thelmearc Order of the White Scarf
History
The Order of the White Scarf was originally created as an award in the Principality of Ansteorra in March of A.S. XIII (1979). It was intended to provide recognition for excellence in the growing population of rapier fighters in the principality. When Ansteorra became a kingdom in May of A.S. XIV, the order was released from the parent kingdom of Atenveldt to Ansteorra for its continued use. 1
In the Renaissance a white scarf was worn as a badge of military rank as a baldric. Obviously this would be unacceptable in an SCA context, so a much smaller version, worn only about the shoulder, was designed. There is also a picture of Sir Walter Raleigh wearing a white scarf tied just above his left elbow. This fashion is becoming more common than the shoulder scarves. 1
In October of A.S. XXI (1987), the kingdom of the Outlands signed a treaty 2 with Ansteorra to create their own Order of the White Scarf. Since that time many other kingdoms, including Æthelmearc, have become signatories to this treaty. 1
In large part, this treaty allows the various orders to conflict in terms of heraldry and naming. However, a unique clause of this treaty establishes equivalence between the orders across kingdom lines. Unique among non-peerage SCA awards, the White Scarf is recognized in multiple kingdoms. This means that a member of the White Scarf of Ansteorra who moves to the Æthelmearc is treated as a member of the Æthelmearc Order of the White Scarf, and vice-versa. The same holds true of all White Scarf kingdoms. 3
In the Kingdom of Æthelmearc, the Order of the White Scarf is one of Several Orders of High Merit, standing alongside the Order of the Fleur d'Æthelmearc, Order of the Gage, Order of the Golden Lance, Order of the Millrind, Order of the Scarlet Battery, Order of the Scarlet Guard, and the Order of the White Horn
