ANST - Points of Honor AND History in Ansteorra (LONG)

[Cadwynn MacDonald]

Well come and well met, Don Tivar, Stefan, and All!

-----Original Message-----
From: Chris and Elisabeth Zakes <moondrgn at bga.com>
To: ansteorra at Ansteorra.ORG <ansteorra at Ansteorra.ORG>
Date: Tuesday, January 20, 1998 12:14 AM
Subject: Re: ANST - Points of Honor?


>At 03:27 PM 1/19/98 -0600, you wrote:
>>Chris and Elisabeth Zakes wrote:
>>
>>> A "point of honor" is when one fighter gains an advantage over his
>>> opponent, then discards it. For example, if he takes his opponent's arm,
>>> then throws away his own shield. In some areas, the herald or marshal
will
>>> specifically announce these actions. They're also known as "acts of
>chivalry".
>>>
>>> The debate is over whether or not they *should* be announced.


Bear with me, Gentles All! But REMEMBER this point made above, for it
figures
prominantly in the Story that follows...

>>>
>>>         -Tivar Moondragon
>>
>>Hmm. I think the debate is still over whether they should be done at all.
>>
>>If I am fighting you, Don Tivar, on the field and I, a rather
inexperienced
>>fighter, take your arm should I then throw away my dagger? I would think
that
>>that action might be considered a rash, stupid and perhaps an insulting
>>thing to do rather than a point of honor. I am in effect saying that I
>>don't need the dagger to best you and so I'll just even things up a bit.
>>
>>Stefan li Rous
>
>
>I see this as a personal and philososophical or pragmatic decision. If
>you've taken my arm in a rapier and dagger bout, you could:
>
>Be practical and sensible and *keep* the advantage you've acquired over a
>more experienced opponent. I certainly wouldn't fault you for doing so.
>
>As a gesture of (take your pick) panache, arrogance, courtesy, stupidity or
>"that's what heroes do" throw away your dagger. I would "salute your
>courtesy", because that's how I would interpret what you did, and continue
>the fight. Again, I wouldn't fault you for it.
>
>It's a very personal decision that I don't think can be defined by custom,
>though.
>
>I've been in places where any such act was routinely announced as an "act
>of chivalry" or "point of honor", regardless of the fighter's motivations.
>That *can* be defined by custom. At one point in Ansteorra's history, such
>announcements were routine, now they're not; but the acts themselves still
>happen.


Don Tivar - Galen - and others Rich in Historical Knowledge!

It is at this point, I beg your pardon to ask you what you remember of a
small
pewter 'Rapier'...  approximately 4 & 1/2 inches long, and very slender...
not
much greater in size than a decorative hat pin.

A very worthy Gentleman once explained to me that this item, although of no
great monetary value nor of exceeedingly detailed craftmanship, held more
value of sentiment and singular honour to those of us that carry on the
tradition
and skill of Fence, than any sum or measure.  He went on to pass along the
rich
history of two Legends of our past, who surmounted many obstacles and
much ridicule for even suggesting that our Art and Skill were things of
value
and worthy of passing on, and teaching, and expanding with the full
recognition
and support of the Crown.  A part of this noble martial Art, that cannot be
taken
apart from the whole, is the Honour that we hold within each of us and that
we
grant to our most worthy opponents with every pass of the blade.  To
symbolize
this honour a small token was crafted, in keeping with the idea of the
Kingdom
of Ansteorra - Unique and Singular - to be held by only one individual at a
time.
This token was not to be tied to any Award or Scroll, nor to be held by a
certain
Rank or Position, nor to be Heralded throughout the Land as a Great
Achievement with Pomp and Circumstance.  No, it was to be given by the
original
recipient  to one he felt worthy of personal recognition - not for Skill,
nor Bravery,
nor Proficiency with multiple weapons or styles - but for a quiet Act or
Acts of
Honour and Chivalry.  No competition, nor tournament, for this token....
nay, for
it is to be passed on in quiet and with solemness, between the current
holder
and the one whom he has selected to recieve it, along with the rich History
that
accompanies it.  This Unique and Singular Token, therefore, has more meaning
than any artfully decorated parchment or badge could ever possibly attain,
for it
holds that history and sentiment that makes each of us strive to find within
ourselves, and in each of our peers, as we continue on in our efforts to
fight the
Good Fight - Chivalry on AND off the Fields.  Did this token remain locked
within our Borders?  No, for it has travelled from our Lands to the edge of
the
ocean, across borders and among many peoples of many Kingdoms.  With
each passing, it takes on some small part of each holder, and its meaning
grows from hand to hand... quietly, and personally... as it was intended to
so do.

Sadly, because it is passed quietly, its Story has not been shouted aloud,
nor
been debated hotly over a List Field, nor called to settle any disputes...
but it
endures and grows continually in its value, until it is once more passed on.

Do any of us remember this token.... have any of us held it.... are any of
us
worthy to recieve it for what it represents?

I ask only for each of us to think on it... and offer those quiet acts of
Chivalry
on a daily basis, both on and off the Field, in quiet and with the solemness
that this token represents.  For though it is in the shape of a Rapier, it
symbolizes Honour and Chivalry - which is NOT a blade to strike with, nor
a buckler to defend with... but a heart and soul to live with!

My thanks to those who reminded me of this bit of History, and my apologies
to those who I have treated ill, who needed to remind me what I had
forgotten... I will do my best to do better.

Cadwynn MacDonald



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