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Every time I have one idea, more seem to pop out. asagormsdottir brought up something about dressing royalty, and generally enquired about the feelings I'd had regarding contributing to a reign.

This may just be my perception, I'm not sure, but I'm going to ladle a few things out her for contemplation.

From where I've been sitting, the general requests for contributions to Royalty and their reigns has made a shift. It once was a matter of whatever you wanted to donate was happily accepted. Of late, offers of making "item X" for the Royal couple seem to be as likely to generate a response of "Great, we need 18. For Pennsic." Or even a specific item, done a specific way, etc. - and again, 18 just alike, please.

Now, I stay out of a lot of it, because I prefer to put my time into a project where I can continue to use and learn the stuff I'm interested. Which is entirely my choice. But that brings me do another bit of ponderment.

Most reigns, of late, have had a specific period to them. Therefore, Royalty has requested things in keeping with that period (specifying fabrics, colors, motifs, etc). Well and good. Increasing authenticity is to be applauded.

It does, however, have an interesting effect. There's been the odd complaint lately that this or that couple isn't getting much support. Maybe it's the couple. But maybe it's not.

Think on this: Multiple reigns in one period (or very, very similar periods) and place that emphasize doing things as close to period practice as they reasonably can does a number of things. It leaves anybody who doesn't do that period two choices: learn something new or don't contribute to this reign. After all, desires have been specified. (Before you tell me that anything would be happily accepted, I'd mention the famous line overheard: "What am I supposed to do with this shit?") Most of us have periods we're interested in. And periods we're not. It's the nature of people. That leaves you with a lot of people sort of floating off to do their own thing - since what they do isn't in demand by the Crown.

The other side of the coin is that folks who ARE interested in that period/those arts get all kinds of opportunity to do their thang and be part of the pageantry - right up until they get too burnt out to bother.

Some of it may be the large size of this Kingdom, and the general feeling that there are so many people here that somebody else will do it. Perhaps there is also a certain pressure felt by Royalty to present as polished and consistent an image as possible - giving each other set of Royalty the same gift basket, having a set number of "x" items to give out on such and such an occasion, always to be seen in a certain style of costume.

It's got a bit of a Corporate Feel to it: Sort of akin to the Mazda Gator Bowl.

Welcome, friends, to the Hanseatic League 2010 Summer Crown... or some such.

Less concern with the material image and more concern with connecting with the people is one of the attractions of smaller government - if you will. Much the way that a homemade card from your kids is much nicer than your husband stopping off at work and buying one that night, and signing their names.

Yes, it's easy to sit and armchair quarterback. But it does seem that a little time spent looking inward and a little less staring outward and wondering what others think... might be a good thing?

The Hermit in the Wilderness

I will grant that some days I get so many people bristling at me when I mention the "P" word (Principality, for those of you just joining us) that I feel like a Fuller Brush Man. Though most of the responses I actually get are to the effect of, "Well, it's a good idea, and I'm in favor, but who's going to bell the cat?"

Which is a reasonable question - and one (just in case anybody still thinks I'm wonkers) that has come up before.

Take a look through this thread in the Middle Bridge archive. Now, I'd disagree that it would be a good idea for ALL of the regions to simultaneously be granted Principality status. This has a tendency to strip the King and Crown of all their glory. There is no contribution that does not come via a Principality. There is no levy of troops that he does not have to go to his Princes for. Bad juju. Still, even that long ago, it was recognized that the Kingdom is too big for good governance.

Now, the geographic area has shrunken. But the population of the Kingdom has been growing. Some of that may have slacked off, due to the economy. But not notably so. Still, travel expense is keeping people closer to home (though I still splorked at hearing contributions being solicited for a "Baronial Travel Fund." O_o). It's even harder to keep a good eye on the Kingdom and have a good feel for what's going on at the distant ends when fewer people are providing "eyes on" reports and less Royalty is in attendance. I'd said before that Royal visits weren't dropping off. Of late - they are.

Talking with tattycat brought to mind the stir ups that happen periodically over the Northern Atlantian Principality movement. Interestingly, there was a thread on it 12 (!O_o) years ago on the Middle Bridge. I link you to one of the posts, if you're interested. I'd argue that running a poll that included both the name, device, and desire all into one initial action might have been an error.

The most germaine bit is this:

"As to how long it takes to plan and implement a principality, this action
was actually postponed considerably, a few years back, because someone
argued for it too loudly and too long. Going principality or kingdom seems
to have more with choosing the correct time, socially, than with the
length of the administrative process. "

I think it's reasonable to state that Pentamere could stand on its own as a Principality. We have the resources, and to a large degree, even the innate desire to be Us.

The question is - is this the right time, socially. There is certainly at least one segment of the Kingdom that will resist, for the sheer joy of resistance and the defense of what they consider to be their own turf. As to the rest - I do not know. Hopefully, enough people will speak up to indicate it's suitability - or a lack thereof.

Iron Enough to Make a Nail...

(yes, the Pratchett references continue. Though bonus points for identification of the totally unrelated icon image).

Words of Wisdom of the day:

"Of course, I haven't been around when a Principality has been formed, but in my mind, it's a little like a peerage. I think that in a perfect world it's recognizing something that's already happening informally. "

We've all been round and round the discussion about "What does it take to become a Peer?"

So, in a metaphorically similar vein... What does it take to make a Principality? Not the official requirements, but the less tangible - more important - essence of the thing. Sort of a list of PLQ's - Principality-Like Qualities. And the conditions that allow them to exist.

1. Territory. This isn't as obvious as it looks on the surface. For some nascent Principalities, it's a difficult question. Not just "Do we want to?" but "Who should we invite?" as well. For that matter, any nascent Principality in the Mid isn't necessarily limited to a single Region or an entire Region. However, that's the most likely scenario here, because we've been lumped into these regions for such a very long time. Which brings us to:

2. Identity. "We're Us." A bit like School Spirit or Hometown Pride. Sometimes it works better than others. It isn't necessarily exclusive either. You can be part of your town. And your county, and your state. Some loyalties are firmer than others. But they don't necessarily have to split. So we can be part of our local group, and our Barony, and our Region, and our Kingdom - all at the same time. The question is - has the loyalty of the Region for the Region become strong enough to warrant a physical manifestation? Because that's what a Principality is - the physical aspects of that Loyalty. The equivalent of college sweatshirts, painted faces, and pom pons. With its own home team, and its own dean - and hey, maybe they're not perfect but they're OURS.

3. Drive. There is a heck of a lot of grunt work involved in setting up a Principality. Possibly even more in maintaining it. For every person who has an idea for the new Principality's arms... there needs to be someone willing to sit down and write its laws. For each person who wants to embroider the throne cushions... there needs to be someone who'll solicit and review event bids. For every fighter who wants to stand for the Coronet... there needs to be someone who will wrangle local officers and make sure the work of the Principality runs smoothly. In fact, before any of the shiny is needed - there is a lot of talking, and writing, and basic infrastructure that needs to be created.

4. Environment. All of this needs to happen in a social environment within the Kingdom that is conducive to it. Particular grudges on either side can derail the whole business. Ideally, the Kingdom Curia is composed of people who keep their eyes clear and be willing to try to really determine what's best - their own empire-building "personal power" trips and personal grudges aside. Sometimes, for the incipient Principality - this will mean waiting out somebody's term. Especially if the Kingdom Seneschal is openly hostile.

5. Impetus. Even if all the other factors are present, the population of a potential Principality may choose to forgo all the work, pain, and trial of formalizing their nature if they are comfortable as they are. This is where the Peerage metaphor kind of falls apart on us. It is the nature of people to want to continually advance. It is the nature of groups of people to resist change as long as they are not too uncomfortable. Therefore, no motivation will exist to do that work unless the situation has become such that people begin to believe they are in a worse position when compared with the rest of their Kingdom. It can take a number of forms - a feeling of isolation from the Kingdom, political monkey-business for silly reasons all there own, even the economy causing people to cut back on travel and feel a need to stay within their own borders more.