minstrel: Will the real bardic please stand up?

[Ricky Becker]

Greetings once again from Sivrid.

I must admit, I am still perplexed. Gunnar and I seem to have been
living in the same city, yet in vastly different kingdoms. He, in
one where thebardic arts have died a terrible death in the hands
of book bards", and I in a kingdom with a living, vibrant
bardic tradition, which supports a broad range of bardic
activities.

I would like to ask Gunnar to look again. This time do not look for
your archetypal bard, rather look for people who are active in all
sorts of things. Look for fighters, dancers, counts, water bearers,
huscarls, pages, proteges, heralds, archers, brewers, smiths, and the
like. Most will not identify themselves first and foremost as a bard.
But if you go to revels, or to camping events, you will find these
people performing in the bardic arts, and performing well. You are
asking people to rally to the bardic arts, when the people are already
there, supporting them firmly, waiting for you to join the fun.

Gunnar, I would plead with you, if you do not believe me, listen as
Syr Hyrim teaches history through a song, so that people beg him to
teach them more. Listen, as Syr Erich is asked to sing again and again
the songs of Calontir. Listen to Master Pavel, as he tells of Calontir's
army. Listen to the army, as they march to war, and as they come home.
Listen to Elin Redlock, as she sings of a knight who is perished and will
not come home. Listen to Eduard, as he serenades the Court with his harp.
Listen to Countess Arwyn, as she sings Thor's Son, and the as audience
finally begins to breathe again when she is done; or to Mistress Morganna,
as she tells tales of Syr William Coer de Boef, the first Knight made by
a Calontir King; or to Duke Gabriel, as he drags out songs from pills to
purge melancholy; or to Mikal the Ram, as he recites what you have seen
him post here, or Master Andrixos, has he sings of the Huscarls, and of
a hill at Sanlac. Or simply go to the fire at a camping event where people
are enjoying themselves, singing. When you have done that, then tell me,
if you can, that bardic in Calontir, and the known world, is dead.

Sivrid



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