ANST - Award recommendation issues..

[Dennis and/or Dory Grace]

Salut, mes Cosyns,

Lyonel aisai.

Pug responds to Aquilanne's comment--
>>>You make it sound like the rest of us have one agreed standard, and 
>>>we just haven't told you what it is yet.  Maybe we'll let you in on
>>>it someday, Pug.

with

>Well I assume that there is something that is being used as a general
>guideline or we wouldn't be able to elevate anyone without a sword.
>
>Or maybe that is what is going on when people are flailing around during
>circle meetings.
>
>*wink*

I see by Pug's *wink* that his "Or maybe..." was intended largely in jest.
Um, well, in truth, Pug--and I don't think I'm giving away any closely
guarded secrets here--that's *exactly* "what is going on when people are
flailing around during circle meetings."  

When considering individuals for peerages, we usually find two areas over
which to argue:  the individual and the peerage.  Most of the arguing is
usually about the individual.  If Master X considers a candidate's actions
in one or more cases unbecoming a peer, he will explain his concerns.  If
Mistress Y can offer examples to shown that the candidate has grown beyond
the incident(s) outlined by Master X, then Master X may wish to withdraw
his objections.

Quite often, however, the argument is over what constitutes a peer.  Oh,
certainly we have our standards, but human attributes are not so easily
delimited as, say, criteria for judging pies.  Again, I don't see any
reason to keep these points a secret, so here are some of the attributes of
peerage I have heard debated in various peer circles over the years.

Appearance--if an individual is a peer in every way *except* that ratty
t-tunic he's wron for the past five years.  This comes up quite frequently
in discussions of fighters' tournament appearance.

Travel/renown--the peers of one region consider the individual a peer, but
the peers of another region respond with "Lady Who?"

Accomplishment--does this individual do more than just one thing?  Not just
a concern among the chivalry, I have seen this aspect hold back both laurel
and pelican candidates.

Attitude--do we really want a peer who is *already* arrogant?  Or one who
evinces no signs of respect for the peerages?  Or for the Crown?

Tact/honesty--some folks live on the fine line between tact and honesty,
never quite knowing which side to inhabit.

Judgment--do we want someone who consistently makes bad choices sitting in
a peerage circle, helping us make decisions?

And the list goes on.  Unfortunately, I have to run to catch a bus right
now.  

Later.

lo vostre por vos servir
Sir Lyonel Oliver Grace
_____________________________
Dennis Grace
University of Texas at Austin
English Department
Recovering Medievalist
mailto:amazing at mail.utexas.edu

Micel yfel deth se unwritere.
                           AElfric of York
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