The Order of the Rose was founded at Twelfth Night, AS II (January 6, 1968) by King William the Silent and Queen Sheryl of Thespis* to honor those who had been Queen or who had been the lady to a fighter who had won one of the first Crown Tourneys… when there were no Queens.
Today, the Order of the Rose exists throughout the Known World.
This award was created to grant those who had reigned as Queen of Love and Beauty (and later, simply as Queen) to give them equal rank with those who had reigned as King (who were, in the early days, automatically Knights if they were not before they won the tournament).
Historical Note: In the very early days of the SCA, if a fighter was not a Knight and they won the Crown Tournament, they were offered Knighthood. The Order of the Rose was created to give an equivalent title, as Countess and Duchess did not exist at the time.
* Today, the founder of the Order is known as Countess Amina Sherana de Talavera. She lives in the Barony of Altavia, Kingdom of Caid, and is married to Viscount Sir Morven of Carrick, who was Caid’s 5th Prince.
The Order of the Rose – Order of Precedence and Heraldry
- Abbreviation in the Order of Precedence: OR
- Letters: O.R.
- Title: None by virtue of this Order. However, the recipient will be of County or Duchy rank.
- Form of Address: None by virtue of this Order. However, the recipient will be of County or Duchy rank.
- Precedence: Conveys no Precedence (see Order of the Rose in the Middle Kingdom – below)
- Reason Given: Automatic to Consort upon descending from the throne after one full reign.
- Law: Corpora VII.A.4.e and Midrealm Law IX-106
- Blazon: (Tinctureless) A wreath of roses
- First Recipient: Diane Alene – October 10, 1970
Order of the Rose in the Middle Kingdom
The governance and precedence varies from kingdom to kingdom. In the Middle Kingdom, the Order of the Rose has undergone several changes throughout its history. At one point, it was a polling order (members voted on potential new recipients) and conveyed a Patent of Arms to the recipient. During this time, it ranked equal with the rest of the bestowed peerages, Currently, it is a non-polling order with consorts inducted upon stepping down from their first reign (Patent of Arms is no longer conveyed). This change was made by Dag and Ilsa II and conveyed the Rose to any who had not received it before.
Ceremony
When a consort steps down after their first reign, they are inducted into the Order of the Rose. This is usually done with those Roses who are present, coming forward to greet the new member and present her with Roses. She is also presented with the Rose Cloak.
Standard Scroll Text
Proclaim to all Gentles and Nobles that We, <>, King by right of arms of the Middle Kingdom, and <>, Our Queen of Love and Beauty, knowing full well the grace and dignity with which <> has served the Middle Kingdom as Queen, are minded to do her honor. We do, therefore, recognize her as a Lady of the Rose, with all the rights, privileges, insignia and responsibilities thereto appertaining. Done this <> day of <>, A.S. <>, while sitting on Our Thrones in Our <>, in testimony whereof We have set Our hand and seal.