[MR] New Orders

[Malone, N.]

Greetings to one and all from AshaHito;
	I introduce this missive so all that take offense easily can gear up
now. I have lived in what is now 9 different kingdoms and have been in
the Society for going on 27 years. First no one thinks their friends get
the recognition they and their friends deserve fast enough. They also
see people getting recognized for what seems little or no reason that
the know of. Both of these symptoms come from not being able to know
everything all the time.
	Each Kingdom has a distinct personality and this dictates the flavor of
events and awards.  IN MY OPINION, atlantian fighters and fighting is
very much centered on knighthood therefore the seastag as a prelude to
knighthood is often overlooked or passed by during a very active
squiring period. I have heard more than one person reject the idea of
submitting someone for the order because "he'll be a knight in a year or
so, why bother". Good or bad is not the concern, its just part of the
local mindset, which can indeed change at a "whim". The order of
St.Aidan seems written for what most Kingdoms use as a fighting award.
The only requirement for Chivalry orders are "the person must be the
equal of his proposed peers with the weapons of tourney combat" corpora.
Considering that many fighters regularly go 50/50 against knights and
that many knights are no longer active. It would appear, based on
quantifiable standards, that the requirements for knighthood in Atlantia
do indeed have hidden prerequisites that are not in the society's laws.
In any case it is up to the members of that body and the crown, what
these standards are. I will not address the issue of Masters of arms
here.
	As to Laurels; corpora states that a person must have obtained
excellence in some area,"SINGULAR", of A&S and obtained a level
comparable to their proposed peers. This order does specify teaching but
does not stipulate open classes or publishing, and it does require the
art be used to benefit the Society. In many Kingdoms the Kingdom A&S
award is used as a journeyman level of recognition for the practice of
the arts. In Atlantia it does appear that the bar for the Pearl is a bit
higher than that for the Laurel in other Kingdoms. Since many persons
feel that you should have the Pearl before you are considered for the
Laurel it would appear that things are a bit out of balance with the
Society as a whole. There seems to be some large concern for the
teaching requirement in Atlantia. I do not feel that this should be
limited to Society Publications or to large classes at University. Many
people teach by example and by private tutoring, which are both very
period processes. But Hey its up to the members of the order and the
crown how exclusive they wish it to be. It seems odd though that college
& secondary history teaches in Atlantia (5) are not members of the
Pearl. They obviously have knowledge and skills and they obviously
teach. Hmm maybe they are not doing it in a manner beneficial to the
Society. Besides, all of these people have awards and fellowships from
the real world, why bother.
	Pelicans and Gold Dolphins are the hardest to quantify. There is a
standard for service but corpora states it is for service to the Society
or any of its branches above that expected of normal members. This could
mean any branch officer would qualify. But it also says that the service
should be equal to the candidates proposed peers. Which means it greatly
depends on how much the current members value their efforts against what
they see people around them doing.
	In all the orders there is a distinct flavor of exclusiveness
especially in Atlantia. This is especially true of the Knighthood. Since
the King decides new peers and is a member of a very exclusive order
himself it seems reasonable that Atlantian crowns are more than a little
reticent to make peers on occasion. I and others feel this has some
connection to typical southern heritage and a tradition of "good ol'boy"
and "gentleman's" clubs, harkening to the days and traditions of social
registers and what not that have always been a part of the south. If any
of you feel that your daily attitudes and activities are not influenced
by your environment and your heritage, well, its doubtful that you read
these long e-mails anyway.
Please remember that corpora only stipulates that a skill, talent,
ability or service be EQUAL to the general members, including those not
currently active, since they are part of the whole averages. It does not
stipulate, teach in a certain way, or at certain times, or training with
certain people, or working at selected things. But then again it is up
to the members of said orders and the crown to decide how exclusive
(root=exclude) they want to be. It depends on their version of what is
good for the society.

I can't put the soapbox away, I think I broke it!

AshaHito