ANST - peerage ... let it be

[Rolf Kvamme]

Alright, it's pretty rare to see me dust off my soapbox and begin to preach, 
but here goes.

Point one...

I agree with Gunther and Wolf on the merit badge approach.  What ever 
happened to doing things for the pure joy and fun of doing it? When did a 
beer and friends retelling stories of your glories deeds stop being 
sufficient?

Are you serving the kingdom for the joy of service to others, or is it 
service for the sake of recognition?

Are you doing that arts & science and teaching it because it fun and 
something you like to share, or is just a means to getting a peerage?

Are you fighting heavy, fencing, shooting archery upon the field because you 
look forward to it, or again is it for for recognition?

I have people in my house fighting, armouring, sewing, eating bbq:) three 
days a week or more. I do this not for recognition, but the fun of sharing 
mine and my ladies experience with others, the camaraderie, and I get to 
fight.

I have been in the sca full tilt for a while, and I have had my share 
disappointments.  The reason I haven't hung up my sword and trading it back 
in for a pair boxing gloves is simple.  I enjoy what I am doing here, and 
that is reward enough to keep me here.

And have faith, if you persue your art and put the time and love into it, 
rewards will come.


Point Two..

More peerages..This is not a new discussion.  Every kingdom has this one a 
couple of times a year.

There is a historical base for our three peerages. Who held influence in 
medieval europe?  Royals, clergy, knightly-warrior class, people of high 
esteem who served these royals, and those who controlled the guilds.  We 
cannot have a clergy peereage, due to obvious reasons.  So we have Royals, 
Chivalry, Pelicans, Laurels.  Hmmm....

On to the next point...

What standards does a member of the chivalry try to attain before they are 
recognized?  Prowess on the field with multiple weapons forms, teaching of 
these arts, period dance, period games, chivalry, grace, leadership, 
service, and usually some art & science.

A pelican? Years of hard service to their kingdom, and to be examples of 
chivalry and grace. In history, behind every medieval royal, there where 
those who fulfilled this function and held in esteem as reward for there 
service.

A Laurel?  Mastery of there respective art and the teaching of it, just as 
guild master in medieval europe would.  Also, again be examples of chivalry 
and grace.  Guilds controlled goods in medieval europe and thus the guild 
masters had the high esteem that went with that position.

I have done allot of period research in technique and organization for 
period fencing schools.  When the Defenders of the White Scarf charter in 
Atenveldt was being drawn up, there was a large movement wanting a fifth 
peerage for it.  I heartily opposed it as did many other historical 
recreationist fencers there. Why?...

Some said that by saying this that we where saying that fencing was a lesser 
art.  I disagree.  It is a very noble art. If you research into what a 
period fencing master was and what he taught, you will be surprised.  (I am 
lumping english and german schools together for expediency.) Students 
learned broadsword and buckler, halberd, pike, two handed sword, duseck, 
grips, and other weapons of war.  In the english school rapier was a later 
weapon to be mastered after short sword and long. A period master also 
taught how to be a gentleman, chess and gaming, dance, etc..  A student had 
to play the prize in public to attain higher levels.(with all weapons).  So 
to recap my rambling... If you strive to recreate a period fencing master in 
the sca, you eventually will become a member of the chivalry and a white 
scarf.

Archery can be viewed in a similar manor.  The archers that achieved the 
most esteem where the english longbowmen, due to the many years it took to 
become proficient.  But, the fought in war, and also fought with buckler and 
sword when the enemy had closed through bow range.  And last but not least.  
Those persons who led the companies of bow and achieved high esteem, where 
usually knights and nobles.

I hope no one takes my comments out of context and thinks I am against these 
martial arts, for it is quite contrary.  I am in favour of awards and 
recognition.  I enjoy these activities my self an have spent many years 
promoting period fencing.  I am very in favour of Pelicans for those who 
spend the years of dedicated service to there art and kingdom.  Also I am in 
favour of Laurels for those who have mastered the arts of making their 
accoutrements and/or period research.  I just believe that we should have 
some basis in historical fact and get back to the reasons we play in the 
first place, the fun of it.

Baron Duncan


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