arts symposium, etc. This determination will be made by the Kingdom Calendar. If permission is refused and the difference in audience appeal is not clear cut, the Kingdom Seneschal will make the final ruling in the conflict.

ARTICLE XVII - Constitutions of the Orders and Awards of the Middle Kingdom

XVII-101 There exists in the Middle Kingdom an Order unto which The Crown has elected such persons as are qualified as described herein below. The award shall be called the Order of the Gaping Wound, hereafter referred to as the Order.

XVII-102 The Order was given to individuals who, on the field of Society combat, had suffered a hurt requiring surgery or other hospital care.

XVII-103 Holders of the Order are entitled to place after their names the initials C.G.W., and may be styled and announced in precedence as Companions of the Order of the Gaping Wound.

XVII-104 The Order did confer upon the holder an Award of Arms if that individual was not already armigerous.

XVII-105 Membership in the Order shall assure an individual a position, according to seniority in the Order, in the Order of Precedence before holders of Awards of Arms, but after Companions of the Dragon’s Tooth.

XVII-201 There shall exist in the Middle Kingdom an Order unto which the Crown may elect such persons as it sees fit. The award shall be called the Order of the Dragon’s Tooth, hereafter referred to as the Order.

XVII-202 The Order shall be given to individuals who, in the sight of the Crown, have performed dramatic deeds in the Arts Martial on behalf of the Middle Kingdom, above and beyond service normally expected of the subjects of the Crown.

XVII-203 Holders of the Order shall be entitled to place after their names the initials C.D.T., and may be styled and announced in precedence as Companions of the Order of the Dragon’s Tooth.

XVII-204 The Order shall confer upon the holder an Award of Arms if that individual is not already armigerous.

XVII-205 Membership in the Order shall assure an individual a position, according to seniority in the Order, in the Order of Precedence equal with the Order of the Dragon’s Barb, the Order of the White Chamfron, the Order of the Cavendish Knot and the Order of the Red Company, before Companions of the Order of the Gaping Wound but after Recipients of the Purple Fret and Recipients of the Queen’s Favour/Doe’s Grace.

XVII-206 Elevation shall be proclaimed in court or in some other public place to the Middle Kingdom at large.

XVII-207 Membership in the Order may be terminated only by the resignation of a Companion from the Order, submitted to the Crown in writing.

XVII-208 Companions of the Order may wear a fang suspended from about their neck upon a chain or display the badge emblazoned: Argent, on a pale vert three fangs Or.

XVII-209 At the discretion of the Crown, a related award may be granted to a branch, guild or other organized group of the Society for excellence in group fighting. This award shall be called the Dragon’s Teeth, hereafter referred to as the Award.

XVII-210 Any group in receipt of such an award may wear a badge emblazoned: on a dance between two broken dragon’s teeth vert another argent.

XVII-301 There shall exist in the Middle Kingdom an Award which the Crown may grant to such persons as it sees fit. The Award shall be referred to as the Purple Fret, hereafter referred to as the Award.

XVII-302 The Award shall be given to individuals for long and devoted service to their group, office, or Kingdom.

XVII-303 Holders of the Award shall be entitled to place after their names the initials A.P.F., and recipients of the Award may be styled and announced in precedence as Recipients of the Purple Fret.

XVII-304 The Award shall confer upon the holder an Award of Arms if that individual is not already armigerous.

XVII-305 Receipt of the Award shall assure an individual a position, according to seniority among those who have been granted the Award, in the Order of Precedence, equal with Recipients of the Queen’s Favour/Doe’s Grace, and King’s Chalice.

XVII-306 Elevation shall be proclaimed in court or in some other public place to the Middle Kingdom at large.

XVII-307 Recipients of the Award may display the badge emblazoned: Or, a fret purpure.

XVII-308 At the discretion of the Crown, a related Award may be granted to a branch, guild or other organized group of the Society for excellent service. This award shall be called the Purple Fretty, hereafter referred to as the Award.

XVII-309 Any group in receipt of such an award may wear a badge emblazoned: Or, a fretty purpure, alongside their ensign.

XVII-401 There shall exist in the Middle Kingdom an Award which the Crown may bestow upon such persons as it sees fit. The award shall be called the Queen’s Favour, hereafter referred to as the Award.

XVII-402 The Award shall be given to individuals who, in the sight of the Consort, have demonstrated courtesy and chivalry on or off the field, as well as kindness to those around them.

XVII-404 Holders of the Award shall be entitled to place after their names the initials A.Q.F., and recipients of the Award may be styled and announced in precedence as Recipients of the Queen's Favor.

XVII-405 The Award shall confer upon the holder an Award of Arms if that individual is not already armigerous.

XVII-406 Receipt of the Award shall assure an individual a position, according to seniority among recipients of the Award, in the Order of Precedence, equal with Recipients of the Purple Fret and the King’s Chalice, before the Companions of the Order of the Dragon’s Tooth, but after the Companions of the Willow or Silver Oak.

XVII-407 Elevation shall be proclaimed in court or in some other public place to the Middle Kingdom at large.

XVII-408 Recipients of the Queen’s Favour may display the badge emblazoned: Azure, a sword proper enfiled of a wreath of flowers argent slipped and leaved or.

XVII-409 Henceforth, following May 6, A.S. XXIII, this award shall be known as the Award of the Doe’s Grace.

XVII-410 Holders of the Award shall be entitled to place after their names the initials A.D.G., and recipients of the Award shall be known as Recipients of the Doe's Grace.

XVII-451 There shall exist in the Middle Kingdom an award which the Crown may bestow upon such persons as it sees fit. The award shall be called the King's Chalice, hereafter referred to as the Award.

XVII-452 The Award shall be given to individuals who, in the sight of the Sovereign, have displayed excellence and authenticity in their chosen field.

XVII-454 Holders of the Award shall be entitled to place after their names the initials R.K.C., and recipients of the Award may be styled and announced in precedence as Recipients of the King's Chalice.

XVII-455 The Award shall confer upon the holder an Award of Arms if the individual is not already armigerous.

XVII-456 Receipt of the Award shall assure an individual a position, according to seniority among recipients of the Award, in the Order of Precedence, equal with Recipients of the Purple Fret and Doe's Grace, before Companions of the Order of the Dragon's Tooth, but after Companions of the Willow or Silver Oak.

XVII-458 Recipients of the Award may display the badge emblazoned: (Fieldless) A chalice sable.

XVII-501 There shall exist in the Middle Kingdom an Order unto which the Crown may elect such persons as it sees fit. The order shall be referred to as the Order of the Willow, hereafter referred to as the Order.

XVII-502 The Order shall be given to individuals who, in the sight of the Consort, have shown proficiency, but not yet mastery, in one or more of the peaceful arts.

XVII-503 Holders of the Order shall be entitled to place after their names the initials C.W., and may be styled and announced in precedence as Companions of the Order of the Willow.

XVII-504 The Order shall confer upon the holder an Award of Arms if that individual is not already armigerous.

XVII-505 Membership in the Order, in the Order of Precedence, equal with Companions of the Order of the Silver Oak, before Recipients of the Purple Fret, Recipients of the Queen's Favor/Doe's Grace, and King’s Chalice, but after Grants of Arms.

XVII-506 Elevation shall be proclaimed in court or in some other public place to the Middle Kingdom at large.

XVII-507 Membership in the Order may be terminated only by the resignation of a Companion from the Order, submitted to the Consort in writing.

XVII-508 Companions of the Order may display the badge emblazoned: Purpure, a willow tree eradicated or.

XVII-601 There shall exist in the Middle Kingdom an Order unto which the Crown may elect such persons as it sees fit. The order shall be referred to as the Order of the Silver Oak, hereafter referred to as the Order.

XVII-602 The Order shall be given to individuals who, in the sight of the Consort, have shown proficiency, but not yet mastery, in one or more of the Sciences or in research.

XVII-603 Holders of the Order shall be entitled to place after their names the initials C.S.O., and may be styled and announced in precedence as Companions of the Order of the Silver Oak.

XVII-604 The Order shall confer upon the holder an Award of Arms if that individual is not already armigerous.

XVII-605 Membership in the Order shall assure an individual a position according to seniority in the Order, in the Order of Precedence equal with Companions of the Order of the Willow, before Recipients of the Purple Fret, Recipients of the Queen's Favor/Doe's Grace and the King’s Chalice, but after Grants of Arms.

XVII-606 Elevation shall be proclaimed in court or in some other public place to the Middle Kingdom at large.

XVII-607 Membership in the Order may be terminated only by the resignation of a Companion from the Order, submitted to the Consort in writing.

XVII-608 Companions of the Order may display the badge emblazoned: Purpure, an oak tree blasted and eradicated argent fructed or.

XVII-701 There shall exist in the Middle Kingdom an Order unto which the Crown may elect such persons as it sees fit. The order shall be referred to as the Order of the Dragon’s Heart, hereafter referred to as the Order.

XVII-702 The Order shall be given to individuals who, in the sight of the Crown, have performed services on behalf of the Middle Kingdom above and beyond service normally expected of subjects of the Crown.

XVII-703 Holders of the Order shall be entitled to place after their names the initials C.D.H., and may be styled and announced in precedence as Companions of the Order of the Dragon’s Heart.

XVII-704 The Order shall confer upon the holder a Grant of Arms if that individual is not already a holder of a Grant of Arms.

XVII-705 Membership in the Order shall assure an individual a position, according to seniority in the Order, in the Order of Precedence before Companions of the Orders of the Gold Mace, Greenwood Company, Bronze Ring, White Lance and Evergreen but after Court Barons and Baronesses.

XVII-706 Elevation shall be proclaimed in court or in some other public place to the Middle Kingdom at large.

XVII-707 Membership in the Order may be terminated only by the resignation of a Companion from the Order, submitted to the Crown in writing.

XVII-708 Companions of the Order may display the badge emblazoned: Argent, a heart vert scaled argent.

XVII-801 There shall exist in the Middle Kingdom an Order unto which the Crown may elect such persons as it sees fit. The order shall be referred to as the Order of the Dragon’s Barb, hereafter referred to as the Order.

XVII-802 The Order shall be given to individuals who, in the sight of the Crown, have shown proficiency on the field of archery or exemplary service in furthering such field.

XVII-803 Holders of the Order shall be entitled to place after their names the initials C.D.B., and may be styled and announced in precedence as Companions of the Order of the Dragon’s Barb.

XVII-804 The Order shall confer upon the holder an Award of Arms if that individual is not already armigerous.

XVII-805 Membership in the Order shall assure an individual a position, according to seniority in the Order, in the Order of Precedence, equal with the Order of the Dragon’s Tooth, the Order of the White Chamfron, Order of the Cavendish Knot, and the Order of the Red Company, but before recipients of the Order of the Gaping Wound and after recipients of the Purple Fret, Award of the Doe’s Grace, Award of the Queen’s Favour, and Award of the King’s Chalice.

XVII-806 Elevation shall be proclaimed in court or in some other public place to the Middle Kingdom at large.

XVII-807 Membership in the Order may be terminated only by the resignation of a Companion from the Order, submitted to the Crown in writing.

XVII-808 Companions of the Order may display the badge emblazoned: A dragon’s tail palewise, barb to chief, within and issuant from an annulet vert, scaly argent.

XVII-809 At the discretion of the Crown, a related award may be granted to a branch, guild or other organized group of the Society for excellence in group archery. This award shall be called the Dragon’s Flight, hereafter referred to as the Award.

XVII-810 Any group in receipt of such an award may bear a banner emblazoned: Argent, a pale vert scaly argent between four pheons vert.

XVII-1001 There shall exist in the Middle Kingdom an Order into which the Crown may elect such persons as it sees fit. The order shall be called the Order of the Cavendish Knot, hereafter referred to as the Order.

XVII-1002 The Order shall be given to individuals who, in the sight of the Crown, have shown proficiency on the field of rapier combat or exemplary service in furthering such field.

XVII-1003 Holders of the Order shall be entitled to place after their names the initials C.C.K., and may be styled and announced in precedence as Companions of the Order of the Cavendish Knot.

XVII-1004 The Order shall confer upon the holder an Award of Arms if that individual is not already armigerous.

XVII-1005 Membership in the Order shall assure an individual a position, according to seniority in the Order, in the Order of Precedence, equal with the Order of the Dragon’s Tooth, Order of the Dragon’s Barb, the Order of the White Chamfron, and the Order of the Red Company but before recipients of the Order of the Gaping Wound but after recipients of Award of the Purple Fret, Award of the Doe's Grace, Award of the Queen's Favor and Award of the King's Chalice.

XVII-1006 Elevation shall be proclaimed in court or in some other public place to the Middle Kingdom at large.

XVII-1007 Membership in the Order may be terminated only by the resignation of a Companion from the Order, submitted to the Crown in writing.

XVII-1008 Companions of the Order may display the badge emblazoned four cavendish knots conjoined in cross vert.

XVII-1101 There shall exist in the Middle Kingdom an Order into which the Crown may elect such persons as it sees fit. The order shall be called the Order of the Royal Vanguard, hereafter referred to as the Order.

XVII-1102 The Order shall be given to individuals who have served the Crown as the King’s Champions or the Queen’s Champions.

XVII-1103 Holders of the Order shall be entitled to place after their names the initials C.R.V., and may be styled and announced in precedence as Companions of the Order of the Royal Vanguard.

XVII-1104 Elevation shall be proclaimed in court or in some other public place to the Middle Kingdom at large.

XVII-1105 Membership in the Order may be terminated only by the resignation of a Companion from the Order, submitted to the Crown in writing.

XVII-1106 Companions of the Order may display the badge emblazoned (Fieldless) A demi-dragon rampant argent.

XVII-1201 There shall exist in the Middle Kingdom an Award which the Crown may grant to a branch, guild or other organized group of the Society for excellence in the arts and/or sciences. This award shall be called the Grove, hereafter referred to as the Award.

XVII-1202 The Award shall be given to groups who, in the sight of the Crown, have shown proficiency in the arts and/or sciences or exemplary service in furthering such field.

XVII-1203 Any group in receipt of such an award may bear a banner emblazoned per pale or and argent a hurst purpure.

XVII-1204 Elevation shall be proclaimed in court or in some other public place to the Middle Kingdom at large.

XVII-1301 There shall exist in the Middle Kingdom an Order unto which the Crown may elect such persons as it sees fit. The award shall be called the Order of the Red Company, hereafter referred to as the Order.

XVII-1302 The Order shall be given to individuals who, in the sight of the Crown, have shown proficiency and leadership in melee and/or tournament combat.

XVII-1303 Holders of the Order shall be entitled to place after their names the initials C.R.C., and may be styled and announced in precedence as Companions of the Order of the Red Company. Those holders of the Order who have not been elevated to the Chivalry may also be styled and announced as Sergeants of the Red Company.

XVII-1304 The Order shall confer upon the holder an Award of Arms if that individual is not already armigerous.

XVII-1305 Membership in the Order shall assure an individual a position, according to seniority in the Order, in the Order of Precedence, equal with the Order of the Dragon’s Tooth, the Order of the Dragon’s Barb, the Order of the White Chamfron, and the order of the Cavendish Knot, but before recipients of the Order of the Gaping Wound but after recipients of Award of the Purple Fret, Award of the Doe's Grace, Award of the Queen's Favor and Award of the King's Chalice.

XVII-1306 Elevation shall be proclaimed in court or in some other public place to the Middle Kingdom at large.

XVII-1307 Membership in the Order may be terminated only by the resignation of a Companion from the Order, submitted to the Crown in writing.

XVII-1308 Companions of the Order may display the badge emblazoned gules, two flanged maces in saltire argent.

XVII-1401 There shall exist in the Middle Kingdom an Order unto which the Crown may elect such persons as it sees fit. The award shall be called the Order of the Greenwood Company, hereafter referred to as the Order.

XVII-1402 The Order shall be given to individuals who, in the sight of the Crown, have shown excellence in two of three areas of archery: skill, service and the arts and sciences.

XVII-1403 Holders of the Order shall be entitled to place after their names the initials, C.G.C. and may be styled and announced in precedence as Companion of the order of the Greenwood Company. Those holders of the Order may be styled and announced as Foresters of the Greenwood.

XVII-1404 The Order shall confer upon the holder a Grant of Arms if that individual is not already a holder of a Grant of Arms.

XVII-1405 Membership in the Order shall assure an individual a position, according to seniority in the Order, in the Order of Precedence, equal with Companions of the Orders of the Gold Mace, Bronze Ring, White Lance and Evergreen, but after Companions of the Order of the Dragon's Heart

XVII-1406 Elevation shall be proclaimed in court to the Middle Kingdom at large.

XVII-1407 Membership in the Order may be terminated only by the resignation of a Companion from the Order, submitted to the Crown in writing.

XVII-1408 Companions of the Order may display the badge (Fieldless) Upon a hurst of pine trees vert, a pheon inverted or.

XVII-1501 There shall exist in the Middle Kingdom an Order unto which the Crown may elect such persons as it sees fit. The order shall be referred to as the Order of the White Chamfron, hereafter referred to as the Order.

XVII-1502 The Order shall be given to individuals who, in the sight of the Crown, have shown proficiency on the field of equestrian activities or exemplary service in furthering such field.

XVII-1503 Holders of the Order shall be entitled to place after their names the initials C.W.C., and may be styled and announced in precedence as Companions of the Order of the White Chamfron.

XVII-1504 The Order shall confer upon the holder an Award of Arms if that individual is not already armigerous.

XVII-1505 Membership in the Order shall assure an individual a position, according to seniority in the Order, in the Order of Precedence, equal with the Order of the Dragon’s Tooth, Order of the Dragon’s Barb, Order of the Cavendish Knot, and the Order of the Red Company, but before recipients of the Order of the Gaping Wound but after recipients of Award of the Purple Fret, Award of the Doe's Grace, Award of the Queen's Favor and Award of the King's Chalice.

XVII-1506 Elevation shall be proclaimed in court or in some other public place to the Middle Kingdom at large.

XVII-1507 Membership in the Order may be terminated only by the resignation of a Companion from the Order, submitted to the Crown in writing.

XVII-1508 Companions of the Order may display the badge emblazoned: (Fieldless) A chamfron argent.

XVII-1601 There shall exist in the Middle Kingdom an Order unto which the Crown may elect such persons as it sees fit. The award shall be called the Company of the Bronze Ring, hereafter referred to as the Order.

XVII-1602 The Order shall be given to individuals who, in the sight of the Crown, have shown excellence and leadership in rapier combat, and who have trained others in these skills.

XVII-1603 Holders of the Order shall be entitled to place after their names the initials, C.B.R. and may be styled and announced in precedence as Companion of the Bronze Ring. Those holders of the Order may be styled and announced as Warders of the Bronze Ring.

XVII-1604 The Order shall confer upon the holder a Grant of Arms if that individual is not already a holder of a Grant of Arms

XVII-1605 Membership in the Order shall assure an individual a position, according to seniority in the Order, in the Order of Precedence, equal with Companions of the Orders of the Greenwood Company, Gold Mace, White Lance and Evergreen, but after Companions of the Order of the Dragon's Heart.

XVII-1606 Elevation shall be proclaimed in court to the Middle Kingdom at large.

XVII-1607 Membership in the Order may be terminated only by the resignation of a Companion from the Order, submitted to the Crown in writing.

XVII-1608 Companions of the Order may display the badge emblazoned as registered with the Laurel Sovereign of Arms.

XVII-1701 There shall exist in the Middle Kingdom an Order unto which the Crown may elect such persons as it sees fit. The award shall be called the Company of the White Lance, hereafter referred to as the Order.

XVII-1702 The Order shall be given to individuals who, in the sight of the Crown, have shown excellence in two of three areas of equestrian activities: skill, service and the arts and sciences.

XVII-1703 Holders of the Order shall be entitled to place after their names the initials, C.W.L. and may be styled and announced in precedence as Companion of the White Lance.

XVII-1704 The Order shall confer upon the holder a Grant of Arms if that individual is not already a holder of a Grant of Arms.

XVII-1705 Membership in the Order shall assure an individual a position, according to seniority in the Order, in the Order of Precedence, equal with Companions of the Orders of the Greenwood Company, Bronze Ring, Gold Mace and Evergreen, but after Companions of the Order of the Dragon's Heart.

XVII-1706 Elevation shall be proclaimed in court to the Middle Kingdom at large.

XVII-1707 Membership in the Order may be terminated only by the resignation of a Companion from the Order, submitted to the Crown in writing.

XVII-1708 Companions of the Order may display the badge emblazoned: (Fieldless) A lance argent.

XVII-1801 There shall exist in the Middle Kingdom and Award which the Crown may bestow upon such persons as it sees fit. The award shall be called Award of the Sapphire. Hereafter referred to as the Award.

XVII-1802 The Award shall be given to individuals who exhibit courtesy, grace, and honor to people of all ranks and exemplifies what it means to be the embodiment of the dream.

XVII-1804 The Award is non-armigerous and conveys no precedence. The Clerk of Precedence shall maintain a historical record of recipients.

XVII-1805 The recipients of the Award may place the initials RSL (Recipient of the Sapphire Light) after their name.

XVII-1806 Recipients of the Award may display the badge emblazoned: (Fieldless) A step-cut gemstone azure.

XVII-1807 Elevation shall be proclaimed in court or in some other public place to the Middle Kingdom at large.

XVII-1901 Holders of the Award shall be entitled to place after their names the initials A.O.A., and recipients of the Award may be styled and announced in precedence as Recipients of the Award of Arms.

XVII-2001 Holders of the Award shall be entitled to place after their names the initials G.O.A., and recipients of the Award may be styled and announced in precedence as Recipients of the Grant of Arms.

XVII-2002 Grants of Arms may be bestowed at the Crown's discretion on current or former Great Officers of State. A Grant of Arms as bestowed upon a Great Officer shall allow the recipient to maintain a dragon crest. Only Great Officers of State who have received the Grant of Arms for that service, may use the dragon as a crest.

XVII-2101 Holders of the Order shall be entitled to place after their names the initials O.P., and recipients of the Order may be styled and announced in precedence as Companions of the Order of the Pelican.

XVII-2201 Holders of the Order shall be entitled to place after their names the initials O.L., and recipients of the Order may be styled and announced in precedence as Companions of the Order of the Laurel.

XVII-2301 Members of the Order who have elected to join the Chivalry as a member of the Order of Knighthood, shall be known as Knights of the Society, and shall be entitled to place after their names the initials K.S.C.A., members of the Order may be styled as Companions of the Order of the Chivalry. Members of the Chivalry who joined as members of the Order of Mastery of Arms, shall be known as Masters and Mistresses of Arms of the Society, and shall be entitled to place after their names the initials M.S.C.A., the recipients of the Order may be styled and announced in precedence as Companions of the Order of the Chivalry.

XVII-2401 Holders of the Order shall be entitled to place after their names the initials O.R., and recipients of the Order may be styled and announced in precedence as Companions of the Order of the Rose.

XVII-2501 There shall exist in the Middle Kingdom an Order unto which the Crown may elect such persons as it sees fit. The order shall be referred to as the Order of the Evergreen, hereafter referred to as the Order.

XVII-2502 The Order shall be given to individuals who, in the sight of the Crown, have both taught and shown excellence in one or more of the Arts, Sciences or in research.

XVII-2503 Holders of the Order shall be entitled to place after their names the initials C.E., and may be styled and announced in precedence as Companions of the Order of the Evergreen.

XVII-2504 The Order shall confer upon the holder a Grant of Arms if that individual does not already have one.

XVII-2505 Membership in the Order shall assure an individual a position according to seniority in the Order, in the Order of Precedence equal with Companions of the Gold Mace, Greenwood Company, Bronze Ring and White Lance, before holders of a Grant of Arms, but after Companions of the Order of the Dragon's Heart.

XVII-2506 Elevation shall be proclaimed in court or in some other public place to the Middle Kingdom at large.

XVII-2507 Membership in the Order may be terminated only by the resignation of a Companion from the Order, submitted to the Crown in writing.

XVII-2508 Companions of the Order may display the badge as registered with the College of Arms.

XVII-2601 There shall exist in the Middle Kingdom an Order unto which the Crown may elect such persons as it sees fit. The award shall be called the Order of the Gold Mace, hereafter referred to as the Order.

XVII-2602 The Order shall be given to individuals who, in the sight of the Crown, have shown both excellence and leadership in melee and/or tournament combat, and who have trained others in these skills.

XVII-2603 Holders of the Order shall be entitled to place after their names the initials C.G.M., and may be styled and announced in precedence as Companions of the Order of the Gold Mace. Those holders of the Order who have not been elevated to the Chivalry may also be styled and announced as Captains of the Red Company.

XVII-2604 The Order shall confer upon the holder a Grant of Arms if that individual does not already possess one.

XVII-2605 Membership in the Order shall assure an individual a position, according to seniority in the Order, in the Order of Precedence, co-equal with Companions of the Evergreen, Greenwood Company, Bronze Ring and White Lance, before holders of a Grant of Arms, but after Companions of the Order of the Dragon's Heart

XVII-2606 Elevation shall be proclaimed in court or in some other public place to the Middle Kingdom at large.

XVII-2607 Membership in the Order may be terminated only by the resignation of a Companion from the Order, submitted to the Crown in writing.

XVII-2608 Companions of the Order may display the badge emblazoned as registered with the College of Arms.

XVIII-2701 There shall exist in the Middle Kingdom an Award into which the Crown may elevate such persons as it sees fit. The order shall be referred to as the Dragon’s Treasure, hereafter referred to as the Award.

XVIII-2702 The Award shall be given to youth of the Kingdom who, in the sight of the Crown, have rendered exemplary service to their Kingdom. This Award may be given more than once.

XVII-2703 The Award is non-armigerous and conveys no precedence. The Clerk of Precedence shall maintain an historic record of recipients.

XVII-2704 Elevation shall be proclaimed in court or in some other public place to the Middle Kingdom at large.

XVII-2705 Recipients of the Award may display the badge emblazoned: A dragon’s gamb couped erect maintaining a plate argent charged with a pale gules.

XVII-2801 There shall exist in the Middle Kingdom an award into which the Crown may elevate such persons as it sees fit. The order shall be referred to as the Award of the Banton, hereafter referred to as the Award.

XVII-2802 The Award shall be given to youth of the kingdom who, in the sight of the Crown, have displayed chivalry and enthusiasm in the martial arts. The Award may be given more than once.

XVII-2803 The Award is non-armigerous and conveys no precedence. The Clerk of Precedence shall maintain an historic record of recipients.

XVII-2804 Elevation shall be proclaimed in Court or some other public place to the Middle Kingdom at large.

XVII-2805 Recipients of the Award may bear the badge emblazoned as registered with the College of Arms.

XVII-2901 There shall exist in the Middle Kingdom an award into which the Crown may elevate such persons as it sees fit. The order shall be referred to as the Award of the Silver Acorn, hereafter referred to as the Award.

XVII-2902 The Award shall be given to the youth of the kingdom who, in the sight of the Crown, have displayed enthusiasm and effort in the arts and sciences. The Award may be given more than once.

XVII-2903 The Award is non-armigerous and conveys no precedence. The Clerk of Precedence shall maintain an historic record of recipients.

XVII-2904 Elevation shall be proclaimed in Court or some other public place to the Middle Kingdom at large.

XVII-2905 Recipients of the Award may bear the badge emblazoned as registered with the College of Arms.

ARTICLE I - Defined Arms of the Middle Kingdom Page 1

ARTICLE II - Powers, Duties and Limitations of Royalty Page 1

ARTICLE III - Great Lords and Ladies of State Page 2

ARTICLE IV - Lesser Lords and Ladies of State Page 4

ARTICLE V - The Curia Regis Page 6

ARTICLE VI - Crown Tournaments and Coronations Page 6

ARTICLE VII - Authorizations for Combat Activity Page 8

ARTICLE VIII - Contracts with the Modern World Page 9

ARTICLE IX - Orders, Precedence, and Symbols of Rank Page 10

ARTICLE X - Financial Accounting Page 11

ARTICLE XI - Oaths of Fealty Page 12

ARTICLE XII - Courts of Chivalry and Courts of Inquiry and Arbitration Page 12

ARTICLE XIII - Succession of the Crown in the Absence of the Sovereign Page 14

ARTICLE XIV--Recognition and Advancement of Subsidiary Groups Page 15

ARTICLE XV - Territorial Barons and Baronesses Page 16

ARTICLE XVI - Miscellaneous Laws Page 17

ARTICLE XVII - Constitutions of the Orders and Awards of the Middle Kingdom Page 18