Principalities

[Lori Jones]

>>I was also under the impression that the proposed principalities 
>>would only be "Crown Principalities"... for the purpose of
>>better administration (not for a coronet list).  

>I don't understand how more official 3 principalities for administrative
>purposes would be any more official than the 5 regions we now have.

My speculation is that they think having an actual Medieval name 
and Principality officers would carry more weight than the title 
"Regional officer".  I have heard it said that one of the primary 
concerns is for the growing size and complication of the Kingdom 
Calendar.  I guess the theory behind it is, if we had three 
principalities, then no one need feel obligated to participate in the 
other principality's activities.    

>>To my knowledge this idea hasn't been formalized in a written 
>>proposal - maybe this would be a good thing to suggest to the "powers 
>>that be".  
>Announcing it in a court is as about as formal as the SCA can get beyound
>a formal poll.

Who announced it in what court?  (I'm not doubting you, I would just 
like to know). 
Neither Inman, nor the Crown went to Stargate Baronial last weekend, 
and I thought the issue would have come up sooner if it had been 
announced at Bryn Gwlad.

>On this one the crown should have at least informed all the seneschals
>and Landeds in writing at once.

I agree. 

>People will go off on what
>they thought they heard and what they thought it means.

My concern precisely.  And then the Crown may react to the people who 
are overreacting and the whole thing escalates from there.

>>Just a note to those who seem so eager to cut Oklahoma and the Texas 
>>panhandle off from the rest of the Kingdom:
>>Gee, it's nice to feel so loved and appreciated!

>No-one I know wants to cut any of our kingdom off. Our diversity makes us 
>strong!!!! 

Again, I agree, and I don't think this initial proposal is intended 
to cut anyone off.  I do think, however, that the segregation would 
probably lead to it eventually.

>I have seen a lot of North/South/West tension which was stupid... 

I joined the SCA some 10 years ago and have always noticed that,
for some reason, our kingdom seems to gravitate towards regional
conflict.  Or maybe it's just easier to blame regional differences 
than to actually solve problems caused when individuals disagree.

>...Didn't we split... into 5 admin districts...to balance the power 
>and to buffer...tension (as well as make a more efficient 
>administration...

I thought that was the idea at the time.   Haven't we been 3 regions 
before?  How well did it work then?

[del]

>Question: How will the crown's travel be reduced if we split into crown
>principalities? Crown principalities as I understand it have no royalty.

I don't think it will have much effect on the Crown.  They, and the 
royals, will still have to hold courts.  Just like now.  That's why I 
wanted to find out where the definition of this type of principality 
was located (thanks, Maire): to find out just what would be the 
benefits and drawbacks.  I think there will be a great deal of 
opposition to the whole idea until people can actually SEE these pros 
and cons in writing.  We all have way too much to lose by jumping the 
gun. 

Here's a few of the questions I don't have answers to:  (feel free to 
respond, if you can help)
Can the creation of a Crown Principality be arbitrarily decided by the 
Crown/Kingdom Seneschal? Does the region have to actively submit 
a petition, like a regular principality?  Does the populace of the area 
have ANY input on whether or not they want to be divided?

Kat
Barony of Wiesenfeuer