[MR] Atlantia Digest, Vol 65, Issue 20

[The Sheltons]

Colin and those here with us in the Tavern,

I remember things in much the same way and from a very different 
perspective.  John and I enjoy friendships with many folks from MD, NoVA and 
central VA.  When I first heard the "P" word...in its incarnation before the 
one to which you refer, I was sitting on Mistress Johanna von Sudeborn's 
sofa in Silver Spring (Storvik).  There was a great deal of interest even 
then...and great opportunities for poor understanding.  At one point, one of 
her guests turned to me and said, "You are from the South, how will you all 
survive if we break off  as a Principality."  I remember being both mildly 
amused and insulted at the question.  I reminded the gentle that not having 
met him until that night...that my choice to be in the SCA was not 
predicated in the least in what he did or did not do.  He then said, "But 
what will you do without any peers?"  (yes, there were significantly fewer 
then...but not so rare as he must have thought).  I smiled and said, "Gee, I 
guess the Crown would make some more..and perhaps with more ease as folks 
who polled would know who they were polling."

I bring up the story because even then, there was an odd lack of 
awareness/understanding regionally which I actually think it is some better 
now.  Partly, I think it improved because of the failed last Principality 
movement.  I remember distinctly the phrase "affected parties."  Very 
similar to some of the rhetoric today...that was very disconcerting to me. 
At the time, I was Deputy Kingdom Seneschal for SC/GA.  I reminded the 
friends I had in the "affected area" that such a major change to our culture 
"affected" everyone.  To assume less was, I thought a real flaw.  I agree, I 
think it was part of the downfall and hope the phrase is struck from the 
lexicon of future movements.

I have said for some time that what I thought could happen is a more central 
Principality...maybe like out of some part of NC.  Part of the concern of 
having a border Principality is the very real thought that even if not 
originally intended...a border group could split off as its own kingdom.  A 
more central one could not create a doughnut hole kingdom.   I thought by 
having a Principality that could not go Kingdom (with any ease at 
all)...that folks could get used to having one within a Kingdom structure. 
Much like our sister, the West Kingdom which has several Principalities that 
will never break off (and of course, has birthed many other Kingdoms.)

But that has not happened before we started the cyclic discussion again. 
Like I said earlier...everything old is new again.  I bet one day we will 
have a Principality.  And I know the process will be hard...cause we like it 
that way.  Unless we learn how to be passionate, with care.

See, I remain both "affected by the change" and committed to friendships 
near and far.   I just may have to see them less often.  Just as you now do.

Miss you...and my other Northern friends.

Anne le Coeur