ANST - A Take on Peerage and Recognition from a Newbie

[jonwillowpel at juno.com]

Dear people
 Master Petruccio is right about Ansteorra. We do have more courtesy than
other places. Have any of you ever asked Why? Years ago, long before many
of you were in the SCA certain decisions were made. We decided not to
take the path that so many kingdom had taken but to try a new one. We
would try a positive approach. We would praise the good . We would try to
put models of good behavior in front of everyone so our new people would
know how to behave. We tried to set standards that were high and tried to
expect them from everyone. When people did bad things we treated them
like children who have done wrong. We treated them like someone who needs
instructions but we tried to treat them with courtesy.  We tried to show
them by our actions. The system worked. 

The system allowed people to see all the good we did and for many people
it  kept their dreams alive. Because their dreams were alive they stayed
in the SCA longer. Chivalry, honor and courtesy became not dreams of long
dead world but something alive and real in the day to day working of our
kingdom. The kingdom attracted people who believe in our ideals. The
people made Ansteorra real and it became a place where people acted in
certain ways. 

What happened to the system?  About Ten years ago a certain group of
kings and knights didn't like the controls put on them by the ideals of
the Kingdom of Ansteorra. They wanted their own things and didn't want
anyone to judge them. They decided that standards were bad. Up until that
time we talked about being Ansteorra and Ansteorran but starting at that
time we started talking about The Dream! and The SCA. The problem of The
Dream is that  it is a dream and each person shapes it. Now if  want to
be an ass it is OK because it is my dream.  Anything I do is OK because
that is how I dream it. The problem with the SCA is that is mundane.
Organization  the SCA is a 20th century club. When we are in it we are
not role playing a person who has medieval ideals. We are regular people
doing what comes naturally in everyday  political situations. People in
the American culture do not treat each other with a lot of courtesy. The
other problem is when we are in the SCA not Ansteorrra  we are not
fighting on the field of honor we are doing a sport. IF there is one
place that is worse then the political arena it is the sports arena. Time
after time I have heard of coaches giving the advise that it is only a
foul if you are caught. 

What can we do? We can be positive again. We can reinforce good behavior
with word fame. We can support each other in being true to our ideals. We
can teach new people the ideals. We can use each others titles and
interact in a courtly way. We can promote bards and players who can act
out proper behavior. 

I know I sound like Pollyanna but trust me it works. Also it will allow
you to continue to enjoy the SCA for many years and not get burned out. I
am still playing after 30 years.
Willow




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