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Date: Tue, 20 Jan 1998 00:21:17 -0500
To: meridies@web.ce.utk.edu
From: Pat Pierce <ardea@mindspring.com>
Subject: [TY] Turning down a Peerage
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This has happened on more than a few occasions - and I was witness to two
occurances, thought not in Meridies at the time.

Back when dirt was clean, dinosaurs walked the Earth, and Inman MacMoore
was in his second (or was it third?) reign, a friend and neighbor of mine -
Korwyn Marius Velus Arrianrhod, Master of the Pelican, had been a student
of Duke Lloyd von Eaker, MSCA as well as Duke Jonathan de Lauffyson, MSCA.
We travelled together for a Crown Tournament held in south Texas, which
entailed about a 10 hour ride in a big van.  The little batch of travellers
were all good friends, and it was sensed that Korwyn might be asked to
accept belt and chain at the tournament (Ansteorra does things VERY
differently than does Meridies).  However, Korwyn had stated on several
occasions, in no uncertain terms, that he would NOT accept the chain of
fealty.
	Korwyn was, at the time, Golden Staff Herald.  (Translate:  chief Court
Herald). Court after the tournament (which was the first crown won by
Seamus of the Cats) was heralded by Korwyn.  And, His Majesty called Korwyn
into Court.  HRM Inman asked if Korwyn would, that day, accept the belt and
chain of knighthood - and Korwyn declined, stating clearly that he could
not accept the chain.  He was then excused from court, to the shock and
amazement of those in the audience that did not know him as well as we did.
	Needless to say, this was the main topic of discussion on the way home
from Crown.
	A little over a month later, at the Steppes Warlord Tournament, before the
end, Korwyn was again summoned before the Crown.  He was asked to take belt
and chain of knighthood - and he again refused the chain.  This time, HRM
Inman asked why - and Korwyn replied that he, for personal reasons, had
sworn to his teachers, Dukes Jonathan and Lloyd, that he would only take a
Master's baldric should the Chivalry ever be offered.  Inman was silent for
a moment, and then said something to the effect of "I won't _give_ you a
baldric - you'll have to fight me for it."  Both went and armored up - in
the middle of court.
	Three rounds were fought.  Korwyn's favorite weapons were greatsword, and
sword and shield.  He hated spear - which was, and still is, Inman's
favorite - next to sword and shield.  I am a bit fuzzy in my recollection
of the details, but I think I remember each besting the other with his
preferred weapon style - and the last round, sword and shield, seemed to
take DECADES, until Korwyn threw the final blow that gained him the baldric.

	From what I understand, this has been repeated since in Ansteorran
history, for differing personal reasons.  I cannot verify other cases since
then, because I didn't witness them.

	The second Peerage that was turned down, was actually one that was not
going to be accepted unless someone _else_ was made a Peer.  I didn't learn
of it until after I was elevated - by the same Seamus of the Cats and
Karlanna of Applecross Woods.  The person who was not going to accept the
Laurel unless _I_ was to be elevated first, was none other than the same
Inman Mac Moore. I learned this from Inman himself, and from Seamus and
Karlanna, when TRMs took us aside after our Elevations for a brief private
conference.  This occurred at a cold and icy Steppes 12th Night Celebration
in 1986 - and an unusual person of Arabic persuasion, one Da'ud Ibn Auda
(former Laurel King of Arms) was the feastcrat for the event!

	Strange how things from so long ago can pop up as reminders.... 

____________________________
Iarlles Aeruin ni hEarain O Chonemara, OL

	Sola petit ardea
		(the heron soars alone)


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