Originally published in On Target, Volume 1, Issue 1, Winter 1996.
(Editor's note: Please see the official OGGS Web site for current OGGS requirements and ceremonials. — GdA)
In the Kingdom of An Tir the only award that exists solely for archery is the Order of the Grey Goose Shaft. The members of the Order recommend candidates to the Crown. The requirements for membership include having shot an average that qualifies the person as a Master Bowman during the past year in at least one class of bow; winning or placing highly in a major archery tournament during the past year; participation in war archery, light combat and/or light marshaling at wars; promotion of archery throughout the Kingdom; general knowledge of the Society; demonstration of the skills expected of a Member of the Chivalry (e.g. dance, games, war tactics, bardic arts, etc.); and clear exemplification of the virtues of chivalry, courtesy and honor. Members of the Order of the Grey Goose Shaft wear a medallion of a goose pierced by two arrows to form an "X" inside its body and are the only people [in An Tir] permitted to wear a white bracer.
Historically there have been very few people admitted to the Order of the Grey Goose Shaft. There is a sense in the Order that it should be at least as difficult to gain entry as it is to be made a member of the Chivalry. Only one member of the Order has been admitted who did not already have a Grant level award (a Goutte de Sange, Jambe de Lion or White Scarf) and/or peerage (Knight, Pelican or Laurel).
Members of the OGGS are permitted by Kingdom law to take students who are known singularly as an Arcuarius (Latin for archer) or plurally as Arcuarii. The normal practice is for a member of the OGGS to approach prospective candidates and invite them to become an Arcuarius. Arcuarii are the only people [in An Tir] permitted to wear red bracers. Traditionally the major charge of the OGGS member is emblazoned on their Arcuarius' red bracer.
Archers may also be recognized for their service on the archery range. Their service on the range may be part of the make up which has earned them recognition from the Crown for Awards of Arms, Goutte de Sanges and memberships in the Order of the Pelican.
In addition, archery has been recognized as having components of both arts and sciences by the An Tir Laurel Council. There is no reason that an archer could not be awarded a Jambe de Lion, particularly since Master Julian Edward Farnsworth was recently granted a membership in the Order of the Laurel because of his skills in archery, research in archery, manufacture of period archery equipment and teaching.
There are also awards that come with victory in an archery or lights tournament. The most prestigious of these is the An Tir Kingdom Protector Tournament which is held at July Coronation each year. The war archer or light that wins that tournament earns the honor of serving as the Kingdom Protector of An Tir. If they successfully serve a full term as Kingdom Protector they are awarded the Lion's Arrow.
(Editor's note: After this article was submitted, the Crown decided to hold the annual Kingdom Protector tournament at September Crown. — GdA)
Archers may also be recognized as Baronial Yeomen. A Yeoman is someone who goes through an exhaustive training, learning and testing process. If they are successful, they swear fealty to the Baroness whose examination they have chosen to take and for which they have been accepted. They do not have to live in the Barony where they become a Yeoman. A Yeoman has the same status as a Sergeant or Gallant [or Courtier] in a Barony. The regalia varies from Barony to Barony. In some Baronies they wear a belt with the Baronial Arms. In others they wear a bracer with the Baronial Arms.
