[MR] 4th Peerage

[Jen Thies]

Dear Hrothgar,

These words I mostly agree with. I hope you can see the difference between
the tone here and your earlier missive to the list which did imply a
disrespect for the rapier community.

To support your statements, Mika Longbow was inducted into the Order of the
Pelican three years ago for his service, much of it to the Archery
community. Aedan Alywyn was inducted into the Order of the Pelican over two
years ago for his devotion and service to the Rapier community, Axel was
inducted into the Order of the Pelican for his service to our Youth and
being a driving force for Youth Combat. Wolfram von Taus was inducted into
the Order of the Laurel partially for his study in period weaponry, from
arms and armour to siege engine engineering. Rosalind Delamare was
recognized as a Laurel a year ago, in part for her study and works with
period fencing manuals.

In each of these examples those listening will notice a well-roundedness, a
belonging to our overall community. While they may focus on their passion,
they are also landed barons and baronesses, teachers, officers, leaders,
those who set-up and break down, and make their passion a part of the SCA,
instead of using the SCA merely as an outlet for their passion. It is this
passion and contribution that makes them Peers of the Realm, not the finding
of a roll to fit them into.

I hope you and your lady Crysarra are well, and know that you are both
missed.
Genevieve

On Fri, Feb 20, 2009 at 12:40 PM, Hrothgar <thorgrimm at windstream.net> wrote:

>  Fair Mistress Genevieve,
>
> I stand humble before your grace, beauty, and wisdom. It was, indeed, most
> joyous to see you and all my many friends at Ymir.
>
> For the record, I have no disrespect for the rapier community. Heck,
> there's a few I'll even acknowledge in public. One of the grandest things
> I've ever witnessed was a fellow coming off the fencing field in tears. His
> physical problems kept him from fighting, but he wanted to get a feel for
> what it was like. That experience was wonderful for him. Anything that
> brings that kind of joy has my full support.
>
> My issue is this same recurring complaint about adding a peerage to
> recognize fencers for fencing. Lately they've tried to add other pursuits so
> that it gets more people involved, but it still comes down to the same
> thing. If you want to persue a peerage, there are FOUR to aspire to. Folks
> shouldn't complain if they are unwilling or unable to achieve the level of
> commitment and achievement to get one.
>
> As for myself, I have fought. I have fenced. I am now physically unable to
> fight, and that makes me sad. I would have loved to become a Knight. But I
> couldn't keep my opinions to myself long enough for it to happen. I would
> have liked to be a Laurel. But I was unwilling to put enough effort into
> learning the period forms of music and was content to just play my guitar
> and sing things that pleased me. I never wanted to be a Pelican. They're all
> insane. I'm waaaay too lazy to put forth that kind of amazing effort. I
> would have loved to make Crysarra Queen, but I wasn't that good. For all of
> that, any of those paths were as open to me as they are to everyone. I chose
> not to pursue them. And when someone chooses rapier instead of fighting,
> they have made the same choice.
>
> Over the years, when this has come up, I hear the argument that the fencers
> do lots of service to the kingdom and should be recognized. Well, they are.
> With Dolphins and Pelicans. And Odin knows, they sure dress pretty. So give
> them A&S awards. The White Scarf was brought into being solely to recognize
> a pursuit that was not peerage level.. It's a fine and wonderful award, and
> is suitable for the art.
>
> Hrothgar
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> *From:* Jen Thies <jenthies at gmail.com>
> *To:* Hrothgar <thorgrimm at windstream.net>
> *Cc:* atlantia at atlantia.sca.org
> *Sent:* Friday, February 20, 2009 12:06 PM
> *Subject:* Re: [MR] 4th Peerage
>
> It should be noted that our current Earl Marshal and his three most recent
> predecessors have fought both Rapier and Armoured Combat. Two have been
> Knights, Three have been White Scarves, with Sir Roland being both. From my
> off-field observations, both activities require strength, skill, and
> training to excel at.
>
> That being said, I'm not a fan of a "Fourth" catch-all Peerage.
> I'd also like to point out that there is already a 4th Peerage, our Royal
> Peers.
>
> All that being said, bless your heart Hrothgar, don't ever change. :) It
> was good to see you at Ymir.
>
> Mistress Genevieve d'Aquitaine
>
> On Fri, Feb 20, 2009 at 11:21 AM, Hrothgar <thorgrimm at windstream.net>wrote:
>
>>
>> >  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
>>
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>
>