The Crown
The Crown is a term referring to the reign of the King and/or Queen of the Kingdoms of the SMA. Each Kingdom has it’s own crown, and each can decide how heirs to the crown are selected.
Normally a King/Queen’s rule last for 6 months. Partially through their official reign they will hold tournaments to select a rightful heir in case anythin should befall them. The world is a dangerous place, and ruling in dangerous lands is a hazardous job. Kings and Queens of all lands in all eras had to navigate through the rough seas of political intrigue and danger. As such, a wise King/Queen always has a plan for the continuation of the Kingdom in the unfortunate event that become the victims of foul deeds and plots of those that would seek to end their rule permanently!
So how is a new King/Queen selected? Normally this is done through tournament systems. At the moment it is decided soley through combat touraments where the victor is elevated to Prince/Princess along with their chosen Consort.
Currently being develped is formatting for alternate styles of selection that can be based off other or even all elements of the SMA life.
The Royal Peers
Those members of the Society of the Middle Ages who have served as the Crown of a kingdom or the Coronet of a principality, whether it be the one they currently reside in or another kingdom or principality, are members of the Crown’s extended family and comprise the kingdom’s Royal Peers. As such, they are expected to offer the wisdom of their experience as members of the Crown’s or Coronet’s Privy Council and to always behave as exemplars of the ideals of the Society.
As duties should always be balanced by privileges, and as service should be met with honors, these past Crowns and Coronets shall have the following recognitions and honors:
One who has served as the Prince or Princess of a Principality within the Society shall be recognized, upon completion of said term, with a Viscounty and named a Viscount or a Viscountess of the Realm. The recipient may use an alternate title if one is more historically accurate for his or her medieval persona. Holders of this honor are entitled to wear a coronet decorated with eight or more pearls at or just above the top edge of the coronet.
One who has served once as the King or Queen of a Kingdom within the Society shall be recognized, upon completion of said term, with a County and named a Count or a Countess of the Realm or allowed to use an alternate title that is more historically accurate for his or her medieval persona. If the former Crown is from a march or a local group that was once a march or a portion thereof, or if the kingdom itself was once a march, said former Crown can be titled a Marquis, Marquise, or a variation thereof. Holders of County honor are entitled to wear a coronet decorated along or just above its top edge with alternating strawberry leaves and pearls.
One who has served two or more times as the King or Queen of a Kingdom within the Society shall be recognized, upon completion of the second term, with a Duchy and named a Duke or a Duchess of the Realm. He or she may use an alternate title if one is more historically accurate for his or her medieval persona. Holders of this honor are entitled to wear a coronet decorated along or just above its top edge with strawberry leaves.
Those who serve as Royal Consorts are worthy of additional recognition, if only for supporting Their Sovereign before and during Their reign. Within and throughout the Society of the Middle Ages, each past Royal Consort is to be inducted into the Order of the Lily at the first Royal Court the former Consort attends after the completion of his or her first term as a Royal Consort. This includes both past Crowns and past territorial Coronets.
The Crown’s Family
As a courtesy, the Crown or Coronet of any SMA kingdom or principality may honor any of their minor children, as well as the non-reigning legal spouse of either Sovereign or Consort who actively supports Their reign, with the honorary title of Prince Royal or Princess Royale for the duration of Their reign. The title of Prince Royal or Princess Royale carries with it no real or permanent precedence, though it allows the bearer to be recognized as part of the Crown’s or Coronet’s family during Their reign.
Non-reigning spouses of Crowns or Coronets need to be aware that, as the reign isn’t about their spouse, it’s even less about them. It’s about the populace, of which they are only one small part. And like it or not, they need to realize that any public displays of affection with their reigning spouse while he or she is “on” – which is basically all the time at events – casts them in the role of that royal’s paramour (side item). While there is a plentitude of historical documentation for royal mistresses and slightly less for other types of royal lovers, such side arrangements were always either carried out in absolute secrecy or were open secrets that everybody might know about but pretended ignorance of because of what they would have to do if it became known that they knew. What happened when Arthur “discovered” Guinivere’s relationship with Lancelot was minor compared to what really happened throughout history. Queens were locked up or executed for taking a lover – or for being in the way of the King taking one. Henry VIII wasn’t the only king of his type, just the most famously bloodthirsty. It was much better to keep the relationship a secret.
At their discretion, the Crown or Coronet may include their spouses who have actively supported Their reign in the usually-limited number of people they give an official but non-armigerous recognition at or toward the end of Their reign. Work done for Their reign also can and should count toward their next-level knighthood in whatever path that work is best categorized as, assuming it fulfills the same requirements it would need to fulfill for anyone else at that level and is done for the royal as a royal and not as the non-royal’s spouse. For example, royal garb such as a coronation gown counts, while personal garb does not.
Useful Information
Simply click on one of the boxes below to learn more about a subject.
Geography Terms of the SMA
Terms like Shire, Province, March, Castle, etc... can be confusing. Click here to learn the differece between the different levels of group from the local level to the Kingdoms of the Realm!
Nobility and Titles
Learn about what titles and recognitions can be achieved as a participating member of the Society of the Middle Ages.
Fealty and Homage
Learn the difference between Fealty and Homage, and how each play an important rol in the SMA!
The Councils
Learn of the imporance of Councils in the Middle Ages, and how they play a role in the SMA.
The Crown
Learn what The Crown is.
Who are Royal Peers?
What about family members of The Crown?
Personas
What is a Persona?
What role does it play, and what does it mean to me?
Crowns and Coronets
Learn of the roles of Crowns and Coronets in the SMA, and what titles/positions wear them. Each represents a special honor in the SMA.
Guide to Knighthood in The Society of the Middle Ages
You can also find a wonderully comprehensive Guide to Knighthood that has been put together by Sir Galen of Bristol for all to use! Click Here to access the guide and start your own journey!
Frequently Asked Questions
Vistit the FAQ for answers to very general questions about the SMA.
Local Groups
Find a local group of The Society of the Middle Ages near you! This is a list of the offically recognized groups of the SMA throughout the United States.
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