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David of the Crosswinds
Shire of Otherhill,
Artemisia
54 Posts |
 Posted - 12/03/2006 : 11:10:32 PM
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I would like to put in my two cents on this perticular subject.
Coming from a houshold that held MANY knights (lets face it most of the kingdom is in some way affiliated with the houshold) I have always learned from what ever knight has decided to instruct me (in fightig, games and all other aspects that a student of the chivalry observs)and in this I have never had a formal knight. however that does not make me a man at arms to them nor to the squires that I have learned from.
In the 22 years I have been in the socioty i have always felt that a man at arms was an almost squre, a less official and less of a solid conection to your knight. in saying this the one exeption was a member of the royalty that is not a knight. IE a few princes of our former principality had a man at arms to help them with their reign. these men were not yet knights. This however is the only exeption to the rule in my mind. I belive that the ability to lead does not give the athority to lead. That in mind, as some has said before there does not need to be titles and ranks to learn from others be them belted or no.
YIS,
m'lord David of the Crosswinds
Do what you can to live the dream. |
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grifon
Gryphon's Lair,
Artemisia
86 Posts |
Posted - 03/05/2007 : 6:47:17 PM
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Sorry if this is a little late in on the discussion...
We have had the same discussions on the rapier side of things, I come from a kingdom where Cadets, especially senior ones, are EXPECTED to take on dedicated students as part of the final steps. Here that is looked on differently, and the more that I read on this thread I understand why that is the case.
A knight of the SCA in this kingdom recently told me that there is too much emphasis on titles "People want a belt or scarf or whatever, or something offical to say that they belong." That isn't why I became a Cadet, I became a Cadet to learn the path of the White Scarf and SCA, and to [hopefully]eventually become a Defender of the White Scarf.
I feel there is an obligation to teach and help where one can and with all the gusto and strength one can, but for those of us unbelted/unscarved there needs no special title bestowed on that relationship other than friend, that is the mark of someone who loves to teach, someone who will do it without need for recognition, but for the joy of what it provides.
YIS
Grifon |
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Commadore Duncan
Arn Hold,
Artemisia
1 Posts |
Posted - 03/22/2007 : 2:31:09 PM
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I am a Man-at-arms and take my blue belt very seriously. When I first started in the dream 12 YEARS ago there was a small group of Newbies trying to find someone to learn from , some were helpful some NOT. I found the not so friendly ones who liked to make me a pell rather than teach me any form. SO I would go to the war scenarios and picked up really bad habits that haunt me today. Stopping to throw a shot. Standing my ground a shot too long. If I would have found more willing to help or like Aaron pointing me in the right direction I could have had better fundamentals shown to me much earlier. It has only been in the last 2 years that I have started to take my training seriously. My knight has encouraged me, stood by me in battle and helps to critique me during Tournaments. The relationship we have is one of trust, loyalty (both ways) and friendship. I found a new sword brother just a year ago for the family and he is now a squire. I showed him a few basics (as it was his first time in armor when I met him) and I could see the promise of a great fighter. I took him straight to my knight. There should always be the want to help another fighter and not look at it as a right of your red belt to take on a man-at-arms, we should help others when asked or point out those who can.
Commadore Duncan |
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himiltrude_fan_austrasia
Drachenwald
1 Posts |
Posted - 07/11/2007 : 04:16:55 AM
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I came across this during a search on man at arms. I'm in a slightly different position and wonder what people think. I had a number of talks with a good knight and was going to squire to him. But we put everything on hold since there was the chance I'd be moving away. Well, my husband is in the military and I am moving away, in less than a month.
He approached me last night and we talked again. He told me if I was staying, he would have taken me as his squire as planned. But since I'm moving, rather than break all ties, he'd like me to consider being his man at arms. Now I'm really confused about all this. I plan to move back here in two years and he's probably not going anywhere, as he and his wife are not military. So I'm pretty certain that the chance to squire will still be there when I return.
But what the heck would I do as his man at arms 3,000 miles away, across the pond? What does this all mean? He said he'll email me all his thoughts (so they're in one nice neat format as opposed to a talk where one can forget points). This is cool, as I like orderly outlines. But while everyone is mentioning un-belted fighters or squires with men at arms, what is it when a knight has a man at arms? And I don't think this works as the possible squire training period. I was already going to be his squire and I'll be too far away for this to be an appropriate "testing the waters". So I'm curious what others think. Thanks.
Himiltrude |
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Aaron di Paladin
Arnhold,
Artemisia
129 Posts |
Posted - 07/11/2007 : 10:26:10 AM
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Himiltrude, I would accept the offer to be this Knights' Man At Arms. I really don't think the distance will hinder anything. Many people in the Society have long distance releationships with their knight, and it works out fine. In today's world of high speed internet and digital video, it wouldn't be hard to have your knight see you fight from time to time. Remember also, that knights teach more than just fighting, and that can be done with e-mail. I have yet to find a knight that was opposed to another knight teaching their man at arms when their is great distance between them. If this is important enough to you, you'll find a way to make this work.
inkslinger |
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Squires and Man at Arms
