[MR] A Small Request for Prospective Crowns

[Glynis Gwynedd]

Your points are well spoken and I hope will be well taken.  I fully
agree about allowing them the opportunity to plan ahead.  Is it
possible, however, that Mistress Elspet wanted her elevation to be a
complete surprise?  Perhaps, even, she may have requested that it be
done that way when the time came.  I do not have the privelege of
knowing her personally, but I do know several people who would prefer
something like that to be a surprise.  Just my thoughts on the matter.



On 9/10/06, Elaine Koogler <ekoogler1 at comcast.net> wrote:
> My Lords and Ladies,
> The recent (at Coronation) elevation of Mistress Elspet Byndelaise to
> the Order of the Laurel has occasioned a fair amount of commentary,
> mostly within the Order of the Laurel.  I think, however, that this is
> an issue that others should participate in, particularly those
> contemplating fighting in Crown Tourneys.
>
> The current practice is that usually the members of the Order, and
> particularly the mentor of the prospective peer is notified in advance,
> to a greater or lesser extent.  In this case mentioned above, no one in
> the Order, save the mentor, was notified by the Crowns, as I understand
> it, less than a week in advance..  Usually the reason given for not
> letting friends and family know in advance is the concern that the
> surprise will be ruined. While I can understand this concern, I believe
> it is outweighed by the need to make sure that the day is memorable for
> the candidate.
>
> The candidate is not made aware of their impending elevation until they
> are put on vigil in a morning Court.  The person has really no time to
> prepare, participate in the planning of their vigil and ceremony, and/or
> to make sure that friends and family can be present.  This is often a
> major consideration because family may be not part of the SCA...or may
> be from another Kingdom, and would need to make a special effort to be
> present.  The candidate has no chance to make sure they are properly
> prepared, mentally and spiritually.
>
> What I propose is that we consider notifying the candidate by Writ,
> sometime before they are to be elevated,  of their impending elevation.
> This is done in a number of other Kingdoms, and has been done in
> Atlantia on occasion. Then, vigils could be done in one of a couple of
> ways...either have a "mini-vigil" at every event the candidate attends,
> or have the vigil on the day of elevation (preferred).  This gives the
> candidate time to get used to the idea of being elevated (and prevents
> problems in the occasional situation where the individual does not like
> surprises!).  It allows them to have a say in how their ceremony is to
> be organized and who will participate.  It allows the scribes time to
> get the scroll completed.  The candidate has time to prepare a Master
> work for display during their vigil (if a Laurel), not to mention having
> appropriate garb to wear for the ceremony.  It allows those close to the
> candidate to prepare gifts for the candidate...and for those either not
> in the SCA or who live in distant places (a real concern for folks in
> Atlantia, given the transient nature of our populace!) a chance to
> arrange to be there.  It also eliminates the problem of a secret being
> leaked and found out ahead of time by the candidate!
>
> It is my hope that Crown aspirants will consider this as a reasonable
> and meaningful way to elevate gentles into the Peerage Orders.  Of
> course, each Crown is free to do this as they see fit.  However, if this
> were to become the customary way of doing things, then more would feel
> comfortable doing this in this fashion.
>
> I remain, in Service to Atlantia,
>
> Minowara Kiritsubo no Ason, OL, OP
>  Draic Derg Herald
>
> --
> Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, it's at the end of your arm.
> As you get older, remember you have another hand: the first is to help
> yourself, the second is to help others
>
>                        -- Audrey Hepburn
>
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-- 
~Lady Glynis Gwynedd
Webministress, Baronial Harper, Barony of Highland Foorde
"Have you hugged a harp today?"