To some degree, probably, although I certainly wouldn't want to see
Baronial court turn into the mob scene that Royal court has become.
<p>
The issue is partly one of expectations. Aquel and Johanna have been
developing a tradition of Baronial Champions, very much cognates to the
Royal Champions. And I think everyone sort of expects that parallel to
continue -- just as the Royal Champs always attend Their Majesties in
court, so everyone sort of expects the Baronial ones to do the same. And
to be fair, we don't really provide the Baronial Champions with anything
*else* to do as the duties of the post.
<p>
I suspect that Caitlin and I would try to move away from this sort of
business-as-usual mode of retinue, although rather gradually. We're very
interested in finding other ways of doing things -- I generally find the
SCA cooler and more interesting when it's being imaginative. I do think
it's important that Champions and such have some sort of duties, so it's
more than just a hollow award, but there may be other avenues to
explore.
<p>
That aside, the only *necessary* member of the Baronial retinue is the
herald. I suspect having one or two others available is generally
useful, but like I said, I'd prefer that it not turn into a mob...
