ES - New times.

[willow l herbert]

Ly Maili Donnel MacGregor Greetings from Duchess Willow de Wisp
My dear Lady Maili I want you to know that I agree with you. The failures
of the nobles and the peers to show respect to the people is one of the
reasons the people have lost respect for them. I want you to know I have
been fussing non-stop to the nobles about this.
 
Ansteorra was based on a historical pattern. The ideals of the our time
period gave us a good idea of what a good noble or a peer should be. The
noble obligation was clear. We the people expected our leadership to give
us good government with as little red tape as possible, keep most of the
political fights out of our hair, make sure court was as interesting as
possible, to make good use of their leadership position to create
entertaining  happenings and a medieval atmosphere while making sure fun
still happened.  During the time that the historical pattern was in place
you find many of our nobles and peers living up to these requirements.
Our belted circle has fought pitch battles over fighting rules making
sure that we could live with them. If it hadn't been for their efforts I
doubt if we would have women fighters like we do. If it hadn't been for
the efforts of our kings we might not have light fighting, Kings and
queens in the past spent their own money and time to make sure that
problems were worked out and our kingdom stayed together. This went on
for a long time but some nobles didn't like being expected to do all of
this. 

These nobles took an idea that is everywhere in the SCA and used it for
there own interest. They took the concept of "The Dream" and started
preaching it. This seemed all right. Didn't the term "The Dream" stand
for all those great ideals we had? These nobles, either consciously or
subconsciously, started changing what "The Dream" stood for. Their  dream
was not to take responsibility and do a lot of work. They wanted to have
all the respect and all the glory and do nothing. Our old Crowns and
nobles and peer knew that things weren't set up to entertain them. Things
were set up to entertain the people and it was the duty of the Crowns and
nobles and peers to keep the ball rounding. The new line Crowns and
nobles and peers wanted everything to be centered around themselves. They
liked long court because they were the stars. They liked public political
fights because they made them feel powerful. They did not let
entertainment happen because it might take some of the spotlight off of
their important meetings. 

This pattern has been in effect for over seven years but now people are
beginning to realize that this program may not be good for the kingdom.
Our Crowns and nobles and peers are going back to the old ways. They are
taking up the mantle of leadership again. They realize that we need good
government, less fights, better atmosphere and more fun if we are going
to grow. Leaders have to go around and listen to, encourage and
facilitate all those good ideas that the people have. Being this kind of
leader is a lot of hard work and you don't get much rewards. It certainly
does not do much for your ego and it takes up a hold bunch of time.

In the old days we had theory. We would shout and cheer and pat everyone
on back for everything. We would make a lot of positive noise. When
things were wrong we would be quiet. You can make someone stop saying bad
things but you can not force someone to cheer. There is a problem with
this theory. If you are to quiet for to long people forget what the
cheers sound like. Now is the time for us to start encouraging people.
Every time someone moves in the right direction let us cheer them. Let us
tell tales of the good and send messages to all the up and coming Crowns
and nobles and peer that we want good things from them.

Things are getting better! I have been in the SCA for thirty years. I
have seen good times and bad times. We have lost a lot of the old people
that have gotten burn out but the people that we have gotten in the last
four to three years are really special. It is my belief that if all us
keep to our ideals and work together  we see a truly wonderful time in
this kingdom.   
	Your long winded fellow Elfseaian ( What is the pural of Elfsea)
	           Willow de Wisp
It i
On Wed, 27 May 1998 08:28:56 +0000 windell gibson <draeco at swbell.net>
writes:
>JSHAW3412 wrote:
>> 
>> Duchess Willow
>> In recent times the crowns and the queens and the Knights
>> have lost the respect of the people.
>> 
>> And some of the people have lost respect for some nobles because of 
>their lack
>> of respect of the people.  It is a two way street.
>>> Ly Maili Donnel MacGregor
>> 
>=================================================================

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