ARCH - Archery Ranking System

[Eadric Anstapa]

In response to Lord Charles De Marquette and his comments 
about the term "Forester"...

To my mind this is the same argument that many people (in 
this kingdom and others) had over the use of the 
word "Don" to describe a member of the Order of the White 
Scarf.  They argued that "Don" was the Spanish equivalent 
of "Lord" and since they had a Spanish persona and an AoA 
that they should be allowed to call themselves "Don".

The "Ranger" or "Forester" as described here and backed 
up with some research seems to indicate a title or 
position granted to indiviuals by the crown and not 
something that a player in the SCA should simply adopt 
for a persona background no more than I should start 
calling myself "Lord" if I wasn't an armiger or "Don" if 
I had a Spanish persona.

Since "forester" is not a reserved word in this kingdom 
and it's meaning is no more significant (perhaps less) to 
the general populace than the terms "archer" or "bowman" 
it seems that on this basis it should be fair game.  
Additionally, it is already used in the Archery 
Achievment systems in place in the Outlands, Caid, and 
Atenveldt.

I could however make an argument against the use 
of "forester" because it is a reserved word in the 
Midrealm.  The Midrealm has the "Greenwood Company" an 
Armigerous Order was created by Their Majesties Tarquin 
and Aibhilin to recognize exceptional work in archery.  
this can be skill in shooting, skills in A&S as related 
to archery, or extreme service to the archery community. 
Members of this company are entitled by Kingdom law to 
use the designation of Forester in front of their name 
and will often be addressed as "Lord Forester" 
or "Honorable Lord Forester", etc. 

Members of the Greenwood Company hold Order of Precedence 
rank equal to that of members of the Red Company for 
martial activities. When inducted, they are presented 
with a green hood with red and white trim as a 
recognition of their membership. Since Foresters are 
expected to continue their leadership in archery after 
induction, the hood is an easy way to recognize an 
immediate source of help or advice on the range. Members 
of the Greenwood Company are also entitled to add the 
title of Forester to their names and to wear the badge 
shown to the right above blazoned "Fieldless, upon a 
hurst vert, a pheon inverted Or". In common language, the 
background could be white, and a grove (3 to 5 trees 
drawn close together)of trees colored green. Centered on 
top of the grove of trees is a gold arrowhead pointing 
upward.

If we were not to use the term "Forester" then I think it 
should be in deference to the members of the Greenwood 
Company of the Midrealm.  If this is the case then I 
would think we should also not use the word forester as 
part of our persona.


Now personally I do think the term "forester" 
or "woodsman" (also used in other kingdoms) are kinda 
vague and don't really convey the sense that we are 
talking about archery.  I actually like the levels is use 
by Atlantia, East, Ealdormere, and Drachenwald which are
Archer-Marksman-Bowman-Bowman Elite-Grand Bowman Elite   
because they all clearly bring to mind images of archery. 

In Service,

Eadric
   


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