[MR] Secrecy

[Lucinda Welenc]

Rosine wrote:
>
> Since I need to test this addy and it's subscription, I need a subject. So
> here's one:
>
> Secrecy
>
>    We have a couple in our barony - one more high-profile than their
> partner. The High Profile member has now been awarded Kingdom-level
> recognition three times... and in each case, the Beloved Other was not aware
> that the award was going to be given. Twice The Other skipped the event in
> order to work/do labs at school (but could have made arrangements to
> attend), and once was volunteering in an area too far away from where Court
> was being held. In all those times, their Baron and Baroness were present
> but unaware of the impending award. I have heard similar tales about other
> S.Os. and Peers whose squires/protogees/apprentices were awarded
> planned-in-advance honors with no head's up to anyone who could have made
> sure that friends and family were present while still keeping it secret.
>    I think we have lost something important in our quest for the thrill of
> surprise - we've lost our concern for the friends and family of the honoree.
> And I *don't* think that it's something we can lay on the shoulders of our
> Royals - every territorial baron and baroness, every Order principal, every
> court herald - every person who helps out by filling in names on a scroll -
> each of those folks should be carrying an awareness that half of the joy of
> personal recognition is in seeing the happiness in one's loved-one's eyes,
> to be able to go back to one's friends and get the acclaim, the pat of the
> back, the hugs of joy while still clutching their shiny scroll.
>    So count this as a reminder, to all of us, that there's a large body of
> people who can assist our King and Queen (and Baron and Baronesses) in
> making sure that stories like the one I related above are not the norm in
> this Kingdom any longer.
>
> In service,
> Hróðny Rognvaldsdottir
> (that would be "Rosine of Rowanwald", only better)

Gentle lady, I HEARTILY AGREE!  Some monarchs do make some effort;
Ragnarr and Kyneburh queried to make sure that my husband was there for
my Golden Dolphin.  I'd brought up the subject to the Crowns and
Coronets soon after  I became Golden Dolphin Herald.

Yes, as a herald I've enjoyed the surprise in people's eyes -- but I do
NOT enjoy having a friend weep on my shoulder because she missed her
husband's induction into the Dolphins.

I'd rather go into court in my GOOD clothes, not my grubbies. I think
most here would rather be the same.  But time after time I see people
hauled into court from the kitchen or breaking down the list field or
some other grubby, sweating job.   I rather like the idea of a writ of
summons, as Pedro mentioned.

But if the Crown would make even a *little* attempt -- "Sir Baron, here
is a list of your baronial people that we wish to honor today.  Will you
make sure that their friends and family know to be in court?" -- it
could make all the difference.

--
Alanna
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