Caid
| Kingdom of Caid | ||||
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 Azure, a crown within a laurel wreath Or, between three crescents within a bordure embattled argent. | ||||
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Caid was the 6th Kingdom created in the Society for Creative Anachronism. A subject of Caid is known as a "Caidan" (rather than "Caidian").
Location
Originally, the Kingdom of Caid included Southern California, from Bakersfield south to the Mexican border, and east to the Arizona and Nevada borders.
Rieslingshire, the first Shire in the SCA and originally part of the Kingdom of the West, eventually joined Caid; it became the Barony of Nordwache.
New Zealand, which had been part of the Kingdom of the West, also opted to leave the West and become part of Caid. In 2003, it joined the Kingdom of Lochac, which was established in 2002. However, the Barony of Southron Gaard, Shire of Darton, and Shire of Ildhafn show their former allegiance to Caid in the form of Augmentations of Arms received from the Crown of Caid.
Currently, Caid encompasses the area from Merced, CA, east to Las Vegas, NV, and west to Hawaii. Brazil (Rio de Janeiro) was added as a territory in Spring 1999.
For specific details about the various areas of Caid, see Territories.
A Brief History
The SCA actually began in the early 1960s, when David Thewlis (Duke Siegfried von Hoflichskeit) and Ken de Maiffe (Duke Fulk de Wyvern) met while studying languages at the AFB in Bremerhaven, Germany. Their shared love of the Middle Ages led them to begin studying the art of sword-and-shield fighting. In February 1966, after returning to the U.S., they began practicing combat with wooden swords and plywood shields. The fighting made Diana Paxson (Countess Diana Listmaker), a post-grad medieval history major, recall the fabled "Last Tournament," which had been held in Scotland in 1839.
"The Earl of Eglanton, a high-minded young nobleman, complete with castle, serfs, and a head full of the novels of Sir Walter Scott, decided to dramatize the values of the Middle Ages, which were Scott's and his own answer to the problems of the Industrial Revolution, by having a tournament. Costumes were prepared, banners were sewn, and the springs of the London hansom cabs broken by the weight of men in armor being born to practice. In was the social event of the year. The Great Day arrived and the splendid procession processed and the jousting commenced. And then it began to rain ... Do you know what happens to armor in the rain? And banners? And respectable English noblemen without any shelter? That was the end of the Romantic Period in England." (from Diana Paxson's fanzine, Patterns, which gave an account of the first tournament of the SCA.)
Diana, David, and Ken decided to hold a Medieval-themed going-away party for Diana who was entering the Peace Corps. The event included a "protest march" against the 20th century along Telegraph Avenue. 18 months later, the single event had morphed into regular activities including tournaments, revels, and classes on various arts and sciences. The SCA as we know it was formalized on January 6, 1968 at Twelfth Night and incorporated in July of that year.
SCA participants in Southern California drove up to the Bay area (Berkeley, San Francisco, etc.) to participate in events. Beginning in 1970, events were also held in the local area (which at the time was mostly included in what was then the Barony of the Angels.1 From Angels came Calafia, Isles, and Dreiburgen. The four "Southern Baronies," as they were known, gathered in Dreiburgen on April 20, 1974 for the Royal Tourney of Union 1974, and the Principality of Caid was born, with then-King of the West Andrew of Riga as its first Prince.
Four years later, the formal petition for Kingdom status was presented on January at West Kingdom 12th Night to TRMs Andrew of Riga and Patrice d'Cilla. Caid's First Crown Tournament 1978 was held in April 1978, with the first First Coronation Festival 1978 held on June 6, 1978, at which Armand de Sevigny and Diana de Savigny were crowned King and Queen of Caid by the West's only Caidan King and Queen Gregory of York and Bevin Fraser of Stirling.
Some of the "Firsts" in Caid include:
- 1st Caidans to receive Awards of Arms: Bjo of Griffin & John ap Griffin. Maestra Flavia was the SCA's 1st Chirurgeon, the founder of the Collegium Caidis, and the 1st Caidan to receive two peerages on the same day. She and Baron John created the Kingdom's newsletter, The Crown Prints. Their daughter, Viscountess Lorissa du Griffin was the SCA's youngest princess at age 10.
- Angels is the SCA's 1st Barony (as noted above) and bestowed the SCA's 1st Baronial award, the Order of the Seraphic Star.
- Naess was the SCA's 1st Canton.
- Countess Bevin Fraser of Stirling was Caid's 1st Laurel and 1st Pelican, 1st Principality Seneschal, and the West's 1st (and only) Caidan Queen. She was also Society Steward (03/1978-01/1980).
- The SCA-wide Order of the Rose was founded by Countess Amina de Talavera, then known as Sheryl of Thespis, ruled as Queen of the West from 01/06/1968-05/05/1968.
- 1st same-gender Baronage: Baron Giles Hill & Barone Giuseppe Francesco da Borgia [1]
1Angels is regarded as the first Barony in the SCA. Atenveldt was founded as a Barony in November 1969, but there was no Baron so it was designated a Province, then a Principality, and eventually it became the SCA's 4th Kingdom.
Sources:
Caid's Traditions
As of January 2015, Caid reaches from San Diego north to Fresno and from Las Vegas west to Hawai'i, with 11 Baronies, 12 Cantons, 5 Colleges, and 5 Shires. (The Baronies of Angels and Lyondemere are sometimes referred to as "Central" or "Downtown" Caid. ) The symbols of the Kingdom are the crescent and dolphin, and the kingdom's colors are azure and argent (blue and silver). While many of our traditions can be traced to the Kingdom of the West, we also have traditions that are uniquely Caidan:
- Potrero War (annual war held in the Spring in Calafia)
- Great Western War (annual war held in October in Wintermist, which has grown into an SCA-wide event)
- Talon Crescent Festival (annual fighting and A&S event held in Starkhafn)
- Royal Recognition of Excellence, a non-armigerous award designated as RRE, and given by the Crown for "deeds or acts that bear recognition outside the regular structure of awards."
- The Laurel Cope, inspired by the Pelican Cope used in Kingdom of Lochac.
- Western Seas is one of the SCA's three Palatine Baronies. The other two are the Palatine Barony of the Far West (in the West, including Pacific Rim, including Japan, South Korea, Guam, and Thailand), and the Palatine Barony of Allyshia (also in the West, encompassing Humboldt County, California).
We have a year-round tournament season, barring the occasional torrential downpour on the mainland. Because Caid doesn't occupy the same massive area as other Kingdoms, it's possible to attend one event every weekend (other than crossing the Pacific to get to Western Seas, or during December when more than one Yule event may be scheduled), often as a day-trip. Over the years, more and more Caidans have traveled to events in other Kingdoms, including Estrella War, Pennsic War, Lilies War, Gulf Wars, and various symposia for Heraldry and Culinary Arts.
The Kingdom has six major events: two Crown Tournies (March and August), two Coronations (June and November,) 12th Night in January, and Great Western War in October. Beginning in January 2016, Fall Coronation will move from November to January, and be combined with 12th Night.
Caidan Fashions
Contrary to the myth, "Welcome to Caid--now get dressed" is NOT the Kingdom's motto. This phrase is properly attributed to Baron Giles Hill, who was somewhat underwhelmed by the level of garb he encountered when he first moved to Caid but never intended it to represent the prevailing attitude. As we know, fashion trends aren't exclusive to the "real" world. Various historical periods (and fantasy realms) have influenced preferences in the SCA. In the late 1970s-early 1980s, many ladies wore a "Caid morning dress," which was a modified version of an early Italian Renaissance gown with a square-necked un-reinforced bodice, high waist, and split skirt. Worn with a chemise, it was comfortable and easy to make. Of course, Norman-style garb for women and particularly men has been a staple of Caidan fashion. In the 1980s, both Elizabethan and Cavalier garb was common. There have always been representations of Greek, Roman, and Asian garb in various levels of authenticity.
Since the Millennium, Caid--like its fellow Kingdoms--has seen an increase in Viking Age attire and as of 2015, the trend appears to be going strong. (There are, of course, still those who favor late 15th c. Italian Renaissance, Tudor, and Elizabethan garb. As always, if you want help with a particular style, you'll be able to find someone who can help you with it.)
Heraldry
Ceremonies
Many of Caid's ceremonies hearken back to its origins in the Kingdom of the West. Countess Bevin Fraser of Stirling wrote a number of the ceremonies still being used, including the one for the Dolphin, which includes the somewhat infamous response of "of Happy Memory" that follows the mention of Viscountess Vivian Aurore de la Mer's name. (See Of Happy Memory)
One of the things that tends to surprise visitors from other Kingdoms where it's optional, swearing fealty is part of the Caidan peerage elevation ceremony. For many years, as it was done in the West, candidates for the peerages were called forward without warning. Ever since the first Coronation, when Giesele Hildegaard of the Mystic Dragon was called forward from the kitchen, where she was cooking the feast, to receive a Laurel, there has been a trend away from these "stealth" peerages and for the past several years, candidates are notified in advance and given time to prepare for their elevation. This gives them time to prepare garb suitable for such an important ceremony, gather their attendants, and hold a vigil prior to the elevation.
The Kingdom Name
Way back when, people write the name of the Kingdom in all capitals: "CAID" as a reference to the acronym for the four founding baronies of Caid: Calafia, Angels, Isles (now a shire), and Dreiburgen. However, this practice was abandoned some time ago, and the Kingdom name should not be spelled in all capitals. (In fact, the kingdom's officially-registered name is "Caid, Kingdom of," going back to February 1975.)
In awards and ceremonies, "Caidis," which means "of Caid" in Latin (genitive), is used. For example, "Regina Caidis" (Queen of Caid) and "Collegium Caidis" and, of course, "Compendium Caidis."
For more reading about the kingdom name:
Royal Arms
The Kingdom has several coats of arms registered for the use of the King, Queen, Prince and Princess.
| Description | Image Preview |
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| The arms of the Kingdom of Caid, Azure, a crown within a laurel wreath Or, between three crescents within a bordure embattled argent may be displayed to indicate the presence of the King or both the King and Queen together. |
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| The presence of the Queen may be indicated either by display of the Queen's arms*, Azure, a rose Or between three crescents within a bordure embattled argent, or display of the arms of the Kingdom of Caid. | 
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| The presence of al-Caid, the Crown Prince of Caid, may be indicated either by display of the Prince's arms*, Argent, three crescents and on a chief azure a dolphin embowed argent, or by display of the kingdom arms differenced by a gold label, indicating status as heir to those arms. |  
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| The presence of Lady Caid, the Crown Princess of Caid, may be indicated either by display of the Princess' arms*, Argent, three crescents and on a chief azure a rose Or, or by display of either the Kingdom arms or the Queen's arms differenced by a gold label. |  
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*After July 2004, the College of Arms of the SCA no longer registers arms for a kingdom or principality's consort or heirs. The arms for Caid's consort and heirs were registered prior to that date, and therefore may continue to be used. If the Queen chooses, she may display the kingdom arms instead, which is closer to period practice, and helps indicate that the King and Queen are coequal. Likewise, the Crown Prince and Princess may choose to display the kingdom arms differenced by a gold label, to indicate their status as heirs to the Kingdom.
Additional Artwork
Populace Badge
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The kingdom has registered "Azure, four crescents conjoined in saltire horns outward argent" for the use of the populace. This badge is more commonly referred to as the "Cross of Caid" or "Caidan Cross". It may be displayed by any Caidan on flags, clothing, etc. to show allegiance to the kingdom. It may be displayed on a blue field, or the crescents alone may be displayed as a "fieldless" badge. | 
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Royalty
See Royals for a full list of Royalty.
Territorial Barons and Baronesses
See Baronage for a full list of Territorial Barons and Baronesses.
Awards
See Awards for a full list of Caidan awards.
Trivia
- Caid is said to mean "fortress" in medieval Arabic.
- Established: 8 June 74 A.S. IX as a principality of the West.
- Became a Kingdom: 3 June 78 A.S. XIII.
- The Crown Prince is known as "al-Caid", which is Arabic for the governor.
- The Crown Princess briefly had the unwieldy alternate title of "al-Caidessa" but is now referred to as "Lady Caid."
- As a point of interest, the last star on the handle of the Big Dipper is named al-Caid.
- The name has no affiliation with Irish football
More Information
| Territories |
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| Caidan Baronies: Altavia, Angels, Calafia, Dreiburgen, Dun Or, Gyldenholt, Lyondemere, Naevehjem, Nordwache, Starkhafn, Western Seas, Wintermist Caidan Shires: Al-Sahid, Carreg Wen, Darach, Isles Caidan Cantons: Bard's Keep, Canyons, Castle North, Cragdon, Gallavally, Mons Draconis, Peridot Isle, Poll na Gainmhe, Steinsee, Summergate, Tanwayour, Torvald, Valley Azure Caidan Colleges: Boethius, Fenwood Knoll, Noe, Saint Artemas, Saint Firmin, San Ambrogio, San Isidore, Tour d'Yvoire, Voyagers Other Information: Former Territories, Kingdoms, Known World |
