Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: What is a Baron 
Date: Sun, 11 Oct 1992 13:45:36

 NH> Were I the BoD, I would do a number of things.

 NH>  1. Decree that all seneschals may hold court and had out awards
 NH>            on behalf of, and with the agreement of the branch officers.


 Whoa!  I've been a seneschal in a Barony (Steppes/Dallas TX) twice.  I've  also been Regional Seneschal here in Ansteorra for over 4 years.  There  are times when all of the duties were quite overwhelming.  The last  thing I  want to do, or have ever wanted to do, is be in charge of handing out   awards. 

 For one thing, awards, to be official, must be given in Court.  This implies  a ceremonial figure to do the giving of same.  A seneschal, in period, ran  the castle.  They were responsible for making sure everything worked.   Everything. They worked FOR the owner of the castle.  The owner got to decide  on any rewards.  Seneschals are not ceremonial figures.  They work hard, they  get involved, they give good counsel to the rulers.  They are busy enough  without being asked to take on extra duties.

 The seneschal is usually the one out there making sure that things run well  at the event, in conjunction with the autocrat and the herald in charge of  the  court. If they had to also sit and give awards, then who's to run  things?  Emergencies have and do happen during court.  I know -- I've had to  deal with them, quietly, whilst the ceremonies proceded apace.  You can't  really say, "Oops, s'cuze me, but I need to go talk to that nice policeman  over there, back in a flash!" right in the middle of a C

ourt!

 The second thing is, if givien the choice, most would rather receive their  recognition, and their moment in the spotlight, from someone with a title.   Wouldn't you rather get your AoA from the King or the Baron acting as his  vassel, rather than from your seneschal, Lady Hardworker?  You see Lady H all  the time, talking about how the group needs help at the demo, argueing  with your treasurer about baronial funds, telling that obnoxious boor he  can't camp next to the quiet area, and pulling her hair o

ut.  The King or the  Baron on the other hand, always look dashing, strong, powerful, and elegant -- even during the melees.  Even if you play D & D with them every Wednesday,  it's still a kick to have them say in Court, "This person has really done  very well, and we are proud of them."


 NH>  2. Decree that branch status be Shire/Canton/College. Status of
 NH>     Province, Barony, Principality or Kingdom applies to accumulations
 NH>     of branches sharing borders (leaving the current membership limits
 NH>     intact).

 Huh?  Why?  You imply that all Baronies have a problem group, that must be  split off to maintain peace, and then must agree to have a Barony.  This  simply isn't the case everywhere.  Many groups are very happy to remain one  Barony, with all that the size and diversity offers in such a group.  

 NH>  3. Decree that to maintain branch status, the branch must hold at
 NH>            least one event a year, publicised in the Kingdom newsletter.
 
 As far as I know, this is already a requirement.  

 NH> The goal is to force divided groups to split early and amicably, while
 NH> encouraging more meetings and events. Most existing Baronies already  have a Canton. Those that do not should be able to found one quickly enough to NH> maintain their current status. The secondary goal is that of encouraging
 NH> inter branch cooperation. The petitions are a quick and dirty solution to
 NH> formalising the need to document support.

 See my point above.  Adding unnecessary Cantons only adds extra officers and  paperwork.  The main reason to add a Canton is when you have people who want  protection and support from a Barony, but because of geographical or other  considerations, you can't get to their meetings conveniently.

 Here in the Barony of the Steppes, we have at least 3 and sometimes four  meetings on weeknights per week, in addition to events and special Saturday  projects/lessons, and Sunday afternoon fighter practice.  I can't see where  we could add much more, without inventing a new day of the week.  

 If the group isn't active enough, splitting it won't make it more active.   Instead, it needs an influx of new people, energy, or ideas.  Recruit!

 Interbranch co-operation:  This can be acheived by merely talking to the  officer in the nearby branches.  Invite them to your guild meetings, or  have a combined one, or a combined fighter practice.  The Baronies of Elfsea  and the Steppes do this on a semi-regular basis.   The Steppes also  maintained a protective attitude towards the nearby shires, and tries to make  sure that we attend their events and give them any aid necessary to their  branch, that they grow and flourish.

 Obviously, I like things the way they are.

 -- vashti


 * Origin: Herald's Point * Steppes/Ansteorra * 214-699-0057 (1:124/4229)
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