On rulebooks, customs and creeds:
Bismallah Assalam O Alykum Wa Ramatullah Wa Barakatuh
From a discussion on tyros and newcommers to the kingdom
> Perhaps things are working just the way they should. A person new to our
> community has asked "what are our traditions?" and the community has
> answered. She (hopefully) now has the information she needs to make her
> clothing, other new people who never thought to ask the question also have
> the information, and we have had a lively discussion. If she had turned to
> the "rule book" and read a few pages, none of this would happened.
Perhaps it might have happened that way, but what I have observed in some cases is the insular or exclusionary behavior that leads to trouble. I've seen experienced SCAdians come to this kingdom and because of the local custom (of insular and inhospitable behavior) have refused to join or assist the local group thereafter. (I've not had very good success turning this around from either viewpoint. "We have our group. Why should we let them play?" and "If they play that way, I'll take my friends elsewhere!")
My observation is that "The Kingdom" is still comprised of city-states and clans/cliques within those states, by and large. Once, at the foundation of this kingdom, it was suggested that the hallmark or standard of "The Kingdom" would be it's hospitality. Some have taken that quite literally (to their credit), but as a noble virtue that could be the custom and tradition of the kingdom, it has not had much play or support from either above or below.
On a slightly different tack, a topic shift:
Tradition and custom can have roots in common belief. One evidence of a common belief is a creed. What is the creed of your kingdom?
I'll leave you with two examples;
----------
The Ten Commandments of the Code of Chivalry
>From Chivalry by Leon Gautier
I. Thou shalt believe all that the Church teaches, and shalt observe all its directions.
II.Thou shalt defend the Church.
III. Thou shalt repect all weaknesses, and shalt constitute thyself the defender of them.
IV. Thou shalt love the country in the which thou wast born.
V. Thou shalt not recoil before thine enemy.
VI. Thou shalt make war against the Infidel without cessation, and without mercy.
VII. Thou shalt perform scrupulously thy feudal duties, if they be not contrary to the laws of God.
VIII. Thou shalt never lie, and shall remain faithful to thy pledged word.
IX. Thou shalt be generous, and give largess to everyone.
X. Thou shalt be everywhere and always the champion of the Right and the Good against Injustice and Evil.
-------------------
A SCAdian's Creed
By (name withheld)
Kindness, courage, and honesty is my creed.
Kindness, to put others before myself.
Courage, to face and reckon with my fears, to encourage others.
Honesty, for truth is the foundation of trust.
-------------------------
Salaam, Mukhtar (durr)
From a discussion on tyros and newcommers to the kingdom
> Perhaps things are working just the way they should. A person new to our
> community has asked "what are our traditions?" and the community has
> answered. She (hopefully) now has the information she needs to make her
> clothing, other new people who never thought to ask the question also have
> the information, and we have had a lively discussion. If she had turned to
> the "rule book" and read a few pages, none of this would happened.
Perhaps it might have happened that way, but what I have observed in some cases is the insular or exclusionary behavior that leads to trouble. I've seen experienced SCAdians come to this kingdom and because of the local custom (of insular and inhospitable behavior) have refused to join or assist the local group thereafter. (I've not had very good success turning this around from either viewpoint. "We have our group. Why should we let them play?" and "If they play that way, I'll take my friends elsewhere!")
My observation is that "The Kingdom" is still comprised of city-states and clans/cliques within those states, by and large. Once, at the foundation of this kingdom, it was suggested that the hallmark or standard of "The Kingdom" would be it's hospitality. Some have taken that quite literally (to their credit), but as a noble virtue that could be the custom and tradition of the kingdom, it has not had much play or support from either above or below.
On a slightly different tack, a topic shift:
Tradition and custom can have roots in common belief. One evidence of a common belief is a creed. What is the creed of your kingdom?
I'll leave you with two examples;
----------
The Ten Commandments of the Code of Chivalry
>From Chivalry by Leon Gautier
I. Thou shalt believe all that the Church teaches, and shalt observe all its directions.
II.Thou shalt defend the Church.
III. Thou shalt repect all weaknesses, and shalt constitute thyself the defender of them.
IV. Thou shalt love the country in the which thou wast born.
V. Thou shalt not recoil before thine enemy.
VI. Thou shalt make war against the Infidel without cessation, and without mercy.
VII. Thou shalt perform scrupulously thy feudal duties, if they be not contrary to the laws of God.
VIII. Thou shalt never lie, and shall remain faithful to thy pledged word.
IX. Thou shalt be generous, and give largess to everyone.
X. Thou shalt be everywhere and always the champion of the Right and the Good against Injustice and Evil.
-------------------
A SCAdian's Creed
By (name withheld)
Kindness, courage, and honesty is my creed.
Kindness, to put others before myself.
Courage, to face and reckon with my fears, to encourage others.
Honesty, for truth is the foundation of trust.
-------------------------
Salaam, Mukhtar (durr)