ANST - Court Baron/ess and fealty

[Paul Mitchell]

Galen of Bristol here!

Baronman at aol.com wrote:
> 
>      After my lovely wife and I stepped down as founding B and B of the Loch,
> we were made Court Baron/ess.  My wife asked me what were the duties and
> responsibilities of Court B and B's.  We looked up the position in Kingdom law
> and read what it said and my wife  asked me " But what do we DO?"  Well it
> seems that we get to use our titles forever or until we die, whatever comes
> first.  Again she asked, " But what do we DO?"  Well aside from holding a
> court if there isn't a landed B or B around, ( which has never happened) and
> getting to wear our hats in court and look popmpous and official, I guess it
> is nothing more than an honorarium and priviledge..

I've had a coronet to wear in the SCA since October, 1983, 
coming up on 15 years.  I've given a lot of thought to 
concept of nobility in the SCA.

I believe that one of my most important functions as a 
viscount is to try to be noble.  Try to put on a little 
bit of show, make opportunities for others to have fun, 
be a lesser center for people who want their games to 
include some sort of ruler.  Most importantly, though, 
I try to recognize what's going on around me.  I try to 
catch people who are engaged in "endeavors of worth" 
and tell them how glad I am that they're doing what 
they're doing.  I try to find the courage within myself 
to criticize people who are doing wrong.  I try to provide 
an example of the virtues I think are important in the SCA:  
courtesy, service and authenticity.  I try to teach people 
what I know, and help them develop according to their 
aspirations.  I try to do as little harm as I can manage.
Over the years, you'd be amazed how much impact you can have.

This is what is behind my registered motto, "noblesse
oblige", which translates as "noble obligation".  I
believe that nobles and people of rank in the SCA have
an obligation to "pay" for their perks by providing
this sort of service.  Bors, it's not so different
from what you did as a landed baron.

- Galen of Bristol, 8th Viscount von Drachenwald
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