Having been given a quest by my knight, Viscount Sir Myles Blackheath, to find an understanding of the Chivalric Virtue of Mercy and its uses within and without the Society for Creative Anachronism along with its benefits unto both mundane and SCA realms. I took leave of him and parted ways to the far corners of the world to contemplate these matters and develop a new side of me. Here are my findings.

Mercy in its finest form does show much of the character of the one who is giving of it. It seems it has the most value when its given at the most difficult times.

I have found that it is and shall be a tool of those who have the power to wield it. To have the ability to exercise Mercy you first have to win the right by gaining strength and tempering your anger and rage at injustice to be able to hear the whole story before you set flames upon the transgressor. Mercy is often left out of the equation when dealing with a wrong due to the fact that all too often it’s abused by the one who recieves it. Which makes it all the more difficult for the merciful to act in future situations.

Some fine examples of Mercy are seen on our fields within the SCA on a regular basis, such as giving forth a "Point of Honor" to a less experienced combatant or to one of equal skill, who has fought with such valor that you decide to keep the level of renown going in the bout and "Point of Honor" is the only recourse. This should never be taken out of context as an act that degrades your opponents opinion of your skill or as your opponent declaring themselves as your equal. The only effect such behavior could have would be damaging to your renown in creating such trivial conflict in the lists. The best course is to accept such act at face value, as an act of Honor.

Another example that is often seen on the field is when a fighter approches battle with you and is seemingly distracted or not fully commiting themselves to the fight. This should not be taken as a insult to you or your skill but merely an act of mercy. Often the fighter thinks you may not have the skill he does and doesn’t want to be overly aggressive to you for many reasons. One good one that comes to mind is the fighter may have not had a bout with you and doesn’t know your skill and in the interest of Chivalry feels it would be tactless to pound on one of less skill. In this situation the only course is to show them your skill and gain their respect by your fair display of prowess.

It is in the best interest and is at the soul of our Society to learn of Mercy and pass what benefit it holds onto all others who share our dream, and even to those who do not. To put it plainly, there can be no wrong in giving Mercy because its is not a tool of the Weak but a privilege of the Strong.