Master Aleksandr Ruslanovich and Lady Morwenna Westerne

All that being said, what Carolingia really does best is Rise to the Occasion. When the populace wants something -- whether its a commedia del arte troupe, a kingdom level (or even worldwide) event, or thrown weapons practice -- they make it happen. We are good at being determined to get what we want as individuals, without compromising what other people in the barony may want. We work well together and we play well together. The cantons, which in some places function completely independently, work well with the parent barony. The different groups within the barony settle their differences amicably and without rancor. When called upon to do something, either by the royalty, a neighboring group, or by ourselves, we are capable of pulling together and doing it. Carolingia is famous in The East -- and the whole of the world -- not because of the efforts of the few, but because of the efforts of many, many Carolingians. We feel pretty lucky to live here, and we'd like to give something back to the barony.

In the SCA, Carolingia is a big city -- the equivalent of London or Paris to our medieval predecessors. It's difficult to be a new person here. It's hard to meet people, to learn the 'language', to find the right clothes, and sometimes even to find out what all there is to do and where to do it. If we neglect newcomers to our barony, we'll lose them. We feel it's very important to encourage all Carolingians, but especially those who run activities, guilds, and practices, to encourage, assist, and welcome those newcomers who are interested in the SCA.

Speaking for myself (Aleksandr), I'd like to see Carolingia's martial prowess continue to increase. Not just in our traditionally strong areas (fencing and archery), but in tournament fighting, and the recent additions like equestrian, hound coursing, thrown weapons, and even hurley.

ii) That we learn to forgive the mistakes of people new to the barony and the society and, instead, foster and encourage newcomers even more than we do.

iii) That we remember that we are here as part of an educational society. We'd like to see Carolingia, and the SCA at large, do more with schools of all age levels, and to help untarnish the SCA's reputation for poor scholarship.

We prefer to "err late" in giving awards. It's better for the recipient when the reaction from the populace "She/he is so deserving! About time!" and not simply a shrug and polite applause.

In the SCA, you can live out your fantasy -- but fantasy only goes so far. If you walk around claiming to be the greatest singer in the world, eventually, people will want to hear you. Conversely, even if you never say anything at all about your singing talents, if you demonstrate them, you will be recognized for them -- possibly formally, certainly informally. The SCA gives participants an outlet to excel with skills or talents that the 'modern' world doesn't necessarily reward. It also encourages behavior that is timeless: courtesy, kindness, and respect for others.

There have been times around Cariadoc's fire -- and many others -- that a singer, storyteller, or musician has lifted the audience out of the modern day and into the past. There have been times where I have been witness to such great deeds of personal strength and nobility, that I wept -- not just to see them, but to be part of a group that encouraged such actions. I believe every SCA event has a little "magic" at it, from spectacle to quiet kindness; I'm afraid selecting just one is beyond me.

We like fencing. It's spiffy, fun to watch, gives an opportunity for noble deeds and eloquent challenges, and the participants dress well. The same can be said of most other martial activities to a greater or lesser extent. Currently, Aleksandr fights, and in the past we have both fought. Morwenna has fenced (Aleksandr has also, but outside the SCA), and has ridden (again, outside the SCA). We both shoot, casually rather than actively. Thrown weapons is an activity of great interest to Aleksandr, but one he just hasn't found time for -- yet.

It has been our experience that, in all areas of the SCA, there are those who just 'do their thing'. Some just participate in martial activity, some solely in commedia dell arte, or some just cook. We feel that one of the joys of the SCA is participation -- to be part of the Society. We look to the leaders and other members of those communities to introduce all those who participate to the rest of the SCA. The place of the martial arts in the barony is a two-way street; it is better assured when the baronial populace sees the participants as part of "us", rather than as "them".

Having an impressive court -- one with an honor guard, attendants, heralds, pages distributing largesse, and more -- allows those who see it to believe that the people at the center of it truly are a baron and baroness. Further, that they are a baron and baroness of an important and wonderful barony. It's our hope that by having elaborate court processions, we can make the populace proud to be Carolingian.

Having an impressive court -- one with an honor guard, attendants, heralds, pages distributing largesse, and more -- allows more people to participate. More people participating, more people enjoying themselves at SCA events, is good for the barony and for the SCA at large.

I am likely to give up my position as head of the Storyteller's Guild, as I do not feel the baron should appear to have a bias towards one of the groups in the barony.

Last, I would likely step down my activities within i Sebastiani. Currently I manage the troupe, direct many of the performances, as well as acting. It would be unfair to both i Sebastiani and the barony if I were to try and fulfill both roles.

Like Morwenna, I can easily see myself attending many practices or guild meetings that I might not were I not baron. I feel it is one of the major responsibilities of the office to know the thoughts of the populace and to be accessible to them.

In many ways, this is not very different than when I was elevated to the Order of the Laurel. Many of the more experienced members of the order cautioned me that my words and actions now carried greater consequences, simply because I was a Laurel. In the time since my elevation, I have noticed this to be true -- not all of the time, but often enough that I am conscious of making a distinction of when I am speaking as an individual and when I am speaking as a member of the order. I think this experience will enable me to continue to participate in the many public discussions that take place in Carolingia without dominating them. After all, the purpose of these conversations is defeated if they are controlled by only a select few.

We've gotten so used to having so many great people, that we sometimes neglect the process of recruiting new members. Aquel and Johanna have done a marvelous job of encouraging the boroughs, and it's hard to imagine a baron and baroness who could be more approachable then they are. However, the growth of our populace is an ongoing process, and one which needs to be supported.

In the SCA, Carolingia is a big city -- the equivalent of London or Paris to our medieval predecessors. It's difficult to be a new person here. It's hard to meet people, to learn the 'language', to find the right clothes,and sometimes even to find out what all there is to do and where to do it. If we neglect newcomers to our barony, we'll lose them. We feel it's veryimportant to encourage all Carolingians, but especially those who run activities,guilds, and practices, to encourage, assist, and welcome those newcomerswho are interested in the SCA.

To specifically answer your question, the Baron and Baroness have a responsibility to make themselves accessible to the boroughs, to go out and visit each borough at least once per academic year, and -- when necessary -- to advocate for those borough members who may not yet be well-established in the barony. Many borough members are within Carolingia's borders for only a limited time (four years or sometimes less). It's important for the Baron and Baroness to assist those that are moving out of the area in continuing in the SCA. Aquel and Johanna have a lovely custom of Letters of Introduction, and we would certainly continue this practice.

The Baron and Baroness are like the host and hostess of an extremely large party. It's not their job to entertain all of the guests, rather they should have a good idea of who has similar interests or styles, and connect those people. If the Baron and Baroness see someone they do not know, they should introduce themselves and find out something about that guest. If they see someone who is not having a good time, they should do what they can to change that

As heads of the barony, we need to be regal without being intimidating, and friendly without being 'clique-ish'. Those aren't easy things to do, but we have given these aspects, and others, a great deal of thought, and I believe that we are up to the task.

If I were baron, I would start by talking to the folks manning gate. One of the few criteria of participation in SCA events is "an attempt at medieval clothing". If someone showed up in modern clothing -- and had no obvious change of clothes with them -- I would encourage the gatekeepers to explain the rules of participation, and point the newcomer towards someone who could provide them with clothing.

After that, I would find a Gold Key officer and point them towards the person, asking that Gold Key try to help them out. In some cases, like an event at a borough, I might approach one of the borough representatives first.

If you want to go into greater depth or get clarifications on any of our answers, please don't hesitate to contact us. We can be reached via email or by telephone (617/288-9762) until 10pm most evenings. Thank you for taking the time to communicate with us and share our answers with your constituents.

In the past, the CRC served many non-martial functions -- serving at table during feasts, for example. We'd like to see a revival of that custom, not just amongst the fencers, but amongst all of the various Carolingian sub-groups. Table service could be provided by the fencers, clean-up by the calligraphers, putting up and taking down of signage by the soothsayers, etc.

Our fencers have been, and continue to be, a point of baronial pride. The best thing you can do for us is to show the rest of the kingdom -- and the whole world -- that Carolingian fencers can teach, marshall, dress, behave, and fence better than anyone out there.

As the fencing community grows, it will have more resources to expend. We hope to see Carolingian fencers who will travel to teach and compete, host armour-making workshops, make new stanchions and list ropes, and do all of the non-fencing things that we know the fencers to be capable of.