Becoming a Sergeant of Seagirt

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The Obligations of the Sergeantry of the Barony of Seagirt are:

  1. To swear Fealty to Their Excellency, and through them, to the Barony of Seagirt,
    the Principality of Tir Righ, and the Kingdom of An Tir
  2. To support the Barony of Seagirt in any wars that Seagirt wages through martial skill, or if unable to support the war effort in another capacity
  3. To champion the populace of Seagirt in combat and by words (award recommendations)
  4. To uphold by word and deed the ideals of chivalrous behaviour as embodied in the Society for Creative Anachronism
  5. To actively promote the Sergeantry to the populace
  6. To maintain a level of competence in all fields of testing, and to make oneself available to candidates who ask for advice or testing dates
  7. To acknowledge that there may come a time when one is unable to uphold one’s obligations, and to retire with humility and grace
Further responsibilities of the Sergeantry include:
  • Encouraging others in the practice of their chosen area of expertise
  • Assisting the Baron or Baroness, as appropriate, in areas of Baronial Affairs
  • Serving as retinue for visiting nobility

The Privileges of the Sergeantry of the Barony of Seagirt are:

  1. To wear the Sergeantry regalia as an appropriate token of this achievement
  2. To receive written certification that one has been duly tested and admitted to the Sergeantry
  3. To take on and train students at arms
  4. To be recognized as Their Excellency’s Guard, serving both on and off the field of battle and within Baronial courts and ceremonies
  5. To display a Sergeantry pennon at events
  6. To be a valued advisor to Their Excellency pertaining to the Sergeantry with the ability to speak freely and without fear of retribution
Further rights of the Sergeantry include:
  • Attending the Baroness, as appropriate, in Court, Procession and tasks related to
    assisting the Baroness at events and practices when the need arises
  • Advising the Baronial Coronet in matters of peace and war

The Guidelines for the Sergeantry of the Barony of Seagirt are:

  1. The Sergeantry is self-administering, and Sergeantry members will elect one
    member as Sergeant Prime
  2. All Codes of Conduct and regulations specific to the Sergeantry will be
    developed with the approval of Their Excellency and enforced by the Sergeantry
    and Their Excellency. Such codes will not conflict with Corpora of the Society for
    Creative Anachronism, the laws of the Kingdom of An Tir, the laws of the
    Principality of Tir Righ, or the Customary or the Financial Policy of the Barony of
    Seagirt
  3. The Sergeantry will provide comment to Their Excellency on aspects of the
    testing that may need revision from time to time
  4. Any member of the Sergeantry who has not been in contact with Their
    Excellency for a period of two (2) years will be considered retired
  5. Retired Sergeantry may apply to Their Excellency by following steps 1 and 2 of
    the Commencement Trials
  6. Sergeantry are obligated to either swear fealty to an incoming Baronet or give
    notice to the Heirs that they wish to retire from such duties before the Heirs are
    invested
  7. A member of the Sergeantry may be removed by a two-thirds majority vote if just
    cause is shown, and no conflict resolution is successful. The sanctioned member
    may appeal to Their Excellency, who reserves the right to final judgement
  8. Their Excellency may suspend any member of the Sergeantry for gross failure in
    their commitment to the Sergeantry or for violation of the Obligations until such
    time as the members of the Sergeantry can convene to discuss further actions

Requirements:

  1. Coordination of Trials
    Candidates will arrange their own trials to take place either at an event or practice and arrange for the necessary equipment. This can include regularly scheduled practices, or special practices with a week’s prior advertising so that the populace may witness the trial. Some trials will require the Sergeantry to prepare and may require additional lead time. Combat Leadership Trials will take place during the Sealion War.
  2. Candidates will be evaluated by:
    1. Their Excellency or their designate
    2. An active member of the Sergeantry or their designat
    3. A member of the populace
  3. Candidates will test in the following trials:
    1. Commencement: candidates will confer privately with Their Excellency Seagirt, then apply in court to officially start their candidacy
    2. General (5 tests): candidates will demonstrate a well-rounded SCA character by participating in Persona Development, Heraldry, Games, Dance, Bardic, and Geography challenges. Exceptional skill is not required to pass these tests but an attempt with good grace is expected
    3. Specific (4 tests): the candidate will declare a specialty: Sergeant (armoured combat), Yeoman (combat archery), Gallant (fencing), Forester (target missiles with field knowledge), or Mariner (cut & thrust or fencing with marine knowledge). Each specialty will test in Combat Leadership OR Combat Craftsmanship, Martialate, Individual Weapons Skills, and Military Science. The candidate must pass all of the challenges related to their special quest
    4. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: A candidate may confer with Their Excellency to take an optional test instead of one of the General or Specific tests. A candidate is responsible for advocating for themselves and requesting any necessary accommodations. Candidates may choose from any of the tests designed for one of the other quests or design their own in consultation with Their Excellency Seagirt
  4. Additional attempts
    Candidates may re-take any of the tests up to three (3) times at their own request, or at the direction of Their Excellency. A candidate must pass the Specific Trials for their quest to attain the rank they have chosen but may change their focus to a different discipline in consultation with Their Excellency.
  5. The candidacy will come to an end if:
    1. The candidate withdraws
    2. The candidate is unsuccessful after three (3) attempts of the Specific Trials
    3. The candidacy may be restarted as directed by Their Excellency Seagirt
  6. Timeframe
    Candidates have one (1) calendar year to complete their trials. A candidate may confer with Their Excellency to extend their trials in extenuating circumstances.

Commencement Trials

  1. Résumé
    The candidate will present their SCA résumé to Their Excellency Seagirt and take part in a class or discussion group related to Diversity and Inclusion and confer with Their Excellency for a date to present their petition in court.
  2. Calligraphy
    The candidate will present themselves to Their Excellency Seagirt in court and present a calligraphed scroll requesting their admittance to the trials for the Sergeantry.
  3. Deportment
    Their Excellency Seagirt will charge the populace to observe the candidates to see that they show the appropriate deportment and to speak privately to Their Excellency should any concerns arise.

General Trials
Candidates who have passed any of the General Trials for Seagirt Scholars will be considered to have passed the same tests for Sergeantry.
Persona Development
Personal Heraldry
Candidates are expected to have a name and Arms in submission to the College of Heralds before commencing their trials. Candidates may alternately defend the reason why their persona would NOT have arms and what they might display instead.
Biography
Candidates will submit a short biography (1000-1500 words), OR complete one of their other trials in persona. Candidates that have participated in a Persona Development Challenge like Silver Whale will be considered to have passed this test. Candidates should be able to explain:
When and where they were born
The type of education or training they received and how they make their living
Their current living conditions
Daily activities and cultural/religious observances
Rulers or local people of note
Geography known to their persona and any travel they have undertaken
Heraldry
To pass the Heraldry section, a candidate must achieve a score of at least 75% correct answers.
Candidates will be able to blazon:
Their own device
That of the Barony of Seagirt (1)
The personal arms of the Baronets of Seagirt (2)
The Crowns of An Tir (2)
The Heirs of An Tir (2)
Principality of Tir Righ (1)
Kingdoms of the Known World (5)
Candidates will be able to identify:
The personal arms of the King and Queen of An Tir (2)
The principal offices of the Kingdom (7: Seneschal, Exchequer, Marshal, Chatelaine, A&S, Chronicler, Herald)
The branches of the Principality of Tir Righ and neighbors
The arms of the active Serjeantry
Games
Candidates will play, teach (if necessary) and be able to identify the culture and time period of five (5) medieval games. Three (3) should be strategy games, and the other two may be games of luck or active games.
Candidates who have entered a games championship in the past two (2) years are considered to have passed this test.
Dance
Candidates will dance, teach (if necessary), and identify the culture and time period of five (5) medieval dances. A variety of stately and rowdy dances is preferred. It is customary to dance the Saracen’s Bransle in the armour of the candidate’s discipline.
Bardic Arts
Candidates will entertain the populace by presenting a historical piece or original piece in a period style, identifying the culture and era that is being showcased. This may be a song, story, poem, instrumental piece, or theatre. Candidates are responsible for offering a translation if the piece is not originally in English, and for providing their own accompaniment or supporting players. Candidates who have entered a bardic competition in the last two (2) years with a qualified piece will be considered to have passed this trial.

Geography
To pass the Geography section, a candidate must achieve a score of at least 75% correct answers.
Kingdoms of the Known World
Candidates will be able to name the Kingdoms of the Known World and locate them on a blank map
Geography of An Tir
Candidates will be able to name the Principalities and Baronies of An Tir and locate them on a blank map
Military Science
Candidates will demonstrate their understanding of Fortifications, Siege Weapons, Arms & Armour, and Historical Battle Strategies. This may be written, discussed in person, or via a format suitable to the candidate and Their Excellency. The candidate will submit a list of sources consulted to Their Excellency and the Sergeantry one month before testing.
Fortifications
The history of fortified buildings in one culture, including terminology associated with the fortification or castle type and how it may be defended or attacked.
Siege Weapons
The history of Siege Weapons in one culture, including mechanisms such as tension, torsion and traction machines, and basic weapon types and how they were used in battle.
Arms & Armour
The history of Arms and Armour of one culture, including design, terminology, and evolution of armour, bladed weapons, and missile weapons.
Historical Battle Strategies
The history of one Battle, including the order of battle, terrain, reasons for the battle, the leaders of both sides, the outcome of the battle and historical effects of that outcome.

Sergeants Trials
Candidates must successfully pass each of the following three trials to qualify for elevation to Sergeant:
Combat Leadership
Candidates will lead an SCA force upon the armoured battlefield in several battle scenarios.
Marshalate
Candidates will be familiar with the rules of the An Tir Book of Combat as it applies to armoured combat. Warranted Senior Armoured Combat marshals are considered to have completed this trial.
Individual Weapons Skills
Candidates will fight and teach with safety, chivalry, and prowess using a variety of weapons in the following categories:
Two (2) combinations of Shield (round, heater, kite, other) AND One-handed weapon (sword, mace, axe, other)
A two-handed weapon (Two-handed axe, sword, maul, Florentine)
A polearm (glaive, spear, great sword, pike, other)
Gallants Trials
Candidates must successfully pass each of the following three trials to qualify for elevation to Gallant:
Combat Leadership
Candidates will lead an SCA force upon the rapier battlefield in several battle scenarios.

Marshalate
Candidates will be familiar with the rules of the An Tir Book of Combat as it applies to rapier combat. Warranted Senior Rapier marshals are considered to have completed this trial.

Individual Weapons Skills
Candidates will fight and teach with safety, chivalry, and prowess using a variety of weapons in the following categories:
Single sword
Sword and buckler
Sword and soft parry
Sword and rigid parry
Sword and dagger
Case of rapiers
Yeomen Trials
Candidates must successfully pass each of the following three trials to qualify for elevation to Yeoman:
a. Combat Leadership
Candidates will lead an SCA force upon the missile combat battlefield in several battle scenarios.
Marshalate
Candidates will be familiar with the rules of the An Tir Book of Combat as it applies to missile combat. Warranted Senior Missile Combat marshals are considered to have completed this trial.
Individual Weapons Skills
Candidates will fight and teach with safety, chivalry, and prowess in a variety of circumstances using weapons related to their specialty (Archery, Thrown Weapons, or Siege Weapons):
Accuracy, speed, use of (or movement through) terrain, and ability to adapt to changing circumstances and threats. They may include scenarios such as Hogan’s Alley, Whack-a-Mole, Castle Siege, and/or Agincourt style shoots.
A hand weapon of their choice as a back-up in heavy combat in the event they are involved in a skirmish.
Foresters Trials
Candidates must successfully pass each of the following three trials to qualify for elevation to Forester:
Combat Craftsmanship
Candidates will make by their own hand at least two (2) pieces of equipment related to Forestry:
Bowstring or Crossbow string

Quiver
3. Arrow or Bolt
4. Bow or Crossbow
5. Throwing Knife
6. Throwing Axe
7. Throwing Spear
8. Target (either Archery or TW).
ii. Candidates will demonstrate knowledge of at least two (2) skills related to Forestry:
1. Hunting
2. Trapping
3. Tracking (human or animal)
4. Wild Harvesting/Gleaning
5. Temporary Shelters
6. Raiding/Trading for supplies.
b. Marshalate
Candidates will be familiar with the rules of the An Tir Book of Target as it applies to their chosen discipline of archery or thrown weapons. Warranted Senior Archery or Thrown Weapons marshals are considered to have completed this trial.
c. Individual Weapons Skills
Candidates will walk one field course using a bow weapon and one field course using a thrown weapon while fully equipped. At each station on the course candidates will halt, aim, and fire at designated targets of varying heights and visibility. Candidates will be considered to have passed with a 50% success rate.
11. Mariners Trials
Candidates must successfully pass each of the following three trials to qualify for elevation to Mariner:
a. Combat Craftsmanship
i. Candidates will create by their own hand and discuss the following five (5) knots:
1. Monkey’s Fist or Turks Head knot
2. Rope Splice
3. Bowline Knot
4. Reef Knot
5. Hitch Knot
And also discuss:
1. Advantages and disadvantages
2. Pertinent points of interest.
Other knots will be considered in consultation with Their Excellency Seagirt.
ii. Candidates will demonstrate at least two (2) skills related to sailing:
1. Navigation and Propulsion
2. Weather
3. Ship Identification (friend or foe, types of ships relevant to the culture being studied)
4. Ship Building
5. Crew and Culture aboard ship.
Other skills will be considered in consultation with Their Excellency Seagirt.
b. Marshalate
Candidates will be familiar with the rules of the An Tir Book of Combat as it applies to Cut and Thrust or Rapier combat. Warranted Senior marshals are considered to have completed this trial.
c. Individual Weapons Skills (Rapier or Cut & Thrust)
Candidates will fight and teach with safety, chivalry, and prowess using a variety of weapons in the following categories:
i. Single sword
ii. Sword and buckler
iii. Sword and dagger
iv. Bridge/plank scenario