This is the Territorial Baron and Baroness handbook of Drachenwald. It is intended as a guide to the post of Baron/ess of a barony. The Governing Documents of the SCA Inc. define the SCA, if there is a conflict with those document here in, the Governing Documents have precedence.

Territorial Baron and Baroness' Handbook.

This is a basic guide to the post of baron/ess of baronies in Drachenwald. It is designed to aid group baron/ess but is not a complete guide to every aspect of the job. If clarification or more information on any part of the post is needed, please contact the Kingdom Seneschal or one of the Deputy Kingdom Seneschals. That is what they are there for.

The Purpose of this Handbook

The purpose of this handbook is to give you, the baron/ess of a group an idea of what you can and cannot do and what you should and should not do. It may seem a bit intimidating at first; if so read it a little at a time. It was deliberately written in the same style of the other officers handbooks. A lot of what is in here is based on problems that have happened in other kingdom, not Drachenwald. However, since people are people, no matter where they live, we thought is was important that the people here in Drachenwald be aware of these potential problems. However, nothing here is aimed at any current or former Drachenwald Baron or Baroness.

Most importantly, don't forget this: Being the Baron/ess of a group is a lot of fun! However, to do the job right will mean it is also a lot of work. It means you represent your barony to the kingdom and the kingdom to your barony. You sit at high table, greet visitors and interact with all of the people of your group. You get to hear the good news first (but, alas, also the bad news). When things go well you get to take the credit, but when things go badly you will probably be blamed for it, even when it is out of your control, because you are the baron/ess of the group. However, the good parts virtually always outweigh the bad parts. You get to reward deserving people and encourage people in every aspect of SCA life, and there is little that is more fun, or more rewarding than that. Like most rewarding things in life, being the baron/ess of a group can be hard, but also a lot of fun.

Always remember to have fun!

What is a Territorial Baron or Baroness?

As the crown's representative, the baron/ess of the group are the ceremonial heads of the barony.

Definition of the post:

Corpora says of the duties of the baron/ess "The basic duties of the Baron and/or Baroness are ceremonial in nature in reflecting the royal presence in the barony. The Crown may assign additional duties and responsibilities, according to the laws and customs of the kingdom." At this time Drachenwald law has no further assigned duties.

Scope of the post:

The post of Baron/ess is a ceremonial one. The Baron/ess represents the Crown (and Coronet if part of a principality) to the barony, and represents the barony to the Crown (and Coronet if part of a principality). This involves:

1. Executing the Lawful commands of the Crown (and Coronet)

2. Being, for the people of the Barony, the chief examples of chivalry, courtesy, and virtue

3. Encouraging the officers of the Barony

4. Being the representative(s) of the Crown (and Coronet) to the people of the Barony in the Crowns (and Coronets) absence

5. Representing the Barony to the Crown (and Coronet)

6. Recognizing the skill, service and other merits of people in the barony

7. Presenting awards in the name of the Crown (and coronet) (when so delegated by the Crown (and Coronet)) that have been already given when the recipient was not there to receive it.

8. Being in fealty to the Crown (and Coronet) of the kingdom of Drachenwald

9. Being consensus builders for the barony

The powers of the post:

The Baron/ess of a group have very little actual powers, other than what the group chooses to give them. What the group chooses to give may be quite enormous. The crowns of Caid have engraved inside them "You rule because they believe." This is an important message for the baron/ess of a group as well.

What powers the baron/ess have are mostly positive. They can reward people in their barony by giving out baronial awards and orders, making people members of baronial guards and retinue, inviting them to sit at high table with them, giving them gifts or tokens, etc. They cannot banish people, approve or disapprove events or anything else that is reserved to the seneschal.

Deputies:

There is no such thing as a deputy Baron and/or Baroness. That does not mean that Baron/ess cannot have people assist them in their job. The following groups of people are your most important resources:

0. All your predecessors in the job. No matter what you might personally think of them, they have been in your job, and know your barony, often in ways that you don't. Make it a habit to go to all of them regularly for advice.

1. The peers in your group. Peers are one of the main supports of the kingdom, and they are invaluable assets to you. Make it a habit to go to all of them regularly for advice.

2. Baron/ess from other groups. Talk to them as well. They can have insights and advice that will help you do a better job.

3. Your officers. They are there to make the barony run, and you are part of the barony. It is extremely unwise to ignore their advice, or to refrain from getting it.

4. The Crown (and coronet). Do not hesitate to contact them for advice or help.

5. The kingdom (and principality) seneschal. Do not hesitate to contact them for advice or help.

What a baron/ess cannot do:

The Baron and /or Baroness do not have any real world powers, just gameside powers. As such they do not:

0. Approve/disapprove baronial officers

1. Declare events official

2. Declare events unofficial

3. Become seneschal or exchequer of the barony while in office

4. Give out armigerous awards

5. Banish people

6. Set polices for the Barony

7. Insist that officers and/or the populace swear fealty to them. They may accept such fealty as is freely offered, but they cannot require it.

8. Require baronial officers to report to them

9. Reign as king or queen (while baron/ess)

Fun Things Baron/ess Get to Do

0. Give out Baronial awards and orders to deserving members of the barony

1. Make baronial appointments such as guards, ladies in waiting, baronial bread maker, baronial shepherdess, etc.

2. Give out gifts in the name of the barony

3. Receive gifts in the name of the barony

4. Lead Baronial troops in war, either personally or through a war leader

5. Encourage new people

6. Have an automatic seat on Curia

7. Be the patron of the arts, sciences, fighting and service of the barony

8. Act as a "team builder" for the barony

General Aspects of the Post of Baron and/or Baroness:

Reports:

The Baron/ess are not considered, in most circumstances, to be officers of the corporation, and so do not have to report to anyone on a regular basis. However, while not required, writing the crown and the kingdom seneschal at the beginning of each reign, with a status report on the state of the Barony is a good idea.

While not a report per se, Drachenwald law requires the Baron/ess to be in fealty to each crown. This fealty must be presented personally at coronation. If the Baron/ess is unable to attend Coronation, they must present written fealty prior to coronation.

At least once a reign, and preferably more often, they should write the Crown (and Coronet) with award recommendations for members of the barony. This should be done at least one month (and preferably more) before any visits of the Crown (and Coronet) to the barony, so scrolls can be arranged.

Keeping listings of newsletters up to date:

It is important to keep your information in the newsletters and websites up-to-date. Therefore if any of this changes, the kingdom and local chroniclers and webministers should be notified immediately.

Selection of New Baron and/or Baroness:

There are two types of baronies, the standard type where the Crown selects the new Baron/ess and the palatine one, where the baron and baroness are chosen through one (or more) competitions. Palatine baronies must receive permission from the Board to choose their baron/ess in that method, and this is usually permitted only for isolated groups.

For standard baronies, the new baron and/or baroness are selected in this manner.

The most important thing to remember is that it is NOT a democratic election. Corpora says:

"The Crown shall appoint a territorial Baron and/or Baroness according to the laws and customs of the kingdom when a branch is granted baronial status, and at such subsequent times as a new Baron and/or Baroness is required. The barony's opinion on the matter must be requested and received in writing, and the appointments must not be substantively opposed by the populace of the barony."

Kingdom law says:

"Territorial Barons and Baronesses may serve a term of two years. After consulting with the members of the Barony, the Crown may, at their discretion, ask the Territorial Baron and/or Baroness to serve another term. It is recommended that Territorial Barons and Baronesses serve no more than two consecutive terms."

Note that corpora talks about getting the barony's opinion and kingdom law talks about consulting. In neither case is the word election used.

The selection process is many things, but it is not a democratic election. Certainly, the person who is most popular can be chosen, and often is. But the final decision on who the Baron/ess will be is in the hands of the crown, providing the person(s) are not substantively opposed to by the barony.

What the selection process is, is a polling. It is a solicitation of the opinions of the people in the barony.

This solicitation can be done in a number of ways. One way, of course, is to ask the people of the barony to pick their favorite from a list of candidates. This is a very common way of doing it.

Another method is to have the populace rank the candidates in order of preference. This helps show who is the most popular, but also who is the least.

A variant on that is to have the populace choose not only the candidate they wish, but also permit them (if they wish to) pick someone who they don't want.

The draw back to these methods is that unless people think about it, they are likely to think it is an election, which it isn't.

Another method, which is often used, is that not only do the people pick their favorite candidate(s) from a list; they also include comments, both pro and con. This allows the Crown to make a reasoned choice, especially when they don't want to make choice based solely on numbers, or when the top choices have numbers that are very close together.

This can be very useful to the Crown, especially when the Crown doesn't know the candidates, and needs to make an informed choice.

Whatever method is used to make the decision, unless it is clear that the choice is actively and substantially opposed by the people of the barony, the final decision is in the hands of the Crown and no one else.

Fealty

The Baron and/or Baroness are required to be in fealty to the Crown (and Coronet). Drachenwald law requires that they renew this every reign, at coronation. If the baron/ess cannot attend coronation, they must do it in writing ahead of time. If the baron/ess step up mid-way through a reign they must also swear fealty at the time of their investiture.

Being in fealty means that you have a two-way contract with the Crown (and Coronet). While you must obey their lawful commands, they must listen to you and come to your aid when you need it. It is your responsibility to advise the Crown (and Coronet). If you see the Crown (or Coronet) about to break a law, or stumble over a precipice, it is your duty to warn them of the consequences of their actions. Because of this, Baron/ess are not always popular with the Crown. However, once the Crown (or Coronet) has made their decision, unless it breaks real world or SCA law, in which case you need to contact the Kingdom (or principality) seneschal, no matter how you feel about their decision, it is your job to support it.

Conflict of Interest

The baron and/or baroness of the group represent the entire barony, not just one portion of it. They must make sure that their words and deeds represent not their personal motives and desires but the good of the barony. That means they should think over what they are about to do, until they are sure that it is what they have sworn to do. They should not show favor or preference to any person, household or canton, since they are the baron and/or baroness of the entire barony, where all have an equal call on the baron/ess. This includes not taking sides in wars or competitions if they are one household/canton/etc. from your barony against another. However, fighting on the side of your barony against a group outside of your barony, is not only permitted but encouraged.

In much the same vein, for the duration of the tenure as baron/ess it is better not to belong to any household. The primary SCA responsibilities are to the barony, and not to any other group. If the household is within the barony, there is the risk of, at the very least, giving the impression that the members of your household are being put before other people in the barony. If the household is outside of the barony, there is a risk of, at the very least, giving the impression that they come before the barony.

The baron/ess also have to avoid even the appearance of playing favorites among the people in the barony. Everyone in the barony should be treated equally. It is not a good idea to even openly dislike someone. If the baron/ess find someone in the barony so distasteful that they can't deal with them, they should sit down and evaluate the situation. Unless the person is committing actions that deserve a recommendation to the Crown (and Coronet) and kingdom (and principality) seneschal for banishment, there are two options. Either rethink your position or resign. The baron/ess need to remember at all times that they are the baron/ess of the entire barony, and everyone in the barony needs to be free to talk to them.

Another aspect of playing favorites is only encouraging one or two aspects of the SCA. The baron/ess are there for the entire barony, including heavy fighters, light fighters, dancers, archers, heralds, cooks, costumers, jewelry makers, children, etc. It is the job of the baron/ess to recognize everyone, not just one or two parts of the barony.

Confidentiality

Baron/ess are frequently privy to confidential information that the rest of the barony is not. This could be information regarding upcoming awards and honors, courtesy of the Crown (or Coronet). It could be details of someone's personal life, because, for instance, they cried all over your shoulder. Whatever the information is, and whatever the source is, it is to be shared with no one, except the other Baron/ess (if there is one). This includes your retinue, your best friend, your spouse/significant other (unless they are the other Baron/ess), your parents, etc. Private information needs to remain private.

Interacting with the Baronial Officers

The key word here is respect. If you treat the baronial officers with respect, they will treat you in the same manner. Remember, they serve the entire barony, not just you.

Baronial Meetings

The baron/ess need to remember that the seneschal runs the baronial meeting, not them. The seneschal is the club president and person in charge. The baron/ess should attend baronial meetings, and voice their opinion, but they are not the person in charge.

At Homes and Open Houses

In many baronies the baron/ess sponsor a regular (weekly, monthly) "at home" for the people of the barony. This is not an event, but a social gathering for people in the barony to get together in a non-event environment, and typically, but not always, in mundane clothes. Normally it is in their home, though in large baronies, the baron/ess will travel to areas outside their home in order for everyone in the barony to be able to attend, at least occasionally. These "at homes" are a useful tool for baronial teambuilding. However, they must be open to everyone in the barony. This means holding them in places which everyone has access to. This means making sure that everyone will know about them in advance. This means not scheduling them opposite already scheduled baronial or canton functions. This means permitting everyone in the barony to attend.

Regalia:

The baron/ess will have in their possession baronial regalia such as coronets, banners, cloaks, pillows, etc. These do not belong to the baron/ess, but rather to the barony, and are on loan to the baron/ess for the duration of their tenure as baron/ess. They are responsible for them, and if they become damaged (outside of normal wear and tear), lost, etc., it will be the responsibility of the baron/ess to replace or repair them. It is recommended that valuable objects be insured.

Gifts

The Baron/ess receive and give gifts. The protocol is the same, no matter if you are giving or receiving gifts.

When receiving gifts, it is important to distinguish between gifts to the barony, which you may hold in trust for it, or personal gifts to yourself. In general, gifts to the barony are done in court, and personal gifts are given when the baron/ess are sitting in state, or during feast. This makes it clear which is which, and avoids future misunderstandings about to whom valuable items belong.

The same thing is true when giving gifts. If they are to an office (including Crown, Coronet or other Barony), they are done in court. If they are to the individual (including a specific Crown, Coronet, or other baron/ess) they are done outside of court.

Prizes are not gifts, and it perfectly appropriate to give them in court.

Groups that keep their money in an official SCA bank account may not use group funds to pay for personal gifts. Gifts for the use of another official SCA group (including the kingdom) are permitted.

Host and Hostess

For most events that occur in the Barony, the baron and/or Baroness are the host and/or hostess. The only exceptions are kingdom and principality events held in the barony (see below). As host/ess it is the duty of baron/ess to interact with everyone possible at the event, not just their friends. They should greet people, make sure people are having a good time, keep an eye out for newcomers so they can be welcomed, and steered in the right direction, etc. They should not just sit at high table, or sit with their friends, but rather mingle with everyone, and make themselves available to anyone who needs or wishes to talk to them.

As host/ess it is the job of the baron/ess to ensure that the Crown (and Coronet) are toasted, and it is their job to toast and publicly thank the autocrat and cook.

Kingdom level events:

The baron/ess of the group are normally the host/ess of any baronial events. However, at any kingdom events held within the barony, the ruling nobles are the Crown (and for principality events, the Coronet). Even when it is not a kingdom (or principality event), any time the Crown (or Coronet) comes to the group, they, not you, take center stage.

Conduct and Mediatory Duties:

It is very important that the baron/ess be able to deal diplomatically with people. Often conflicts arise in any organization. Usually these come about from misunderstandings. However, in the heat of the moment a simple misunderstanding can flare up into quite an ugly incident.

There are some pointers to bear in mind if a confrontation begins in your branch.

1. Avoid taking sides whenever possible. The baron/ess needs to represent the whole branch.

2. Try to calm things down first. A settlement is less likely if people are angry.

3. Re-read all mail before it is sent. Be sure it's not going to inflame things further.

4. Always attempt a resolution with the people involved before taking things any further.

One of the important things to remember is that there are people who will get along with the seneschal and not with the baron/ess and vise versa. In a good barony, however, everyone will get along with the seneschal or the baron/ess and hopefully most people will get along with both.

Who can be Baron or Baroness of the group?

The Baron/ess must be paid members of the SCA and live within the boundaries of the barony. If the baron/ess move from the barony, or allow their membership to lapse, they must resign.

Democracy:

While the SCA is not a democratic institution, it is advisable for the baron/ess to pay attention to what their branch wants. Unless the baron/ess has support from within the branch, it will be very difficult to make progress.

Governing Documents:

The way that the SCA operates is detailed in its governing documents. These can be found at www.sca.org

Contacts.

Websites:

Kingdom of Drachenwald: http://www.drachenwald.sca.org

From the Drachenwald website you should be able to go directly to your regional website and to your barony website if there is one.

SCA Inc.: www.sca.org

This document will be updated regularly and the most up to date version should be available on www.drachenwald.sca.org

© 2004 Kingdom of Drachenwald