Greetings from your friendly neighborhood Kingdom Rapier Marshal,
First, the general rapier news:
The new Northshield rapier rules are done! Prior to the publication of this letter, the rules will have been sent up the martial food chain for approval. Once they are given a thumbs-up by kingdom and Society, the will be published on the Northshield web site. I want to extend my thanks to everyone who helped shape and craft the updated rules, from those who made suggestions at events to the people that read through the various drafts and helped make the final version better.
In related news, as some of you may have heard, Cut and Thrust is coming back under the rapier marshallate in the new rules. What this means is that rather than needing its own field all the time, C&T will be able to be used on the rapier field without having to set up a separate list. Of course, if someone wants to run a C&T-only tournament that will still be possible; it will simply be done under the mantle of the rapier marshallate. All current C&T authorizations will remain valid, as will all marshal warrants. There will be more details once the new rules are published.
And now for matters both martial and bureaucratic.
Society recently approved and published a set of Youth Rapier Rules for fighters aged 8 to 17. This means that Northshield can begin looking into having a youth rapier program of its own. With that in mind, I am asking for applicants for the new position of Kingdom Youth Rapier Marshal. The KYRM will be deputy to the KRM, and will be involved with getting the new program up and running. This will include writing a kingdom version of the rules for youth rapier in conjunction with the KRM, as well as helping establish the new marshallate guidelines for youth rapier. The term of office will be two years. Interested applicants must be a currently warranted rapier marshal. Applications should include SCA and mundane resumes detailing relevant experience, and be sent to the KRM at krm@nothshield.org. Application deadline is February 1, 2018.
And lastly: all good things must come to an end. My term as Northshield’s KRM is coming to a close, which means a replacement must be found. Any and all rapier marshals warranted in the Kingdom of Northshield are welcome to apply, but be aware there is more to the job than writing the occasional pithy (and often long) missive. Those wishing to take on the mantle of KRM should have strong organizational abilities; good interpersonal and communication skills; a solid knowledge of BOTH Northshield’s and Society’s rapier rules and general martial policies; the ability to hit deadlines; reliable e-mail and internet connections; the ability to deal with questions, crises, and other issues in a calm and thoughtful manner; and a willingness to clarify and enforce the rules, even when it isn’t always fun to do so. If you’re interested in taking on the challenge (and reward) of serving as KRM, send a letter of application, along with your SCA and pertinent mundane resume, to this office (krm@northshield.org), the Kingdom Earl Marshal (kem@northshield.org), and the Crown of Northshield (trm@norhthshield.org). Application deadline is March 1, 2018. Whoever is selected as the next KRM will become my dropdead deputy and work with me in this office until they step up in June of 2018.
Now, go out, fence well, & have fun!
In service,
Simon Morcar