Articles of Chivalry, and behavior of the Society of Wuffingas, it’s Royalty, it’s Knights, it’s men
and woman of Arms, and it’s Kingdoms Populace.
UNTO
ALL AND SUNDRY to whom these presents come, we bid you greeting. We ask that you pray attend this demonstration of our resolve.
We call to all gentles of Royal, Princely, Ducal, County, Vicounty, Baronial , Shire, Reeve, Sheriff, and Knightly Renown
and of Freeborn, and Noble Lineage, as well as to those Ladies of Noble Bearing and of fair countenance, worthy of every high
honour and devotion. We also call others of the Three Estates, regardless of rank, as well as all Squires, Men-at-Arms and
all Gentles of renown that labor at perfecting skill at arms, as well as all gentles of good faith to pay heed to these words.
WHEREAS those of us signatory to this missive are resolved together to better exalt
the Knightly Virtues of Prowess, Courage, Honesty, Largess*, Loyalty, Faith, Courtesy, and Franchise**, to the betterment
of our souls and to the benefit of all, and:
WHEREAS we wish to reward
and promote the abovementioned virtues, and to display said virtues in martial deeds of great prowess, valiant acts, grand
presentation and seek to acquire great renown and knightly fame thereby, and:
WHEREAS
those who have affixed their signature to this missive crave to do honor to all that is grand, glorious, noble, right, proper
and good in the world, in fellowship with those of like purpose, and:
WHEREAS
we wish to reverence those who exercise themselves in such deeds, to the honor of those who came before and to the edification
and education of those who witness these writings and deeds, both now and for years to come:
WE
ARE RESOLVED in goodwill and purpose to band together to form this FELLOWSHIP OF Wuffingas, hereafter known as the Wuffingas,
Kingdom of Caledonia, Barony of Albaniam. In our noble Fellowship, we shall strive to do honor to our noble ancestors, to
maintain the equipage, raiment and bearing of gentlemen-at-arms, to eschew the base vices of malice, anger, vainglory, arrogance
and pride, to display kindness and fond friendship and to ever practice, promote and exalt the skillful and strong employment
of knightly arms in both tournament and in war.
WE ARE FURTHER RESOLVED
to do these things with the kind permission of the assembled Sovereigns of the combined Wuffingas kingdoms. For a Knightly
Order must have a patron, and it is a proper and noble thing to serve the Kingdom you make your home, and to faithfully serve
their liege.
WE HERE PROCLAIM our conviction that the virtues of
JOIE DE COMBAT, CAMARADERIE AND ESPRIT DE CORPS blossom not from the seeds of the abovementioned vices, but rather the fellowship
of arms and the honorable testing of skill, friend against friend. We here proclaim that our Fellowship shall strive to advance
the noble banner of Chivalry and Honor ‘IN MODO ANTIQOU’, that is, in the Ancient Manner, as did our Noble Ancestors.
To further our grand and noble enterprise, we the undersigned do declare and ordain
these maintenances:
ITEM 1: That all Companions of the Wuffingas
shall strive through word, deed, bearing, manner and appearance to present themselves as an example of the Knightly Virtues,
giving mind and attention to the display of blazon and to the glory of noble harness and equipage, specifically regarding
banners, shields armor and other gear of tournament and war.
ITEM
2: That all Companions of Wuffingas shall strive to do all reverence, honor and courtesy to ladies of gentle birth, and shall
not stint or waiver in these matters. For a gentleman who cannot practice the gentler arts is little better than a churl
in harness is, and unfit for gentle company.
ITEM 3: That all Companions
of thisFellowship shall strive to ever increase their knowledge of the knightly deeds of the Nine Worthies, the nobles of
the Classical Ages and those of legend and story, as was done in the days of our ancestors.
ITEM
4: That all Companions of this Fellowship shall strive ever to improve themselves in the use of Knightly Arms, and to familiarize
themselves with all those pursuits pertaining to proper gentlemen-of-arms. Should a Companion be unable to continue the use
of Knightly Arms, let him teach the practice of said Arts Martial, and strive to continue in the proud traditions of the Fellowship
as best they may.
ITEM 5: That all Companions of the Fellowship
shall strive to in all ways possible give good and generous patronage to Heralds and those who blazon and design distinct
and unique arms. All care must be given to reward these worthy gentles that labor day and night to proclaim your fame, prowess
and generosity to the Four Corners of the earth. Such reward is only fitting, and should be given with both hands.
ITEM 6: That all Companions of the Fellowship know and reverence the history and
traditions of the Kingdom of their birth, and of the nobility placed over them as best they might. Let it be further proclaimed
that this is but right and proper, and a praiseworthy custom for any vassal.
ITEM
7: That all Companions of the Fellowship endeavor to make their battle-harness, tentage and heraldry to fit the following
periods:
Year of our Lord God, 1000 BCE, to his grace 1715, ACE. You may portray any man or
woman known to have existed on any land, in any culture.
ITEM 8:
That the Fellowship should have the following Officers, that of 1. PREMIER, 2. MARSHAL, 3. CONSTABLE, 4. HERALD,
5.
GONFANONIER, 6. DRAPER and 7. MONEYER.
ITEM
9: And this is the explanation of all such Noble and worthy posts of Arms, and of Administration.
~The PREMIER
shall be responsible for the organization, welfare and running of the Company.
~The
MARSHAL shall insure that each Companion has equipage as befitting the station of those of knightly bearing, and of safety
with knightly arms. He shall also take the duties of the Premier if the Premier is absent.
~The
CONSTABLE shall be an assistant to the Marshal, and shall perform the duties of the Marshal if the Marshal is absent. The
Constable is further responsible for insuring “quality” I.e., period correctness of kit.
~The
HERALD shall perform the traditional and historic duties of his ancestral predecessors who practiced the art, up to and including
the duties of ambassador. The Herald shall be styled, ‘Wuffingas SOVEREIGN OF ARMS’. While performing the duties
of his office, he may not bear arms.
~The GONFANONIER shall bear
the BANNER OF THE ORDER in times of ceremony and war. When participating in tournament, the Gonfanonier may designate certain
worthies among the Company to perform these duties as seems fitting. The Gonfanonier may not allow the Banner to be captured
or lost, nor may he allow it to fall to earth, for it is a great infamy and bitter dishonor.
~The
DRAPER shall perform the tasks of a chamberlain, an advisor to the Premier, and as keeper of regalia. The Draper is further
responsible for insuring that all Companions bear their badges of fellowship as is proper and fitting, with an eye to dignity.
~The MONEYER shall be responsible for the deposit, issue and uses of funds, in
accordance to the will of the Company.
ITEM 10: These Officers,
saving that of Premier, Marshal and Gonfanonier shall be elected once per annum, and shall meet on a schedule of once every
three months to discuss issues appertaining to the Company. They shall present recommendations to the Company at large at
the Feast of the Feast of the Blessed Matilda of Tuscany, and the Crown Tournement of said Kingdom.
ITEM
11: That the FELLOWSHIP shall meet for tournament and feast at least twice per annum. Once during the Feast of the Blessed
Matilda of Canossa, Countess of Tuscany on or about the twentieth day, Kalends of June and on the Feast of St Ninian of the
Pictish Church, our patron, on or about the twenty-second day, Kalends of September.
ITEM
12: That the Companions of the Fellowship shall bear in common certain cognizances appertaining to Saint Ninian, that Fellow
may know Fellow. These cognizances shall include a HOODED CLOAK OF BLUE WOOL, bearing the badge of the Saint on the left
shoulder, or affixed in canton, dexter chief on their blazoned shield or banner, or worn on their surcoat or jupon, or in
any such way whereby Fellow may identify Fellow on the field of battle, and upon the Lists. Let it be further stated that
these cognizances be born in such a way as is proper and befitting those ofNoble birth and Knightly dignity.
ITEM 13: That the Companions of the Fellowship eschew the scorn and denigration
of any person due to their creed, infirmity, faith, lineage, poverty or vow. Should any Companion fall prey to such iniquity,
let them be reproved sternly, for such sentiments are contrary to those Knightly Virtues, and to what the Fellowship stands
for.
ITEM 14: Should any Companion behave in such a fashion that
would bring shame on the values and virtues for which the Company stands during tournament or war, let them be stripped of
arms and armor and made to stand upon the PLATFORM OF SHAME, with his coat of arms reversed.
ITEM
15: That the number of the Company shall be affixed at no number and all men and woman may call themselves brother’s
and sisters.
ITEM 16: Anyone deemed worthy to be a candidate
for membership in the Company shall be examined and discussed at the tournament of the Feast of the Blessed Matilda of Canossa,
Countess of Tuscany. The worthy candidate must have a Companion willing to sponsor their membership, as well as aiding them
in acquiring fitting and appropriate arms, weapons and gear. They must have accoutrements befitting the dignity of a Companion
within one annum.
ITEM 17: Election of Companions shall be by a
majority vote of no less than two-thirds of the Companions present, while meeting at the tournament of the Feast of the Blessed
Matilda of Canossa, Countess of Tuscany, on or about the twentieth day, Kalends of June. Candidates shall be made full members
at the tournament and feast on or about the twenty-second day, Kalends of September, or -Saint Maurice’s Day. This
will insure the Candidate shall have sufficient time to assemble regalia, with the aid of the sponsor-Companion, Marshal and
Draper.
ITEM 18: There shall be in the Company and Fellowship of
the great Kingdoms certain grades of rank, in accordance with the decree of the Board of Directors The Society of Wuffingas,
hereafter known as; “Wuffingas”. Let it be further known that these ranks will be used when participating at
events, demonstrations or tournaments therein. Within this organization, authority is given to style oneself a “KNIGHT
OF Wuffingas or the title, “Sir___________”, or “KNIGHT-COMPANION” if one has received the accolade
in another tretied Organization.
ITEM 19: The nomination of candidates
for Knights-Companions shall be by a majority of no less than two-thirds of those Companions who have already received the
accolade. The Owner and CEO of Wuffingas, The Board of Directors, All Peers, in all genre’s, and the Gentle People.
A Knight-Companion may only receive the accolade from the Premier, or by the hand of one of Princely or Royal rank. For
since ancient times, it was known that only a knight may make a knight, and a knight must be sworn in fealty to a Royal Peer
of the Realm.
But in our age, this has been misused, and abused, and the accolade has become a reproach in the Society
for Creative Anachronism. And so we raise up a new ORDER, and a new standard, and bring Chivalry back to the world by blessing
all men, and woman, and all races and creeds. We bring the standard of our American Democratic Republic to the fore. We
will not have the slavery, lechery, and advantage of a “fuedal” system. We will have love and fairness for all
people American or no.
ITEM 20: Those who are Knights-Companions
may retain in their service at most four equerries or squires to serve them. They are responsible for the training of the
equerries in arms and in courtly graces, in exchange for body service and maintenance of the knight’s armour, weapons
and gear. Great care should be taken in choosing an equerry, for it is a great responsibility to train one in the arts of
peace and of war, and to be a fitting example of the Company. For here are forged the first links in the chain of fealty.
ITEM 21: There shall also be in the Companie other grades of rank, in accordance
with one’s station within Wuffingas. There shall be Companions-Bachelor, Companions-Sergeants and Companions-at-Arms.
ITEM 22: Be it proclaimed that they who are styled Companions-Bachelor in the
Order are those deemed worthy of consideration for Knighthood in our Order. These Squires, they are seen as proficient in
all forms of arms.
ITEM 23: Those of the Companie who are styled
Companions-Sergeants are those of proven valor and mettle that have not yet achieved the status of Bachelor. And are no Squires,
but are Pages of the Realm, or Men at Arms, Masterless by their own hearts so deemed by the REAL WORLD.
ITEM
24: Those of the Company who are styled as Companions-at-Arms are recognized as trained in the basics of arms. They shall
at least have the appropriate armor, weapons and gear of sword, dagger, shield, helm for tournament, body harness and other
gear, and all must be at least in accordance to the Inter-Kingdom Tournament League (IKTL) standards, and those of the Company
of St Maurice, Statuta Armorum, Empire of Chivalry and Steel, Adrian Empire and others.
ITEM
25: In the interest of goodwill, until such time as there is a recognized treaty between the organization known as the SOCIETY
FOR CREATIVE ANACRONISM, hereafter known as SCA; and Our Selves, and the abovementioned IKTL, Knights of Saint Maurice, Statuta
Armorum, ETC, may style themselves as Knight, Sir,or any other corresponding title while participating in joint Wuffingas/SCA
functions. We will NEVER take a second seat to such arrogance, belligerance, and high handed ways.
When such
treaty between the two organizations is ratified, all titles are interchangeable, so long as any organization acknowledges
our superior fighting system, and high honors.
ITEM 26: Wuffingas,
with all honor and respect due their noble station, if they prove themselves men or woman of honor, shall treat any person
bearing rank or title in the SCA, ECS, AE, SA, by Grant or Letters Patent. Any such person elected a Companion in Wuffingas
shall retain all rights, privileges, titles and regalia pertaining to their previous station in the SCA, -IF they meet our
criteria, and abandon said groups Titles in exchange for ours. No other KSCA will be countenenced.
ITEM
27: A GRAND TOURNAMENT shall be held to celebrate the Feast of the Blessed Matilda of Tuscany on or about the twentieth day,
Kalends of June. There shall also be a grand tournament to celebrate the Feast of SAINT MAURICE THE MOOR, SOLDIER AND MARTYR,
on or about the twenty-second day, Kalends of September.
ITEM 28:
The site of the tournament shall be a relatively medieval looking building/site or campsite, with sufficient space to hold
a spectacle of arms and a feast for MEMBERS with enough time and grade to be in garb (proper period clothing). The participants
shall be the Companions of the Company as hosts and Tenans in the tournament, their consorts, our honored opponents serving
as Venans in the tournament, their consorts, and invited guests.
ITEM
29: The feats of arms may take any form the organizers shall devise, and should involve the Companions of the Company as
Tenans, holding the field against all comers, in single combat and in the Grand Melee. There shall be great pageantry based
on period tournament treatises; or other sources. Heraldic display in all of its glory is encouraged for all that attend
these festivities.
ITEM 30: The feast shall be based on recipes
available in Europe, the Holy Land , Byzantium , Scandivavia, England, Scotland, Ireland, Spain, ITaly, Germany, etc, during
the time period. At the cumulation of the feast, there shall be a ceremony to initiate Candidates-Elect into the Fold. The
ceremony shall be held before spectators, even the general public, the better to inspire the ideas of honor, camaraderie,
chivalry, heraldic display and authenticity. Musicians, bards, and storytellers shall be employed to add to the atmosphere,
and the pursuits of the gentle arts shall be encouraged.
DONE THIS
eleventh, DAY, KALENDS OF Feburary, Wuffingas Year one, day 45, -or the YEAR 2007 month of Feburary, 11th day, as is reconed
in the Gregorian Reckoning, in testimony thereof we the signators and founders of the Kingdom of Caledonia, the Barony of
Albaniam, have affixed our hands, seals, or other marks affirming our intent.
ROBERT
PAUL HAYES SHYAN-NORWALT, PREMIER OF THE COMPANY AND KNIGHT-COMPANION. AKA, AS BARON OENGHUS MAQQ LOK, fili, CRUITHNI THE
DREAD LORD OF WUFFINGAS.
SUEMAS MAKLOCKE, SAMURAI. BoA
LADY ANNA KATARINA, BoA
SOLVIEG,
Hilfhildersdottir
LADY ROBYN WILDERKYN, ARCHER. BoA
*Largesse: That is, generosity.
**Franchise: That is, a noble bearing,
a noblesse oblige, a confidence of self, and an awareness of one’s station and responsibility to those lesser than oneself.
This is freely, and by the express permission of Robert Coleman Jr, adopted and
modified for Wuffingas, via the Company of St. Maurice.
