ANST - The Workings of the White Scarf Circle

[James Crouchet]

On 15 Jun 98,, Galen W. Bevel wrote:

> I understand, my good friend, that as you state the Scarve's circle does
> look for a well rounded candidate.  But as is the case even with the
> peerage circles, in the end it is the decision of the Crown whether the
> candidate is worthy of the award (at least in Ansteorra).  Believe me
> when I say that the Crown is _very_ cognizant of the fact that they are
> bestowing a grant level award, and that fact _does_ determine whether or
> not a candidate is found worthy.  Crowns have been quite throughly
> roasted for simply the appearance that they may have forgotten the
> distinction.  There are several cases where people have had the scarf
> awarded who would not have received a peerage, and quite rightly
> so....the scarf is a Grant not a Peerage and should not have to meet the
> same scrutiny.

Yes, we are well aware that this accurately reflects the attitude and actions of 
some crowns. Nonetheless, those in the rapier community expect more from 
us. When such a candidate is elevated we suffer a barrage of complaints, 
concerns and protests and the candidate often bears the stigma of premature 
elevation for years. Those who we represent have made it clear to us that they 
expect us to hold our candidates to the highest standards. To do less would be 
to dishonor the lofty goals that the WS has come to represent to the rapier 
fighters of the known world. 

Indeed, those who speak to me on this issue tell me the circle is still too lax in 
considering many candidates. I do not believe I have ever heard a rapier 
fighter say that, as we are only a grant, we should relax our standards.

Don Christian Dore
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