[Ansteorra] Respect for Other Arts

Theron Bretz tbretz at montroseclinic.org
Thu Apr 25 11:42:15 PDT 2002


We've talked about who should carry what, how to offer, how to decline, and
when to do the Hokey-Pokey.  We've talked about being excellent to one
another.  We've talked about how the Old Days Were Better(tm).

Last weekend, I discovered a vestige of the old days I thought was long
gone.  Namely, the vocal criticism of rapier combat by chivalric fighters.
Not from the folks who have been around and are established.  Certainly not
from any member of the Chivalry I know.  No, this came from some of the
younger fighters sitting on the sidelines after the armoured tourney, during
the rapier combats.

What brought this about, I cannot say.  Perhaps it was the first time they'd
seen a rapier tourney and they could not understand the nuances involved.
Perhaps they confused the terms chivalric with chivalrous, as they were
(according to the witnesses who spoke to me) certainly calling the rapier
fighters UNchivalrous.  Perhaps they were merely drunken louts.  I do not
know.  Sadly, I did not learn of this matter until well after the fact, or I
and my brethren surely would have offered to educate them.

I don't really see a need to discuss this to death, I merely wanted to offer
it as a reminder that the Good Old Days weren't kind to everyone. To my
friends in the Chivalry who read this, I would merely ask your help in
educating your community.  For many years, the turmoils of the past have
lain quiet.  I would hate to see them resurface.

Don Luciano






More information about the Ansteorra mailing list