the Barony of Castel Rouge

Below are the customs of the Barony of Castel Rouge, as approved by Folkmoot on August 26^th, 2001, and read into Baronial Court on September 3^rd, 2001. Note that this is merely a written record of the things we do as a matter of tradition, often just for ceremonial purposes, and are not the same as laws to be obeyed. As such, there is no formal procedure for changing them.

Honourary Members

• Honourary membership in the Barony of Castel Rouge may be granted to individuals whose worth and quality merits it.
• Honourary Members are created by a vote of the Folkmoot.
• The names of Honourary Members are entered upon the membership rolls and will remain there in perpetuity.

Baronial Foresters

• The Baronial Foresters are individuals whose worth and qualities are such that we wish to bind them closer to us.
• Baronial Foresters may be created by the Baron and Baroness at any Baronial Court, acting on nominations from the populace.
• The Baronial Pursuivant or a designated deputy will maintain a list of all Baronial Foresters.

Traditional Rights

• Baronial Members, Honourary Members, and and Baronial Foresters are entitled to camp with the Barony at outside events, subject to the rules set forth by the person in charge of the Barony's encampment.
• Members, Honourary Members, and and Baronial Foresters are entitled to serve with the Baronial Muster.

Barony of Carraig Ban

• The members and populace of the Barony of Carraig Ban are granted all the rights and privileges of Baronial members, except for the right to vote, and their Baron and Baroness are to be treated with the same love, respect and affection with which we treat our own Baron and Baroness.

Baronial Courts

• Weapons are not allowed in the Baronial Presence during Baronial Court, except for those weapons which may be carried by the Baronial Champion and former Champions.
• Missiles and throwing weapons are not permitted in the room or vicinity during Baronial Court, except for those weapons carried by the Archer Captain and the Warlord.
• New members of the Barony are called up to be formally recognized at the next Baronial Court which they attend.

Baronial Champion

• The Baronial Champion is a fighter who has demonstrated chivalry and courtesy on and off the field, and exemplifies the ideals to which all fighters should aspire.
• The Baronial Champion will be chosen from amongst the authorized fighters by the Baroness, in consultation with the Baron and guided by recommendations from the populace.
• The Baronial Champion is appointed at the Twelfth Night event, and serves in that position for one year.
• The Baronial Champion guards and attends the Baron and Baroness in Court, wearing the Champion's Tabard and bearing the Baronial Sword.
• The Baronial Champion is expected to dedicate their first bout of each tournament to the Baroness.
• Former Baronial Champions may bear weapons in the Baronial presence during Court if they so wish.
• An honor roll of all those who have served as Baronial Champion will be maintained by the Baronial Pursuivant or an appointed deputy.

Baronial Cupbearer

• The Baronial Cupbearer is a person who has demonstrated grace and courtesy, and exemplifies the ideals to which all should aspire.
• The Baronial Cupbearer will be chosen from amongst the populace by the Baron, in consultation with the Baroness and guided by recommendations from the populace.
• The Baronial Cupbearer is appointed at the Twelfth Night event, and serves in that position for one year.
• The Baronial Cupbearer attends the Baron and Baroness during Court, wearing the Cupbearer's Tabard and bearing the Baronial Chalices.
• The Baronial Cupbearer is expected to provide the Baron and Baroness with beverages during Baronial Court.
• An honor roll of all those who have served as Baronial Cupbearer will be maintained by the Baronial Pursuivant or an appointed deputy.

Baronial Muster

• The Baronial Muster consists of all those authorized fighters and archers who possess all the necessary equipment for participation in combat or archery related activities.
• Once each spring, at the pleasure of the Baron and Baroness, the members of the Baronial Muster will gather for a Marchfield to show their readiness for that year's campaign season.
• All authorized fighters and all archers will attend the Marchfield, each bearing the equipment required for participation in Society combat or archery activities.
• Members of the Baronial War Units will also bring to the Marchfield any specific equipment required for participation in that War Units to which they belong.
• All equipment must be in good repair and functional, capable of passing a Marshal's inspection. Equipment should not be held together or held on with duct tape. Unauthentic or ugly armour should be covered by surcoats.
• At the Marchfield, the Baroness will present the leaders of the War Units with Favours for the members of the Units. The Favours will be distributed to and carried by the members of those Units during that year's campaign season, and will be returned to the Baroness at the end of the campaign season.

Baronial Units

• The Baronial Units were formed to organize and encourage participation in group activities in war and melee situations.
• The Baronial Units are:
  • The War Unit, for heavy armoured fighting. The War Unit is led by the Warlord, chosen by the Baroness in consultation with the Baron and the members of the Unit.
  • The Archery Unit, for target archery and combat archery. The Archery Unit is led by the Archery Captain, chosen by the Baron in consultation with the Baroness and the members of the Unit.
  • The Rapier Unit, led by the Rapier Captain, for rapier fighting. The Rapier Captain is chosen by the Baron and Baroness, in consultation with the members of the Unit.
• Persons who participate in activities with a Baronial Unit, either as a member of the unit or as someone permitted to participate alongside them, may bear the insignia for that unit:
  • Persons participating with the War Unit may wear a white surcoat emblazoned with a red tower, and carry a shield emblazoned: "Gules, a tower, on a chief argent three maple leaves vert."
  • Persons participating with the Archery Unit may wear a white tabard emblazoned with a red tower, and with a pair of crossed arrows over the right breast.
  • Persons participating with the Rapier Unit may wear a white tabard trimmed in red and emblazoned with a red tower.
• The members of each Baronial Unit must meet the appropriate SCA requirements for participation in that unit's activities.
• The leader of each Baronial Unit must be a member of the unit who exhibits such qualities of courtesy, chivalry, skill and leadership that the members of the Unit will willingly follow him/her.
• At the Fall event, the person who has been chosen to lead each Baronial Unit during the following year's campaign season will be announced. If that person is not already the Unit's leader, he/she will serve as the Unit leader's deputy for the remainder of the current campaign season, and will be formally installed as unit leader at the following Spring event. The deputy will assist the unit leader, and the unit leader will help the deputy to plan for the following year's campaign season.
• The unit leaders report to the Baron and Baroness as requested, and represent their units during Baronial Court, standing guard while bearing the regalia associated with their positions.
• The leader of each unit will appoint deputies, organize their unit, and set requirements for membership in the unit as he/she sees fit.
• The leader of each unit will lead the unit into battle under the direction of the Baron and/or Baroness, assigning tasks and positions to all unit members regardless of rank, title or position.

Miscellaneous

• All entertainment at Baronial functions is subject to the approval of the Baron and Baroness or of any Royalty attending the function.
• The Royal Toast at Baronial feasts is given by the newest Barony member present.
• The Barony customarily holds events in January, Spring, and Fall. Other events are sometimes held at other times during the year.
• Anyone who borrows garb from the Chatelaine must return it before leaving the event. The Chatelaine may require a $10 deposit for any garb lent out; the deposit will be refunded if the garb is returned by the end of the event.
• The Chatelaine and Gold Key may submit bills to the autocrat for the costs of cleaning the loaner garb, tablecloths, tabards, etc. following the event.
• The traditional monetary unit of Castel Rouge is the 'nrn', which is roughly equal to one chocolate chip cookie.