As the fencing community grows and matures in the Barony, what role to you see it playing?

Master Aleksandr Ruslanovich and Lady Morwenna Westerne (other question responses)
Mistress Caitlin Davies and Master Justin du Coeur (other question responses)
Lord Diego Mundoz and Lady Godith Anyon (other question responses)
Lady Emmanuelle de Chenonceaux and Master Seamus Donn (other question responses)
Mistress Gwendolyn of Middlemarch and Lord Kali Harlansson of Gotland (other question responses)
Seigneur Jehan du Lac (other question responses)
Master John McGuire (other question responses)
Shi Hua Fu and Lady Yelizaveta Medvedeva (other question responses)

Master Aleksandr Ruslanovich and Lady Morwenna Westerne :

Not being members of the fencing community, this is difficult for us to answer. This is one of those situations where it is best for us to 'lead from behind'. It's our job to stay out of the fencing community's way as it goes through any growing pains and evolutions that it may have. Then, once they have made their decisions, we should accept and enforce them.

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.

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Master Justin du Coeur :

[See the response to "

What can you provide to the Baronial Fencing community?

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Lord Diego Mundoz and Lady Godith Anyon :

[See the response to "

What can you provide to the Baronial Fencing community?

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Lady Emmanuelle de Chenonceaux :

Everything has to grow into its own space. I would like it to continue to keep its place among the martial activities of this barony.

Master Seamus Donn :

What is most important, of course, is the interest and enjoyment that the participants take away from the sport. But the question you have asked is how it works with the greater community. As above, all combat activities provide of point of group focus. They are a unifying thing that makes us Easterners, Carolingians, or whatever level of group we are fighting on behalf of. This is an important community building point. Fencing is also a great recruitment activity. Like heavy fighting it is visually interesting and a big draw at demos. Unlike heavy fighting, it also has a widely practiced modern counterpart which provides a point to connect and relate to people at a demo.

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Mistress Gwendolyn of Middlemarch :

I am going to preface my answers to the fencing specific questions with the statement that I know very little about fencing in specific, and, as you no doubt know, have not been involved in fencing in Carolingia or anywhere else. That said:

I certainly would like to see the fencing community more involved in the barony as a whole, but I know too little to describe a role for them at the present time.

That being said, I find fencing a fascinating and worthwhile activity that deserves support and encouragement. If I were one of the baronial coronets, it would be my duty and privilege to learn about fencing and its role and potential in the barony.

Lord Kali Harlansson of Gotland :

As with other activity groups, I believe a large and mature fencing community can contribute by sponsoring theme events emphazing its activity, and work pro-actively and cooperatively with autocrats of other events to work their activity in where appropriate; can provide a "thing for people to do," a dynamic field of endeavor which can draw out the creativity and hard work of Carolingians interested in that activity; and out of the latter, can bring forth exemplary individuals that the barony can look to with pride and for inspiration, as champions and members of orders of merit, at the baronial level and beyond.

I have no doubt that I would become aware of other roles, more specific to the situation of the fencing community, after getting greater familiarity with their interests and activities, and after listening to their own ideas.

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Seigneur Jehan du Lac :

Fencing contributes to the barony in lots of ways. One of the most vital is training new people, which is something the current Marshall has done wonderfully :). It has made a big difference in bringing new people into the barony as a whole. Fencing events give those new people something to strive for, and I think a tradition of having the fencing community put on an event is a good one for getting people to participate more fully in the SCA. I'm also hoping that my Guard proposal (below) would help with increasing the visibility of fencing.

As the community matures, I think it would be excellent if it could support more than one track. Besides training for newbies, we are already developing a venue for more advanced work that helps experienced people keep growing. I also think it would be a great thing if we could revive the historical fencing Accademia that we have had off and on in the past. Studying and redacting old manuals would give people an deeper appreciation of the historical process in general, as well as the development of fencing. I would encourage doing this the same way cooks do recipes -- read about it and experiment.

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Master John McGuire :

I would like to see it encouraging new members and building a fairly large base of talent. I would like to see Carolingian fencers dominating the known world as they are supposed to... I would like to see it actively sponsoring events, and participating as an activity at all Baronial events, with the possibe exception of special purpose events such as a scribal sympsium... :)

I see a role for the Fencers in the pomp and circumstance within the Barony, see [the "structure of marshal activities support question].

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Shi Hua Fu and Lady Yelizaveta Medvedeva :

The community should set its own goals; we are there to support you and ensure healthy growth and a healthy existence.

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