Custumal

The Custumal of the Barony of the Bridge

(14 Jan. 53 [2019])

Permanent link: http://tinyurl.com/bridge-custumal

GLOSSARY
APKL: “As per Kingdom Law”.
Balfar: see “Weights & Measures”.
Baronoid: term used informally to designate “baron, baroness, or baron and baroness together”,
a/k/a “the Coronet”.
Bridgie: a member or former member of the baronial populace.
BUN: The Bridge Urgency Network, the old baronial list-serve for official announcements.
Bridge-Chat: the informal baronial email list-serve.
Custumal: a list of the customs and assumptions current in the Barony. Derived from a similar
list kept by manors delineating who had the rights to what property, who owed what service to
whom, etc.
El: see “Weights and Measures”
Farful: a statement by a Bridgie which is humorous when taken out of context. These are
traditionally published in Notes.
“Good stuff” encompasses arts, sciences, service, martial activities, and anything else that
enhances the Barony.
Notes from Underground: or “Notes” for short; the baronial newsletter.
Owen: see “Weights and Measures”.
Populace: (a) the people who are actively involved in the affairs of the barony; (b) the attendees
at any official Baronial Meeting.
Qualified Autocrat: A resident of Bridge who has served as autocrat of a previous Bridge event
of equivalent size or nature.
Quorum: the quorum of a Baronial Meeting is the populace attending that meeting. (In other
words, we don’t do quorums. But see IV.B.3).
Sharking: the practice of stealing another’s partner during a dance.
Weights & Measures:
El: 6 1⁄2 feet, the height of Master El of Two Knives.
Balfar: the amount of force required to move one Owen one El, 650 ft-lbs.
Owen: 100 lbs, the weight of Master Feral’s squire Owen y Crwydryn.
Tyger: the Golden Tyger (formerly used at the Golden Tyger Tavern), 1⁄2 of a Royal Tyger, or
50 US cents.
Section I. Introduction
A. The Custumal exists so that people can understand how the Barony works.
B. The Custumal can only be changed by a majority vote of the Populace, at a Baronial
Meeting.

C. The Custumal will be published in Notes from Underground at least annually, and will be
made available on the Baronial website. Copies of the Custumal are available from the Keeper
of the Custumal.
D. The Custumal is not a set of by-laws. It does not specify how things SHOULD be done, but
how things ARE done. If you deviate from this document, you will not necessarily be punished,
but folks might scratch their heads, think you’re weird, and just possibly get their knickers in a
twist. You have been warned.
Section II. The Baronoid
A. Will ensure the Populace get the recognition they deserve
B. Will act fairly and for the best interest of the Barony as a whole
C. Will represent the Barony to the Known World
D. Will be an active member of House Runnymeade, consult with his/her/their fellows, be
familiar with and abide by any consensus decisions and accords that they might adopt.
E. Will fulfill his/her/their responsibilities to the Confederation of the Fret as specified in the
Confederation charter.
F. Is elected to a six-year term, with no limit on number of terms, except as otherwise limited by
Kingdom Law or Policy, or by Corpora.
Section III. Baronial Officers
A. The internal structure of the Barony has been noted to be silly putty, duct tape, and rattan
B. The Baronial Officers consist of the following:

  1. The required Officers are those Officers required for a Barony by east Kingdom law.
    They are:
    a. The Seneschal
    b. Dupont Pursuivant
    c. The Knight Marshall
    d. The Chancellor of the Exchequer
    e. The Chronicler
    f. The Minister of Arts and Sciences
    g. The Minister of the Lists
    h. The Chatelaine
  2. The Additional Officers. Those Officers that the Barony also chooses to have. These
    may include but are not limited to:
    a. The Chirurgeon
    b. The Archivist
    c. The Chancellor Minor
    d. The Webster
    e. The Stuffy Authenticist
    f. The Magister
    g. The Keeper of the Custumal
    h. The Manciple
  3. The Seneschals of all Cantons within the Barony
  4. The Baronoid
    C. Regulations governing all Baronial Officers
  5. All Baronial Officers must comply with East Kingdom Law and the Policies of Office
    of any supervising Kingdom Officers
  6. Each Baronial Officer with a supervising Kingdom Officer must submit such reports
    as required by said Kingdom Officer, with copies of such reports provided to the Baronial
    Seneschal. Each Baronial Officer without a supervising Kingdom Officer will submit such reports
    as required to their superior baronial Officer.
    a. Baronial officers should submit their reports to the baronial Seneschal by email
    before the baronial meeting.
  7. Each Baronial Officer must designate and train a Deputy who, in case of an
    emergency, will take over the Office.

a. All such deputies must be SCA members.
b. If an Officer does not provide a Deputy, one will be provided for them by the
seneschal and the Baronoid.
D. Office elections: These are not “term limits”; you can throw your hat in for re-election
when the time comes. Each overlap begins during the office holder’s “term”. Elections
will be held 2 months before the “training period/overlap” would begin prior to the end of
the office holder’s “term”. For example, as Chronicler, 4 months before the end of their
“term” we would announce that the position is up for election, all interested would
announce such so that it could be published in the next months NFU and then voted
upon at the next baronial meeting where the next Chronicler would begin their 2 month
“training/overlap”.

Baron: As per East Kingdom law:

A Territorial Baron/Baroness may sit for a period not to exceed six consecutive years.
i. Unless provided otherwise by baronial charter, Territorial Barons and Baronesses will sit for a
term of three years (default term), which begins the date of investiture.
ii. A second (consecutive) three-year term may be granted if affirmed by a vote of confidence of
the baronial officers.
iii. A barony may provide, by charter, for term(s) other than three years; however, the sum of
such term(s) may not exceed six years. Upon investiture, the Territorial Baron/Baroness is
required to notify the Chronicler of the date the term will expire to be listed in the Regnum of the
Pikestaff.
d. In the final year of the Territorial Baron/Baroness’s term, the Barony will commence selection
of its heir(s) in accordance with Polling Procedures (Section VII.C.).
e. The Territorial Baron/Baroness may not succeed themselves after having sat for a maximum
of six years. A minimum interval of two years must elapse before the former Baron/Baroness
may seek to run again.
Exchequer: 5 years with a 1 year overlap

Seneschal: As per EK Law and EK Seneschal policy (currently a 2-year term).
Chronicler: 3 years with 2 month overlap
Chirurgeon: 3 years with a 1 year overlap
MOL: 3 years with a 2 month overlap + 1 Tourney
MoAS: 2 years with a 1 month overlap
Knight Marshall: 3 years with a 2 month overlap
Webmaster: 3 years with a 2 month overlap
Pursuivant: 3 years with a 3 month overlap
Chatelaine: 3 years with a 6 month overlap
Magister: 3 years with a 6 month overlap
Archivist: 3 years with a 1 month overlap
Keeper of the Custumal : lifetime position
E. Baronial Officers will be succeeded in Office according to the following procedure.

  1. The current Officer leaves Office, for whatever reason.
  2. Their Deputy assumes the duties of the Office, on an interim basis.
  3. At that time, the outgoing Officer will surrender all files, materials, and equipment
    pertaining to the Deputy.
  4. The Seneschal will place an announcement in the next issue of Notes from
    Underground, announcing that the Office is in transition.
  5. Anyone with interest in the Office can submit an application to the Seneschal.
  6. At the next Baronial Meeting held after publication of the announcement in Notes
    from Underground, a majority vote of the Populace will either confirm the Deputy in Office, or
    select a new Officer from those who applied.
  7. The above procedure may be circumvented for Additional Officers by a majority vote
    of the Populace, allowing the Office to become vacant.
    F. Baronial Officers may be removed from Office by:
  8. A majority vote of the Populace at a Baronial Meeting.
  9. A majority vote of the Baronoid and the other Baronial Officers.
    G. Individual duties of Baronial Officers
  10. The Seneschal

a. Know what’s going on.
b. Try to keep the peace

  1. The chancellor of the Exchequer
    a. Fulfill the state of Rhode Island requirements for the Barony of the Bridge,
    Inc., a RI 501(c)3 Corporation.
  2. The Chronicler
    a. Will chronicle the events of the Barony by publishing issues of Notes from
    Underground. Each Issue of Notes from Underground must contain:
    i. Officer listings
    ii. Listing of group activities with phone numbers and contact information.
    iii. Standard SCA disclaimer.
    iv. Deadline for upcoming issue
    v. Date of Publication.
    vi. At least one Farful
    vii. Subscriptions and submission information.
  3. The Minister of Lists
    a. Will coordinate recognition of rank advancement for Royal Round scores
  4. The Webster
    a. APKL ( as per Kingdom Level )
    b. Responsible for keeping track of the Baronial website access information, which will
    be kept on file.
  5. The Stuffy Authenticist
    a. Is responsible to the Baronoid
    b. Encourages an authentic focus in the group’s activities and speech
  6. The Magister
    a. Is responsible to the Baronial Seneschal
    b. Runs and Organizes demos.
  7. The Manciple
    a. Is responsible to the Baronial Chancellor of the Exchequer
    b. Will keep track of what we own, where it is, and what condition it is in.
  8. The Keeper of the Custumal

a. Will maintain and make available this document
b. Will present any proposed changes to a Baronial Meeting for a vote before
incorporating them into this document.

  1. Captain of Archers: Bridge traditionally has no Captain of Archers. To the extent that
    this office is required by Kingdom or Society regulation, the duties are performed by the Archery
    Champion for the time being.
  2. All other officers – as stated in Section III C.
    C. Ask Vahan first.
  3. Although Vahan was once named “Vahan”, for the purpose of this clause “Vahan” shall
    imply “the baronial Seneschal”.

Section IV. Meetings
A. Common sense should be the first rule of thumb
B. Baronial Meetings

  1. Are Called by the Seneschal or Baronoid.
    a. By default, meetings are 2nd Mondays at 7:30 pm.
    b. No meeting is held in August.
  2. Will have their date, time, and location announced at a prior Baronial
    Meeting or published in Notes from Underground. Said announcement or publication
    should give at least 7 days notice.
  3. Will require a quorum of Baronial Officers. What designates a quorum will, if
    necessary, be decided by the Seneschal, but generally it’s the Seneschal plus the
    baronial officer(s) overseeing the matters/activities discussed, or their deputies or
    proxies. See also IV.B.6.
  4. Will be chaired by the Seneschal or their designate.
  5. Will cover such items as are on the agenda or are raised by members of the
    Populace, with a majority vote of the Populace deciding issues of importance.
  6. The Seneschal will determine which are issues of importance, requiring a
    vote. If anyone objects to the Seneschal’s determination as to whether an issue is an
    issue of importance, that decision will become an issue of importance, and be voted
    upon.
    C. Emergency Meetings
  7. Are called by the Seneschal, or the Baronoid.
  8. Will only decide issues requiring immediate attention.
  9. A good faith effort should be made to include as many Baronial Officers as
    possible. The Officers need not be physically present at the emergency Meeting, save
    that the Chancellor of the Exchequer must be present if any issues of a monetary nature
    are to be decided.
  10. The issues discussed and decisions made at an Emergency Meeting will be
    published in Notes from Underground and announced at the next Baronial Meeting.
    D. SingThing, WingThing and similar gatherings are unofficial occurrences where
    Baronial issues may be discussed. However, no official action may be taken on these issues
    until they have been discussed at a Baronial Meeting.
    E. Weaving in and out of parliamentary procedure is the procedure in Bridge.
    Section V. Branches
    A. Within the boundaries of the Barony, only 42 angels may dance on the head of a
    pin.
    Section VI. Events
    A. For an event to be sponsored by the Barony, the prospective autocrat must follow
    the Baronial Bidding Process.
  11. If a prospective autocrat is not a Qualified Autocrat, they must work under
    the supervision of a Qualified Autocrat.
  12. A bid for the proposed event must be submitted to the Seneschal. Preferred
    bid submission timelines are at least 30 days before the Kingdom event deadline or the
    Pikestaff deadline for the event date.
  13. Bids must either use the Barony of the Bridge Event Bid Form or supply the
    same information.
  14. Upon receipt of the bid, the Seneschal, Chancellor of the Exchequer and the
    Baronoid will review the bid, and decide whether or not to approve the event.
    B. Autocrats of approved events must comply with the relevant portions of the East
    Kingdom Law and East Kingdom Financial Policy
    C. The Chancellor of the Exchequer will supply a copy of the tax ID form to the
    Autocrat upon request.
    D. The Autocrat and Chancellor of the Exchequer must meet within seven days of the
    event to reconcile all moneys and receipts paid out as per Kingdom Exchequer policies. It is
    Baronial tradition to complete this reconciliation on the day of the event.
    E. The following events have been or are considered traditional Baronial events.
  15. Bridge Birthday – Preferably scheduled for the first Sunday closest to
    December 6th.
    a. A brewing contest shall be conducted at Birthday.
    i. The contest will be conducted by the previous winner
    b. A meeting of the Pillars is customarily held, usually •after• the brewing
    contest (which may explain some things).
    c. live Alquerques shall be played.
  16. Black Rose Ball – Preferably scheduled for the first Saturday in March.
    a. The traditional format of the ball is:
    i. Dance practice in the earlier part of the day.
    ii. The first set.
    iii. Hole in the Wall (to recorded music)
    (a) A sharking and non-sharking line will be set up.
    iv. The second set.
    v. Baronial court.
    (a) Traditionally led by the Baronoid, processing in to the
    Carolingian Pavane. S/he sits, and receives such attendees who wish to process in.
    vi. The third set. (Traditionally ends with Gay Gordon).
    b. The Baronoid has the privilege of putting the first cloved object in play. This is traditionally a
    lemon.
  17. Bridge champions: formerly a separate event in June, now normally
    incorporated into another event.
    a. Heavy list, Fencing, Archery, Bardic, & A&S champions are chosen
    every year.
  18. September Event – Preferably scheduled for a Saturday in
    September, and most traditionally near the autumnal equinox.
    a. Traditionally, a tavern-style event
  19. Feast of the End of the Gaunt Days

a. Pot-luck feast of “winter stores”: pickled and preserved foods, etc. with
contests for same.
b. Held in February

  1. Walpurgisnacht
    a. Dance event held closest to St. Walburga’s Day, which is the day
    before May Day.
    Section VII. Baronial Awards

A. It is tradition to avoid a complicated system of multiple awards for specific
activities.
B. The following Baronial Awards are defined by the Baronoid.

  1. Higher-level
    a. The Order of the Pillar is given to residents of the Barony, for
    doing Good Stuff for the Barony.
    b. The Freedom of the Bridge is given to those who live outside
    the Barony, for doing Good Stuff for the Barony.
    (i) Holders of the Freedom of the Bridge are known as Freemen
    and Freewomen of the Bridge (in preference to “Companions”).
  2. Lower-level
    a. The Award of Horatius is for Good Martial Stuff
    b. The Award of the Lotus of Sarasvati is for Good Artistic Stuff
    c. The Award of Alcantara is for Good Service Stuff
    d. The Award of (the) Kid is for Good Stuff done by kids.

Section VIII. Populace badge
The baronial populace badge is a gold triple-arched bridge on a blue background.
Section IX.
A. The Custumal takes no position regarding the existence or prevalence of Shenanigans
(which may include but are not limited to Hijinks, Tomfoolery, and/or Folderol) within the Barony.
Section X.
A. It is customary that there is no section X.
B. This section is open to revision.
XI. Champions
A. Bridge has Champions for Combat, Fence, Archery, A&S, and Bardic
B. Champions are responsible for attending baronial events in their capacities, and
especially attending baronial courts, as well as processions at Pennsic and other similar
events they attend.
C. Champions are responsible for designing and organizing the competitions for their
successors. The Archery Champion should also be aware of their responsibility under
III.G.10. to act as virtual Captain of Archers to the extent required by higher authority.