Q: What is a Province?

A: In the geographical hierarchy of the SCA, a province is like a barony, except that a province has no titular head (e.g. Baron). A province must maintain the same numbers of members and officers as a barony. Like baronies, a province may develop subordinate groups, often called "ridings".

The Crown Province of Ostgardr is a special case. In the early history of the East Kingdom, Ostgardr was ruled directly by the Crown, hence the name "Crown Province". For the last few decades, it has been ruled by a Viceroy and Vicereine as representatives of the Crown. So the Crown Province does have titular heads, thus making it an exception to an exception.

(Summarized from information provided by Yosef ben Lazar, Seahorse Pursuivant, and Master Ian, then-Viceroy of Ostgardr.)