Regarding the East Kingdom’s Request for a Spring Crown Variance
provided by Remy Delamontagne de Gascogne
Unto the People of the East do Matthias and Feilinn, Sovereign and Consort of the East Kingdom, send greetings.
At Pennsic this year, the Board of Directors invited well thought out and detailed proposals for alternative approaches to crown tournaments. We are aware of the interest in the East for trying an alternative format, so we spent considerable time and many conversations with others exploring the idea. In the end, we decided to make a proposal that would increase the number of people with a path to the Crown. The more people who feel empowered and represented in the SCA, the stronger the Society is. There is no more visible role than the Royalty.
We submitted a proposal to the Board with the approval of our heirs for a variance for a Crown Tournament using rapier combat instead of rattan combat in Spring 2024. Rapier is an activity with a long history in the East; a large number of participants with depth of experience in the kingdom; and can be substituted for rattan with only one change to the crown tournament format. It was a logical next step to take.
We know that the East will have questions about the proposal. Below you can find an FAQ with answers to questions that we expect you will have and where to write with more thoughts or questions. There is also a link to the full proposal. The proposal includes a detailed description of the reasoning behind the request, how the change would be implemented, and relevant sections of East Kingdom Law and Policy.
This is not a proposal we put forth lightly. We submitted it because we believe that the experiment is worth trying and the East can run it successfully. The East has the experience, the expertise, and a forward thinking culture that understands the cost of not trying new things.
If the Board gives the East permission for a one time variance, we will rise to the occasion. We are the East.
Matthias Rex & Feilinn Regina
FAQ:
What is being proposed?
Their Majesties Matthias and Feilinn, with the support of Their Highnesses Tindal and Emerson, have submitted a proposal to the SCA’s Board of Directors requesting a variance to conduct a crown tournament in Spring 2024 using rapier combat.
Why Now?
At last Pennsic, the Board of Directors invited well thought out and detailed proposals for alternative approaches to crown tournaments. The Board required both the sitting Crown and their Heirs to sign off on any proposal. Given the timing of Fall Crown Tournament, this was the earliest that a proposal could reasonably be submitted.
Why Change Anything?
The more people feel empowered and represented in the SCA, the stronger the Society is. Opening Crown Tournament to other approaches means increasing the potential pool of individuals who can compete for the most visible roles in a kingdom.
Why Fencing?
Rapier has the number of participants, depth of experience, and one-on-one competition structure that means this change can be implemented within the existing crown tournament structure. It is an incremental, yet significant change.
How will Crown Tournament be different?
To use rapier instead of armored combat in a crown tournament, the only change required is one-to-one substitution of rapier for armored (rattan) combat. No other changes will be made.
Is this change permanent?
The variance is being requested for one crown tournament in Spring 2024. If the East wants to continue to use Rapier in Spring crown tournaments or for a later date, then more actions will need to be taken.
When will a decision be made?
The Board has been requested to make their decision with enough time to allow for discussions within the East so that the populace, hosting group, and larger SCA community have time to plan — if the Board says yes. The timing on the decision, however, is up to the Board.
What are the rapier versus armored combatant numbers?
- At the time of the proposal, the East had 332 authorized rapier fighters. That is 71% of the 465 authorized armored fighters.
- The most recent King’s and Queen’s Rapier Championships had 66 entrants. There were 37 entrants in the most recent King’s and Queen’s Armored Championships and 44 entrants to our recent Crown Tournament with 37 actually competing.
What if I have things to say?
At this point in time, the decision is up to the SCA’s Board of Directors. You can write them at sca-comments@sca.org or The Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc., P.O. Box 611928, San Jose, CA 95161
If you want to communicate with Their Majesties or Their Highnesses, we encourage you to use email. It will be easier for them to track and respond as time allows. You can find their contact info on their reign webpages at www.eastkingdom.org.
Where can I read the full proposal?
You can read Our full proposal to the Board here.