[MR] 4th Peerage

[Hrothgar]

>  Everyone should be able to aspire to a
> Peerage someday if that's their wish; to impose limits on a group based
> solely on their choice of fighting (heavy vs. rapier) in unfair.
> Gina MacNeill
> AKA Lady Rhiannon of Berra, CP

This issue seems to come up every couple of years. I agree completely with 
Lady Rhiannon that everyone should aspire to a Peerage. It is truly the 
epitome of all that we do. However, the misplaced idea that new peerages 
should be created for each subgroup in the Society is ridiculous.

If one wishes to become a Knight, then one can follow that path. The same 
holds true for Laurel and Pelican. If someone chooses to go in another 
direction, then that is their decision and they should be happy with that 
choice. They should not feel "cheated" that whatever their microcosm of 
interest is not recognized as a peerage worthy pursuit.

Rapier was only allowed in the SCA as an peripheral activity to begin with. 
Atlantia buying into Ansteorra's White Scarf idea was just an end run around 
the BOD's decision on the matter. People choose rapier because it's easier 
than fighting. The learning curves are vastly different. To view them as 
equal on any level is just wrong. I have no real issue with fencing. If a 
person is unable physically, emotionally, or financially to participate as a 
fighter but want to get a small taste of what it's like to be on the field, 
then rapier is a fine and wonderful thing. But it shouldn't be considered a 
peerage level pursuit.

Sitting astride a rocking horse brandishing a radio antenna about in a 
menacing manner does not equate to a Knight on a warhorse charging into 
battle.

Ever Opinionated,
Hrothgar