Drachenwald Awards
The typical Drachenwald Awards are explained below. More information about them can be found in the laws of Drachenwald. Drachenwald has three awards that confer an Award of Arms upon the recipient if they are not yet armigerous. These are Orden Des Lindquistringes, the Order of the Panache and the Order of the Silver Guard. These three orders rank equally. The Order of the Edelweiss (formerly Marguerite), the Order of the Rose, the Order of the Dragon's Steel, and Ordo Annuli are also armigerous. The Order of The Dragon's Steel and Ordo Annuli confer a Grant of Arms.
Ordo Annuli or Ordo Annulorum
Ordo annuli (the Order of the Ring) or the Ordo annulorum (the Order of the Rings). The Ring is an order dedicated to excellence and example at an extraordinary level. The Order is in the gift of the Crown and, while wise monarchs seek and use the advice of their court, there is no poll of current members before an appointment is made.
When the Crown appoints someone to the Ring, the new companion's arms are confirmed by grant of the Crown.
The Ring comprises three orders or companies: Ordo alae, Ordo cygni, and Ordo hirundinis.
Ordo Alae
In the lands of Drachenwald before there was a kingdom, the cavalry of Roman armies were called the 'allies': they fought close on the wings (alae) of their companions. Companions in Ordo alae (the Company of the Wing) have displayed superior abilities in their fields of martial activity in Drachenwald. All Drachenwald's practitioners of the arts of combat who show high prowess in the eyes of the Crown are united in this order, without distinction among steel fighters, baton fighters, archers and their other companions in arms.
The badge of this company of the order is (fieldless) a wing terminating in a hand gules sustaining a sword fesswise reversed proper.
Ordo Cygni
The Roman poet Juvenal wrote, 'rara avis in terris nigroque simillima cygno': a rare bird indeed, in the world, is the black Swan. The rare companions in Ordo cygni (the Company of the Swan) have distinguished themselves by superior achievement in scholarship, the arts and the advancement of beauty and knowledge in Drachenwald.
The badge of this company of the order is (fieldless) a swan sable.
Ordo Hirundinis
Artemidorus of Daldis, the 2nd Century Greek diviner, wrote that dreaming of a swallow was a good omen for work (and business and marriage). In classical literature and art the Swallow's song was paired in chorus with that of the nightingale, each as beautiful as the other. Those who labour to enable the special beauty that is Drachenwald, and thereby create beauty of their own; are brought together as Companions of Ordo hirundinis (the Company of the Swallow) because they have distinguished themselves by superior service within the Kingdom.
The badge of this company of the order is (fieldless) a martlet volant Or.
The King's Order of the Companions of Albion, also The Royal Order of the Companions of Albion
Formerly the Prince's Order of the Companions of Albion The Albion is one of the most prestigious awards in our Kingdom. It is given for "untiring service, courtesy and devotion to the needs of others". It is recommended that it only be given once a reign. It became the King's order when Drachenwald became a Kingdom. The Companions of this Order have the right to display the regalia of the Order, which shall be (fieldless) a dragon's claw inverted sable within and conjoined to an annulet per pale Or and gules. (Read the story of Albion)
Queen's Order of Courtesy
(and formerly ) Princess' Order of Courtesy, This "Queen's" award is awarded for "untiring devotion to the ideals of courtesy and for consistent consideration of the needs of others". It became the Queen's order when Drachenwald became a Kingdom. The symbol for this award is an Edelweiss with a red center to be worn on a pin or silver chain.
Order of the Dragon's Bowle
The Order of the Dragon's Bowle is awarded at the discretion of the Crown to those who have displayed notable attention to authenticity. The symbol of this Award is (Fieldless) a dragon passant coward sable charged with a bowl per pale Or and gules.
Order of the Dragon's Jewel
This award will be given to children (under 12 years of age) who have distinguished themselves through exemplary behavior or service.
Order of the Dragon's Pride
This award will be given to children (under 12 years of age) who have distinguished themselves through exemplary work in the arts and sciences.
Order of The Dragon's Steel
This award is given to "those members of the foil, epee and schlager fighting community, who exemplify courtesy, chivalry, dedicated patronage to the arts and sciences and show continual service to local branches and the Kingdom of Drachenwald and who shall have displayed superior abilities in light weaponry". It carries with it a Grant of Arms. Before creating a new member of the Order, the Crown must consult with the Order. The badge of the order is Or, three pine trees in fess eradicated gules, overall a dragon passant coward sable, and on a chief gules a rapier argent.
Order of the Dragon's Tears
This Award is given at the discretion of the Crown to the host(s) of an extraordinarily successful event. This Award can be received more than once. Recipients of this Award may be styled, "Holder of the Dragon's Tear" (or, if they have more than one, "Holder of the Dragon's Tears"). The symbol of this award is (Fieldless) on a goutte per pale Or and gules a dragon passant coward sable.
Order of the Edelweiss (formerly Marguerite)
This Order is closed. It was bestowed upon former Consorts of the Principality of Drachenwald at the end of their first reign. Companions of this Order may be styled "Lord/Lady of the Edelweiss" as appropriate. Stefan Wasniewski Ste'Kolm is the only Lord of the Edelweiss. The symbol of the Order is (Fieldless) an edelweiss Or, seeded gules, within and conjoined to an amulet argent. Now our consorts become members of "The Order of the Rose". This is a society wide order for former Consorts.
Order of the Hospitallers of Albion
The Hospitallers of Albion are those gentles (or groups) in distant lands who make great sacrifice to render aid and support to the Crowns of Drachenwald when they are travelling. The symbol of the Hospitallers is (Fieldless) on a dragon passant coward sable a wake knot argent. Only those persons/groups residing or based outside the Kingdom of Drachenwald may become Hospitallers of Albion.
Orden des Lindquistringes
This order was established to honor a former member of the Principality/Protectorate, Fahrquar Finley Fahrquarson (John Lindquist). It is now presented to those people who have distinguished themselves by long and extraordinary service to the Kingdom. The badge of the order is '(fieldless) a ring formed of a wingless dragon in annulo widdershins Or, maintaining in chief with all four legs and mouth a gem gules'.
Order of the Panache
The Panache is the awarded to those who have distinguished themselves by long and consistent excellence in the Arts (and Sciences) and who have also constantly made their expertise available to the various members of the Kingdom. The symbol of the Order is (Fieldless) issuant to chief from a torteau charged with a bezant pierced sable three feathers gules, Or and Sable.
Popular Company of Sojourners (PCS)
Formerly it was the Principality Company of Sojourners. Presented at the discretion of the Crown to those members departing the Kingdom, who have contributed to Drachenwald. The members may bear the badge of the company: "Barry wavy argent and azure, two flaunches vert" in whatever manner deemed appropriate to signify membership. They are expected to recall to all and sundry tales the recipient has to tell of the Lands of Drachenwald.
Sigillum
The Sigillum (Sigillum Coronae) is given by the King or the Queen, (formerly by the Prince or the Princess), or by both of them together. This is shown in the name. When it says "Sigillum Coronae" only, it is unclear who has given the award. The Sigillum are awarded for personal service to the Crown(s) that far exceeds any expected measure. The number given during a reign is generally limited to three. This award can be received more than once. The many variations and their badges are:
- Sigillumn Regis (Sigillum Coronae King) - A black dragon's head charged with the sigils of the King bestowing it
- Sigillum Regina (Sigillum Coronae Queen) - A white edelweiss charged with the sigils of the Queen bestowing it
- Sigillum Regis et Regina (Sigillum Coronae King and Queen) - A white edelweiss surmounted by a black dragon's head bearing the sigils of the Crown bestowing it.
- formerly Sigillum Principae
- formerly Sigillum Principessa
- formerly Sigillum Principis
Order of the Silver Guard
The Silver Guard is presented to those members who have distinguished themselves by chivalry and prowess at arms. Although most of the members of the order are heavy weapon fighters there are fencers and archers among them as well. The badge of this Order is (Tinctureless) a silver wrist-guard bearing a dragon passant coward, wings addorsed, maintaining in dexter forepaw a sword erect. The dragon which goes on the silver wrist guard can be seen at the right.