[Artemisia] SCA Mission Statement and Recognition

[Bruce Padget]

Lord Padruig asks,

> Since I am relatively new to the SCA, and have no
> historical context regarding SCA court activities,
> your comment begs the question, "What would court
> look like to you?"

The shortest statement would be that it would look
like a moderated discussion and/or formal business
meeting in meatspace, at which a noble is the host and
moderator, though moderation duties might be
delegated.  Of course, to confuse the issue further,
as I understand it, "court" was not so much a
particular occasion or gathering as it was a group
consisting of a noble and those who spent time in the
company of that noble.  (That is, the noble's
courtiers.) 

To see court as I understand it, I recommend two
movies -- "Henry V" (the presence-chamber scenes, both
English and French) and "Dangerous Beauty" (the formal
gatherings at which the Doge was present).  Literary
examples would be the evening gatherings that form the
framework for The Decameron, or the four nights of
conversation that The Book of the Courtier purports to
transcribe.

I have run across period paintings from Italy that
appear to depict recognition being given at courts. 
However, these acts don't appear to be the central
activity of the court.  They often seem to happen off
to the side, and only a handful of the courtiers seem
to really be paying attention.

A few Uprisings back, there were about a dozen of us
lounging about, discussing life, love, the universe
and everything.  As often happens, the role of
moderator had fallen to (been commandeered by?) me.  
A friend traipsed by, with the comment over her
shoulder, "Oh look, Niccolo's holding court again." My
SCA-trained reflexes sent out a great "ack!"  At that
time, I was no longer landed, so to call it "court"
bordered on blasphemy and/or treason in SCA thought. 
Yet it was more authentically "court" than the
gathering in the big tent that night.

Regards,
Niccolo
bapadget at yahoo.com