[Ansteorra] New Ansteorran Crowns

Tue Oct 13 17:44:22 PDT 2015

I know most have been able to them in person and I am a mere ghost of this
my  beloved can we post pictures of these works of  art?

On Tue, Oct 13, 2015 at 7:31 PM, Kingdom Seneschal via Ansteorra <
ansteorra at lists.ansteorra.org> wrote:

> Greetings Ansteorra,
>
> There have been many questions and several have expressed concern over the
> new crowns that debuted at Coronation.  Our officers do work very hard to
> make the best decisions we can for the Kingdom.  While we ask for
> understanding and patience, we do not ask for unquestioning acceptance.
> With that in mind, the Financial Committee would like everyone to know the
> following:
>
> The King/Queen Crowns together cost approximately $13,000.  A corresponding
> Prince/Princess set have also been commissioned and cost just under
> $10,000.
>
> While that is a lot of money to spend on crowns for the Kingdom, a survey
> of other Kingdom's crowns found that royal crowns can cost up to $50,000
> for a pair.  However, one of the most important things discussed by the
> Financial Committee was the absolute necessity of a warranty and service
> agreement.  The price we paid for the crowns came with a guarantee on the
> work from a highly reputable artist.  Additionally, because of the
> decisions of the Financial Committee over several years, the Kingdom was
> easily able to afford this as an outright expenditure without any
> fundraising or request for donations and still remain in a healthy
> financial situation.  Furthermore, the Financial Committee is currently
> exploring our options regarding insuring the new crowns.
>
> Of course, some have questioned whether this was the right way to use our
> money.  That is a very fair question.  This was highly debated by the
> Financial Committee.  First, it is important to note that we are bound on
> how our money can be used by federal law.  Spending money on property that
> the Kingdom owns that advances our purposes (historical education through
> reenactment) is permissible and legal.  Having a set of crowns that is
> historically based and is owned by the Kingdom does fit this requirement.
>
> The question that remains as to whether this was a wise decision.  The
> crowns are the most seen outward symbol of our Kingdom.  When we are seen
> across the Known World, our crowns have always looked very plain and
> simple.  Some people like that and think Ansteorra does not need to be
> flashy to be amazing.  While that is certainly true (we are the best
> Kingdom in the Known World, after all), many have expressed over the years
> that our crowns are too plain, especially when we are seen with other
> royals.  Is this a bit of keeping up with the Joneses?  Yes, it absolutely
> is.  However, our Kingdom deserves to be represented throughout the Known
> World by crowns that truly show off our majesty and glory.  Additionally,
> there are several that see the crowns as something that adds to the Dream.
> Having such beautiful crowns can lend to the period feel and whisk us away
> to a medieval court.  Not all share this view, but the beauty of our
> Society is that the Dream is a little different for everyone.
>
> Another issue brought up is that we are charging too much for events and
> all of that money is going to pay for these crowns.  The income received
> from events and how they play into our annual budget played a very minor
> role in the decision to purchase the crowns.  Site fees are evaluated on an
> event-by-event basis and, unfortunately, sites can be expensive.  We have
> implemented new policies that will, hopefully, allow us to reduce the costs
> of events in the future.  The Financial Committee remains committed to
> making the SCA as accessible as possible to all those interested.
>
> Many have expressed concerns about making sure the proper procedures were
> followed.  Thank you!  It is incredibly important that all procedures are
> followed and we appreciate the concern of the people in this regard.  To be
> clear, a budget was approved for the new crowns and coronets by the
> Financial Committee during the reign of Lochlan III and Michelle.  Bids
> were solicited in the Black Star.  The Financial Committee discussed the
> bids received, which were within the budget, and made a decision during the
> reign of Sven and Antigone II.  That decision was announced in the Black
> Star.  The proper financial procedures were followed.
>
> Some will remember that we just bought new crowns not too long ago.
> Between 6 and 5 years ago, we purchased a new set of crowns.  We also have
> a set of crowns that is over 15 years old and another set that is over 25
> years old.  The crowns we own have lasted extraordinarily long and may need
> to be retired soon.  Additionally, even if they do not get retired, having
> a rotation of crowns helps when a set is out for repairs/maintenance.  One
> of the unfortunate things is that our crowns are not used like they were in
> period.  They are used much more often and experience a great deal of wear
> and tear, creating the need for them to get repaired from time to time.
> That is why we included a service agreement and warranty when purchasing
> the new crowns.
>
> Additionally, several have stated they do not care for the design of the
> new crowns.  That's understandable.  Everyone has their own tastes,
> preferences, and ideas on this topic.  The design was based on a period
> example and approved by the Financial Committee based on the overall look,
> design, cost, and ease of maintenance.  The three sets we had before these
> crowns were not without criticism either.  The "Earlier Period Style"
> Crowns are often said to be too simple.  The "Fleur" Crowns were not well
> received by all when they debuted and are relatively plain.  The Darkridge
> Crowns have been criticized for their look as well.  Concerning the weight
> of the new crowns, they are deceptively light.  They each weigh
> approximately 14 ounces and are fitted in such a way to distribute the
> weight of the crown to be comfortable and wearable for long periods of time
> and adjustable for different sized heads.
>
> In short, the Kingdom can afford these crowns, they came with a service
> agreement and warranty, and all proper financial protocols and procedures
> were followed.  If you have suggestions as to how these procedures could be
> changed, you are welcome to email the Crown, Kingdom Exchequer, and Kingdom
> Seneschal.
>
> Thank you for your concern.  The populace has been so vocal about this for
> one simple reason: we all care.  Ansteorra is a family and we all share
> this Dream together.  We all work to make this Kingdom and Society, as a
> whole, a better place.
>
>
> In Service to Ansteorra, Her People, and The Dream,
>
> Creppin et Toryn,
> Rex et Regina Ansteorrae
> Brian O’hUilliam,
> Kingdom Seneschal
> Elsa von Schammach
> Chancellor of the Exchequer
>
> --
> Don Brian O'hUilliam
> Kingdom Seneschal
> Kingdom of Ansteorra
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-- 
We must be born with an intuition of mortality…out we come blooded and
squalling with the knowledge that all the points of the compass there is
only one direction, and time is its measure.    Tom Stoppard