There once was a little girl...
I've been thinking a lot the last two days about many things, and I would like to share a story. Read it if you choose...
There once was a couple. They had worked together in the SCA towards many things. She supported him in his endeavors, and he supported her. There came a time that he was offered knighthood, and they were thrilled. Shortly thereafter, he won Coronet for her, and it was an incredible, magical time.
His knighting was to be held at June Crown, and part of the plan was that he would have a sunrise passage of arms after sitting vigil all night, supposedly to be attended by some of the greatest fighters the kingdom has seen.
Well, fighters being what they are, only five actually showed. :) After a complaint that the Eric is not the place for such noise at 6am, the fighting was moved over the hill. However, they asked the Lady of the Swan if she would mind sitting on the Eric and directing fighters over the hill if they appeared.
One of the knights didn't want her to sit there on the Eric by herself, so he kept her company. While they sat, he was reading a small book on the chivalric virtues from a very early period timefram. They didn't focus on the more known Christianized virtues, but on the virtues as they first began, in a time when honor and your name were important. He shared some of the book with her, and then asked how she felt about the upcoming reign. She shared her fears that she would perhaps not do it right, that maybe she wasn't prepared.
In turn, the knight shared with her the story of Eleanor of Aquitaine. She was a strong, proud woman that majorly influenced history and each of the men that she was linked with in lasting ways. Rumor has it that she singlehandedly created a more chivalric, genteel type of court by showing the women the knowledge of their power and ability to influence their men and behavior.
He looked very carefully at the young lady, and said to her these words. "It is a myth that the power originates in the man. He may have put her there, but she is the strength, the glory and reason for it all. Don't forget that."
Those words stayed with her, and allowed her to remember that reigning isn't just about the man or his actions. He is but one part of the equation, and he fights for her and her glory. He fights in her honor and in her name, for the right to crown her as his inspiration.
That same knight has touched many, many young squires and knights. He has offered support, encouragement and advice. The young squire that became a knight that day would surely not have been there without him.
That woman was me. That knight was Duke Uther. He affected me greatly that day. His belief in this beautiful game, his love for Kara and her role in his reigns was evident. He clearly was someone that fought for his lady's honor and for love of of the game. I did not know Uther, I was surprised that he would take time with someone he didn't know early in the morning, when he could have just gone back to bed or gone and played with the boys.
I do not know Jade. I don't pretend to. But I am beginning to know Uther, and I do know Titus. They are brave, honorable men that adhere tightly to their code of chivalric behavior. Because they do not adhere to yours, that does not make them dishonorable or wrong, nor does it make them less worthy. Perhaps one day you should take them aside and ask to discuss it. You might be pleasantly surprised at the men you find.
There once was a couple. They had worked together in the SCA towards many things. She supported him in his endeavors, and he supported her. There came a time that he was offered knighthood, and they were thrilled. Shortly thereafter, he won Coronet for her, and it was an incredible, magical time.
His knighting was to be held at June Crown, and part of the plan was that he would have a sunrise passage of arms after sitting vigil all night, supposedly to be attended by some of the greatest fighters the kingdom has seen.
Well, fighters being what they are, only five actually showed. :) After a complaint that the Eric is not the place for such noise at 6am, the fighting was moved over the hill. However, they asked the Lady of the Swan if she would mind sitting on the Eric and directing fighters over the hill if they appeared.
One of the knights didn't want her to sit there on the Eric by herself, so he kept her company. While they sat, he was reading a small book on the chivalric virtues from a very early period timefram. They didn't focus on the more known Christianized virtues, but on the virtues as they first began, in a time when honor and your name were important. He shared some of the book with her, and then asked how she felt about the upcoming reign. She shared her fears that she would perhaps not do it right, that maybe she wasn't prepared.
In turn, the knight shared with her the story of Eleanor of Aquitaine. She was a strong, proud woman that majorly influenced history and each of the men that she was linked with in lasting ways. Rumor has it that she singlehandedly created a more chivalric, genteel type of court by showing the women the knowledge of their power and ability to influence their men and behavior.
He looked very carefully at the young lady, and said to her these words. "It is a myth that the power originates in the man. He may have put her there, but she is the strength, the glory and reason for it all. Don't forget that."
Those words stayed with her, and allowed her to remember that reigning isn't just about the man or his actions. He is but one part of the equation, and he fights for her and her glory. He fights in her honor and in her name, for the right to crown her as his inspiration.
That same knight has touched many, many young squires and knights. He has offered support, encouragement and advice. The young squire that became a knight that day would surely not have been there without him.
That woman was me. That knight was Duke Uther. He affected me greatly that day. His belief in this beautiful game, his love for Kara and her role in his reigns was evident. He clearly was someone that fought for his lady's honor and for love of of the game. I did not know Uther, I was surprised that he would take time with someone he didn't know early in the morning, when he could have just gone back to bed or gone and played with the boys.
I do not know Jade. I don't pretend to. But I am beginning to know Uther, and I do know Titus. They are brave, honorable men that adhere tightly to their code of chivalric behavior. Because they do not adhere to yours, that does not make them dishonorable or wrong, nor does it make them less worthy. Perhaps one day you should take them aside and ask to discuss it. You might be pleasantly surprised at the men you find.