Principalities: "baby steps" Proposal (l

[Lori Jones]

>Galen of Bristol offers comments on this reasonable proposal:

>> Ansteorra already has administrative regions in place, .... How 
>>about.... advancing these to "named regions" instead of full Coronet-list 
>>principalities?.

>GoB:  When I joined in Meridies in 1979, it had three regions.... Aphar, 
>Lair of the Phoenix, and Trimaris...Aphar and Lair of the Phoenix were 
>dissolved in favor of alphabetical administrative groupings.....Trimaris 
>was left intact as they were hoping to seek principality status soon after.

I tend to think that any time you split something into several 
groups, someone is bound to become discontent or ambitious and 
decide they want to be something more.  (Not that these traits are 
negative, simply human nature).  This example from Meridies 
demonstrates that perfectly.  In fact, our entire game is based on 
this to one degree or another.  People who work to fight better, 
because they aren't content with their current ability vs. people 
who work to fight better because they want to win or want rank 
(ambition).  Ansteorrans are especially this way - the majority 
being very proud and ambitious.  The point I'm trying to make 
(if it makes any sense) is that I just can't see Ansteorrans dividing 
up, putting their heart and soul into building a unified structure 
and NOT wanting to become a full principality that will eventually 
become a Kingdom.  :-)  
It doesn't matter if we take baby steps or the really big step right 
off the bat.  The outcome is inevitable (many of us learned from 
Ansteorra's principality-to-kingdom trek).

>>Would my friends and companions in the north consider 
>>the invitation to shape the experiment outlined into a more formal 
>>proposition?

>GoB:  Why just north?  Do northerners feel so much less 
>attachment to the Kingdom?  And do you mean "north" as in 
>"Oklahoma", or as in "north of Waco", or what?  

I have a feeling that Amra was talking specifically to those with 
whom he shares a past history and long standing friendship (being
from up-this-way originally?).

As one member of the "Oklahoma" area, I can say definitively 
that many members of the North are just as attached to the 
Kingdom as those from other areas. A large number have been 
around since before Ansteorra (just like many people in other regions) 
and helped build this kingdom from it's very earliest days.  

I think, however, that most of the people commenting about the 
"north" are referring to the boundaries which have been proposed (or 
at least the ones that seem to have been proposed MOST).  Several of 
the Landed Nobility I've talked to say that they were informed by 
"official" people (Crown/K Senesch) in an unofficial manner (phone 
call) that the lines would be proposed as follows:  Coastal region + 
Raven's Fort (Southern Principality);  Oklahoma + Texas panhandle
down to Bonwicke (Northern Principality);  Everything else (Central 
Principality).  This pretty much concurs with what was announced 
last weekend at Stargate Baronial.

<GoB:  I wouldn't hold my breath on this actually happening unless 
>some group of people in a geographically discreet area wants it for 
> themselves.  

It was my personal wish that the groups themselves had been 
left to petition these proposals on their own and according to their 
own timetables.  Principalities should be WANTED.  They must be
born out of energy and enthusiasm in order to survive and grow.  I 
understand that this subject was brought up initially by a small 
groups of individuals from several different regions.  The fact 
that these REGIONS haven't brought it up says a great deal 
(to me at least) about their priorities right now.  Speaking from the 
Northern Region, at least half of our people are still recovering 
from many losses which caused MAJOR changes in several of our 
largest groups.  That half is still trying to adjust their lives and 
their games to a point where they feel comfortable, happy and safe
again.  I know the Southern/Coastal region has had similar 
circumstances of late and many of them are may be focused more 
on that at present.  Terribly mundane, I know, but probably true.
(note:  To our Southern-most brothers and sisters, please know that 
the thoughts and prayers of those of us who have been through similar 
things - be they completely mundane or SCA - are with you.)

>I expect any such group would prefer principality status.>

I agree, especially an Ansteorran group. :-)

BTW, if we get enough $0.02 worth collected here, maybe we can turn 
it in to the kingdom to help finance the new deputy Chronicler's 
office.... (just a thought).


>>Amr ibn Majid al-Bakri al-Amra
>> currently residing in Barony of the Steppes, Kingdom of Ansteorra
>>Mike C. Baker                      mbaker at rapp.com
_____________

> - Galen of Bristol
> MITCHELL at dallas.genphysics.com
_____________

Kat MacLochlainn   >"<
Barony of Wiesenfeuer
LJONES at ossm.edu