A thought (Re: The Peerages...)

[William E. Cole]

Galen of Bristol wrote:
> Now I have a question for you.  You said:  "I respect people for
> what they are doing, not what title they currently hold."  My
<snipped>
> you not have some respect for me for what I _did_ in the past?
> If you do, you might consider taking another look at awards,
> which are -- or at least aspire to be -- truly symbolic of _past_
> activity.

How very well said!

 I am fairly new to the SCA, being a member of less than a year. I have
always gone to events and looked for the people with awards to watch.
You can not award yourself, so I know that these are people who have
done something that others have thought was well done. It doesn't make
any difference to me if this person tried to get the award, or if it was
sprung on them, they have it and SOMEONE ELSE gave it to them. To me,
this means they have something to teach, so I watch them and
occasionally will even approach them and ask questions.


I would like to offer these three examples from my own 'newbie'
experience as a sort of caution to go along with this discussion of
awards, peerage, and titles...

When I first became involved with the SCA, I had my heart set on
learning to become a light weapons fighter. I started going to the
weekly Steppes practice and for three weeks I sat and watched, asking a
few questions but not really getting many responses. (HINT: If you see
anyone `hanging around' alot, they may be interested but too intimidated
to jump in and start asking alot of questions. Here's a great
oppertunity to show your chivalry!) Finally, after three weeks, a very
kind lady (wearing a white scarf on her shoulder) came up and started
talking to me. She said she had seen me asking a few questions and could
she answer any for me? I leaped at the chance and had a wonderful
conversation that only added to my desire to learn this type of
fighting. I had already picked up on what the white scarves meant, and
would probably never have approached her on my own... titles and awards
are very intimidating to someone who is new. (It was my misfortune that
the following week's practice was her and her husband's last night in
the area because they were moving out of state.)

Three weeks later I was again at practice and during the course of the
night I over heard two Don's talking a few feet away (between
themselves, but spoken much too loudly to be private) about a student
who was fighting on the floor. Their comments that the person in
question should stick to knitting for all the skill he used with his
sword seemed very unkind to me since I did not get the impression they
were just making a joke. I was very uncomfortable about the idea of
anyone making simular comments about myself once I started learning
(however true they might be) and that was the last night I went to the
practices. I still want to learn, but many months later, I still
hesitate...

At a receint event, while politely waiting to speak to someone, I had to
listen to two heralds argue over which court would have to have a
certain presentation. One comment about someone I knew personally
insulted me. "Well, YOU have the mad (title of person) in your court, so
you should have the presentation..."  It was meant in jest, of course,
but I think this was a poor example of chivalry, speaking ill of someone
like that in front of a total stranger, who might (and did) take offense
to the comment. (I know that a herald is not an award or peerage, but I
think you can understand how this example fits into my point...)

I realized I have been a bit long winded, and I thank you for your time
in reading all this. My point is this: Regardless of how/why you got an
award or title, you DO have it and others are watching you because of
it, especially those of us who are newer to the SCA. Consider carefully
how your words and actions may be interpreted. What you say/do will have
a significant influence on other people.


William FitzBane