Category Archives: Announcements

Fall 2022 Æcademy and War College

28 Sunday Aug 2022

Posted by in Announcements, Arts & Sciences, Æthelmeac Æcademy, Event Announcements & Updates, SCA @ Home, Teaching

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Fall 2022 Æcademy and War College will be held in 2 parts:

The Shire of Abhain Caich Ghlais is hosting an in-person Æcademy and War College on November 12, 2022, at Trinity Lutheran Church and the Hughesville Fire Hall in Hughesville, PA.

Please visit website here for more information

A virtual Æcademy will be held on November 13, 2022.

Please visit website here for more information.

TEACHER REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN FOR BOTH IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL AECADEMIES! 

Please visit website here for more information!!

Crown Tournament Requirements Announced

22 Monday Aug 2022

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From Facebook from Their Highnesses:

Greetings! Unto the Populace of Æthelmearc, it is with great anticipation, that in one month we, Arnthor and Ceirech, Crown Prince and Princess, shall ascend the thrones of Æthelmearc. As the duty of the Crown to find and establish Heirs, we declare a glorious Crown Tournament to be held on October 8th, AS 57, in our Barony of Endless Hills to identify gentles to succeed us upon the thrones.

All combatants and their consorts must be citizens of Æthelmearc, and all consorts must be present throughout the tournament. All shields must be spannable from the armpit and held by the fingertips. Letters of intent must be submitted to us by September 8th (30 days prior to the tournament). You may submit a letter to us by email, or by using the online form. Letters should include full contact information for combatant and consort, authorization and membership cards, mundane age, and SCA and mundane names. Combatant couples are encouraged and should be clearly indicated in the letter. We look forward to a day of pageantry and chivalrous combat to determine Our Heirs!

Monica Gaudio / Illadore de Bedgrayne
Kingdom Seneschal
Æthelmearc

Updated Æthelmearc CoVID Rules

06 Wednesday Jul 2022

Posted by in Announcements, Event Announcements & Updates, Kingdom News, Officer Announcements, Pennsic

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  1. From our Kingdom Seneschal. Please share to any you know are attending Pennsic:

UPDATE

KINGDOM of AETHELMEARC

COVID POLICY  – FOR PENNSIC WAR

Effective July 5th, 2022.

Greetings from the Æthelmearc Kingdom Seneschal;

Please read the below Covid policies update for The Kingdom of Æthelmearc, as we’ve made some very important and recent changes that will affect all Pennsic War attendees.

These policies have been discussed and coordinated with Duke Christopher, Æthelmearc’s Deputy Kingdom Seneschal for Pandemics, as well as Their Royal Majesties Æthelmearc, and the Mayor of Pennsic.

MASK WEARING:

Aethelmearc has a two part masking policy.

Part 1 – OUTSIDE: Masks are no longer required – by anyone – outside.  Vaccinated, unvaccinated, kids, grown-ups – no one is required to wear masks outside.

Part 2 – INSIDE:  All unvaccinated individuals, over the age of 2 years, must wear a mask at all times inside. Also – everyone, vaccinated or not, must wear a mask inside, when Covid transmission is high or substantial on the CDC Transmission map (not the community level). Let us repeat – This is the CDC transmission map, not the Community Levels map. If the map has green on it, it is the wrong map.

Definitions for Pennsic War:

INSIDE – Troll, due to its high density and volume is considered inside and masks are required at Troll. The Great Hall/Big Giant Barn is considered inside if any of the doors are down, the laundry area, bathhouses, and trailers used by the SCA.

OUTSIDE – All outdoor areas  in the Coopers Lake Event Park area and All Pennsic tents – (except Troll & The Great Hall if all of the doors are open)

PENNSIC UNIVERSITY CLASSES – The Presenter, lecturer or teacher presenting any class in any tented area of the Pennsic University may require attendee of that lecture to wear masks during the class.

THE COOPERS STORE & INTERNET CAFÉ: Are not part of the event and as such does fall under their own policy & rules.

PRIVATE CAMPS:  Can and may set their own rules for mask wearing in their own camps / tent areas.

PARENTS PLEASE NOTE: The upper level of the Cooper shower house next to the Cooper Store will be closed and locked for Pennsic 49. The upper bathrooms will still be accessible from the deck. Please let families with older children and teenagers know that they will not be able to hangout and play games inside the shower house like they have in previous years.

COVIDSAFE:

COVIDSafe – Proof of vaccination or negative test.

We are following the SCA’s COVIDSafe policy. You can read it in full in the comments below, but the short summary is that everyone five years old and up must either show proof of being fully vaccinated against Covid-19 or proof of a negative Covid test taken within 72 hours of check-in, that has been issued by a medical facility. (It cannot be a regular home test.)

Some important points – This is required. If you do not have either a negative test or proof of vaccination, you will be turned away, regardless of how far you have travelled, or your status in the SCA. The local testing centres may be full. Your entry to Pennsic will likely be delayed hours, if not days. Please come prepared and please let others who do not do social media know as well. Electronic versions of proof of vaccination or a negative test are OK.

Two other quick points –

1/ There will be no menacing the CovidSafe checkers at Troll. Please be kind to these staff members. They are trying to help you get through the line as quickly as possible. Anyone that starts yelling at them, bullying, acting disrespectfully, or being abusive to them will be told to remove themself from the property immediately for the duration of Pennsic War.

2/ Please be advised that the SCA COVIDSafe policies are for attendees. The landowners, their staff, and some of the food vendors (who don’t participate in the event) are not covered under this policy or the mask policy. There will be no menacing, yelling, or bullying of them either.

What to do if you become sick at Pennsic.

If you get Covid or test positive for Covid while at Pennsic, you should immediately put on a mask, and return home.

If that is not possible (say due to plane tickets), you should Isolate in your tent/camp; notify your campmates for their own health and safety, do not participate in any activities such as martial, classes, A&S, court, and the like, and you can return to activities after 5 days of no symptoms and a negative Covid test issued from a licensed medical provider; or 10 days and a negative Covid test issued from a licensed medical provider if you have symptoms.

Again, this is ONLY if you cannot return home due to extenuating circumstances. We know that some of you do not agree with these policies and there is an added burden. We just want you to understand that our main goal here is to keep the greatest number of people at the lowest risk.

SUMMARY:

  • CovidSafe policy is in effect at Pennsic, you must show proof of vaccination or proof of a negative covid test, from a medical facility, taken within 72 hours of arrival.
  • Masks are required inside at all times by unvaccinated individuals 2 and up, and masks are required inside by *all* if transmission is substantial or high.
  • If you get sick or test positive at Pennsic, mask up and return home.

Thank you all so much for reading and I hope you have a wonderful Pennsic War.

Monica Gaudio

Kingdom Seneschal

Æthelmearc

Illadore de Bedegrayne

Pronouns: She/Her

Æ Covid Policy –https://tinyurl.com/AEShortSummary

 

Pennsic War: Important Updates for Attendees

03 Sunday Jul 2022

Posted by in Announcements, Event Announcements & Updates, Pennsic

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Hello fellow Pennsic attendees!!

29 days until we return HOME! I hope all your Pennsic projects are underway and nearing completion. Here is your July reminder for Pennsic 49 and again, this missive will be longer than what I usually put out.

*IMPORTANT UPDATES* Message from the Deputy Mayor of Event Safety regarding the Covid Policy for Pennsic 49.

“Pennsic 49 Covid policy: Covid policies of the SCA and Kingdom of Æthelmearc apply to Pennsic and will therefore require some changes from what you’ve seen in the past. Some of these may or may not impact you and some of these are critical for everyone attending to know.

EVERYONE ATTENDING MUST SHOW PROOF OF VACCINATION OR A NEGATIVE TEST FROM A MEDICAL FACILITY WITHIN 72 HOURS OF TROLLING IN.

Kingdom of Æthelmearc Covid policy

https://tinyurl.com/AEShortSummary

It’s critical to understand the details here as we really don’t want to turn anyone away at troll because someone didn’t understand what they needed to get in the gate. This applies to anyone 5 years or older, so it includes your kids as well. This only applies to anyone trolling into the event for the first time. Once you’ve received your medallion you can leave and enter the site as normal.

A physical copy of your vaccination card or a photo of it are both acceptable. You will need a form of ID as usual.

If you bring documentation of a negative test remember that it has to be from a medical facility and it has to be within 72 hours of when you arrive at the troll desk so please plan your timing accordingly as sometimes lines can be as long on the weekends. Home test results are not acceptable.

There are no exceptions so if you don’t have what you need you will not be allowed into the event.

Æthelmearc requires masking indoors, but due to the large openings of our facilities places like the Great Hall, and tent spaces are considered outdoor spaces. The upper level of the cooper shower house next to the Cooper Store will be closed and locked for Pennsic 49. The upper bathrooms will still be accessible from the deck.

Camps, individual classes, and merchant spaces may set their own rules for requiring masks in their space, so we recommend all attendees have a mask available and respect the rules for their space. The First Aid pavilion will be treated like a medical facility and masks will be required if you are admitted in to see doctors or EMTs.

The event will not be providing water containers. Attendees are requested to bring their own water containers and we will have filtered water available at various locations around the site. That includes the battlefield and public service areas.

As with things like sunscreen and bug spray, attendees should plan to provide their own masks and hand sanitizer.”

Specific questions on implementation of the Covid Policy at Pennsic can be directed to the email below:

Baron Maneul dela Rosa y Botella de Mirguela

Deputy Mayor of Event Safety

Email here

REQUEST FOR SERVICES

If you require any services (i.e., Charging or you are requesting a Handicap Port-a-John) please visit the Pennsic War web site at the link below:

Visit the website here

Reminder: If you have need of a Handicap Port-a-John, please fill out the form for yourself only. Do not submit a form that says “we have a bunch of people in camp who need one” as this will not be a valid submission and will not be counted. We do not have the same amount of Handicap Port-a-Johns as regular ones and we need to place them where they will help the most. Requests will be accepted until July 25th.

The Great Hall and N-Block Charging Stations are full for all time slots. This means we have NO availability at those locations. We currently have availability at the Disability Camp, B-Block for all time slots and limited for the Runestone Hill Charging Station. If you need access to power, please submit your request as soon as possible. These are first come first served so request early. If possible, you may want to consider investing in the newer Solar Panel options that are available now that are not expensive as our population is growing and the supply struggles to keep up. Requests will be accepted until July 25th. After that point, you can come to Disability Point to request charging once you are on site.

Also, only Service Animals and Service Animals-in-Training will be allowed on site. I cannot stress this enough. If you bring an emotional support or comfort support animal, it will be turned away. Please spread the word about this.

Emotional Support/Comfort Support animals do NOT qualify as a service animal and a doctor’s note / downloaded certificate from a website does not make your dog a service animal.

Please make alternate arrangements for those animals who do not meet ADA and the PHRA rules. If you bring an animal that does not meet the ADA or PHRA definition of a Service Animal or Service Animal-in-Training, it will NOT be allowed on site. You will be provided with a list of kennels in the area in which to take your animal.

Please be sure to bring a certificate of current rabies vaccination with you. If you do not bring one, your service animal will be refused entry to the event.

Please do not bring your pet or ESA / CSA as this will just cause more distress to you as you will be required to remove said animal off site immediately.

We are also offering Signing services for the Deaf/Hard of Hearing community as well. If you need this service, you can go to the web site and click on the link below. We need Signing Service Volunteers. If you can assist, please let me know.

Visit the website here

Please note, site rules state that only electric scooters/wheelchairs (power or manual) are allowed on site. Electric Carts will not be allowed. You may NOT tow anything behind your scooter/wheelchair at any time.

If you have any questions, please reach out to us at this email and we will be happy to assist you.

YIS,

Baroness Isabeau Du Valle

Disability Services Coordinator

Pennsic War 49

 

COVID Policies for Pennsic

06 Monday Jun 2022

Posted by in Announcements, Pennsic

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Video of this announcement available here.

Æthelmearc COVID Policies can be found here. 

SCA COVIDSafe Policy can be found here.

CDC COVID Transmission Map here.

Greetings, For those of you who don’t know me, I am Illadore de Bedegrayne and I am the Kingdom Seneschal for Æthelmearc, which is the kingdom where Pennsic occurs.

Because of that, Pennsic falls under Æthelmearc’s COVID policies, so let’s get into them.
We’re going to discuss COVIDSafe, masking, and what to do if you get sick at Pennsic.
First and foremost, we are following the SCA’s COVIDSafe policy.

You can read it in full in the (links above), but the short summary is that everyone five years old and up must either show proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or proof of a negative COVID test taken within 72 hours of check-in, that has been issued by a medical facility. (It cannot be a regular home test.)

Some important points:

  • This is required.
  • If you do not have either a negative test or proof of vaccination, you will be turned away, regardless of how far you have traveled, or your status in the SCA.
  • The local testing centers may be full. Your entry to Pennsic will likely be delayed hours, if not days.
  • Please come prepared and please let others who do not do social media know as well. Electronic versions of proof of vaccination or a negative test are OK.
Two other quick points:
  • There will be no menacing the COVIDSafe checkers at Troll. Please be kind to these staff members. They are trying to help you get through the line as quickly as possible. Anyone that starts yelling at them, bullying, acting disrespectfully, or being abusive to them will be told to remove themself from the property immediately for the duration of Pennsic War.
  • Please be advised that the SCA COVIDSafe policies are for attendees. The landowners, their staff, and some of the food vendors (who don’t participate in the event) are not covered under this policy or the mask policy. There will be no menacing, yelling, or bullying of them either.
Next: masks.
Æthelmearc has a two part masking policy:
  • Part 1: If you are unvaccinated, you must wear a mask at all times in public areas.This does not include when you are in your private camp – anywhere out in public, you must wear a mask over your mouth and nose. Kids: yes, this includes kids age 2 and above. Again, this is for outside your private camp, and in public areas.
  • Part 2: Any place that is inside, when COVID transmission is high or substantial on the CDC transmission map (not the community level), everyone must wear a mask.
What is inside?
  • Troll, due to its high density and volume is considered inside and masks are required at Troll.
  • The Great Hall/Big Giant Barn is considered inside if the doors are down, the laundry area, bathhouses, and trailers used by the SCA. Of note, the upper level of the Cooper showerhouse next to the Cooper Store will be closed and locked for Pennsic 49. The upper bathrooms will still be accessible from the deck. Please let families with older children and teenagers know that they will not be able to hangout and play games inside the shower house like they have in previous years.
What is outside?
  • All Pennsic tents – save Troll.
  • The Great Hall if all of the doors are open.
  • And of course, outside. 🙂

(The Cooper Store and Internet Cafe is not part of the event and does not fall under this policy.)

Side note: Private camps can set their own rules for masks in their own camps / tent areas.

What to do if you become sick at Pennsic.
  • If you get COVID or test positive for COVID while at Pennsic, you should immediately put on a mask, and return home.
  • If that is not possible (say due to plane tickets), you should isolate in your tent/camp; notify your campmates for their own health and safety, do not participate in any activities such as martial, classes, A&S, court, and the like, and you can return to activities after 5 days of no symptoms and a negative COVID test issued from a licensed medical provider; or 10 days and a negative COVID test issued from a licensed medical provider if you have symptoms. Again, this is ONLY if you cannot return home due to extenuating circumstances.

We know that some of you do not agree with these policies and there is an added burden. We just want you to understand that our main goal here is to keep the greatest number of people at the lowest risk.

To summarize: COVIDSafe policy is in effect at Pennsic, you must show proof of vaccination or proof of a negative COVID test from a medical facility, taken within 72 hours of arrival, unvaccinated individuals, 2 and up, need to wear a mask in public spaces, masks are required by *all* inside, and if you get sick or test positive at Pennsic, mask up and return home.

Thank you so much and I hope you have a wonderful War.

A&S Competitions at the Iris Festival in the Debatable Lands

16 Monday May 2022

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From Master Ishiyama Gen’tarou Yori’ie

There are two Arts and Sciences activities being run at next month’s Japanese Iris Festival event (June 4, 2022 – 121 Brady’s Run Rd, Beaver Falls, PA 15010).

The first is the Iron Comet A&S Competition. The competition has no theme, and accepts all types of projects. The competition is mandatory for anyone in the Iron Comet Challenge, but it is open to everyone. Anyone can win, but only those participating in the martial competitions
will receive tournament points.

The second is the Festival A&S Display. The display is also open to any type of project, but projects displaying arts of Eastern Asia are encouraged. There are no points awarded, no judging, and no winner. Please bring all your most interesting, most useful, most attractive, and most intense projects to show. Research and instruction are not required, but we would love to see any supporting documentation if you have it, and enjoy having you answer questions about your work if you’re not busy elsewhere. You can display as many items as you wish, but if you need a lot of room please consider bringing your own tables and possibly your own shelter.

Both activities will be under shelter, but this event is primarily outdoors so please be prepared to protect your entries from stray raindrops and errant breezes. By site policy, no glass bottles are allowed.

You do not need to register your entries or display items ahead of time,
but if you want to send email to let event staff know what you are
bringing or if you have any questions, please contact “ansminister (at)
debatablelands.org”.

Missive from the Kingdom Exchequer

13 Friday May 2022

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Happy Spring from the Kingdom Exchequer’s Office!

A huge THANK YOU to Baroness Anastasie de Lamoure, for her hard work and commitment as Pennsic Chamberlain, particularly during the recent Pandemic! She will be stepping down from the office this fall and enjoy getting some time back.

Welcome Aboard! To Forveleth Dunde and Master Robert O’Connor (aka Bob the Herald) as they join the Exchequer’s Office as the Incoming Pennsic Co-Chamberlains. They have the monumental task of taking over the office from Baroness Anastasie this fall. Thank you for all the hard work you have already put into this office and Kingdom.

I want to thank Master Madoc Arundel for his ongoing assistance and deft skill at navigating the tricky ins and outs of running and promoting fundraisers in AEthelmearc, particularly for the benefit of the Kingdom Brewer’s Guild. THANK YOU, Madoc!

As always, WE NEED YOU! We still have Kingdom Level Deputy Exchequer positions, of varying skills and time commitments, open for individuals that would like to help out the Kingdom and learn more about how we operate.

· Regional Deputy: Act as first line of assistance for local Exchequers and review the Quarterly Reports for their Region.

· Future Kingdom Exchequer Deputy: Train under the current Kingdom Exchequer with the intent to take over the Office in the future

· Kingdom Branch Reports Deputy: Develop and maintain a tracking and governance system for Branch Quarterly reports, send communications regarding reports and updates, and work with Regional Exchequers to ensure all reports are reviewed and submitted on time.

All potential Deputies must be a Paid SCA Member, 18 or older, can become a Warranted Exchequer (though an existing or active Warrant is not required to apply), and must have regular access to Email, GoogleDrive, and Excel.

Please send your letter of intent and resume to exchequer@athelmearc.org ASAP!

Should you have any questions, concerns, comments, etc, please contact the Exchequer Office at exchequer@aethelmearc.org

Be safe, be smart, & be kind. Wear your mask, wash your hands, & get vaccinated!

Rhys Penbras ap Dafydd
Kingdom Exchequer
Pronouns: He/Him, They/Them

Invitation to Join Forester Saunters

09 Monday May 2022

Posted by in Announcements, Food, Gaming & Fun

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Greetings Noble foresters and fine gentles who love nature and food!

I am Mistress Abigail Kelhoge, residing in the Barony of Thescorre (Nunda, NY, near Letchworth State Park). Master Morien has asked me if I would like to head up a regional saunter, and I said, “sounds like fun!” My father’s estate is vast and rich with game, trees, fields, water, and good clay. The paths are wide, if sometimes muddy, and there is ample room for all sorts of fun activities from May to September. If we wish to continue through the remainder of the year there are many beautiful parks to explore elsewhere.

Each saunter will begin and end in a different location around our property, with a game or skill for each (subject to change based on interest). A medieval meal will be shared after, from simple repast to great feast depending on what you want. Leashed dogs welcome, trails are open to horses, don’t forget your bug spray. All appropriate precautions must be taken according to how the plague is impacting our area. So, if it pleases you, come join me and my clever son John on the following dates:

  1. Sunday, May 15, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. Field and Forest Hike will begin at our home (PM for address) and end at our campgrounds with a simple meal. Approx. 1 mile, 2 shallow stream crossings, terrain is up & down but not overly difficult. Farm, fields, scrub rich with deer, pine stand, and creek valley. Focus will be on animal track & scat identification.
  2. Sunday, June 28, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. The Greenway Hike will go East on the Greenway Trail from Oakland Rd. in Nunda, NY (park at Letchworth Canal Park just down the road, or at our house and walk ¼ mile down the hill). It will end at our campgrounds before Picket Line Rd., (park there for the return trip if you don’t want to walk back). Hike is about 1 mile, good ground, one steep hill at the beginning. There is a bench to rest about halfway. Focus will be on plant and tree identification. (Geocaching site if that’s your thing, I’ve never found it). If you want a longer hike, park on Short Tract Rd. and hike that section of the Canal Lock Park (it’s lovely).
  3. Sunday, July 31, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. (AKA Pennsic Pity Picnic) Woodland Valley Hike will begin at our campgrounds and will loop around the creek and ridges with various forestry skill stations set up along the way (this will range from trivia to physical prowess), followed by a delightful repast. ¾ mile. Park off of Picket Line Rd. in Nunda.
  4. Sunday, September 11, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. Harvest Hike will begin at our house and end at our campgrounds with a focus on food. Forage as you go (optional). 1 mile. Park off of Picket Line Rd. for the return trip if you don’t want to walk back.

For more information, see the Facebook group for the first saunter here and the second saunter here.

Spring Crown Tournament – List of Combatants

17 Sunday Apr 2022

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Greetings Æthelmearc!!!

Join us on May 7 in the Barony of Blackstone Mountain for the Crown Tournament to determine the Heirs of Byron and Ariella, King and Queen of Æthelmearc.

Here is the list of combatants:

Duke Marcus Eisenwald for Comtesse Margerite de la Marchs née Eisenwald

Landgraf Druslius von Oberbessenbach for Dame Caroline of Burgundy

Sir Maghnus de Cnoc an Iora for Brehyres Gwendolyn the Graceful

Sir Magariki Katsuichi no Koredono for Lady Katherine Sinclaire

Sir Arnthor Inn Sterki for Lady Ceirech Na Hinsi

Hersir Marek Viacheldrago for Baroness Sybilla Julianna Detwyller

Master Jussie Laplein for Lady Vika Vyborgskaia

Sir Beatrix Krieger and Sir Þórormr inn Skjálgi (called Thorsol) each for the other

Master Jacob Martinson for Baroness Wilhelmina Boddenham

THLord Hrafn Inn Traustii for Lady Rannveig Hraejsvelgsneys Alfvinsdottir

Baron Willem Mac Lear for THLady Odette d’Arques

THLord Lothar Hugelmann for THLady Sumayya al Ghaziyya

Посадник Звонимир Заводчиков (Posadnik Zvonimir Zavodchikov) for Посадница Зарица Заводчиковна (Posadnitsa Zaritsa Zavodchikovna)

THLord Garreth Whytebull for Baroness Aine ny Allane

THLord Angus the Bull for Agnes Zwei Bruchen

THLord Rhys of Myles Ende for THLady Astridr vigaskegg

THLord Tiberious hostilous mallous for Lady Ascilia Attebroke

Lord Gregory Hillson for Dame Kateryna Ty Isaf

Lord Bjarki Rikarðarson for Mistress Gabrielle de Winter

In Service,

jorundr

Silver Buccle Herald

Polling Orders

31 Thursday Mar 2022

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Congratulations! You have just been given an award that comes with a Grant of Arms! Your hard work, artistry or marshal skills have just been recognized and you’ve been handed a beautiful scroll. What happens next?

Welcome to the Order! In Æthelmearc, we customarily use the title “The Honorable (Lady/Lord)” or the gender neutral “Noble” for holders of a Grant of Arms. You may also use any of the alternate titles allowed by the College of Heralds, found here Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc. (sca.org).

Most Polling Orders recommend people who excel in either a skill or an area of service, the teaching of others, service to the Society and demeanor worthy of the Order (often you will hear the phrase PLQ’s -Peer-like Qualities – and it applies to the Grant level orders as well as the Peerage). Generally, you will have made an impact within the Kingdom in some area or have held varying responsibilities in your local group. It is an accolade, but also an encouragement to continue what you are doing that brings you joy.

As a member of a Polling Order, one of your most important new jobs is to advise the Crown and bring to Their notice gentles who would make a good addition to the order (the same holds true for the Peerage Orders; this is actually codified under the responsibility of a Peer in Corpora).

Orders generally put out a poll once each reign, and the Order members vote candidates. The results of these polls are then sent to the Royalty, who take them into consideration when bestowing awards during their reign. It is their sole prerogative whether to give awards or not, but in practice most Royalty are guided by the Order polls.

How do you get on the polling list? So glad you asked! The easiest way is to contact the clerk for your specific Order as soon as possible. Here is the list of all the Æthelmearc clerks.
Polling Orders | The Sylvan Kingdom of Æthelmearc (aethelmearc.org)

Contact the Clerk for your order today and get on the list! Without your input, other deserving gentles will not be recognized!