[MR] Laurel Precedent on "Grandfathered Regalia"

[E. L. Wimett]

Without commenting on the substance of the proposal on symbols of rank, I should note that there has indeed been for more than twenty-five years an explicit Laurel precedent on the use of regalia earned in a kingdom different from that in which an individual is resident.

I can speak with some authority on this matter since the Laurel ruling was made in direct response to a query/request for ruling from me when I was Brigantia Principal Herald of the East.  

Drachenwald was then still part of the East and Drachenwald viscounts and viscountesses were experiencing some "issues" when they PCSed to certain kingdoms where they were being told, more or less officially (and somewhat officiously!) that they could not wear their viscounty coronets since they did not follow the usual local pattern for such things.  (Almost exactly the sort of situation over which Viscount Axel has expressed concern!)

This precedent appeared in the cover letter to the July, 1984, LoAR available on line at http://heraldry.sca.org/loar/1984/07/cl.htm.  

The relevant text is:

  “Another problem which has developed is the situation with kingdoms having different sumptuary standards and the cases where people from one kingdom travel to or move to another kingdom. The Middle had, until recently, laws on the size and style of banners allowed to different ranks. Both the Middle and Meridies have laws concerning the designs and materials allowed for coronets and circlets for various ranks. Some people have had their personal coronets questioned when they moved to another kingdom having different standards. Whether or not the College decides to have standard designs for things like viscounty coronets, baronial circlets, armigers' circlets, etc., I would like to make one thing quite clear: anyone who has received an item of regalia according to the customs and laws of the kingdom or principality in which they earned the right to such regalia, whether it be a medallion, a circlet, a coronet, or some other emblem of regalia, has the right to continue to use that regalia wherever else in the SCA they may move or travel to. Kingdom or Principality sumptuary codes apply only to regalia earned in that kingdom or principality or made new while living in that kingdom or principality. Thus, if a court Baron is given a golden circlet by the King when he is made a court Baron he has the right to wear that circlet when he travels to or moves to another kingdom whose custom or law is to have court Barons wear silver circlets. Should that court Baron later wish to make a new circlet, then that new circlet should conform to the customs or laws in the new area of residence. The old regalia legally obtained in the previous kingdom of residence is protected under a grandfather-clause exemption from sumptuary laws in other kingdoms. 
  To make sure that the Powers That Be are aware that foreign regalia has entered the Kingdom, and to provide a clear indication that the foreign regalia has indeed been granted an exception, I recommend that the custom be established that immigrating armigers with rights to particular regalia check with the Principal Herald of the new kingdom of residence and get such regalia cleared. Such clearance should be relatively routine, except in excessive cases. In period, anyone who could afford the materials and labor to make one (and also to pay the sumptuary tax) could wear a jeweled circlet. The right of all SCA members to wear a simple thin circlet to hold their headdress/hair down should not be abridged in any kingdom of the SCA. For the sake of courtesy and hospitality, visitors from other kingdoms should never be questioned on matters of regalia, beyond a tactful inquiry as to what the regalia is for and whether it is standard in the person's home kingdom. Someone moving to another kingdom should inquire into and be informed of any sumptuary customs or laws in effect in that kingdom, and would be well advised to consider conforming to local customs, but s/he should not be required to throw away legally received regalia.”

Alisoun