For SCA folk, some numbers and a question.

[cormac]

I was looking through Caid's Royal Scribe's page, and observing some numbers provided there. Have a look: http://www.catellen.com/eilidhswann/royalscribe_EdricFaizeh.html

Eilidh includes research done by Wilhelm von Frankfurt, who recorded the number of different types of awards given in a four-year period. Taking the numbers a bit further, I calculated the percentage of gentles recognized with one award being elevated to the next level, and came up with some interesting oddities in the numbers.

Field	AoA-level	GoA-level(% AoA)	PoA-level (% GoA, % AoA)
Heavies	16.625	4.125(24.8%)	3.875(93.9%, 23.3%)
Arts	24.375	8(32.8%)	1.75 (21.9%, 7.2%)
Service	45	14.5(32%)	2(13.8%, 4.4%)
Totals	86	26.625(31.0%)	7.625(28.6%, 8.9%)

Here's what I find interesting about this table. There are more Dolphins given than Crescent Swords and Harp Argents combined (ditto with the Crescent to Gauntlet/Lux Caidis ratio). If trends were indicative, the Pelican would be the most commonly given peerage in the realm (from the overall elevation ratio of GoA- to PoA-level awards given, ~4.15 Pelicans would be bestowed every reign). Yet the actual peerage numbers don't reflect this ratio.

In reality, knighthood is the most commonly given peerage in Caid, with more knights being made than Laurels and Pelicans combined. In fact, from the numbers given, one who is admitted to the Order of the Gauntlet is practically guaranteed a knighthood (93% elevation rate) and nearly one in four Crescent Swords given will result in membership in the Order of Chivalry. By contrast, only 4.4% of Dolphins will become a Pelican, with a 13.8% elevation rate for Crescent companions.

Given that AoA- to GoA-level ratios are about the same, why is there such a discrepancy? Why are so many service-related awards given in Caid, but so few service-related peerages? Why is the elevation ratio in the heavies circles so high?

I open the floor for discussion.

Comments

[selenesue.livejournal.com]

That's a good question, and one that not everybody asks. Obviously, Service is less flashy and obvious than the other two legs of the SCA Tripod, Arts and Fighting. The creation of the Order of the Pelican certainly did a lot to show appreciation for the quieter doer, without whom the other two could not stand. There is no single combat without a Lists officer to provide an order of combat; there is no art exhibition without a hall to house the artwork from the elements and someone had to hire that hall.

We like to see a record of consistant service over a number of years, preferably in more than one field or discipline. Just as a Laurel can't be a one-art major with no asthetic sense in any field outside his own, just as a Knight needs to be conversant with multiple weapons forms. In my own case, my "major" fields were Heraldry and Cookery, the latter in the sense of keeping the masses fed reliably and on time. I have also held diverse baronial offices and participated in my major fields on the kingdom level.

It all gets complicated when the candidate is a peer of another order. Certain experiences may be counted on more than one Leg of the SCA Tripod. Is a Knight's service in the King's army as an organizer to be counted separately, or is it "supporting his belt"? This gets complicated sometimes and the nature of one's service gets discussed in minute detail.

A grant-level award is a good indicator of progress but is not strictly required for peerage consideration. I do not have a Crescents award, in fact. But I did have 20+ years with a Dolphin, local awards and many interesting and invaluable experiences which apparently they took into consideration.

I was an "early adoptor" of service to a Pelican as a Protegee, as opposed as taking service with a Laurel as Apprentice or to a Knight as Squire. This is still not as common as the other two but I must recommend the practice. Truly, I served Mistress Catriona [on whom be peace] with back rubs and computer installation. But what I was really learning was how to be ready to serve in any way needed, when needed; and how to be a Lady and still be Assertive. She was a mighty example in that last regard, as anyone who knew her will attest.

[patgund.livejournal.com]

Truly, I served Mistress Catriona [on whom be peace] with back rubs and computer installation.

Glad to know I'm following in your doorsteps on both, boss. :-)

Seriously though it does take, (and I really DO have to start updating my peerage research project soon), a longer time from AoA-level to Pelican than it does with AoA-level to Knight or AoA-level to Laurel. And part of it *is* that these two are more visible than service is.

The worry I've had on that is the fear it may eventually lead to burnout, as people who are serving see other people with as much or less experience get awards that the people who do the service don't. And I've personally encountered the assumption that one must have x, y, or z award when they don't. (I've been publically chewed out for not wearing awards that I *don't* have, but have been assumed to have. And I don't even wear my harp pendants to SCA events for fear of it getting confused with a harp argent!)

[mysryael.livejournal.com]

If you want to go far enough back in chronicler time
I had to ask for a correction because i was listed as
"Mistress Annecathryn of Wicken Bonhunt"


So I understand this one.

Bwah?

[the-celestia.livejournal.com]

"(I've been publically chewed out for not wearing awards that I *don't* have, but have been assumed to have."

I'm not aware of any Kingdom Law that requires the wearing or display of award medallions. I believe there is a 'tradition' that Pelicans and Laurels wear tokens of these Peerages in situations where someone might be expected to be seeking knowledgeable assistance and/or guidance, but still not a requirement.

I sure hope the individual who chewed you out is just socially challenged and was trying to find out if you had such awards already, or to encourage others in hearing range to write recommendations for you for them.

Re: Bwah?

[patgund.livejournal.com]

I suspect it was that there were wearing all their danglies and was offended that someone else wasn't wearing danglies they *assumed* the other had.

At least that was the impression I got