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Date: Sun, 10 Apr 1994 17:17:49 -0400 (EDT)
From: marian walke <marian@world.std.com>
Subject: Re: rolls of the kings of the east
To: Mark Schuldenfrei <schuldy@zariski.harvard.edu>
Cc: carolingia@world.std.com
In-Reply-To: <9404101332.AA10410@math.harvard.edu>
Message-Id: <Pine.3.89.9404101726.A27496-0100000@world.std.com>
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I have been in the SCA so long, I actually remember the first 
reign of Angus (which is not how he spells his name).  

When I first met Angus, I thought he was extremely charming.  
A few hours later, I thought he was charming but shallow.  
Later I found him to be deceitful, manipulative, malicious, 
and arrogant.  He caused me unhappiness in my roles as a 
kingdom officer, a baronial officer, and an autocrat, as 
well as in my private life.  

I thought at the time he was a bad man and a bad king, and I 
have not changed my opinion since.  For nearly 20 years I 
have refused to break bread with Angus, avoiding meals in 
the same room or in the same camp where Angus eats.

BUT:   The laws of our Society do not demand that a person 
be GOOD to be king.  We practice election by combat.  To be 
king, a person must prevail in the lists, where strength, 
skill, and endurance give victory.  Angus fulfilled these 
requirements.  If his victory had been voided for cheating, 
for rhino-hiding, or some other reason, that would have been 
another matter.  But it was not voided.  He was king.  His 
name on the roll of kings and queens of the East should not 
be erased or omitted.  History should never be rewritten just 
because we are not comfortable with history.

When we hear his name read, we may squirm with embarrassment 
that one of our own was guilty of a great crime.  Or we may 
remind ourselves that even kings are fallible and that we 
ourselves may have some failings that need correction.  When 
we hear his name read, we may remember that preserving honor 
is an active, not a passive, task.  But we should hear his 
name read. 

--Old Marian
(marian@world.std.com)