Re: Fw: Mercs for Hire!

[Peter Adams <redduke@earthlink.net>]

Poster: Peter Adams <redduke@earthlink.net>

Unfortunately, I cant put my hands on the citations right this moment,
but in Gothic England (hold the vampire jokes, please, until you look
that word up in the dictionary) the King was entitled to 30 days
military service in defense of the Realm.  Any service over that time
was paid for by the Crown (usually late, if at all- "desertion", ie
leaving due to failure to be paid was not uncommon for the highest
nobility).  Foreign Adventures,( such as Pennsic, or Gulf Wars would be)
were arranged by special contract, where the shares of loot and "per
diem" were again, paid by the Crown.
	Further more, the standing forces of any given noble usually fell far
below the feudal obligation of the noble, and they hired troops
otherwise unafilliated with them legally in order to meet their
obligations.
	Further, the Nobility of the middle ages WERE under Contract, that is
the oath of fealty.  This is an exchange of land and material rights for
the military service of that Noble usually spelled out in exacting
detail.  In Atlantia the Nobility are rewarded with title rather than
money and land.  I find it odd to ask that same loyalty of those
significantly less rewarded by the Crown as is asked of those given the
highest accolades of the organization.
		While this mitigates against the "ein Atlantia ein Crown" attitude
which the Court of Atlantia often espouses, I find that in period that
professional soldiers get professional pay, often a far better rate than
available in non-military service.  This does not mean that mercenaries
in the SCA have to survive to get paid the way they did in the middle
ages :).
	So, hire Mercs with a clear conscience, but Caveat Emptor!
	Now, would you all like to talk about multiple fealty in period, where
nobles would swear fealty to rival (or at least non related) Royalty for
lands and rights elsewhere than "home"?  This transcends the Gothic
period.
	Hoping this will clear up a bit of confusion,
	Badouin
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