The Outlands began as a region of Atenveldt. It became a principality in A.S. XII, and was elevated to kingdom status in A.S. XXI.
The arms of the kingdom are Vert, a stag argent, attired and unguled, salient from between the boughs of a laurel wreath, in chief a Saxon crown, all within a bordure embattled Or. Many of the awards' names and badges incorporate elements of the kingdom's arms: a leaping stag, and the colors green, silver, and gold.
Outlands kingdom law requires that anyone receiving an award must be a paid member of the SCA.
Flower of the Outlands: given for outstanding achievements
in the arts and/or sciences. Companions of the Flower of the Outlands are entitled to place the
initials OFO after their names.
The badge of the order is:
Vert, two stags combatant argent, maintaining a
sexfoil Or, within a bordure engrailed Or.
Iron Hart of the Outlands: given for outstanding achievements
in traditional SCA-style combat. Recipients of
the order are styled "Thegns of the Iron Hart" and are entitled to place the
initials TIH after their names. The badge of the order is:
Vert, two stags combatant argent, maintaining an axe argent hilted
Or, within a bordure engrailed Or.
Stag: given for outstanding service to the
kingdom. Companions of the Stag of the Outlands are entitled to place the
initials OSO after their names. The badge of the order is: Vert, two stags
combatant, maintaining a column argent, within a bordure engrailed Or.
Order of the White Scarf of the Outlands:
given for outstanding achievement in the art of period rapier combat.
Defenders of the White Scarf are styled "Don" or
"Doña" and are entitled to place the initials DWS after their names. The
insignia of the order is a white scarf worn under the arm and tied at the
shoulder. The order's badge is: Sable, on a pale argent between two rapiers
proper, a stag's antler vert. This award was elevated to grant-level on
November 9, 1996. Members of the order prior to this date retain their awards
at the former AoA level.
Order of Sharparrow:
given for outstanding achievements in the art of period archery skills.
Recipients are styled "Archer of the Iron Rain," and are entitled to place the
initials AIR after their names.
The order's badge is: Vert, on a pale argent endorsed Or a flaming arrow sable.
Order of the Silver Lance: given for exceptional skill and leadership in the equestrian arts. Recipients are styled "Lancers of the Outlands," and are entitled to place the initials OSL after their names. The order's badge is:Vert, two stags combatant sustaining between them a lance argent, a bordure engrailed Or. (Subject to approval by the College of Arms.)
Order of the Stag's Heart:
given for excellence in service to the kingdom.
Companions of the Stag's Heart are entitled to place the initials CSH
after their name. The order's badge is: Vert, a heart Or between the attires
of a stag's head cabossed argent, attired, within a bordure embattled Or.
Order of the Argent Hart: given for excellence in
the arts and sciences.
Companions of the Argent Hart are entitled to place the initials CAH after
their names. The order's badge is: Vert, a stag's head, erased and affronty,
argent, collared and armed, within a bordure embattled Or.
Order of the Stag's Blood:
given for excellence in the art of traditional SCA combat.
Recipients of the order are styled "Defenders of the Stag's
Blood," and are entitled to place the initials DSB after their names.
The order's badge is: Vert, in saltire, a sword inverted proper and an
axe argent, hafted Or, surmounted by a stag's head cabossed argent, armed,
within a bordure embattled, Or.
Order of the Silver Tynes of the Outlands: given for
excellence in the art of period rapier combat.
Recipients of the order are styled "Defenders of the Silver Tyne"
and are entitled to place the initials DST after their names.
Order of the Golden Pheon:
given for excellence in archery.
Companions of the Golden Pheon are entitled to place the
initials CGP after their names. The insignia of the order is:
Vert, a pheon inverted environed of a stag's attire, all within a
bordure embattled Or.
Order of the Silver Stirrup: given for excellence
in the equestrian arts.
Companions of the Silver Stirrup are entitled to place the initials CSS
after their names.
Order of the Trefoil: given to members of shires, cantons,
or colleges for their martial achievement, arts and sciences, or service
to their group. Companions of the Trefoil are entitled to place
the initials CTO after their name. The order's badge is: Vert, a trefoil
slipped argent within a bordure embattled Or.
Order of the Stag and Chalice: given to those who have served the kingdom for 15 years or longer. Companions of the Stag and Chalice are entitled to place the initials CSC after their name. The order's badge is: (Fieldless) A chalice conjoined to and environed of the attires of a stag's head cabossed argent attired gules. (Subject to approval by the College of Arms.)
The Walker of the Way:
given to individuals
whose behavior best personifies the highest ideals and values of the Current
Middle Ages. It can be given only once per reign. Recipients are entitled
to place the initials CWW after their names. The badge is: Argent, a palmer,
robed, hooded and bearing a staff sable.
Order of the Queen's Grace: given by the Queen to those whose conduct best exemplifies the ideals of courtliness and gentility. Companions of the Queen's Grace are entitled to place the initials CQC after their names may wear the token of the order, a green and white braided lanyard worn on the shoulder.
Order of the Legion of Gallantry: given by the Crown to those who have exemplify the ideals of gallantry and courtesy. Companions of the Legion of Gallantry are entitled to place the initials CLG after their names.
The Promise of the Outlands:
given to those persons 16 or younger who show great promise.
Recipients are entitled to place the initials CPO after their names.
The badge of the order is: Vert, a deer's head erased argent, budded, within a bordure
embattled Or.
Company of the Venerable Guard:
given to fighters who have served the martial interests of
the Society for fifteen years or more. Companions of the Venerable Guard
are entitled to place the initials CVG after their names. The award's badge
is: Vert, a sheaf of three swords inverted proper surmounted by a rose, all
within a bordure embattled Or.
Queen's Cypher: given by the Queen to those who have rendered personal service to her during the reign. Bearers of the Queen's Cypher are entitled to place the initials BQC after their names, and may wear the insignia of the order, a stylized rendition of the Queen's initials.
The Cordon Royale: given by the King to those who have rendered personal service to him during the reign. Bearers of the Cordon Royal may wear the insignia of the order, a belt bearing a stylized rendition of the King's initials.
The Company of the Knights Pensioner: given to fighters who have served the martial interests of the Society for thirty years or more. Members of the chivalry who receive this award are styled as Knight Pensioners of the Venerable Guard. Those who are armigerous are styled as Lord/Lady Pensioners of the Venerable Guard. They are entitled to place the initials PVG after their names.
Order of the Argent Rose: given to those under the age of 15 who have demonstrated consistent excellence in service. Companions of the Argent Rose are entitled to place the initials CARO after their names, and may wear the insignia of the order, a belt favor or medallion pendant from a ribbon, bearing the registered badge of the Order: Vert, a rose argent barbed and seeded proper, within a bordure embattled Or.
Order of the Azure Mullet: given to those under the age of 15 who have demonstrated consistent excellence in the arts. Companions of the Azure Mullet are entitled to place the initials CAMO after their names, and may wear the insignia of the order, a belt favor or medallion pendant from a ribbon, bearing the registered badge of the Order: Or, a mullet of 8 points azure, within a bordure embattled Vert.
Order of the Fallen Snow: given for exemplary skill in the art of portraying an honored warriors' death on the field. Companions of the Fallen Snow are entitled to place the initials CFS after their names, and may wear the insignia of the order: any rendition of a helm and a snowflake.
The Brendon Swatko Award: given to those under the age of 16 for excellence in martial endeavors. Companions of the Brendon Swatko Award are entitled to place the initials CBS after their names.
An Augmentation of Arms is thought to be one of the highest honors which can be bestowed by the Crown.
King's Champion: in the past this honor fell to the second-place fighter in the Crown Lists. Currently, the recipient is personally chosen from among the entrants by the King. The King's Champion has the honor of wearing a green baldric, and a green tabard embattled in gold, depicting a white stag and fleur-de-lis, until the next King's Champion is chosen.
Queen's Champion: chosen in a tournament held twice yearly, on the weekend of Coronation. The Queen's Champion has the honor of wearing a green leather baldric, and a green tabard bordered with gold roses, depicting a white doe and fleur-de-lis. These items are returned to the Queen at the next Queen's Champion's Tournament.
Warlord of the Outlands: chosen in a tournament held at least once a year. The winner holds the title of "Warlord of the Outlands" until the next tournament.
Protector of the Queen's Heart: chosen in the Queen's Rapier Champion's Tournament, held twice yearly, on the weekend of Coronation. The Protector has the honor of wearing a green cape, bordered with gold roses, depicting a white doe. These items are returned to the Queen at the next Queen's Rapier Champion Tournament. The award's badge is: Vert, two rapiers inverted in saltire proper, overall a heart, all within a bordure embattled Or.
Royal Archer: The Royal Archer competitions are held at various events on Memorial Day Weekend. The same tournament format is run at all locations; the victor is the archer who shoots the highest score of all. All Outlands archers who are members of the SCA and are ranked Yeoman and above are eligible to compete for the title. The Royal Archer's duties vary depending upon the Crown's desires and needs. At a minimum, the Royal Archer will host or assist in the running of the next Royal Archer Tournament and stand ready in Their Majesties' Courts when needed.
Windhover Bard: (Kingdom Bard) Chosen by competition, this title was was established in honor of that most talented and formidable poetess, Mistress Kyriel of Windhover Cliff.
Queen's Bard: may be chosen by the Queen to serve throughout Her Reign. The badge of the position is: Vert, a harp argent surmounted by a rose, all within a bordure embattled Or.
King's Bard: may be chosen by the King to serve throughout His Reign. The badge of the position is: Vert, a harp Or surmounted by a trefoil slipped argent, all within a bordure embattled Or.
Queen's Shield of Chivalry: given by the Queen and Crown Princess to the entrant in the Crown Lists who conducts himself or herself the most chivalrously upon the field that day. The bearer of the Shield surrenders it to the new Queen at the next Crown Tournament. The shield itself is round, with a gold rose on a green field.
Champion of the Arts and Sciences: chosen at the Arts and Sciences Grand Competition, which may be held once per reign, at the kingdom Arts and Sciences events.
Flower of Chivalry: given by the Queen to an entrant in the Queen's Champion Tournament who has displayed honor and chivalry throughout the rounds of fighting. The holder of this honor has the right to wear a green baldric trimmed with gold, depicting a gold rose, until the next Queen's Champion's Tournament. Each local group in the Outlands may also proclaim a Flower of Chivalry at their local Champion tournaments. The baldrics vary group to group, each in the group's livery colors, and depicting a different flower. An entrant in the Queen's Rapier Tournament may also be honored as a Flower of Chivalry, and given the privilege to wear a similarly decorated baldric, and to carry a rapier which is passed on from the previous Flower.
Many awards and titles from the Outlands' years as a principality are still recognized although they are no longer awarded. Closed principality awards include:
Order of the Stag's Tynes (CST): given for service to the principality. The order's badge is: Vert, a stag's attires Or, affixed to the scalp erased proper, within a bordure embattled Or.
Order of the Leaping Stag (OLS):
given for excellence in the arts and
sciences. The order's badge is: Vert, a stag leaping between in bend sinister a
harp and an olive branch bendwise, all argent.
Order of the Grail of Grace (CGG): given for personal service to the Princess.
Order of the Princess' Cypher (BPC): given for personal service to the Princess.
Order of the Prince's Gauntlet (BPG): given for personal service
to the Prince.
Mistress Jessa d'Avondale (Marla Lecin) resides in the East Kingdom. She invites anyone with updates or corrections to this article to contact her.