College of Scribes

The Caidan College of Scribes, overseen by the Scribe Armarius, is responsible for producing the beautiful scrolls that are presented to Caidan award recipients, and for fostering learning in the fields of Calligraphy and Illumination.

The College received a Royal Recognition of Excellence for service to the kingdom from Conrad II and A'isha, 06/07/2014.

Decades ago, everyone who got an award in Caid (eventually) received a hand-painted scroll, until such time as the number of award recipients far exceeded the ability of the scribes to keep up with it. It is now the custom in Caid to contact the Scribe Armarius is you would like to receive a scroll and/or would like to do a scroll for a particular person. There are exceptions to this, in the case of peerage awards for which scrolls are often done in advance to be given at the time of the elevation.

Even if you've never done calligraphy and/or illumination, you are encouraged to take advantage of Collegium classes and various workshops offered throughout the Kingdom (aka "Scriptorium"). This is an SCA-wide activity, as you can see from the links to other Kingdoms' scrolls below.

The Award Certificates given at court used to be called "promissories" because they were considered to be placeholder documents for a more elaborate scroll. For some time, these Award Certificates were colored in by hand, but it was determined that the effort expended on that would be far better spent on a formal scroll.

In addition to calligraphed and illuminated scrolls, other mediums have included embroidery, weaving, and etching. The most outstanding example of the latter was a project done by Master Luke Knowlton in the Barony of Carolingia for the Laureling ceremony of Maestra Irayari Vairavi, a former resident of Caid. The scroll text was translated into the appropriate Indian dialect and script, and etched onto the tablets. Master Luke detailed his research and process for the copper plates traditionally used in India.

Award Certificates

For most Caidan awards, the Crown bestows a medallion bearing the badge of the Order or other token of the Award, along with a color-printed Award Certificate, dated and signed by the King and/or Queen. (Only the Queen signs the Legion of Courtesy certificate because this is Her award to give.) The Award Certificate commemorates the award and, depending on the award, the reason it was granted. (Previously Award Certificates were called "Promissories" because they were a promise for the production of a finished scroll. Today, with the requirement that the recipient request scroll production, the certificate does not promise anything. Thus the change to more accurate terminology.)

Notable exceptions include Awards and Grants of Arms, which consist solely of the award certificate, and the Vanguard of Honor, Corde de Guerre, and Signum Reginae (and its variants) which consist solely of a piece of regalia.

For awards that grant a title and/or change in Order of Precedence, the award recipient may contact the Scribe Armarius to request the production of a "scroll". The scroll is an SCA document which more formally commemorates the giving of the award and is signed and sealed by the King and Queen who bestowed it. Some scrolls also include the recipient's arms, in which case, the Crescent Principal Herald also signs and seals the document.

It is the responsibility of the Royal Chamberlain to maintain a supply of color-printed Award Certificates for the reign. The current art files are located at . The Royal Chamberlain is also responsible for coordinating production of award cords.

Likewise, Barons and Baronesses are responsible for the production of baronial Award Certificates and scrolls for those awards.

More Information

• Scrolls
• Scribal Arts

• Contact the Scribe Armarius The current Scribe Armarius is Dame Richenda Elizabeth Coffin. Former Scribe Armarius Mistress Aliskye Rosel maintains the Compendium's scroll gallery at Scrolls.

Other Kingdoms

• An Tir College of Scribes
• Kingdom of Atlantia Clerk Signet
• Lochac College of Scribes
• Midrealm Scribal College
• West Kingdom College of Scribes

• The Pensive Pen

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