Tempest? Teapot?

[gurdymonkey]

So I had to hear about this as part of some oblique references to something that went on in the East Kingdom, the details of which I am still not quite certain of. However, it appears that the King and Queen of Northshield have decreed that the film of The Princess Bride be considered a period work for the term of their reign.  Yes. Really. Do try not to wince at the lack of proof-reading that went into the web version of said decree.

The thoughts that ran through my head after the initial "WTF?"

In six months someone else will be on the thrones and can decree something else. Whether it is silly or not is entirely up to them. When I lived back east, it was common for one or both of the incoming royalty to declare a list of Royal Whims, which got published in the Kingdom newsletter. The West Kingdom gets a great deal of silly (but I assure you, not all of it) out of its system with an event called Ducal Prize.

Not my kingdom, Monkey Boy. Seriously. The one I live in has its own issues to be lived with.

I live less than 20 miles from A Certain Hallowed Backyard. I know (or at least have met) some of the participants. The game has changed in 40 plus years, but knowing the history of that game gives perspective on who we as a Society are and where we came from and why we're The Big Tent and why someone would want to make a favorite movie part of the memories of their reign.

I can only be responsible for how I play this game. Someone might be moved to follow my example. Or not. Regardless, I can only be responsible for what I do, whether or not someone ever is crazy enough to fight for me and good enough to win. 

Comments

[sengokudaimyo.livejournal.com]

Sigh.

The mind boggles. The brain hurts. And the mouth throws up a little.

Jeez.

[gurdymonkey.livejournal.com]

We ARE the redheaded stepchild in living history circles for a reason.

[sengokudaimyo.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I know.

Sigh.

'Scuse me...

[gcmadtown81.livejournal.com]

I live in Northshield, and much like our modernly Scandanavian and Germanic roots which make us work hard in daily life, so to do we apply that attitude to our SCA activities. As gobsmacking as it may be to make such a decree, IMHO it's rather refreshing to have royalty remind us that we're here to have fun too. [/soap box]

Re: 'Scuse me...

[gurdymonkey.livejournal.com]

Please go back and read *all* of what I wrote.

I'll wait.

Thank you.

Re: 'Scuse me...

[sasha-khan.livejournal.com]

I could, if I lived there, ignore most of the decree as a foolish Royal whim (as I usually do), BUT making this acceptable documentation for A&S competitions really is beyond the limits of annoying 'SCA cutesy'.

Re: 'Scuse me...

[sengokudaimyo.livejournal.com]

Agreed, in spades. (Hell, I also agree in hearts, diamonds, and clubs.)

That "acceptable research" part is the thing that REALLY gets my goat.

[gurdymonkey.livejournal.com]

Evidently there was a ban in 1996 in the West, which was before my time. I do know that when I moved here in 2002, there was a great deal of friction between the mainstream and a group of rapier fighters. Since then, a core of people worked to make rapier more accepted to the point of the foundation of the Order of the Western White Scarf two years ago.

Found this chronology which may be of interest.
http://moondragon.info/wiki/A_History_of_Rapier_Combat_in_the_SCA

[cayswann.livejournal.com]

An event steward was sharing some ideas about themes and possible ideas, and started to go down the path of incorporating "haunted houses" and "Friday the 13th" imagery. I stared at her for a big of the "HUH?!? Did you just say that?" when I asked her to explain further since, as I understood some parts of history, many places and times would NOT have embraced ghosts and goblins, but would have sought to ward them away and keep them out. I finally had to interrupt her to say, "I'm going to have to warn you, I'm a medievalist at heart."

Bringing patently modern things into my SCA events makes me twitch and bothers me most of the time. Now, there are a *few* things I'm okay with on occasion, but really just on occasion. In an informal setting, enjoying laughter over a well-done filk. But building modern halloween into an SCA event theme? *facepalm*

I'm a medievalist at heart.

[reynardine.livejournal.com]

What is this "rapier fighting" that you speak of? That has never been approved here in Calontir....

[maredudd1066.livejournal.com]

When rumours of the East Kingdom whim reached Drachenwald there was a brief (tongue in cheek) discussion as to whether the next reign should be themed after "Shrek" - after all, we currently have Princess Fiona.

Re: 'Scuse me...

[gurdymonkey.livejournal.com]

Sounds like it's time for another A&S Jihad.....