On alternate means by which to win the Crown

[cormac]

amykb informs me that there has been considerable discussion on whether to allow someone to win the Crown of a kingdom by means other than heavies fighters. I'd like to share an analogy with these people that I contrived this morning. Please bear in mind that I offer this analogy as a former rapier fighter who does have aspirations to the throne (via the normal routes), and as a damn good former drum major of a damn good marching band.

Crown Tourney is like a championship football game. Many things happen at a football game, and many people participate. There are cheerleaders, concession stand workers, a marching band, an announcer or two, boosters, janitors...and, of course, the players.

At the game, there are shining stars all around. The trumpet soloist nails his part in the second movement. The third cheerleader from the left gets the crowd whipped up into a frenzy with her high flips and enthusiastic wordplay. Joe at the concession stand whips drinks out left and right, and never has a line longer than three people. But for all their effort, they don't get to say that they're the champions of the game. Why?

Because it's a football game! It's not a band competition, or a cheer-off, or a soccer game. It's a football game, and the winning team at the football game gets to go home with the title of champion. And everyone's cool with that, because everyone understands that it's a football game.

Now, there are other sports, such as soccer, or baseball, but the players of those games don't really have much to do at a football game, at least on the field. A person would most likely be arrested if they took a baseball bat out onto the field in the middle of the game and attempted to play ball with it.

Crown Tourney is a heavies contest, and the best fighter of the day gets to walk away with the prizes (the prizes being the title of Prince and Heir-apparant, and the right to crown his consort). Much as I'd like to win Crown for being the best herald, or the most accomplished weaver of the day, I recognize that Crown is not the place to recognize the best herald or weaver, and that there are other contests throughout the year at which I may be deemed the best. Anyone trying to win the Crown by skill at rapier, dog coursing, art or archery needs to realize that they're trying to walk out onto the football field with a conspicuous baseball bat and no padding.

This is the game we play, and we've all agreed to play by the rules. If you don't like the game, find a new field and start your own game. It wouldn't be the first time it's happened in the SCA, and certainly wouldn't be the last.

Comments

[selenesue.livejournal.com]

This discussion has been going on nigh unto 40 years. Nobody's going to stop it now. Same stuff, different day.

[the-celestia.livejournal.com]

Exactly...I heard this discussion at my first event, will probably still be hearing it when I'm 90 and the grandkids are pushing me in a wheelchair at events, and my eyes just glaze over every time it comes up.

[mistresshuette.livejournal.com]

I too have heard this argument for a long, long time. It doesn't help that Western Seas alternates who their B & Bs are. One time by tournament fighting and the next whoever is the A & S champion. But they are a barony. Not a kingdom. I know of no kingdoms who follow this example. Or principalities either.

Just to be funny and somewhat controversial, perhaps we should change the consort rules? Instead of having the winner fight for his/her spouse or friend, perhaps the consort could be chosen by who the Kingdom A & S champion is. This would have to be done biannually rather than biennially. But it could also change the term "Queen" if the A & S champion was male.
:-D Yes, I am bad.

[doll-paparazzi.livejournal.com]

Side note, I tried to be the Drum Major of my marching band. I was pretty good, but didn't make it. I did, however, get voted Band Geek of the Year, which I covetted. :3

[fitzjames.livejournal.com]

I like your analogy.

[lady_songsmith]

All of which is quite true, but how often does the star quarterback also make the best student body president?

[czina.livejournal.com]

But the King and Queen are more like the 'Prom Couple' or 'Homecoming Couple' - the student body president is the Seneschal.

Heh, which works about right, considering there's usually a Fall Tourney and a Spring Tourney :)

[lady_songsmith]

This analogy could get very silly if we continue extending it... ;D

[cormac.livejournal.com]

College of Heralds is the AV club, clearly. Perhaps warbands are rival gangs?

[ciorstan.livejournal.com]

I'm late to the party, but hey.

Folkwear makes a pattern for a varsity letterman's jacket. Since it first came out in the 80s, I thought it would be very cool for one of those qualified folks to wear one in green and yellow leather and wool, crossed trumpets and a... letter... um...

Slinking off to the corner now.

[cormac.livejournal.com]

What makes this even better is that when I was in high school (West High had green and gold for their colors - Go Vikings!) I envied the athletes for their Letterman's jackets not for the status they conveyed, but because I thought they were rather snazzy looking.

And look, I've found a place that makes 'em custom!

http://www.jacketshop.com/

[florentinescot.livejournal.com]

this. (I wandered over from amykb's journal.) A Crown Tournament is a specific competition with a specific set of rules.

[just4bonk.livejournal.com]

I'd like to suggest that a mere battle isn't adequately period. Murder, really, would be the best way to do this. If you can actually pull off killing the former royals (after their term is up it's open season until they abdicate or die), now that would be impressive... =P