The Consortium of the Southern Marches and Its Structure
These offices have been designed to encourage Consortium members to excel in their areas of interest. Most offices are earned through skill and through accolade. A few are appointed by the Weard to assist in coordinating the Consortium shires' activities. In this structure, combat and craft have equal importance and similar recognition; vote and decree are, hopefully, balanced.
The titles are all of Anglo-Saxon extraction and were chosen for three specific reasons: the language existed at mid-period, it is the root of our native tongue, and most of the Consortium shire names are in English.
CONSORTIUM OFFICES
ADMINISTRATIVE
WEARD way-ard (Warden)
This gentle is nominated by any Consortium member and voted on by the Witan. He/she serves as the leader of the Consortium, answerable to the people through the Witan. He/she is responsible for the direction of the Consortium, coordination of resources, and equal support of the shires.
WITAN wee-tan (The Council of Seneschals)
This group is comprised of all the seneschals of the Consortium shires and must approve decisions made by the Weard. The individual seneschals are bound to support the will of their active shire membership.
AEWITA ah-wee-tah (Chief Counselor)
This gentle is chosen by the Weard for clear thinking, loyalty, and an ability to question foolish decisions. This person also maintains the Consortium Skills and Awards List.
CAECEPOL ka-chay-pol (Tax-Gatherer)
This gentle is chosen by the Weard to keep the Consortium Hidgeld (land tax) updated and collect the yearly taxes at Meridian Maneuvers.
CHALICE GUARDIANS (Chalice Guardians)
This honor is earned by the shire which wins the most points at the Chalice Challenge. It holds the chalice in its possession for one year and has bragging rights.
MARTIAL
FYRDWISA fird-weez-ah (Battle Wise One)
This honor is earned by a respected fighter, who is nominated by any Consortium member but chosen by the fighters. He/she serves as the leader of Consortium troops on the battlefield and must be someone the fighters wish to follow in war.
CEMPA kem-pah (Champion)
This honor is earned by winning the Chalice tourney between Consortium shire champions. He/she serves as the Consortium's representative in champion style tourneys and as an example of our best tourney fighter.
HILDECALL hil-dah-call (War Herald)
This honor is granted to a gentle chosen by the Weard based on skill-at-arms and heraldry. If the Weard is not a fighter, the Fyrdwisa makes this choice. He/she serves the on the tourney and battlefield, announcing challenges and carrying the Consortium banner.
GUTHHERE gooth-hear-ah (Battle Companions)
This honor is earned by the shire fyrd which wins the melee tourney at the Chalice Challenge. It will form the vanguard [center] of any Consortium force in war.
ARTISTIC
HEAHWYRHTA hay-ah-wer-tah (High Artisan)
This honor is earned by a respected gentle, who is nominated by any Consortium member but chosen by those who teach classes or enter A&S competitions regularly. Fighters who vote for Fyrdwisa may not vote for Heahwyrhta. He/she serves as the leader of Consortium artisans, organizing or encouraging collegiums, classes, and competitions.
CRAEFTIGA craf-tig-ah (Skilled Crafter)
This honor is earned by winning the Chalice Challenge A&S competition. He/she serves as the Consortium's example of its best artistic skill and A&S champion.
AEFENSCEOP ah-ven-shop (Evening Singer-s)
This honor is earned by the gentle or gentles who win the Chalice Performance competition. As for the Cempa position, each shire puts forth a champion [individual or group]. The winner serves as the Consortium's example of its best performance skill. AEfensceop is the word for bard.
BODA bo-dah (Herald)
This honor is granted by the Weard based on heraldic skill. If the Weard is not a competing artisan or a regular A&S teacher, the Heahwyrta makes this choice. He/she serves to announce Consortium actions in Meridian courts, Consortium events, and Consortium Folcgemots.
TERMS OF OFFICE
All Consortium offices, except that of Witan, are for one year. The offices change hands at the Chalice Challenge. All offices may be held repeatedly if the gentle wins the appropriate competition or if a Consortium vote favors such an action.