The Quest of Robin de Chantenay Carrot
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:
- 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;
- 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 Rumagi
