Hodge Podge.

.....Had an interesting debate / conversation with a friend yesterday on the nature of arrogance versus nobility. One wouldn't think that the two would go together like that. But I've had occasion lately to observe several people on a 'peerage' track who seem to mistake the two.

.....Now, I think that in some cases it is done because it is thought that this is the way that 'peers' act. And in some cases this would be correct unfortunately. But I wonder also if nobility is confused with arrogance. There are those peers who talk and act with an air of nobility. Whether they intend it or not, their every action and utterance is carefully chosen and is therefore attentively watched and used by those around them. The way that these people carefully consider what is presented to them before making a pronouncement shows their depth of caring and the wisdom with which they apply what they've learned through life. In other words, they want to take that extra time to make sure that what they say and do is the RIGHT thing to say or do.

.....There are those who observe this pattern of behavior and try and emulate it. But they don't seem to get the fact that that options are being weighed and considered. All they see is the final outcome. And since many people fall into the trap of impatience, these people don't actually spend the required time to actually consider the choices or options in front of them. They give it half a thought and then utter something they think is 'profound'. They, consciously or subconsciously, think that they are being peer-like, when in reality they are saying the first thing that comes to mind. If they attempt an ‘air of nobility’ they think that they are practicing at being peer-like. What is actually happening is that they come across as arrogant. Some people actually buy into this arrogance as being something ‘peer-like’.

…..Of course I have to preface this by saying that I may not always succeed myself in actually BEING a peer. Patience is not always my friend. I’m ashamed to admit that I’ve been arrogant on occasion. I do say things that are stupid. I make judgment calls without giving the necessary time and attention that is deserved. So take all of this from that perspective please. :-)

…..Second thing I was ruminating on was Championships. Had another conversation yesterday, this time with Her Excellency Brighid. We were debating whether or not a branch Baron / Baroness should go out for a Kingdom Championship. I have to admit that I’ve been on both sides of the fence on this one. But my current line of thought is that I would feel uncomfortable if my Baron / Baroness were to go out for a Kingdom Championship. My thought being that it is something of a conflict of interest.

…..The conflict of interest I think comes into play because of who you represent, as both Baron / Baroness and as Champion. As Baron / Baroness, you are the representative of your group. It can get even deeper. If you look at it from the aspect of noblesse oblige, the Baron / Baroness are the embodiment of the spirit of the group they represent. Just as the King and Queen are the embodiment of the spirit of An Tir, the spirit that binds us all together as the family of An Tir, the Baron / Baroness bind us all into the family of the branch they represent.
…..The Kingdom Champion can be said to do this as well. But really they represent all the populace of the Kingdom, not any single branch. Their time, attention, their care, is spread out far and wide. Some say that it can be defined even narrower though, they are the King’s Champion, and even though they may represent the Kingdom in their Championship, in reality they are the King’s personal Champion in that field of expertise.

…..Now, can the two be done successfully? Maybe. Being a good Baron and Baroness is the same as being a good father and mother. You can work two or three jobs and come home and take care of the children successfully. But how much quality time do you miss with the children if you are working several different jobs and are spending minimal time at home? Children need time, attention, nurturing, and all the things that build them into strong adults. The Baron and Baroness do the same thing on a Baronial level.

…..Some would say that we are ADULTS playing a GAME. Yes, that is true. But I challenge any long time SCA players who say that the game that we play does not affect their personal life. This isn’t a game of monopoly. When you finish that game, you pack all the pieces up in the box and put it in the closet, forgotten until you want to play again. But the honour, the chivalry, the ‘virtues’ of knighthood (or ‘peerages’) are aspects of the game that I think we all try to apply to our entire life, both SCA and ‘real’.

…..This is why I think that this nurturing from the Baron / Baroness is so important to the branch. We look to them as our leaders in how best to be honourable and chivalrous. They are representatives of how a life should be lived. It’s a heavy burden if done properly. I’m thinking maybe even too much of a burden to split between being a Baron / Baroness and being a Kingdom Champion.

…..Remember, this is just my personal opinion. Her Excellency disagreed with me and I’m totally fine with that and will support Her as much as I ever do (which is a great deal, I respect and personally like her A LOT). So don’t take this as any sort of personal attack on anything. It’s just my current line of thinking, which itself may change if presented with a good, convincing argument. :-)