ANST - Re: Ansteorran Academy of the Courtier

[Pug Bainter]

[ This has been cross-posted to the RapierNet list, and I do not know if ]
[ it will be approved for posting since I am not a member of the list.   ]

Laird Erc fitzMungo and others have made comments on the RapierNet
mailing list regarding this event. I think I need to make some polite
observations and possible corrections. I am sure that the way some
things were stated was not the way they were meant to be taken. Laird
Erc's post was forwarded on to another list, where others have been
offended by the message as it was stated, and hopefully not how it
was meant. Unfortunately Laird Erc was not even a member of one of
these lists and unable to defend himself appropriately from his possibly
misunderstood posting.

This event was an Academy to learn the finer parts of life - including
those appropriate to a lady or gentleman - for the later period
individual. It was not about excluding those people who are different
from us in tastes for what they choose to do. Unfortunately I was not
able to attend the event due to external forces, but the classes certainly
did appear appealing to someone who knows little of the time period.

One of the things that I think was misstated was that the companionship
was superb because people were "correctly" dressed in late period clothing
and none of those nasty early period, Viking or Celtic person's were
present. I understand where one may choose to not hang around with people
who paint themself blue, those of us from the earlier times of English
history (late 11th century) can be quite put off by those individuals who
are quite snobbish enough to lump us all together and look down upon us
with disdain.

As well, the assumption that the event was made better because no
newcomers to our Society was present at the event was not meant as it
was stated. Although I understand that those people that are just
learning and are sometimes inconvenient to some when they are trying
to do something quickly, these people are our future and need to be
encouraged to learn all they can whenever they can. This is the only way
that they will be integrated into our Society and not looked down upon
as "newbies". Being a relative newcomer to the Society, at least in the
groups that I am associated with, I am still learning many things about
our Society and the time period that we are all trying to recreate.

The reason I feel that these things were misstated is that I can not see
anyone within our fair Society discouraging those people who are trying
to expand their horizons by taking classes, especially in something that
they wish to encourage others to partake in. These classes were not only
for those people who are of a late period nature, but also for those
people who wished to expand their horizons.

As well, there are many events, such as Bryn Gwlad's Celtic games, that
are of a early period nature that many people, particularly in the
Rapier community, because of their persona development are not able to
easily adapt to the atmosphere that is trying to be achieved. I do not
feel that events such as this would be exceptional just because people
did not dress in late period clothing. I feel they are exceptional
because most people attempt to be part of the atmosphere and join in on
the activities that are provided. In all things should we attempt to do
our best to be part of the atmosphere that the event is trying to
achieve while still enjoying ourselves.

What I assume the good Laird Erc meant to say was something along the
lines of:

  This event was wonderful. Not only did most people make an attempt
  to blend into the atmosphere of the event, but they were also very
  attentive to learning the finer arts of the time period presented.
  There was little overt discussion of things outside of the event, and
  few people who felt awkward or out of place at the event. The classes,
  demonstrations, and comradary made for a very enjoyable event. I hope
  that more events will be able to achieve the atmosphere that this
  event did, no matter where or when they are located.

I hope that this is not putting too many words in to the good Laird
Erc's mouth and that they are not inappropriate.

Btw, it was HE Clarissa and Lady Tabitha who cooked the feast.

In Service,
HL Phelim Gervase

-- 
Phelim "Pug" Gervase  | "I want to be called. COTTONTIPS. There is something 
Barony of Bryn Gwlad  |  graceful about that lady. A young woman bursting with 
House Flaming Dog     |  vigor. She blinked at the sudden light. She writes
pug at pug.net           |  beautiful poems. When ever shall we meet again?"
  Note: The views do not reflect the SCA nor the Kingdom of Ansteorra.
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