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2002-02-13 - 10:28 a.m.
Onto the Populace of Atlantia, Good Day!
There has been much discussion of late regarding the differences between Heavy combat and Rapier combat, to which I will simply respond to by saying...hey...the King of Atlantia really put a beat down on me on the rapier field the other day, and so has His Excellency Havordh, His Excellency Amalric, and when she's on, Her Excellency Mary-Grace. I think we as a Kingdom are big enough to encompass many different fighting styles, and I hope that idea that we are somehow in competition with each other is put to rest soon.
But inevitably this discussion leads some down the trail to a big sign post that says "RAPIER KING THIS WAY ---->". At first glance, it seems like an good enough idea...why shouldn't I, as a rapier fighter, have as much opportunity to lead this Kingdom as a talented heavy fighter? The answer, for me is that the SCA tries to produce, with varying degrees of success, creations that in some way are representative of how things worked in period. In period, if there was no succession, in all likelihood war decided who would be King. Like it or not, heavy combat is what most people think of when they think of battle in period. Because of the, if you want to be King, then you must pick up the weapons of war, and go claim your crown.
Whether they decide it's a bad idea, or just that it isn�t going to happen, most people decide that the Rapier King thing is a long way off. Today, a new idea (at least to me...) was put forth. Let's have a prime minister...or an advisor. An interesting new twist...but here is my take on that. There can only be one set of rulers in a Kingdom. Creating an artificial construct to make rapier fighters feel like they have some sort of say in what goes on in the Kingdom is a slight to the rapier community, and is unnecessary, because we already are an intrinsic part of the Kingdom.
If you, as a rapier fighter, want to have an affect on how the Kingdom is run, then continue the tradition of Atlantia's rapier community. First, and foremost, serve your Kingdom. Get out there and be a marshal, a chirurgeon, an exchequer, a Baron, a chronicler. Wear your scarf while you do it, or if you aren't part of the Academie for whatever reason, wear your sword. Let the Kingdom know every step of the way that the Rapier community supports them. Secondly, serve your Queen. From the first, Atlantian rapier fighters looked to serve Her Majesty Atlantia, to ensure that no request she had ever fell on deaf ears. Finally, earn the respect of those around you, because it is always from the ranks of the Populace that the next King and Queen will come.
There is no need for a Rapier King, any more than there is need to worry about the future of rapier in Atlantia. As long as we are what we always have been: Faithful, concerned and involved subjects of Atlantia, we will have be what the Kingdom needs us to be. For me at least that is more than enough.
To Atlantia, our Sovereigns Galmr and Aryanna, and Their Highnesses Logan and Isabel, go my sword and my honor.
In Service,
Cynwrig ap Rhys
Free Scholar, Academie d'Espee
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