Discussion: Franchise

[Sir Edward]

I'm quickly using up a lot of the Knightly/Chivalric topics for these discussion posts, it seems. After a break for the holidays, how about we have another one?

The concept of "Franchise" is a relatively nebulous one. It encompasses "talking the talk and walking the walk" so to speak. It's presenting yourself in a knightly and respectable manner, practicing what you preach, and carrying an air of strength and dignity about you. This can also include general appearance-- dressing well, having good posture, and good hygiene.

I think we can also extend this to your gear. That a knight should be inspired to have his kit in order and looking good. Historically this was true. Knights were expected to have a disdain for money itself, and yet have a solid and rich looking set of gear if possible. Wealth to have a horse, training, and equipment is often what separated a knight from other classes of warrior, and yet it was somewhat dirty to handle coin itself, with the squire often handling the money for him.

How important do you feel these aspects are? Is it disingenuous to present yourself in this way if you don't adhere to the other chivalric concepts as well? Or does it help to act knightly first so that the other virtues will more easily fall into line? Who do you know that simply looks knightly to you?

Personally, I notice that people react to me differently in armor. I don't just mean the kids (or the drunks), but there's a slight rise in people's overall respect and courtesy. It's subtle, but I think it's real.

[Sir Wolf]

awh and here i thought it meant a knight could have a marketing and merchandising center: Space balls the key chain, space balls the lunch box, space balls the flame thrower (the kids love that one)

[Sir William]

LOL @ that flame thrower

I think you're onto something, Sir Edward...the question is, how do we get people to view us in our everyday lives as IF we were fully garbed in our respective kits?  I've noted the general looks of respect and a rise in courtesy when I'm in my kit- also noticed it moreso from people with similar interests but maybe not the...balls...to pull it off.  We're sort of an elite group of people who believe strongly enough in the ideal to espouse it, but w/out feeding into the bystander aspect of it.  That is, not worrying about what others think of you as you're doing it for yourself.

And I do feel somewhat different when I'm in my armor...but I think it is all in my head.  Why shouldn't I feel the same w/out the armor?  I think because to me, the armor represents a hardier, less yielding side to my nature; and while I am not hiding behind or in it, it is something I notice in the reactions of people I pass by at a Faire for instance.

Not sure if that makes sense to anyone but me, but there you have it.

[Sir Wolf]

yes, how do you set yourself from any other patron say at a faire or real life for that mater? SCA has white belts in which everyone knows that is a knight. or a red belt for a squire etc. being clean? looking at people in the eyes? always with a smile? etc??

[Sir Matthew]

I know exactly what you mean about feeling different while in kit. For me, I've always attributed it to the stepping out of myself and into my personae, but I think that the reality is that I feel more free in kit and while at Faire. I'm not constrained by the modern standards of political correctness to which we chain ourselves and I'm able to express my opinion more openly. That's maybe not quite the way to say what I feel but the closest I can put it into words. I have a habit of being a little too free with my opinion and little too blunt with it that sometimes offends or just simply puts people off. I think while in kit that aspect of my personality fits a little more with what people expect.

[Sir Patrick]

I feel that an outstanding kit cannot transform a lout into a knight, no matter how spot on accurate it may be.  The chivalric ideal resides within, and no amount of armour can hide what lies (or does not lie) beneath.  One on the path should conduct him/herself in a chivalric manner at all times.  If you're doing that, the dignity or franchise aspects fall naturally into place.  Personally, I view my armour as a projection of my knightly spirit, rather than a costume, and when I'm in it, I feel "right".  It's kind of like in "Kill Bill" when Bill says Superman is the real person, and Clark Kent is the disguise (not saying I'm Superman or leading a double life LOL, but you get the idea)   My helm and shield are displayed in my kids' room.  When a new friend comes over, they usually say something along the lines of "Wow! Where did you get that?" and my boys always respond, as if they were commenting on the weather, "It's my dad's.  He's a knight."

[Sir Edward]

When a new friend comes over, they usually say something along the lines of "Wow! Where did you get that?" and my boys always respond, as if they were commenting on the weather, "It's my dad's.  He's a knight."

That's one of the coolest things I've heard all week. Awesome.

[Sir Brian]

Once again good Red Knight you have expressed the very essence of the topic. – Well done good Sir! 

The only aspect I could possibly contribute towards this discussion is a variation and combination of the old adage “The clothing makes the man” which is only half true insofar as the Red Knight has eloquently stated that if the person is a lout than no amount of clothing/armor will make them knightly, however there are those who have never had an opportunity to have their mettle truly tested or any genuine cause to fully take a long introspective look within, in which case the donning of armor could very well be the catalyst that awakens the dormant knight within.

In one scene in the movie KOH (which I’m sure we’ve all seen and remember) they conveyed the general scope of what I’m saying when during the scene of preparing the defenses of Jerusalem, Balian made everyone capable of bearing arms into knights (historically it was only about sixty squires or burgesses). In the movie the Patriarch of Jerusalem had asked Balian if making a man a knight made him into a better fighter in which Balian simply answered with a firm yes.

Of course there is also the biblical perspective to consider such as in Ephesians chapter 6 verses 10 – 17:

The Armor of God
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
(Is it any surprise that this is one of my favorite passages in the bible?) 

[Sir Wolf]

sweet.

[Sir Patrick]

Agreed!

[Sir Matthew]

Yes, I think what I was aiming for is more what the Esteemed Red Knight said.

[Sir James A]

As Sir Brian said, "the clothing makes the man", and I feel that in some cases, it amplifies who they already are. I'll give a few examples, as I'm having a hard time phrasing it well.

Take the store owner in Houston who killed 3 robbers when they threatened him and his wife. Or the Massachusetts governor who pulled kids from a burning van. Or the police sergeant who bought a flag to drape over a retired firefighter who died and had no family left to do it. I think all of those are knightly acts, and to put those men in "knight's clothing" would reinforce who they already are, but their actions have defined them more than any clothing can.

At work, I have to wear nice shoes, dress pants, dress casual shirts. I wear it, but it's not me, and I'm not always comfortable in it. I'm a jeans (or shorts) and t-shirt person. When I'm "dressed down", I feel like myself ... relaxed and practical. When I'm "dressed up" for work, I feel like I'm "playing a part" for work, since I'm doing something I normally would not. I think the same would happen if you put someone in a knightly kit who shouldn't be ... they are able to wear it, but it's not "them".

Since heroes (and knights) look like normal people, appearances often make the first impression ... but after that, deeds make the person. I think that is a part of what living up to the knightly ordeals is; dress the part, act the part, be the part.

[Sir Patrick]

... but after that, deeds make the person. I think that is a part of what living up to the knightly ordeals is; dress the part, act the part, be the part.

You said it, Sir James!