[MR] "Blue Scarfs" and "Free Scholars"?

[Aedan Aylwyn]

The original award was the "Order of l'Academie d'Espee"
(http://op.atlantia.sca.org/op_award.php?award_id=48).  I think the OP may
actually have the details wrong.  I was at the event and I thought it was up
in Storvik or Lochmere (ish) and during Steffan and Twila's reign.  I also
have the anniversary of the Academie listed as 20 Feb 1993 (which would also
put it in S&T's reign, not C&A).

The Academie structure was originally devised in '91 or '92 as rapier was
coming (back) into acceptance in Atlantia.  It was designed to accommodate
hoped for awards that did not exist at the time.  The blue scarf to show
support for rapier in Atlantia and the Academie structure both sprang up
about the same time, so for some they became synonymous but for others
(especially in southern Atlantia) the scarf was still seen as a separate
thing from Academie participation.  Anyone wearing a blue scarf was termed a
"Scholar" but some non-fighters who supported the concept of rapier also
wore them.

The structure was also designed to be easily adjustable for the (again hoped
for) day Atlantia decided to sign on the White Scarf Treaty
(http://www.mindspring.com/~aedan/treaty.htm#WS).

So when Steffan and Twila (IIRC and I'm seeking confirmation) created the A
d'E order (not to be confused with the guild-like structure), the trappings
of the yellow scarf and title of Free Scholar were used by the members of
this new order.  At this point, the blue scarf and scholar trappings became
used only for authorized rapier fighters and not for non-fighters that
supported the concept.

Approximately 3 years later, when Galmr and Katharina were stepping up,
Atlantia signed the WS treaty.  At that time, the original Academie order
was closed and all existing members were grandfathered into the new Order of
the White Scarf with a matching change in scarf color.  The title "Free
Scholar" was dropped and "Provost" was now used.  The permission for
heraldic use of "Academie d'Espee" was given by the Kingdom to Nathanial
Sharpe (one of the original 4) who then registered it and the badge and then
gave blanket permission for others to use it for the "guild" structure we
have today.

The cleverness of the original planners was seen when we then took the now
available yellow scarf and Free Scholar trappings and used them for a
mid-level guild position (similar to cadets in other Kingdoms but with our
own Atlantia twists like needing 3 sponsors rather than being a one-on-one
personal relationship).  I believe Mistress Isobel was the first FS to be
made and it was on that same day.

And now you know probably more than you wanted...

Aedan

PS - Feel free to come see me at any event for more stories about how this
all started.  I'll be at Defending the Gate.

-----Original Message-----
From: atlantia-bounces at seahorse.atlantia.sca.org
[mailto:atlantia-bounces at seahorse.atlantia.sca.org] On Behalf Of Evan da
Collaureo
Sent: Thursday, March 24, 2011 12:04 PM
To: atlantia at atlantia.sca.org
Subject: Re: [MR] "Blue Scarfs" and "Free Scholars"?

Scripsit Wistric:
> When rapier formed in Atlantia, the fencers and friends-of-fencers
> marked themselves with a blue scarf.  When it was determined that
> there should be some higher award for the best fencers, those so
> awarded called themselves Free Scholars and marked themselves with a
> gold or yellow scarf.

That award was called l'Academie d'Espee. It was formed in the spring of
1993; the first members were actually inducted by Cuan and Aria at Spring
University. To the best of my recollection, the organizational structure
dates back to that point, though until Atlantia signed the White Scarf
treaty (spring 1996), the name was reserved for the use of the Free
Scholars.

Evan