[MR] Secrecy

[logan]

one thing i would like to point out is that most monarchs simply do not have
the assumed convenience of weeks of planning before giving awards.  in fact
many times no letters of recommendations are received for the area the
monarchs are visiting and they are forced to hunt down the landed baronetcy
or seneschal to ask of the deeds of the people in that region.  pre planning
is almost always done for polling orders (we, in fact, have already
announced many of the gentles we intend to recognize during our reign).

i can relate to the discussion as i was in a porta john at pennsic when i
was called into court to receive my (first) aoa.  8^)

regards
logan

-----Original Message-----
From: atlantia-admin at atlantia.sca.org
[mailto:atlantia-admin at atlantia.sca.org] On Behalf Of Lucinda Welenc
Sent: Saturday, April 19, 2003 8:33 PM
To: Merry Rose
Subject: Re: [MR] Secrecy


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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