[Artemisia] Letters of Rec-defining [LONG]

[Morgan Wolf]

I didn't thinke you were implying that, my dear, it was just an example.

I'd like to take this discussion a little deeper and off to the left, if
anyone would care to join me- a discussion of what the qualifications are
for certain awards, to help those who may be considering recommending
someone formulate the letter.  Since Peerages are both the easiest
generally, and the most difficult individually, to define, I'll start there.

First, the reason I say Peerage is the easiest to define generally is
because it has been done repeatedly, and the information is readily
available.  The reason I say it's the most difficult to define individually
is it often requires comparing apples and dogs.

So, IMHO, if you are considering recommending someone for a Peerage, you
must determine if they possess what Sir Ronan and Sir Gregory (and many
others, undoubtedly) refer to as the Five Pillars of Knighthood.  I
personally refer to them as the Five Pillars of Peerage, since they should,
IMO, be applied to ALL Peerage candidates.

1  PROWESS- For Knighthood this one is pretty straight forward; is the
person an extremely good fighter?  Can they hold there own with other
Knights?
For Laurels, it's quite a bit more subjective; are they a Master Artisan? Is
the art or craft they produce of a QUALITY that is on par with other
Laurels?  I stress the quality because let's face it, if you aren't into
Mongolian stuff, it looks a lot simpler and easier than Elizabethan.  The
question should be how good is the work, not how hard was it.
For Pelicans this is the most difficult.  How do you define the Prowess of
Selfless Service and Dedication?  I do it by considering one other part of
it, which reminds me to consider it for the other two as well; consistency.
Are they CONSISTENTLY going above and beyond to serve?  Are they giving up
things they would rather do to serve (i.e. a fighter who skips fighting one
or two days at Uprising to teach classes).  Does it seem like this person is
doing something for someone every time you see them?  Is this someone you
know you can ask to help you with a task and get either a positive answer,
or be told they're in the middle of something else but they'll be glad to
help when they're done?

2  COURTESIE-  Not just Courtly Graces, but also the ability to control
those urges to tell people to "SHUT THE HELL UP", to consider and reconsider
and re-reconsider saying something that, while it may be very satisfyiing at
the moment, is not appropriate.  The ability to be, at least civil if not
friendly, to people you don't even like.  Of course, let's not discount the
very important Courtly Graces.

3 FRANCHISE-  This one and the next two are not necessarily defined the same
way by everyone, and I will gladly defer to higher authority on the
definitions.  My understanding and definition of this one is teaching.  Do
they share their knowledge?  Do they teach?

4 LARGESSE-  This is normally defined as generosity, but it doesn't have to
be financial.  It can be generosity of time, assistance, etc.  This is
usually considered to be service to the SCA,  which makes it more difficult
for those being considered for Pelican.

5 NOBLESSE OBLIGE-  This is, to me at least, the obligation to befriend and
help those who are new to the SCA, and yes, to serve.  Again, it can be very
difficult to separate this and Largesse from Prowess when considering
someone for a Pelican, but it does need to be considered separately.



As I said before,  my definitions may not be in sync with others, and I'll
be happy to defer to those who have better definitions, but there it is.  I
invite response.

Morgan Blaidd Du
Protege and Ghillie to
Baron James Ulrich MacKellar and
Baroness Rachel Ashton
----- Original Message -----
From: "Theodora (AKA Rachael)" <ladythea at myway.com>
To: <artemisia at lists.gallowglass.org>
Sent: Tuesday, October 21, 2003 7:50 AM
Subject: Re: [Artemisia] Letters of Rec


>
> Yes!!!  I agree wholeheartedly with this statement.  Part of the
> responsibility that goes along with the letter of recommendation is
> to **fully** explain the reasons you are writing it.  In other words,
> help those to whom you are writing the letter *understand* the
> person's motivation and that they are *not* just another suck-up.
>
> I did not intend to imply that all those who assist the Crown do so
> to suck up.  If that were true I guess I would be the biggest suck-up
> of all.   *big grin*  But truthfully, I have personally had to take up
> slack for those who voulnteer with no intention of following through,
> and *those* are the people I was referring to.
>
> HL Theodora