[Ansteorra] General requirment for peerage

[willowdewisp at juno.com]

What are the general requirements listed in the Corpora for peer candidates
By Duchess Willow de Wisp, OP, OR, OL Loin of Ansteorra 

At the Laurel Circle in Dec 2013 there a decision made by the Laurel present that more attention would be paid to the general requirements of peerage laid out by The Corpora.  Here they are. 
A. Patents of Arms 
1. General Requirements: 
Candidates for any order conferring a Patent of Arms must meet the following minimum criteria. Additional requirements may be set by law and custom of the kingdoms as deemed appropriate and necessary by the Crown. 
They shall have been obedient to the governing documents of the Society and the laws of the kingdom. 
They shall have consistently shown respect for the Crown of the kingdom. 
They shall have set an example of courteous and noble behavior suitable to a peer of the realm.
They shall have demonstrated support for the aims and ideals of the Society by being as authentic in dress, equipment and behavior as is within their power. 
They shall have shared their knowledge and skills with others.
They shall have practiced hospitality according to their means and as appropriate to the circumstances. 
They shall have made every effort to learn and practice those skills desirable at and worthy of a civilized court. To this end they should have some knowledge of a wide range of period forms, including but not limited to literature, dancing, music, heraldry, and chess, and they should have some familiarity with combat as practiced in the Society. 
They should participate in Society recreations of several aspects of the culture of the Middle Ages and Renaissance 

Most of these things have been taught and thought upon nonetheless in recent years some of the skills thought “desirable” and “worthy of” have been pushed to the background.  Now there is interest in making sure all peers have some familiarity with these requirement and mastery of one. These earlier guild lines can maybe give you some ideas of what is needed.
Requirements: 
a. Prowess -- the candidate must be considered the equal of his prospective 
b. Loyalty -- the candidate shall have been obedient to the By-Laws, the Rules of the Lists, and the laws of his    Kingdom, and shall have consistently shown respect to the crown and to its wearers. He shall have demonstrated his support to the ideals of the Society be being as authentic in dress, equipment, and behavior as has been within his power. Before receiving the accolade, he shall give his word to continue to fulfill the requirements set forth in this article, to seek to increase his skills, and to train any dependents he may have to do likewise, as far as may be within his power. 
c. Courtoisie -- the candidate shall have displayed the following virtues: 
•	1) Truthfulness -- a gentleman or lady does not lie or break his or her word. 
•	2) Generosity -- a gentleman or lady does not repeat gossip, and practices hospitality according to his or her means. 
•	3) Restraint -- a gentleman or lady is always self-controlled; he or she can afford to speak softly and politely and keep calm. 
•	4) Gallantry -- a gentleman always remembers that his lady is the inspiration of all achievement, and respects all ladies for her sake. A lady is always mindful of her responsibility to remain worthy of this respect. 
•	5) Courtliness -- a gentleman or lady strives to learn and practice those skills and manner which will make him or her worthy of a civilized court. He or she displays a knowledge of courtly etiquette and proper forms of address, and is acquainted with all and able to practice at least one of the following in addition to the art or skill for which he or she was granted the order:
Acquaintance:
•	a) Dancing --   identify basic dances done at court and do one couple and one circle dance.
•	b) Music -- identify common period instruments played at court.
•	c) Literature -- tell a medieval tale.
•	d) Chess -- identify the pieces and recognize the basic moves.
•	e) Heraldry -- blazon own arms and identify common heraldic terms.        
•	f) Martial Arts -- he or she knows the names of the various weapons used on the field and the theory of their use  
Mastery
•	a) Dancing --       perform all basic dances done at court.
•	b) Music -- play an instrument or sing in the manner of the period.
•	c) Literature --compose and/or perform poetry and/or drama in the manner of the period.
•	d) Chess -- play the game.
•	e) Heraldry --      blazon the arms of all nobility at court.  
•	f) Martial Arts -- fight on the field. 

In other kingdoms the need to learn these skills is what drives a lot of the activities in the kingdom. When you have people learning these thing it gives events a period feel and maintains the “show of medieval life” that is to many people the “Dream”. Learning and doing these things give the  populace a structure to follow in a very confusing game. the strivings of the individuals  to a higher goal creates groups that are striving to a higher goal.

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