Dear folks 
I know some of you have never taken part in a baronial polling and I 
though this old article of mine would be useful. To the rest of you I 
just thought you might find it interesting and you might add your own 
insight and wisdom to our younger people. I do not plan to take part 
in the baronial polling. I have not been able to be as active as I 
should and do not feel my opinions are educated. I plan to support the 
incoming baron and/or baroness as best as I can.
Willow 
What to look for in a Baronial candidate?
By Duchess Willow de Wisp, OP, OR, OL and Lion of Ansteorra
For most of us there comes a time when we are call upon to give our 
opinions on candidates on whether they would make a good Baron/ess. 
Even though the Crown will take into account our opinions we are not 
voting and they may choose anyone for the position. For many of us our 
first major mistake is to choose someone because we like them. Another 
mistake is to choose someone because they won’t make waves and the 
third most common mistake is to choose a compromise candidate.  We 
need to look at the job and choose people for their ability to fill 
the role.
First, can they put the Barony and its people first? Most of us have 
been told that the SCA is a game and you should put your mundane 
family and real world life first. The concept does not apply to Ruling 
nobles, officers and Peers. We need to put the SCA higher on our 
priorities. We do this so you the people don’t have to. The Baronial 
position is especially hard because they need to do their duty all the 
time. They need to be at the demos and at the Wars and at Kingdom 
events. They need to show up at neighbor groups’ big events and at all 
the canton events and even small shires nearby. Now if there are two 
of them they can share the work, but usually children and other family 
members suffer. Also the Baronial position cost a lot. You need good 
costumes for your whole family, you need site fees, you need to buy 
largess and you need to pay for gas. Where we can cut back when times 
get bad the people in the Baronial position can’t.

Second, Do they have the energy? Unlike the King and Queen, Barons and 
Baroness are cheerleaders. People come to them with ideas and if they 
don’t act excited or they tell them to write it down or go to another 
officer without showing excitement often the people take it as 
rejection and give up on the idea and sometimes the SCA. The Baronial 
role involves bringing the burnt out people, the old nobles and peers 
back into the group and getting them excited. I remember Baroness 
Aurelian of the Steppes. Even though we were living in North Ansteorra 
she would convince up that we needed to attend Steppes event and even 
talked us into helping members of her barony that needed to get 
trained up faster. That is how Duke Jonathan ended up giving Duke 
Inman some of his first training. Duke Inman became King of Ansteorra 
after being in the SCA for a year and a day. Look at the individuals 
and see if they could inspire you to take part in your groups 
activities when you get old and burnt out. This part of the role of 
Baron/ess takes the ability to be upbeat no matter what. 

Third, Are they able to create the show? The Baronial role involves 
creating a court where we can shine. The need to make the Dream come 
alive for all personas and people. They need to shine and be heard. 
Again they will need energy, but most of all they need showmanship. 
They often are both actors and directors of the pageantry and show. 
They will need to be organizers to make this happen. 

Fourth, Are they able to take a back seat to others? Many people in 
the Baronial role get misled. They think because they are on the big 
seats it is about them. The truth is it is about the people. All the 
pageantries is to give the people in the Barony a chance to show off 
and advance. Often good Baron and Baroness give up their chances for 
advancement. Baroness often fall prey to ego and seem resentful if 
anyone get more attention them they. Being a good Baron or Baroness 
takes a heart that is truly joyful when people they know get things. 
It takes a person that is honestly willing to give up a lot.





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