I have not yet received any applications to be the next Midrealm Earl Marshal, and so I’m extending the application deadline to May 12. If you are interested and have questions or would like to apply please email [email protected] or send me a direct message.
It is work, but it is good work. Being Earl Marshal is a rewarding position, I have gotten a lot of satisfaction from being able to give back to the Society and the Kingdom. I’ve made friends in other kingdoms and have had new experiences as a result of being the Earl Marshal.
I suspect that the idea of being Marshal 1 at Pennsic might have scared off some potential applicants. I have talked to Curia and to my counter parts in the East and AEthelmearc, all are in agreement that the Earl Marshal can appoint a deputy to run Pennsic in their stead.
I was asked what the duties of the office entail, here is what I wrote at that time.
The Earl Marshal needs to maintain their membership in the SCA for the duration of their term. They need to file quarterly reports with the Society. Those are the only true requirements for the position – but as with most things the bare minimum is not enough to be truly successful.
The office oversees all martial activities in the Middle Kingdom – depending on how you want to group the activities it is about 7 disciplines (armored, rapier, target archery, thrown weapons, equestrian, youth armored, youth rapier). Several of those have sub-disciplines. Managing each area can take some time and effort.
The Earl Marshal does not need to be the subject matter expert on each area (that is the job for the deputies for each discipline), but having a working knowledge of each area is helpful.
Being a warranted marshal in several areas is also helpful – but is not mandatory.
The Earl Marshal may need to tell folks why something they wish to do is against the rules or is a poor idea. They need to do this in a polite fashion.
The Earl Marshal serves on Curia and so should be familiar with areas outside of martial activities.
The Earl Marshal needs to be prepared to help manage Pennsic marshaling duties. The Earl Marshal of the Midrealm will be the head marshal for Pennsic in 2025.
The Earl Marshal needs to foster a good relationship with other Earls Marshal, especially with the counterpart in the East.
As Earl Marshal you may have to sanction people that you know and like if they do something dangerous.