Laureate Competions

The following are the rules of entry for the Poet & Masque Laureate Competitions taken directly from the Rules of Laureate Competitions listed under the office of the KMOAS.

Anyone entering a competition must be a permanent resident of Trimaris and have lived within the boundaries of Trimaris for no less than six (6) months.

Eligibility

1. Anyone entering a competition must be a permanent resident of Trimaris and have lived within the boundaries of Trimaris for no less than six (6) months.

2. A minimum of three (3) entries are required in order for any Laureate Competition to be held.

3. As the Laureates are Performance Based competitions, No submitted documentation will be used as a judging consideration for any Laureate Competition. The Jongleur Laureate Competition is the only Laureate which requires Documentation, and this is solely to determine the eligibility of the performance as it is Period Based.

General Rules for all Laureates

PLEASE NOTE: If a performer has won any competition other than an Official Laureate Competition with their piece it is still allowable to enter their piece in a Laureate Competition (as long as they abide by the rules of THAT competition).

If a person holds the title for any Laureate, they may enter (and win) any or all other Laureate Competitions held. An individual could conceivably hold ALL of the Laureate titles at one time. No holder of any one of the Laureate Titles may succeed themselves. (Enter a consecutive competition of which they already hold that title)

The winner(s) of any Laureate competition, at the discretion of the Crown, would receive the Order of the Bards Laureate (OBL) when acknowledged as Troubadour/Poet/Masque/Jongleur Laureate in Court.

There will be a minimum of three (3) entries in order for a Laureate Competition to take place. If there are not enough entries for a Laureate Competition to take place, the holder of the title for that competition will be given the option of retaining that title and regalia until the next Kingdom event that this competition may be held. If the holder declines the regalia will be turned over to the Minister of the Laureate until the next Kingdom event this competition may be held.

Responsibilities for holders of Laureate Titles

  • It is the responsibility of each Laureate to Honor the title they have earned by offering their services as a performer at any event they may attend.

  • It is the responsibility of each Laureate to Honor the title they have earned by sharing their skills and knowledge with others who would strive to one day also share the Honor of the title of a Kingdom Laureate.

  • It is the responsibility of each Laureate to Honor the title they have earned by being present and ready to assist the Officer of the Laureate with the organizing and running of the Laureate Competition they hold the title for at the next Kingdom Event it would be traditionally held.

  • If for any reason the holder(s) of a Laureate Title is unable to continue in that position, which would in essence mean leaving Kingdom or quitting the SCA, at first opportunity PRIOR to moving or quitting, it is the responsibility of the individual(s) who received and in possession of the Regalia to notify the Minister of the Laureate (whose information is listed in the Talewinds) of this and turn over the Bells/Medallion (and all other Regalia) to the Art Sci Officer of their local group, requesting a receipt. As these are Kingdom Regalia of the oldest competitions in the Kingdom. If this does not happen, or the Bells/Medallion (and all other Regalia) is lost, the person(s) with that title will be held responsible for replacing this Regalia.

  • If for any reason the holder(s) is unable to be present for the same competition, it is the responsibility of the individual who received and is in possession of the Regalia to notify the Minister of the Laureate (whose information is listed in the Talewinds) of this and to turn it over to the Art Sci Officer of their local group the Bells/Medallion (and all other Regalia) at the first opportunity PRIOR to this competition that arrangements may be made for it to be transported to and be presented to the winning performance at that competition.

Poet Laureate

Traditionally, Poet Laureate is held twice a year at Crown Lyst. With the following entry criteria:

  • The winner can join the Crown’s champion's any time they are asked to serve the Crown and stand with them

  • The winner is expected to run the next Poet Laureate competition with the assistance of the Deputy of the Laureates

Masque Laureate

Traditionally, Masque Laureate is held twice a year, once at the Kingdom Arts & Sciences Faires ​and a Kingdom event appointed by KMOAS​.​​

The Masque Laureate rules are a bit more extensive as there are more entry eligibilities than the two previous Laureate Competitions. So I shall start with a list of the types of entries allowed in the Masque Laureate which include Solo and Ensemble Performances of the following forms:​ (Exclusions noted within the Masque Laureate Rules are those of performance pieces which would be eligible under the rules of the Troubadour and Poet Laureate Competitions.)

  • Musical Vocal and Instrumental, are to be an original piece of work. Period style writing, words, language, music or any musical instruments used are not a requirement of entry, but are always encouraged if it all possible.

  • Dancing original choreography is encouraged as is original/period style music, but shall not be a requirement for entry. It shall have a “look or style” representative of a period “form” of dance.

  • Any form of Street Performance, not already listed or covered under previous Laureate rules, is allowed to enter the Masque Laureate Competitions, as solo or group examples being: juggling, sword swallowing, dog and pony show, puppets, etc.

  • Any spoken Performance (except as described under the Poet Laureate Rules)

  • The winner will be given the Regalia for the title and should wear it at all official SCA events during their tenure as the champion

  • The winner will be asked to perform at any time during their tenure as the champion

  • The winner can join the Crown’s champion's any time they are asked to serve the Crown and stand with them

  • The winner is expected to run the next Masque Laureate competition with the assistance of the Deputy of the Laureates

Original Poetry/Prose performed solo by author is not allowed in a Masque Laureate Competition, as there is already a competition called Poet Laureate for performances of this nature.

Original song/words presented in solo form by author is not allowed in a Masque Laureate Competition, as there is already a competition called Troubadour Laureate for performances of this nature.

***Solo Vocal performances of original poetry/songs are allowed as long as they are NOT performed by the composer. Solo performances of collaborations are allowed as long as all known contributors are credited. Also allowable is an entry by anyone other than the composer of a performance piece which has won Poet or Troubadour Laureate Competitions.***

Parodies and Filking

of existing pieces IS PERMITTED for the Masque Laureate Competition. However, modifications to the content are to be more than minor.

  • The subject matter required is either an SCA or Period Theme.

  • Unlike the Poet and Troubadour Laureate Competitions, pieces that have previously won in ANY category of the Laureate Competitions ARE eligible as long as not performed by the previous winner(s)

  • Although not a requirement to enter Masque Laureate Competitions, research is always encouraged in the interest of furthering the entrant’s knowledge of the performance based arts.

  • The composition and performance of documentable period forms and styles are not only allowed but also encouraged they are just not a requirement

IF an ensemble (duet and upward in count) wins the Masque Laureate Competition the ensemble may share wearing the Laureate Bells/Medallion at their discretion. But unless an individual has been designated as representative of the ensemble (duet and upward in count) a single scroll shall be presented to the group as a whole for the Masque Laureate Competition. As it was the Ensemble as a whole which won NOT individual members