[Ansteorra-archery] Archers behind the throne

[Wilim Penbras]

I'm not sure about anywhere else but in Elfsea our guard is broken into three fighting styles.  We currently have 4 chivalric fighters, 4 rapier fighters and 4 archers.  As it turns out the archers are the only ones officially recognized as a seperate entity.  While the heavies and the lights are simply guardsmen, the archers are the Elfsea Yeomen.  The Archers are also the most active guardsmen.  If there are only a few guardsmen in attendance at a court you can bet that 2 out of three are yeomen.

I've known the last few crowns on a casual level and would have to say that while they don't go out of there way to accomadate archers, they don't go out of there way to accomadate any one group.  They work with traditions and occasionally make a few new traditions.  They have more than enough to worry about without us expecting them to stop and say "Wait, where are the archers?"

We always talk about being second class or worse but I've never seen it that way.  We don't have crowns against us, it's tradition that's against us.  Other groups are behind the throne because it's tradition for them to be there.  We need to start a new tradition.  There is little doubt in my mind that this crown and the next, and all for the foresee-able future(based on current hotsticks) will support reasonable requests from the archery community.

That said, what do I think would be a reasonable request to be implemented in the next few years?  I would like to see the Royal Huntsman be the Champion for thier Highnesses.  I want to say that currently the Cadets serve the Princess in this sort of manner but there is no tournament to determine a Princess' champion.

Let me paint a picture...  Daddy's on the throne.  What does Junior do all day?  He fights, sure, but his place as eventual king is secure. (In this instance by right of arms instead of birth)  What does the prince do with his "leisure" he does what all good nobles did, he hunts for sport.  Who is his guide, teacher, protector?  The Royal Hunstman.

Okay, I'm starting to babble.  I've left you with an idea to chew on.  Perhaps some of the more politically adept could run it up the flagpole and shoot it full of holes.  (Oops, mixed metaphor)

Billy Fathead (Which would have been a better name for Clinton than Slick Willy)
Protege and Squire to HE Galen of Bristol

---------- Original Message ----------------------------------
From: Rumil Fletcher <rumil at prodigy.net>
Reply-To: ansteorra-archery at ansteorra.org
Date: Mon, 17 Dec 2001 01:17:30 -0600

>>
>>This is a great point but first we have to get the archery champions us
>>there behind the thrones with the other champions.  Seldom I have seen the
>>Royals of the local landed nobility have their Archery Champions up there.
>
>That is the rule in Wiesenfeuer Baronial courts.  Because of space
>limitations, they often rotate out and have just one or two of the
>guardsmen at a time.  But more often than not, it is someone from the
>Archery Guard.  I am thankful our Baron and Baroness support the
>archery community.
>
>So why do not the other baronies have archers standing up there in
>court with the others?  Have any of you actually asked your Baron and
>Baroness if you or your champions could do that?  I am sure that if
>your archery champions or guard offered, your Barons and Baroness'
>would be willing to have you up there too.
>
>
>
>>As far as who fills in when the Royal Huntsman cant be there or needs a
>>break?  Well I think that is up to the Royal Huntsman and Their Majesties.
>
>Absolutely.  While archers should let the Nobles and Crown know that
>they are available, it is their courts and their decision.
>
>
>
>>I deeply feel that it is part of the Royal Huntsman's job to arrange for the
>>Archery Community to be represented behind the thrones.  For the events that
>>he can not travel to be with the Crown he should arrange in advance for
>>someone else to take care of it.  Those arrangements can be made through the
>>Kingdom Archery Marshal, the Regional Archery Marshals, the Local Archery
>>Marshals, or other archers he knows who will be present.  Keep in mind that
>>not all branches have archery marshals or even archers present.
>
>Usually the Crown has an entourage of Their own choosing.  That
>differs from reign to reign.  But you should always remember that
>They are the Crown and They get to decide who stands behind them.  So
>whatever arrangements are being made for different people, always
>check with the Crown first.
>
>
>Rumil Fletcher
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