Eastrealm Order of the Troubador message (fwd)

[Greg Lindahl]

    To ALL COMPANIONS of the East Kingdom's Order of the TROUBADORS:
     
     From Lord Achilles von Fulda, Troubador, resident of the East's Royal 
     Forest of Rusted Woodlands, member of His Excellency Earl Sir Horic's 
     "War Puppies," Greetings!
     
     Recently, while perusing the historical roll of the Troubadors, I 
     realized that several fellow Companions of the Order have been 
     acquaintances (or even friends) of mine for years, yet their honored 
     status was previously unknown to me. Wondering why and how this could 
     be, I contacted the Countess who founded the O.Tr. in October, A.S. 
     XIV (1979). She told me that it was created "to foster entertainment 
     of and _for_ the populace." Although conceived as a personal, friendly 
     award (i.e. non-competitively driven), the Troubadors were _not_ 
     intended to remain utterly anonymous.
     
     The Order includes non-armigerous as well as armigerous gentles, Royal 
     Peers, Bestowed Peers, Officers past and present (Kingdom, Regional, 
     Local), Territorial and Court Baronesses, Court Barons, Kingdom 
     Guildmistresses, etc. Already an array of dedicated, committed, 
     (hopefully) talented individuals, we are _potentially_ a wonderful 
     collective resource!
     
     To my mind, there is no such thing as too large or diverse a body of 
     _quality_ entertainment. Part VIII:F(3) of East Kingdom Law states that 
     the Troubadors ". . . are encouraged to maintain an internal 
     organization appropriate to their company to assist communications and 
     availability of a greater repertoire . . ." As far as I know, this has 
     _never_ been done; even if such an effort _was_ made in the past, the 
     time to renew/enhance it seems ripe.
     
     I therefore implore _all_ of the Troubadors to assist me in my quest to 
     facilitate more high-quality entertainment throughout our Known World. 
     Please contact me, supplying the following information and responding 
     to the questions below. An asterisk indicates that confidentiality will 
     be maintained for that item upon request.
     
     #1 For the Files
     
     a: Full SCA Name
     b: Known World Location
     c: Mundane Name
     d: Address*
     e: Phone Number(s)*
     f: e-Mail Address
     g: Date of Induction
     h: Names of Inducting Royalty
     i: Reason for Induction (Type of entertainment and/or specialties.) 
     j: Other SCA/mundane biographical information, as you see fit.
     
     #2 Would you support the creation of a registered heraldic badge for 
     the Order of the Troubadors, to facilitate identification and 
     encourage interaction? (Yes, No, Abstain)
     
     If you support item #2, your design proposals are sought. Priorities 
     are a) visibility and b) artistic simplicity; something essentially 
     representing non-dance performing arts/entertainment, possible 
     emphasis on the vocal arts. (My proposal was "Purpure, a goblet Or." 
     It satisfied the two priorities, while acknowledging the Order's 
     traditional token (a cup), the colors of the East, and the Society 
     Ministry of Arts. Unfortunately, Badger Herald (aka East Kingdom 
     Southern Regional) advises that my design is thoroughly mired in a 
     "massacre" of heraldic conflict, and stands not a snowball's chance in 
     Hades . . .)
     
     #3
     
     a: Do you attend the Pennsic War? (Yes, No, Sometimes) 
     b: Do you plan to attend Pennsic XXV in 1996? (Yes, No) 
     c: If so, with whom will you camp?*
     
     #4 Pennsic War Participants
     
     Would you be interested in attending a Troubadors' Social at the War? (Yes, 
     No) (Expect something along the lines of a "jam session" among friends; 
     clearly _not_ to be confused with an Order MEETING.)
     
     Your comments on items 2 and 4 are welcomed. Please remember that 
     _your_ responses (or lack thereof) will determine what, if any, 
     further action will be taken.
     
     Feel free to post this announcement on other boards or to distribute 
     hard copy. Further distribution is _appreciated_.
     
     As a fellow Troubador, I very much look forward to meeting all of 
     you. . .
     As a musician, it is always a pleasure to "play." (To sing, too!) 
     As a citizen, it is always an honor to serve.
     
     Lord Achilles von Fulda (OTr)
     mka Steven J. Fuld
         421 W. Hudson Ave.
         Englewood, NJ 07631-1405 USA
         e-Mail c/o  edie at bdsi.com
         Phone is available upon request.