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Good Gentles (aka "Hey Folks"),
<P>I'm originally an Ansteorran, now living in Drachenwald. That
makes me an Ansteorran. Displaced a bit, but still an Ansteorran.
I sing our battle songs at the revels here (which gall [or Gaul] the Hel
out of some people), but I sing them yet. So, my two cents worth:
<P>Belts - Meaning: I pledge my works/fealty/honor/loyality
to my Master/Knight/Master (pick your order of preference) that I do my
absolute best not to ever embarass my Master/Knight/Master, or embarass
the Kingdom. I shall do my absolute "human-possibly-worth"'s to do
my absolute best to correctly represent my Master/Knight/Master/Kingdom
in whatever endeavor that I undertake, with the recognition that ANYTHING
I DO is a direct reflection of what my Master/Knight/Master/Kingdom has
TAUGHT me (this is the critical part, folks. Any student/squire/protegee
<U>worth having</U> will hold to this ideal. I know this well, representing
my Master in another Kingdom. He has a good reputation over here,
from Gentles that were formally in Ansteorra.) This is a high standard
to live up to. It is NOT a badge of honor to flaunt in front of ANYONE.
Someone has taken the time to teach you knowledge that is special.
It is something to be cherished, not something to be lorded over anyone
(or else you're missing the whole danged point!!) YOU should be teaching
EVERYTHING YOU KNOW, as a squire/protogee/student, as recognition of the
lost arts that the many have had to painstakingly recreate/relearn and
YOU are the benefactor of. Pay Heed!
<P>Favors: Meaning - Symbols of someone's "favor"; that
is to say, I caught the eye of someone on said day, that I was a fair,
honorable, and just fighter (not necessarily "awesome"; let that distinction
end here.) I caught their eye, and may their recognition of my worthiness
continue to FOREVER INSPIRE MY HONOR, JUST, AND FAIRNESS ON THE FIELD.
A favor is not a shield, you can't say "I won't call that - it hit Mistress
Seamschecher's favor." It is a symbol of what "someone" saw
on a good day (good = you were the picture of chivalry that day, not necessarily
wearing a white belt, but the picture nonetheless.)
<P>Associates: Meaning - OK, either you're a member of
a household or not. If you've been invited (and accepted), then you're
a member. And in the OLD WAYS (and traditions), you've just agreeded to
defend the house in all "debts, public and private." You've just
sold your life/soul, so don't take this lightly!!! Be danged certain
who's household you've joined: if you can't support the patriarch/matriarch
in what ever they say, then you haven't done your research, and have not
done your homework. The household that I've joined: I have
not ALWAYS agreeded with the patriarch, but that has been between the patriarch
and myself, PRIVATELY! I will never argue a difference of opinion
in front of the household. I <U>owe</U> the patriarch that; I agreed
to join his household, and I accepted the consequences of that action (and
to note: It has <U>NEVER</U> failed me. I am either wise or
very lucky...) I may have my disagreements, but I join, and support,
the household, for it's advancement, and the Kingdom's advancement.
Our household's ideal is the advancement of the Kingdom of Ansteorra.
How can I lose??? I yield to a greater experience, a higher knowledge.
How can you argue with that? Unless,. of course, you have unrefutable
evidence...
<P>Household Members: See above for the ideal...
<P>So, in closing, I will be home in August 1999 (in the common era).
I dare those of you to remember my name of this time when I put you all
to right, and those of you who take exception can discuss this with me
in August 1999. You can take me aside and attempt to take me to task
at that time. Be ye warned - I take my beliefs (SCA and otherwise)
very seriously. If you take exception to what I've said, I will defend
it. As they found at Lindesfarne and "Blackpool" ("Dublin", for those
of you who don't speak Gaelic) , you will find me one heck of an opponent,
simply from my attitude...
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<P>And that's the whole poop, folks. Answer at your peril...
<P>Thorgrim
<BR>A humble apprentice to a MASTER of The Western Region (Does Anyone
{besides Duke Inman} remember his name?)
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