[Mid] On the White Scarf from a White Scarf

Good Gentles of the Hall,

I have read the entire thread relating to the White Scarf, the whole
peerage thing, what will it be, what will happen, etc etc. I
appreciate the concerns, comments, and debate about this whole issue.
I would thank you all for expressing your opinions. As one of the
first White Scarves of Northshield, it is very important for me to see
the perceptions of those outside the rapier community, those within,
and everyone else.

If you ask rapier fighters about weather or not they might want a
peerage, you are likely to get as devided an opinion as has been
displayed here. The White Scarf, however, is not a rapier peerage. It
is not intended to be a rapier peerage. The White Scarf Treaty is
nothing more than what it states. In fact, various kingdoms have
various ways of dealing with the Order. It's rather idnividualized.

The White Scarves around the world largely recognize other Orders from
other kingdoms that are intended to be a high level recognition for
excellence in rapier combat. In fact, the Company of the Bronze Ring
has folded into it's banner a scarf donated by Don Mikhiel (sp? right
don? purp?) as recognition of the deeds of the Order. The Order of the
Bronze Ring
(much like the Order of the Golden Rapier from another kingdom) is
widely respected due to the actions of it's members, their skill and
excellence, and their comportment on and off the field. What they are
called, their titles, and the prescedence conferred by their Order are
not the qualities that represent this equvilency. It is their actions,
deeds, and manner that do so. Everything else is either ephemera, or
something else to wash on Sunday.

But the Order of the Bronze Ring is not a peerage. And everyone who
holds it knows that, and understands that.

Please, I beg of you kindly, try to take the Order of the White Scarf
at face value. If
the individuals within that Order display peer-like qualities, isn't
that a good thing for us all? Actually becoming a peer seems, to me,
less important than embodying those virtues, no matter what persuit
you choose in the SCA.

I do not see the White Scarf as a peerage. Clearly, it is not. It is
an interkingdom order that carries with it a varying level of
prescedence depending upon the kingdom who signs the treaty. Nor is it
some quasi-peerage, or attempt to end-run rapier into a peerage. But
the choices we make in our behaivor, and our work, can (and should) be
peer-like. This can do nothing but help the society as a whole. We
should *all* be striving to the ideals of Chivalry, Service, Honor,
etc. Isn't that the point?

When I look at a peer, I think to myself "that's the best in our way
of life". I think to myself "that is what we should all try to be
like". If a person can, through their actions, become like that, and
others look to them as an ideal, then it doesn't matter what title, if any, is
in frot of their name. What matters is that they have become an
embodiment of the Dream we all share. That makes this magical. That
makes this real. It makes it more than just a game or a hobby. Real
honor is so rare in the wider world. Here, it can flourish.

I feel the same way about being a Companion of the Bronze Ring. I am a
Warder, elevated by Alistair and Gunievre. I did not see my entrance
into that order as a sign that I was a peer, or even a quasi-peer.
Clearly, I was not. I saw it as a sign that I had a greater
responsibility to help lead the
rapier community, to continue to teach, and to continue to carry
myself with honor on and off the field. I was not a Knight. Knights
are armored combatants. Not a laurel, they create such beautiful
things and moments.Not a Pelican, either. I was only what the Crown
named me, and what I did to earn that reconition, and what I chose to
do with it once bestowed.

Over the years, the rapier community has developed a culture that is
seperate and unique in relation to armored combat. While we both place
high value on honor, chivalry, prowess, and leadership, we have
differing traditions and approaches to those ends. It's a healthy
thing, I think. I do agree with Warder Purple that rapier, as a combative
activity, is different then non-combatives. Once Equestiran gets up
and running with combative activities, they are also in the same individual
category. *it is not better*. Just different.

The use of the color White in the Order of the White scarf is in no
way an attempt to elbow it's way into something that belongs to the
Chivalry. It is, in my opinion, a token of homage to the ideals of
that most noble Order.

Please, if you haver concerns about the White Scarf, I would beg you
to speak to myself, Don Toshikage, and HE Don Rodrigo. We are all very
much inclined to address such concerns with you.

I hope I have not spoken out of place, and I hope my words have not
offended anyone. Allow me to apolgize to you now if I have done
either.

In Service to the Griffon Throne, and In Fond Memory of the Dragon,

Don Mateo Montero de Madrid

From: Andrew Heinrich <andrew.heinrich@gmail.com>
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Received on Fri Oct 22 14:00:02 2004