Lady Delorise Greetings from Duchess Willow de Wisp
I hope you will not mine if I open up this question to some of the 
Ladies I have asked to take part in the Elfsea's Ladies Pavilion.

What should the favors we give out at the Pavilion be like? In 
historical times a favor was a favor was a favor. Whether an intimate, 
personal thing like a lady's silk shift that had been worn next to  
her body or a piece of cloth torn in the heat of moment off a dress 
they were still a "favor". In the SCA we have separated  the "Favor" a 
Lady gives her Lord and the favor token. While in the middle ages the 
favor one gives to a lover should be guessed at, like having the same 
colors as ones dress but should never give away the actual identity of 
the Lady the "Favor" in the SCA is often includes the arms of both 
people linked forever and shouts to everyone who can knows heraldry 
who are the parties involved. This kind of "Favor" is almost a 
contract and should not be given or received unless both parties 
understand the commitment. 

The token favor is less serious thing. This is what we are mostly 
giving out at the Ladies' Pavilion. Of course, some Ladies may be 
giving out personal intimate tokens, but most of the time the purpose 
of the favors are to promote Chivalry and courtliness and to encourage 
the fighters on the field. It is serious in one way because it does 
involve giving and taking the honor of another person. When a Lady 
gives a small f favor she is entrusting that individual with her honor 
and now their actions on the field reflects on the Lady. Her trust is 
very special and in all cases with which I am familiar has bought out 
the best in the individual. I am sure that somewhere somehow this 
hasn't been true, but I like to live the dream so please don't 
disillusion me. Because the small f favor is not a token of eternal 
love it is proper for it to be simple. Simple ribbons of your favorite 
color or colors are just fine, but some ladies make them fancier. The 
Ladies of Lindenwood had lace favors that they had made. The Caldal 
ladies made cords in our colors. I have given feathers with ribbons on 
them.I have given out silk flowers. One lady gave out cookies. It is 
proper for a gentleman or lady to wear all the token favors he/she has 
gotten. Yes,it is proper for a Lady to give a Lady fighter a token. In 
the Kingdom of Ansteorra it is perfectly proper for men to give out 
favors. We are encouraging the high ideals of our kingdom and it is 
always proper to do so. Because part of activity is to wear the favor 
it is good idea that your favors can be worn. The cookies didn't 
survive being worn. I give out pins once. This turned out badly 
because the pins were broken by the blows and the pin part speared my 
gentles that wore them. Please keep practicality and safety in mine 
while creating your favors. Ribbons should be long enough so you can 
tie them, but not so long as a fighter would kneel on them if he/she 
goes down on their knees. Pins should not be long enough to inflict 
damage. Soft is good. We don't want little hard things flying off and 
getting in peoples eyes. Please realize that your favor might not 
survive the activity so don't put anything on it you treasure too 
much. 
Traditional the "Favor" should be returned after the tourney or when 
the relationship ends. Token favor are not returned. Fighters take 
great pleasure in wearing and keeping them as keepsakes. I have known 
fighters that have given silk flowers that I have given them for 20+ 
years. If you want your token favors returned to you make sure you 
state that fact when you give out the tokens. Knowledgeable gentlemen 
will try to return the token favors after the Tourney. Courtly ladies 
will give them permission to wear them as a sign of honor. This 
Courtly behavior at its best giving us a chance to flirt a little in a 
honorable way.
The Cap the points
simple is good
ribbons and flowers open
individualizing is all right, but don't go overboard
make them safe and not get in the way of the fighting. 
I hope this helps you
Duchess Willow de Wisp
First Queen of Love and Beauty in Ansteorra
  


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