The Shield of Chivalry
I had been requsted to forward this email to the Summits mailing list:
As most of you know by now, at this last Coronet, The Shield of Chivlary was not awarded. For those of you that don't know, The shield of Chivalry is an award that is given to a non-belted fighter that displays exemplary acts of chivalry. It is judged and awarded by the Princess of the Summits.
Naturally, this choice by the Princess caused many, (myself included) to examine thier own fights and behavior on the field. Thorfiin and myself talked for many hours into the night on the subject, going around and around trying to figure out what could be concidered exemplary. Even the next morning, we were discussing it and even went so far as to tackle a few of the Knights and pose the question to them. We figured out that much of what we do, although viewed as "Chivalric" was really just status quo. Fighting clean, judging blows fairly, manners and all that are expected and for the most part done by all that step on the field. AND that was all done on the list that day. The Princess merely did not reward the Status Quo and I for one applaud her actions.
Most of you that know me, know that I have spent the last year "knocking the rust off" and getting my mind and body back into shape and you also know that yes, I do aspire to the ideals of Knighthood. Even if I don't ever wear the White belt, I still would like to exemplify the qualities. With that in mind, I come to you my friends and Shire and ask your opinion; What is it that makes individuals stand out on the field? What is normal and expected versus what is exemplary? To you, is it giving a leg when one is taken (I have different views on that sort of thing)? So many things that get mentioned, I think of as things that should happen. I am looking for those really special things that I should strive for all the time.
Your opinions and comments are important and I look forward to hearing them!
My Liege, I included you on this as well and also would ask your input please.
Then I thought...hrm. I have thoughts on this, too.
Problem?
On the one hand, they're not entirely polite.
On the other hand, I'm tired of tip-toeing around the freakin' elephant.
I've heard from the fighter who posed the question that he'd gotten only two responses from this email.
One, from the Princess, thanking him for backing her play.
The other, from his own knight (who he'd cc'd).
That's it.
No surprise, really.
The Shield of Chivlary has MANY functions, besides its official one. The SoC is a powerful teaching tool. One of its most important secondary functions is to reward virtue in the face of temptation -- and, considering the abuses I saw on the field at Coronet, it certainly should have been given out to acknowledge those who did not give in. Trust me, the fighters know who's being an *ss. And they know when the SoC is acknowledging someone who refused temptation.
Oh, but why reward what we "should be doing anyway"?
Well then, why recognize virtue at all? Isn't virtue its own reward?
Why recognize the arts or service? Isn't the Joy of Doing its own reward?
If we don't recognize excellence of behaviour -- especially in the face of temptation -- how do we assist the population as a whole from resorting to the easy-and-profitable behaviour? Sometimes we're asked to do what is right, instead of what is easy. Recognizing that someone has Done Right is one of the greatest gifts we can bestow on each other.
Who would I have picked for the SoC?
In its primary function -- nobody.
In its secondary function: Brian of Ledbury or Nemo Magnus. Both of whom were amazing in the face of temptation.
The Shield of Chivalry wasn't given out this last Coronet.
What a wasted opportunity.
As most of you know by now, at this last Coronet, The Shield of Chivlary was not awarded. For those of you that don't know, The shield of Chivalry is an award that is given to a non-belted fighter that displays exemplary acts of chivalry. It is judged and awarded by the Princess of the Summits.
Naturally, this choice by the Princess caused many, (myself included) to examine thier own fights and behavior on the field. Thorfiin and myself talked for many hours into the night on the subject, going around and around trying to figure out what could be concidered exemplary. Even the next morning, we were discussing it and even went so far as to tackle a few of the Knights and pose the question to them. We figured out that much of what we do, although viewed as "Chivalric" was really just status quo. Fighting clean, judging blows fairly, manners and all that are expected and for the most part done by all that step on the field. AND that was all done on the list that day. The Princess merely did not reward the Status Quo and I for one applaud her actions.
Most of you that know me, know that I have spent the last year "knocking the rust off" and getting my mind and body back into shape and you also know that yes, I do aspire to the ideals of Knighthood. Even if I don't ever wear the White belt, I still would like to exemplify the qualities. With that in mind, I come to you my friends and Shire and ask your opinion; What is it that makes individuals stand out on the field? What is normal and expected versus what is exemplary? To you, is it giving a leg when one is taken (I have different views on that sort of thing)? So many things that get mentioned, I think of as things that should happen. I am looking for those really special things that I should strive for all the time.
Your opinions and comments are important and I look forward to hearing them!
My Liege, I included you on this as well and also would ask your input please.
Then I thought...hrm. I have thoughts on this, too.
Problem?
On the one hand, they're not entirely polite.
On the other hand, I'm tired of tip-toeing around the freakin' elephant.
I've heard from the fighter who posed the question that he'd gotten only two responses from this email.
One, from the Princess, thanking him for backing her play.
The other, from his own knight (who he'd cc'd).
That's it.
No surprise, really.
The Shield of Chivlary has MANY functions, besides its official one. The SoC is a powerful teaching tool. One of its most important secondary functions is to reward virtue in the face of temptation -- and, considering the abuses I saw on the field at Coronet, it certainly should have been given out to acknowledge those who did not give in. Trust me, the fighters know who's being an *ss. And they know when the SoC is acknowledging someone who refused temptation.
Oh, but why reward what we "should be doing anyway"?
Well then, why recognize virtue at all? Isn't virtue its own reward?
Why recognize the arts or service? Isn't the Joy of Doing its own reward?
If we don't recognize excellence of behaviour -- especially in the face of temptation -- how do we assist the population as a whole from resorting to the easy-and-profitable behaviour? Sometimes we're asked to do what is right, instead of what is easy. Recognizing that someone has Done Right is one of the greatest gifts we can bestow on each other.
Who would I have picked for the SoC?
In its primary function -- nobody.
In its secondary function: Brian of Ledbury or Nemo Magnus. Both of whom were amazing in the face of temptation.
The Shield of Chivalry wasn't given out this last Coronet.
What a wasted opportunity.