From: schuldy@progress.COM (Mark Schuldenfrei)
Subject: Re: Heraldic questions... 
Organization: Progress Software Corp.
Date: Wed, 23 Dec 1992 14:13:35 GMT

  Summary: I discuss the details of how Lord Laurel has asked for new
  powers, the precipitating actions that caused the request, the
  Board's response, and of course, my opinions on the matter.

  There seems to be a serious misunderstanding of Lord Laurel's
  action, that may be my fault.  Please read this to prevent
  rumors from spreading.

Arval and I were discussing how officers of the College of Arms do not
actually have the right to remove unregistered or inauthentic armory
at this time, but that the Board has been requested to consider giving
Lord Laurel the right to control regalia (which right I feel he has
already usurped).

Pagan le Chaunster wrote (speaking of her right to display armory as she
wishes):
  Having only recently discovered that I have this right (coming from an 
  isolated branch where the previous herald did indeed remove unregistered 
  banners) I'm now rather protective of it.  

Let's discuss specifics of what Lord Laurel seems to want, before
misunderstandings grow too common.  The error is mine, as I made reference
to Lord Laurel's request as if everybody knew the details of it, when
that is not the case.

As I best recall the discussion at the Board Meeting (the Minutes are not
nearly detailed enough to guarantee my memory), the King of Caid pronounced
that Laurels and Pelicans who had sworn fealty during his reign were to
be given the right to wear a chain of fealty.

Lord Laurel objected, as the badge of the Order of Chivalry is a chain,
and he felt that this was inappropriate use of symbolism within the SCA,
and he acted to attempt to stop it.  He was roundly ignored by Caid, and
so Laurel bucked the question to the Board.

He did not ask for power over regalia limited to the equivalence of what
he now has over heraldry.  That would be too modest.  He requested the
equivalent rights over regalia that the Society Marshal has over combat.
This would give him the right to make temporary rulings in the name of
the Board, and enforce them until they could be reviewed.

The problem here is manyfold, and deserves serious consideration by
members of the SCA.  And, you should send letters to the Board on this
issue should you feel inclined.

My personal opinion is the following: The Society Marshal has these
powers only because he supervises an area of the Society which has
profound safety implications, and where an uncorrected error or
lapse could truly endanger the SCA, Inc.

Authenticity and custom do not represent a danger to the Society
sufficient to require an expert on the subject to make decision on
behalf of the Board.  Should such a dangerous situation actually
arise, the President of the Society (these days, the Steward) already
has the right to rule on the behalf of the Board if the Society is
endangered.

And, as for whether regalia should be put under the purview of the
Laurel King of Arms, I also say no.  I believe it is too late to
close Pandora's box on SCA custom, and the Office of the Heralds
should not be put in the position of the Authenticity police.

It's also interesting to note, that if Laurel get's exactly what he
asked for, and no more, it will be very unclear if he has the
right to take any action at all, anyway.  The Society Marshal can
suspend authorizations and suspend fighting activities: what could
Lord Laurel possibly do?

Just to round things out, the Board decided that the situation was too
complex to rule on right away, and their course of action was to do
the following: Spend a year where the Steward and Laurel discuss the
issue and it's implications, and report to the Board.  For this period
of time, the Caidan action will not be considered a precedent.  Since
the Royalty of Caid was about to be replaced, the Board intended to *ask*
the upcoming King and Queen to not continue this new custom.  The Board
also affirmed that none of this diminished Lord Laurel's previous
authority to rule on areas of names and armory.

	Tibor
--
Mark Schuldenfrei (schuldy@progress.com)
[I'm just showin' you my opinions: this ain't a gift]
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca