A Wandering Elf
  • A Wandering Elf
  • Blog: My Journey
  • Iron Age Celtic Studies
  • A Wandering Elf in the Woods
  • Classes
  • Resources: Sheep & Wool
  • Resources: Costume and Textiles
  • Resources: Migration Era
  • Resources: Historic Glass Beads

Don'ts & Dos

4/17/2017

0 Comments

 

There was a recent thread on Facebook about how to better say something to someone by whom you are impressed than saying "Why aren't you a Laurel?"  (Note, this could apply to any Peerage but for an example here I will discuss this from an artisan's point of view.) I think I lost track of how many people said that to me, or who introduced me to others as a Laurel about a decade ago.  I will note that I always found it to be a very high form of flattery.  It did not, however, make me self-doubt in any way, because it should not, and let me explain why below.

First, it is important to understand how Peers are recognized in the SCA.  This requires any number of things and the variables are beyond endless.  Typically, many letters are written in on behalf of someone.  People speak to the Order and the Crown about this candidate's feats.  The Order will spend time discussing the merits of the candidate and also, their PLQs (Peer Like Qualities).  Do they have the skills?  Do they have the research/knowledge?  Do they have some reach beyond their local group (remember, this is an award given by the Kingdom)?  Do they share their work and teach in some manner?  Do they inspire in others a desire to do more or strive for better?  Regarding the PLQs, do they show courtesy, even under stress?  Are they a model of the Chivalric values that the SCA holds high?  Will they represent the Kingdom and Order well?  

The Order is typically, at some point, polled to see who they think should be welcomed in their ranks and that information is passed on to the Royals.  In the end, it is a call made by TRM as to whether someone will be given a writ or not.  Someone also might be granted the honor with no polling.  It is crucial to keep that factor in mind.  This is, after all, a monarchy and that is part of the game we all play when we attend events.  

Awards and recognition are indeed part of this game, but they are not, and never should be, the entire sum of someone's worth as an artisan.

So yes, there is a great deal of consideration that goes into the recognition of a Peer.  It takes time and the factors that are involved are pretty much endless.  Know that often, there is much that also goes on that you never see.  Perhaps the person who inspired you does not often teach or share their work very much.  Perhaps they need further work on their research, which you, as someone new to that particular craft, might not understand.  Perhaps there are simply other candidates that are much stronger, more well-rounded, or more "ready" (for lack of a better term).  Ideally, the Order itself will be working with an individual to help them improve on all of these.  After all, the real purpose of the Order of the Laurel is not, to me, to sit around and poll people, but rather to improve the arts and assist growing artisans to the benefit of the Kingdom and the Society as a whole.

So, knowing all of that, there are so many reasons why someone might not yet belong to an Order.  Many of these are out of their control.  Being asked "Why aren't you a Laurel?" can be very, very awkward and it honestly is an impossible question for someone to answer.  When we ask this question though, what we really are meaning to do is to compliment him or her.  So that, perhaps is the best thing we can do when we are inspired.  Share with them what you think of their art or research or teaching. Tell them the did something that helped you learn, grow or want to try something new.  And then, at the end of the day, please go an write to that candidate's Order and to TRM.  Share the word of how they inspired you with those who might not have seen the wonderful art or acts that you witnessed.

To sum this all up:
Please don't ask why someone is not yet a Peer.  It can sometimes make people feel as if they missed a mark, when all you intended is to share with them how inspired you are.  It is also a question that they cannot actually answer.

Please don't feel lessened in any way if this question is directed at you and you do not have an answer.  It means only that the asker thinks quite highly of your skill or service.

Please do tell them they made a difference to you.  

Please do tell them they inspired you.  

Please do let them know they taught you something of value.
​  
​And, just as importantly, please do write in a letter of recommendation for them.

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    About Me

    I am mother to a billion cats and am on journey to recreate the past via costume, textiles, culture and food.

    A Wandering Elf participates in the Amazon Associates program and a small commission is earned on qualifying purchases. 
    ​

    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    March 2022
    March 2021
    February 2021
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    March 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    September 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012

    Categories

    All
    12th Night
    14th Century
    AEthelmearc
    Aprondress
    Awards
    Bog Dress
    Bronze Age
    Dance
    Dance Name
    Distaff
    Dyeing
    Embroidery
    Fiber Arts
    Flax Growing
    Food
    Glass
    Haberci
    Headcoverings
    Inspirations
    In The News
    Library
    List Of Links
    Machine Embroidery
    Metal Clay
    Mid Month Inspiration
    Migration Era/Iron Age
    My Documents
    Ottoman
    Ottoman Fabrics
    Pennsic
    Publications
    Research
    Rigid Heddle
    Sca
    SCA Camping
    SCA Forestry
    Sca Name
    Sca Newcomer
    Sewing
    Sheep
    Spinning
    Textile Charts
    Tips
    Totally Not SCA
    Viking
    Viking Bead Research
    Viking Costume: Beyond The Myth
    Viking Swatch Book
    Viking Textiles Looking Deeper
    Weaving
    Wool


      Email Updates

    Subscribe to Newsletter

    Blogroll of SCA & Costume Bloggers

    Below is a collection of some of my favorite places online to look for SCA and historic costuming information.

    More Amie Sparrow - 16th Century German Costuming


    Gianetta Veronese - SCA and Costuming Blog

    Grazia Morgano - 16th Century A&S

    Mistress Sahra -Dress From Medieval Turku 

    Hibernaatiopesäke

    Loose Threads: Cathy's Costume Blog

    Mistress Mathilde Bourrette - By My Measure: 14th and 15th Century Costuming

    More than Cod: Exploring Medieval Norway

    RSS Feed


Proudly powered by Weebly