Dance Authorization Card

With lightness of heart and step, we are pleased to offer an Atlantian Dance Authorization Card. Dance participants of all ages and experience levels are eligible.

How Do I Get a Card?

The requirements are simple — just one of the following:

• Participate in dance at an official practice, class, or event; or
• Demonstrate knowledge of dances to a Dance Master or Mistress

To receive your card, contact the Dance Master or Mistress at a practice, lesson, or event. There is no charge for the card.

Wording on the back of the card:

The bearer of this card has shown promise and/or enthusiasm by participating in a dance practice or lesson. The recipient has learned dance in any category circled.

To the Dance Master/Mistress: There is no charge to the recipient for this card. Replacement cards may be obtained by participating in another practice or lesson. Circle initials for dances learned.

Dance Styles

In Memory of Duchess Aslinn Schattenwald, who always asked the Squires to dance.

A Brief History of the Card

As given by Lady Eilon bat Miriam (paraphrased)

Originally a Trimarian Dance Authorization Card, its history was intended as a joke and resembled a Fighter Authorization Card, complete with initials rather than full category names. The Dance Master or Mistress would offer a card when you'd taken a class at an event and check off the styles you learned. Though meant more as a novelty, this card was also proof that a man — perhaps a squire — had performed courtly duties and expanded his repertoire of chivalric skills.

During Elizabethan times, men attended law school as a requirement of lordship in the court. In addition to learning the laws of the kingdom, the Inns of Court were a finishing school where students learned etiquette and dance. Knowing the dances of HRM's court was imperative, as perhaps it should continue to be of those SCA members who aspire to be peers of the Known World.

The Trimarian card was also given as an honorarium to a Baroness whose history is unknown.

For All Dance Masters & Mistresses

Thank you for your interest in promoting dance within our Kingdom. This program is intentionally simple — the only documentation is the card itself. There is no need for the bearer to continue seeking authorizations once issued. The card stands on its own unless someone wishes to personally work toward completing all categories, in which case they would present their existing card to be updated at each lesson.

By awarding cards at events, there are no mailing costs to individuals.

Please complete the card with the individual's given or SCA name. No titles are needed. Circle each dance category in which the recipient has participated.

Replacement Cards

If an awarded card is lost and a replacement is desired, the recipient may attend another practice or class to receive a new card. There is no list to manage and no paperwork — simple and painless.