Peers and students...

[Lori Jones]

>   (Heck, I didn't realize yellow and green belts
>   were "reserved" until I noticed someone who lost theirs this past
>   weekend and was looking for it.

I don't think any color of belt ('cept white, of course) is actually
"reserved" - ie. for use by only those of a certain station, etc.  At 
least, I have yet to find any *written* rules reserving yellow, 
green, or even red belts to protege's, apprentices, or squires.  I 
tend to think allowing them to be treated as "reserved" is a 
wonderful gesture of respect on the part of the populace for the 
relationships these colored belts symbolize and the committment those 
individuals have made.  

As it was described to me, it has long been a tradition for squires 
to wear red belts as a sign of the relationship between themselves 
and their knights.  In some other kingdoms, squires wear silver chains 
and spurs, as well.  (The gold chain being the only other "reserved" 
acoutremont of knighthood).  You'll see a few squires wearing spurs 
in this kingdom, along with many Dons (as personna or personal 
preference dictates).  Even so, I think the majority of our kingdom's 
squires still feel they are connected to the accolade of knighthood 
and would rather forego them.  

The green and yellow belts are a somewhat more recent development (if 
you can call @10 years "recent"). It may go further back than that, 
but I was told, as a newcomer in Ansteorra, that it was a somewhat 
new thing here. There are probably people who feel strongly that the 
colors are actually "reserved," but, as I said, I haven't found 
anything in our written rules which dictate (or even mention) this.  
If anyone knows about such rules or guidelines in existence (kingdom 
OR society wide) please drop me a line. I would really like to know 
about them - for future reference.  This is true even if it mentions 
them in the "It's an SCA tradition..." fashion. 

>   why are they actually announcing this? Is there a benefit of 
>   doing this? Is there a benefit to either person...?

The biggest benefit that I see is to the person who becomes the 
student.  They are showing publicly that they are making the 
committment to learn.  By doing this, they tell the other members 
of that peerage that they are pursuing this goal and that they would 
welcome input and assistance in reaching it.  Believe me, extra input 
and assistance are (mostly) good things.

>   Are peers made that are not students to someone else? I know it's had
>   to of happened, but how often does it happen now. (ie. When were the
>   last of each peerage who wasn't a student?)

It has happened in the past (I'll let other people with better 
memories name specific examples).  I don't think it happens very 
often anymore with knighthood and even less often with laurels.  I 
think this is largely due to the fact that someone within the circle 
(or the crown) has to bring an individual to the attention of the 
members of that peerage.  The formal student relationship helps 
when it comes to having someone to bring you up as a possible 
candidate.  

The pelicans appear to often elevate individuals who aren't 
protege's.  Either that, or the teacher/student relationship is less 
publicized and less a form of the elevation ceremony.  If I had to 
give a reason, I'd say this is because service isn't a craft that you 
teach someone.  True service comes out of love for one's kingdom, 
crown or group.  From the Pelicans I know, peer-level service isn't  
a "once-in-a-while" type of thing (like as holding an office, 
autocratting an event (or two), etc.)  It seems more of a constant 
level of committment and involvement.  This kind of dedication comes 
from the heart and can't be trained into someone.  People either have 
it or they don't.  The protege' relationship can be helpful in 
directing someone's desire to serve toward their particular talents 
or interests.

>   On a side note, how many members of each peerage are there? 
>   Does anyone actually keep track of this sort of thing?

Of course!  Who else would track this kind of thing, but the college 
of heralds!  The actual statistics are available from the branch 
of the heralds office that tracks and updates the order of precedence -
the Zodiacus.  If inquiring, keep in mind that supplying statistics 
isn't in his/her job description, and be patient.  Anyone with a 
reasonably up to date order of precedence could also answer this 
question and may be less busy.

There are far more members of each peerage than the average SCA 
player ever sees at events on weekends!  Generally, what you see 
at events isn't at all representative of the true size of the Orders. 
 
>   Of those members how many are still active? 

How do you define "active?"  I know many peers that don't attend 
more than a handful of events a year, yet they have no problem making 
their presence felt throughout the kingdom.:-)  I can only speak for 
my region, but we average @2-3 knights, 3-5 laurels and 0-3 pelicans 
at smaller events or baronial events where no circles will be held - 
(bear in mind, that some are double peers and count in more than one 
category).  Some small events (non-championship or incipient group 
sponsored) may see as few as 1-3 peers per event.  Attendance of the 
Crown and pre-announced circles increases all numbers significantly. 
(Duh!) :-) 

>  Phelim "Pug" Gervase 

Kat MacLochlainn
Barony of Wiesenfeuer