Order of Precedence

The Order of Precedence is a method of showing rank within the SCA. It was used as well for Grand Marches, where people were introduced to the Royalty in Order of Precedence. It was first instituted by the Kingdom of the West.

The Order of Precedence is the master list of Awards given in Caid and Awards given to Caidan populace, as well as some non-award information such as lists of King's and Queen's champions, Arts and Sciences Pentathlon champions, personal heraldic titles, etc. This monumental task is managed by the Keeper of the Order of Precedence, a deputy to the Crescent Principal Herald.

Grand March

At early SCA events, the Grand March was instituted to introduce newer members to the Royalty and to those who had been in the SCA a longer time. Royalty would sit at court while the heralds compiled lists of names of those attending, matching them with the Order of Precedence. Once the list was compiled, attendees would be brought up to the Royal Court with those of highest rank coming first. They would be announced and introduced to those in court and be seated. Those who came last were the newest to the SCA and so would be introduced to all those at court so as to make them both visible and welcome.

As time progressed, and the number of people in the Grand March became more cumbersome, it became common for entire households to come up at once, their place in the procession being determined by their highest ranking member. This had two unfortunate effects. First, many newer members were not introduced individually since they came with a household. And secondly, many people joined households of higher ranking persons because they felt it elevated their own status since they could march with them. With these effects and the increasingly larger number of people attending events, the Grand March was finally retired except in exceptional cases.

More Information

• Caid Order of Precedence website

Officers of Caid
Offices: Crown, Arts & Sciences, Chatelaine, Chronicler, Constable, Exchequer, Herald, Lists, Marshal, Seneschal, Webwright, Youth Officer Groups: Army, College of Heralds, College of Scribes, Collegium Caidis, Crown Prints, Newcomers Guild, Water Bearer Guild Other Information: Caidan Law, Greater Officer of State, Lesser Officer of State, Guilds, Officer Hierarchy, Privy Council