The founders of the Kingdom had a belief that the purpose of our Kingdom was to study history. By creating a medieval construct and living in it and everyone playing the roles of the people in period we could learn about how it felt to be in period If we look at Master Robin of Gilwell we can see how this works. As an Elizabethan Gentleman he follow the "cult of the Queen", but as an Ansteorran his "Queen" is whoever is on the throne not Elizabeth. He has a real life person to interact with and can feel what it is like to follow this concept. We realized that every group has problems, but we felt that if we were truly going to study period culture we needed to try to solve our problems using period solutions. For example Some Kingdoms in the SCA had problems with their Kings and Peers and took power away from them and gave power to bureaucrats. This is a really modern solution. We decided to train up our Nobles and Peers into the concept of nobless oblige and put them in leadership positions. This worked very well for many years producing the time know as the "Glory Years", but we came to a time when the modern values replaces the medieval ones. Many Crowns, Nobles and Peers just didn't want to play their role. During this time there was a change from doing Historical Study to "living the SCA" or "Living the Dream". Many people continue doing what we had always did but for others that meant they could put duties and responsibilities down and do whatever they desired. In this kingdom certain key roles stopped being done as the old line Royalty and Nobility and Peers got over whelmed and quit. The new people stepping into the positions were not trained and the system began the fail. Not only did the upper rank people stopped doing their jobs and the lower ranks (Lord s and Ladies) were not trained at all. . . The Bureaucrats stepped in and tried to make things work, but they were using modern solutions and slowly the kingdoms is becoming more and more just a social club. (They have been doing their best but they can't do everything) We are not trying to teach people and we are not showing people what it was like to live in period. We are becoming a little bit of the modern world doing stuff. The first step in being back the old days is for the people in our Kingdom to start thinking what duties and responsibilities each person should historical be doing. Many people bemoan the lack of courtesies and roleplaying or the "death of the Dream", but I can tell you talking about it will not change anything. We must start modeling behavior and take up the duties and responsibilities and roles that need to be done for us to have a Believable Kingdom rather then a modern organization. Do not wait for the people in power to do it. Many of them have been trying for years and haven't been able to make a difference. Those who don't think it is necessary will not change their minds. The change is a matter of belief. It is like Tinker Bell. If we all believe and act like we believe we have our Kingdom back. First step Communications Everyone of you has a blueprint in their head on how you think the Crown, Nobles and Peers should act. The present Crown, Nobles and Peers either meet these requirements and you should praise them and they do not. The one who do not are not going to change. When they came into the SCA this is the way it was and they think everything is OK. I think it would be very unfair to hassle the, I want to us to address the "going to be" Crown, Nobles and Peers. Please give us your ideas on what behaviors you would like to see. If you have an example of the kind of behavior that pleases you share it . Please do not share bad things. We do not want to put up bad things.as models. Please remember bad "word fame" is still "word fame" Nobless Oblige. What are the duties of good Crowns, Nobles and Peers? I believe that is the duty of all nobles and gentry ( that is all of us) to train younger and newer people up and assist them to reach their highest level. I base this on the fact medieval nobles would bring young people into their system and train them. The Romance Jehan the Petite tells the story of a young page moving from serving a minor noble to the King. From the account it seems that Kings often recruited promising people from the Courts of his vassals. It is the duty of the Nobles and Peers to train the officers and Peers and leaders to run our kingdom. Duke Jonathan de Laufyson has had one of his personal Heralds become Laurel King of arms and two become Star Principal. I believe it is the duty of all nobles and gentry to support the Arts. Queen Eleanor and King Richard patroned the performing arts. In our Kingdom Duke Patrick Michael is working hard to support the Bardic Arts and even performing himself like King Richard the Lion hearted did, Duke Miguel and Duke Mahadi are also supporting the Bardic Arts. These Gentleman's interaction is really making a difference to the performers. Sir Lasgard the Red Fox makes a real effort to go to most of the A&S competitions in our area and takes the time to interact with the Artisans. Do you know of any Nobles or Peers that have Bards in their households? Duke Jonathan de Laufyson has sponsored many individuals over the years,one being Master Pippin as his Fool and Master Finn Kelly as his Minstrel. What do you think? Willow de Wisp _____________________________________________________________ Click to find great rates on medical insurance, save big, shop here http://track.juno.com/s/lc?u=http://tagline.untd.us/fc/Ioyw6iifSXsgrOT2hfBTkyJ761mmlAlYUUjqoQkmm1Qd6TsoZqBQBb/