The Quest of Robin de Chantenay Carrot

Yarl Timo, Robin Carrot and Duke Drake
"Hey Jason, … He got us both!"

My Quest....

..to discover the significance of the peerage, the inner workings of the student /teacher relationships and the role and responsibilities of the Consort in the Society for Creative Anachronism.

Introduction

In June of 2018, during an informal conversation with His Grace Duke Jason Drysdale, then King Jason Drysdale, Lord Robin Carrot expressed two concerns:

1. If music could be played by musicians during any and all events for the Society of Creative Anachronism, hereafter referred to as “The Society” and;
2. A desire to begin a path of becoming a Laurel.

Lord Carrot also stated that he had spoken with several wonderful and informative Laurels, but he still wasn’t sure what work he had to do to get started on his path. His Majesty not only assured Lord Carrot, that he and any musicians would be allowed and encouraged to share their musical talents openly at any event, but was also assured that he would be given a quest to complete to teach him about what it means to be a member of the peerage, what is expected of the peerage, the student/teacher relationship, and the duties and expectations of a consort.

In the following month, during the Summer Crown Tourney, after heralding for his fighter, Lars Magnus, The King presented Lord Carrot with a leather string pouch and directed him to receive his quest before the evening court. When Lord Carrot received his quest, the following component were expressed to him:

• You must question 25 peers of the realm. Only 5 can be from the Southern Region
• You must question 10 members of the Order of the Rose. Only 3 can be from the Southern Region
• All answers must be recorded and presented back to me (the Crown).
• All interviewees must be asked at least 5 questions.
• You cannot take an apprenticeship until you have completed the quest.

Surprised by the offer of help from the then ruling king, the comprehensiveness of the task and the sheer fact that someone, a royal no less was taking interest in a mere musician, Lord Carrots accepted his majesties help, keeping one thing first and foremost in my mind: “This is not difficult. You can do this.”

What follows is the results of Lord Carrot’s efforts and positivity. Over 35 peers from the Kingdom of Ansteorra and throughout the Known World were questioned according to peerage or position in the society between July 2018 to November 2018. The answers have been organized according to the questions they answer. Each question is also accompanied by Lord Carrot’s personal takeaway of knowledge from the various answers given for that question.

Note: In the following exchanges, the responses are written verbatim when possible or paraphrases from the originally recorded response. They have not been proofread extensively for grammar, spelling or any such mistake. Despite how it is recorded in this document, the responses still convey the original idea expressed by the speakers. Also, for the sake of clarification, since the teacher/student relationship goes by various names in The Society, the terms “teacher/student” will replace the terms “knight/squire”, “pelican/protégé”, and “laurel/apprentice” in the following exchanges.

"One should never place a peerage as the end all be all of their lives in the SCA. That is the wrong way to go about this hobby. You should do what you like to do, have fun and enjoy all that you can about the SCA. There is far too much in our game that you can learn, enjoy the journey, don't make a Peerage that which you strive for. Strive to have fun as you grow in the SCA."
-Ivarr runamagi

Section I.

Laurels and Pelicans

These questions were written to be asked to and answered by Laurels and Pelicans pertaining to the nature of being a laurel or pelican and having a student of any sort working under them.

1. What does it mean to be a peer in the SCA? What does it mean to be of your specific peerage in the SCA?

My take away in short: As a Laurel or Pelican, you are a symbol, a representation of the best of what The Society has to offer. As a symbol, you are visually, in appearance and action, what The Society is. As an example, you are a model of what a society member should be, upholding high ethics that are prized in the society as a whole; such as service, being a source of information, leadership, mentorship, as well as a model of conduct and behavior. As a representation, you are entrusted by the society with the responsibility of being a representative of The Society to the mundane world.

• You are an example of the SCA for other SCA.
• You are a symbol of service despite your specific peerage.
• You serve without complaint, without notice, because it needs to be done.
• To me, being a Peer in the SCA means that the Order of the Pelican advised the Crown that they thought that I had done what they considered necessary to become a member of that Peerage and that the Crown agreed. It also means that I must always conduct myself as a Peer, never abusing the position and to always be available for anyone to talk to me about anything that they have concerns with regarding anything in the SCA. It also means that I am obliged to advise the Crown on matters that they should know about or have questions about. I do not believe that there really are differences in what it means to be a Peer between each of the four Peerages. While each Peerage has its own area of expertise, the duties and responsibilities of a Peer are always the same regardless of the Peerage.
• To me, being a peer of the Society means that one should strive to maintain the highest ideals of chivalry, honor, and courtesy. It means that one assumes the responsibility for helping others grow in the Society and one assumes a leadership role in the SCA. A peer should always be mindful that their behavior reflects on the whole of the SCA, whether they are in their home Kingdom or traveling. As a Laurel, I feel that one should continue to grow in their craft(s) and learn new skills, teach others, and promote A&S activities in the Society. A Laurel should encourage others in the endeavors and work to raise the level of authenticity present.
• Peerage, in my opinion, is the most misunderstood aspect of the SCA, even by many peers. We all understand what awards mean. You accomplish something, reach a specific goal, cross a finish line, you are eligible for the trophy. But we don't all understand that peerage is not an award, and cannot (or should not) be achieved by a single act. While it is the highest level of recognition you can obtain in the SCA, it also carries the greatest responsibility. It should not be considered an award at all, but a station.
• At heart, a Laurel is simply someone who is deeply passionate about their field of artistic or scientific endeavor that has been recognized by the Order and the Crown as showing a level of mastery in their work. Equally a Pelican's passion is service. A desire to make the SCA experience as fluid and enjoyable as possible for all. Whether that is through direct service, visible or not, or service behind the scenes such as administrative work. Admittance to either Order is also a recognition of peerage qualities; grace, courtesy, and chivalry. Peers should also have a desire to share their knowledge and pass on their skills to further enrich their local group, Kingdom and the Known World.
• Being a peer means being a leader and a model, both visibly and invisibly. It means always being your best self, championing the disenfranchised. Doing what is necessary, even when it isn't comfortable or easy. What this means as a Laurel is including everyone who is a maker of things in the game. Encouraging all. It means reaching for personal excellence and continuing to learn. It means sharing knowledge generously. More to come. Must walk the dog.
• For me, being a peer is a job and should also carry over to life outside the SCA. So, if you need help in or outside of the SCA, I will help you. Also a peer, one should help connect you to resources you and be an advocate and peerage circles. Also, being a counsel to the crown and help out at events is part of being a peer.

1. What are the responsibilities and duties of being a peer? What are the responsibilities of being of your specific peerage?

My take away in short: A peer is a representative of The Society; an example of its best aspects almost an extension of The Crown. They are expected to make themselves available to speak on the SCA. They are to help, advice The Crown and others. They are models of respectfulness, duty, knowledge, and watchfulness. Also, peers should call attention to good acts and those living up to the ideals of The Society, be active in their promotion and participation of Society events, teach and convey knowledge of their craft.

• You are a representative of the SCA. You are showing your best aspects of the SCA, an embodiment of the dream. Almost an extension of the crown.
• A Peer is someone who should always be available to everyone to speak to regarding anything about the SCA, a Peer should always help those who need assistance in anything, a Peer should advise the Crown regarding any matter involving the SCA in the broadest terms, a Peer should treat everyone, regardless of rank or station, with equal respect and above all a Peer must never use their position to further themselves or to hinder or denigrate anyone else.
• Each individual Peerage has certain aspects of our SCA life that they specialize in, such as service for the Pelicans. To that end, the Pelicans are obligated to watch as many people as they can to ensure that those who are doing service at every level of the SCA, local, region, Kingdom and SCA.
• A peerage involves taking on the responsibility of modeling courteous behavior and trying to live up to the ideals of the Society as best as one can. There is also the responsibility of championing others. If a peer were to see another behaving in a chivalrousness manner, a peer should speak out. If appropriate, a peer should counsel the offender on improving their behavior. If the situation needs escalation, it is the responsibility of the peer to escalate the matter appropriately. A peer assumes the responsibility of advising the Crown. This is not just on candidates for the Orders to which they belong. It is also making suggestions for improving and growing the Kingdom. Sometimes it involves telling a Crown when something they have done/ are doing is harmful. As a Laurel, one should be active in promoting A&S in the Kingdom by participating in and taking on leadership roles in A&S activities. Laurels should be teaching and promoting events where teaching occurs. A Laurel who takes on apprentices should be active in helping the apprentice to understand the traditions of a peerage and helping them on their paths in the SCA.
• The SCA is made up of two bodies, SCA, Inc., managed by the Board of Directors and the officer corps and the Society within which the rest of us participate. The job of the BOD is the protection of the corporate body and its assets. Period. Don't look for or expect any more of that body. The social structure, activities and the magic that is the SCA is created by the participants, led by the peers. Within their specific disciplines, the peerage determines how we play the game. I hold two peerages, I am a royal peer, having reigned in Atenveldt and Caid. I am a Pelican, having held multiple offices and served as autocrat many, many events since 1972.
• Royal peers are the chief advisors of the Crown. We have been there. We know the fears, the pitfalls, and the challenges. It is not our job to rule. It is our job to help our successors rule. Ducal peerage carries another right, which is also a responsibility. We have the right to the ear of the Crown. People often assume that we do nothing to police the folks on the thrones. People would be shocked to hear how often the royal peers of a kingdom have quietly stepped to the plate to say, "Your Majesty, there is an enormous cow pie in your path. If you continue down this path, you will step in it. Now, that is your choice, but it is my duty to let you know it is there." We also remind new crowns of the customs and traditions of the kingdom that the crown is tasked with upholding. Finally, Corpora states: "Royalty shall be the chief examples of chivalry, courtesy, and the other virtues appropriate to the ideals of the Society and shall inspire these virtues in their subjects. They shall be true and faithful rulers for their subjects, uphold their subjects' rights and work for their benefit, and maintain an impartial justice for all in the realm." Most of us do not believe we set aside those responsibilities when we step down. My second peerage is a Pelican. Pelicans are the builders, the architects of the SCA. We do so by holding offices and bridging the gap between the modern world and the game we play. We are the stagehands of our production. You may notice that many royal peers are also Pelicans. Perhaps because they both feel a sense of responsibility.
• Admittance to the Orders of the peerage comes with great responsibilities. A peer is expected to exemplify grace, courtesy, and chivalry. A peer should be able to interact with peoples of all stations equally and respectfully. A peer must have the strength of character to speak or be silent when necessary. This includes providing sound advice to the Crown. In addition, a Laurel is expected to teach and, where possible, mentor those that share their passion. They must promote the practices of Arts and Sciences throughout the Kingdom and beyond. Doing all in their power to enrich the SCA experience for all by producing and fostering works of art and scientific accomplishment. It is their duty to recommend to the Crown those the Order see fit for elevation. A Pelican should continue to strive to enrich the SCA experience for all by fostering and performing service. Where possible a Pelican should pass on the skill set they've developed. It is their duty to recommend to the Crown those the Order see fit for elevation.
• The responsibilities and duties of being a peer start with what I have already mentioned and go on to systematically forwarding the chivalry, history, and pageantry of the SCA. Taking on formal mentoring relationships and teaching, teaching, teaching, both formally and informally. For a Laurel, it means taking Apprentices and Students and continuing to research and make things. I teach classes at almost every event I attend. It can mean entering Championship Competitions and fulfilling the job of Champion. It can mean being willing to judge. For me, it means hosting a weekly Music Night with vocal and instrumental ensembles that perform at Baronial events.