Policy Clarification: Kingdom Earl Marshals and Authorizations

January 22, 2024 by EK Gazette

The following is a joint statement from the Society Seneschal (Lis Schraer) and the Society Marshal (Melissa Midzor).

This is a clarification of Society Seneschal’s Corpora interpretation regarding the “Authority of a Kingdom Earl Marshal (KEM) to issue or confirm martial authorizations” (July 24, 2022). The long version of this clarification (including Corpora and Marshal Handbook references) can be found at: http://www.sca.org/resources/document-library/#marshal

Clarification: If there is a question on the validity of the proof of an authorization, the KEM is responsible for and is the arbiter for confirming that yes, a person did authorize properly (and thus were properly issued their authorization) or no, they did not authorize properly. If a proper authorization was completed and verified, the KEM can also issue the proof of authorization (for all martial forms). This provides a quick remedy for participants in the case of a lost card, or when paperwork filing or online system updates were delayed. “Issue” in this context refers to the proof of authorization provided to the participant upon an authorization being completed, registered and tracked by the kingdom (Corpora IX.A.6).

This does not mean a KEM can singularly authorize an individual unless they are a warranted and designated authorizing marshal of that form and follow established processes. Paperwork should be processed in a timely manner. Undue delays in the registration and tracking of properly submitted paperwork must be reported to the Kingdom Marshal immediately. Further disagreements on the issuance of authorizations are referred to the Society Marshal for resolution.

Additional information on authorizations:

a) A marshal, including KEMs, cannot authorize a participant unless that marshal is an authorized marshal of that martial form, and designated as able to authorize individuals. Warranting and authorizations must follow Society and Kingdom processes. (Corpora IX.A.2, and IX.A.3)

b) All authorized and warranted marshals, including KEMs, PEMs, Society, and their Deputies, must meet Society requirements before they can be authorized and warranted in that martial form. They are not, and cannot be, automatically authorized and warranted in any martial form solely because they hold an office or an award. Society requirements include demonstrating the ability to oversee that martial activity, judge an authorization, and inspect weapons and armor, and be knowledgeable about the safety and rules of that martial activity. (see specific Marshal requirements in the Handbooks.)

Questions or comments on this clarification can be sent to Dr. Melissa Midzor (Maestra Arabella da Siena), marshal@sca.org

Comments are strongly encouraged and can be sent to:
SCA Inc.
P.O. Box 611928
San Jose, CA. 95161

You may also email:
SCA-comments@sca.org.

This announcement is an official informational release by the Society for Creative Anachronism , Inc. Permission is granted to reproduce this announcement in its entirety in newsletters, websites and electronic mailing lists.