Once again, sorry that I was unable to make your vigil. There’s a fair to middlin’ chance that anything I’m about to write you’ve already heard—or even more likely that you already know intuitively. But I love to hear myself talk so…

The best piece of advice I got from my own vigil (from a Pelican) was “It is not so hard a thing, after all, to have earned a Peerage as it is to remain worthy of it.” It may not seem that way right now. Looking back on the road that brought you here, the journey may seem long indeed. But the road continues on— this is just a milestone. Whether you view it as a path to martial arts mastery, a spiritual quest, or something wholly within the confines of the SCA, there’s a lot more to come, so much more that you can become. And within the Society, it’s your ticket to begin playing the advanced game.

For one thing, it opens doors and smoothes paths. As I look back on all the really neat things I’ve got to do since I’ve been in, I’ve been struck by how much more I’ve been able to do since getting the belt. I was just as competent a marshal, as energetic an autocrat, and what-have-you as I was the day before. But the peerage gave me opportunities. Is that fair? No. All the more reason— all the more implied obligation-- to take the inherent unfairness and turn it to good uses. So, use this new-found power of yours for good. If the door has been opened for you, prop your foot in it and usher in someone else behind you. Smooth out that road for those who have talent and energy but who haven’t gotten that belt or medallion yet.

Second, one of your most important privileges/duties is to advise the Crown on making new members for our Order. Don’t shirk that duty. I can only assume being a knight means as much to you as it does to me. We have a obligation to make sure that the Most Noble Order of the Chivalry continues to mean a lot to the populace, too. We do this partly by minding our own P&Qs and policing our own (which we don’t do enough of) but primarily by insisting on a tough quality control at the gate. Getting to know the candidates on anything other than a purely superficial level— especially in a kingdom this big— is work. But it’s important work. The folks you vote on right now will determine the make up of the Order five years hence.

You may feel a little awkward speaking your peace in the circle for awhile, being the “new kid” on the block and all. Please don’t. Your perspective is invaluable to us because it is new, not despite it. Sure, years bring wisdom (theoretically :-) but you just came out of the ranks and have a feel for the de facto pecking order among the unbelts that gets harder and harder for us Olde Phartes ™ to see the farther we get from it. You know who talks the talk and who walks the walk. You remember who is a shining example of chivalry (if a knight is watching) and who gets real respect from his peers.

I envy you, you know? I always wanted to be a Midrealm knight. In my misspent youth, I was convinced that they were all supermen and at least ten feet tall. :-) I knew Talymar was and it was surely a mere trick of the light that he only appeared to come up to just under my chin.

Don’t get me wrong: I’m proud of my adopted kingdom of Drachenwald and being a Knight of the Society of any flavor doesn’t exactly suck. But the Midrealm… now, that was something special. The Orders of the various kingdoms I’ve lived in all have distinct personalities, and it must be said, differing standards. This is a tough crowd to impress. They looked out over that crowd of really great guys you just left…

…and they chose you.

As a friend of mine once put it, “It was like being invited to join the company of my heroes.” Take a moment and savor that. It’s ok-- really. Then open your eyes and get back to work.

Welcome to the Order brother.

PS-- Wear kneepads to court. MidRealm peerage ceremonies are real knee busters. :-)