[Ansteorra-archery] the future ??

[Kevin Varner]

Thank you Eadric. Nicely put.

Duncan MacConacher
Bryn Gwlad


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Eadric Anstapa" <eadric at scabrewer.com>
To: "Archery within the Kingdom of Ansteorra" 
<ansteorra-archery at ansteorra.org>
Sent: Thursday, June 30, 2005 12:00 PM
Subject: Re: [Ansteorra-archery] the future ??


>I don't really disagree with what the Carolingians have to say
> particularly since they make their wishes known far in advance and
> really haven't changed this message much in a number of years.
>
> What is the purpose of branch, baronial, or personal champion?  In
> particular what is the purpose of the Champion of a Landed Noble?
>
> If the goal is to compete, and to win tournaments, and to take home
> prizes then you don't need to proclaim or be proclaimed a titled
> champion at the end of a tournament.
>
> One purpose of a champion is as an instrument to settle conflicts
> and disputes.  Another purpose to serve to guard and protect that
> noble.  When a noble is called to war it is also expected that he
> will bring his champions with him to aid in the cause he will be
> fighting for.
>
> How many masters can a man dutifully serve?
>
> If the Baron of Namron and the Baron of Wiesenfeuer have a conflict
> that must be settled through contest of arms how would that
> conflict be properly settled if the same man was serving as both of
> their champions?
>
> How can a nobleman trust someone to guard and protect him and to
> always act in his best interests if that person is also in the
> employ and a member of the entourage of another noble (perhaps even
> a rival noble).
>
> If you are the Champion of the Baron of Bonwicke AND the Champion of
> the Baron of Bordermarch then where will you be on April 29, 2006?
> After accepting the responsibility of Champion if you heed the call
> of one baron and not the call of the other then how can you say that
> you have served both dutifully?  After failing to attend the call of
> one baron and instead choosing to heed the call of another how will
> ANY baron in the future be able to trust you to serve him and
> discharge the office of champion well and dutifully?   If you choose
> to avoid conflict and not attend to either then how have you served
> anyone but yourself?
>
> If a Baron can not commit to his allies that he will have his
> champions and guards of unyielding devotion with him at war then how
> valuable is that baron as an ally?
>
>
> The Baron of Carolingia asks that people seeking to be his champion
> consider themselves to be Carolingian and that they hold no other
> positions that would divide their loyalties.  He does not say that
> they can not hold other offices or that they can not hold other
> oaths of fealty only that they can not have divided loyalties.  I do
> not think those are unreasonable demands for the important office of
> Champion.
>
> In my opinion too many people take the office of Champion and
> responsibilities that go along with it way too lightly.  The office
> of Champion is not the same as simply being the winner of a tournament
>
> When you go down to a local archery club and win their annual
> tournament it is all about the prizes and the recognition that you
> get from winning.  You are not expected to show any devotion or
> render any service to that club.  Come and shoot and then leave no
> strings attached.
>
> Honor, chivalry, devotion, loyalty, duty, and service are what sets
> the SCA Championship tournaments apart.  It is part of the game that
> we play  and why we are here and not simply shooting with the Texas
> Archery Association.
>
> Regards,
>
> -- 
> HL Eadric Anstapa
> DSEM CA
> eadric at scabrewer.com
>