Courtesy titles

Who Is Called What in the SCA

To be polite, try to address people at events by their appropriate title, if you know it. One way to find out a person’s title is to introduce yourself formally and then inquire about the other person’s name and title.

Addressing Everyone

All SCA personas are assumed to be of gentle birth and can be addressed as M'lord / M'lady. People may be informally referred to as "my lord" or "my lady" but not as "Lord YourName" because that could indicate a specific title (see below).

Addressing the Titled

The SCA awards a wide range of historically styled titles on people, so you can't just call yourself Lord High Muckety Muck. You're supposed to earn that stuff. Thus, people who do earn the title "Lord High Muckety Muck" enjoy being called that.

Here's a quick reference list of what people with awards may be politely addressed as:

Award	Form of Address
Order of Chivalry	Sir / Master of Arms / Dame / Mistress of Arms
Order of the Laurel	Master / Mistress
Order of the Pelican	Master / Mistress
Leaves of Merit	Lord / Lady
Western Lily	Lord / Lady
Award of Arms	Lord / Lady

Addressing Royalty

It can be difficult to keep track of the niceties of addressing royals. This table may help!

Current Status	SCA Title	Form of Address
Current King and Queen	King and Queen	Your Majesties, Your Royal Majesties
After being King / Queen once	Count / Countess	Your Excellency
After being King / Queen twice	Duke / Duchess	Your Grace
Crown Prince and Princess	Crown Prince and Princess	Your Royal Highnesses
Current Prince and Princess	Prince and Princess	Your Highness
After being Prince / Princess once	Viscount / Viscountess	Your Excellency
Court Baron / Baroness	Baron / Baroness	Your Excellency
Territorial Baron / Baroness	Baron / Baroness	Your Excellency

Those With Multiple Titles

If you come across someone who holds several titles, such as a Knight who is also a Pelican or a Laurel who is also a Countess, don't go crazy trying to address this person as everything all at once! That will sound silly. You might politely ask how the person wishes to be addressed. Or upon first meeting, simply use one title because that's still polite.

Alternative Forms of Address

Some people use title forms that are more appropriate to their persona, such as an Italian or Japanese name for "lady" or "master." However, it is not your responsibility to remember this. If you are a friend or a household member, it’s certainly nice to do so!

Resources

What Do I Call the Guy With the Hat? - PDF with details about all the possible ways to address royalty, peers, and others with titles.

Alternate Titles - List of various culturally appropriate forms of address as approved by the SCA College of Arms, March 2010.