[MR] Peer fear and awards

[TJ Brunzie]

> An interesting term, "Peer-Fear", and a very strong choice of words.
>
> What is meant by it?
<snip>
> What is there to fear about the Peerages?
>
> They have one and only one "power".  It is to recommend to the Crown that
> someone join their group.
> In simple fact, they have less power than anyone who decides to
> set up their
> own Household, because that person needs no permission from anyone to ask
> someone to join their House.  The Peers must have the assent of the Crown.
>
> So, the only "power" they have is one based upon the respect of
> others.  If there is no respect for them and their Order, there is no
power.
>
> There is nothing to fear at all.

Oh, Peer Fear is very real.  Whether or not there is truly something to fear
is irrelevant.  I have friends who will NOT post to the Merry Rose, because
anything they say (especially in a political conversation such as this)
could
affect their relationship with their Peer.

And it's very easy to say they have little power, and that you should do
what
you love to do - but what you love is the relationship with your Peer?  What
if your thrill in the SCA is being squire to a knight who you respect and
admire?  Then your biggest fear is disappointing him.  Or if you aspire to
be
a squire, your fear is that speaking out will make your prospective knight
wary of giving you that red belt because he thinks maybe you wouldn't make
such a good squire after all.

So do they have power?  Only as much as we give them.  And apprentices,
protoges, and squires give them a lot.  It's the nature of the relationship.

Cheers,
Violante