Courtly behavior

["Galen" <galen@widomaker.com>]

Poster: "Galen" <galen@widomaker.com>

First of all, let me state the disclaimers. This thread is not aimed at
anyone in particular, nor is it a direct insult in anyway shape or form, it
is merely my observations. Comments, opinions, thought or suggestions are
always welcome.

I have noticed over the last year or so a decline, in what I consider to be
one of the more important aspects of the SCA, atleast from my standpoint. To
put it simply many of us who play now < not all> have forgotten the concept
of, for lack of a better term, Courtly Love or the Cult of the Lady. Our
ladies of the SCA, should be held in the highest regard, for they are the
very reason we fight, we train, we act the way we do. Their pleasure is the
highest award that can be bestowed upon us, more than any crown or any
peerage given to us. It is their honor that we portray and defend both on
the field, and off. This is not being taught anymore, or atleast it is not
being shown if it is. I will give a example, to see a lady walk under the
burden of several baskets, bags or even one , along the way she passes many
able young men, whom are all either to busy, don’t know or haven’t been
taught properly, or plain just don’t care. Years ago, this was not a scene
that occurred in our Society, but today it is I am afraid to say a very
common occurrence. I think what troubles me even more however is not the
fact that the other gentlemen didn’t think enough to offer to help, but the
look of surprise on the ladies face. That tells me" Wow, this never happens
to me what a nice person." or in otherwords it is something that happens so
rarely that it is a novelty to the lady. Which it should never be. That is
but one small thing, but it’s all the small things that make the difference.

I could go on, but I want to atleast start small, put the thought in your
head, and wait for discussion. Gentlemen, it is our job, no duty to act as
such. To treat them as the utmost goal, the highest purity, and I’m sure we
shall learn to do so again. However, it is a 2 way street. The Ladies do
need to be worthy of the pedestal we should place them on acting with grace
and dignity. However we must assume all are worthy of such, until they prove
differently. I shall not tie up anymore bandwidth, but it is something to
think about. I’m not saying it is the absolute correct thing, just a
opinion.


Galen The Traveller
Capt. of His Highness’ Bodyguard




=======================================================================
List Archives, FAQ, FTP:  http://merryrose.atlantia.sca.org/
            Submissions:  atlantia@atlantia.sca.org
        Admin. requests:  majordomo@atlantia.sca.org