The Barony of Montengarde’s New Path for Sergeantry Testing:
I have been researching for 2 1/2 years now, talking to the Populace, other Baronies, and to Sergeants from other areas as well as Our own, and I’ve come to three conclusions and I am instigating three Solutions starting at Dragonslayer, 2025.
Conclusion number 1: the testing for Sergeantry was set up in such a way that it created an insurmountable amount of anxiety for people. It was excessively difficult to have someone studying for multiple tests some of which are physically or emotionally demanding, on one long weekend. This meant that the testing results could easily be skewed by exhaustion or anxiety. Some testers had the skills and knowledge but couldn’t perform to the best of their abilities.
Conclusion number 2; the style of testing also did not take into account the learning disabilities that can cause people to not test well even if they know the answers. I believe we have missed out on including community leaders, service people and fighters that knew their Sergeantry skills, but could not show it accurately because they were not given appropriate individualized educational accommodations for testing, like one would be given when tested in school.
Conclusion number 3; we are missing a generation of Sergeants. Some of the Sergeantry forgot that they could create men-at-arms with Baronial approval. Many of our Own Sergeants became peers of the realm and if they have students, those are protégés, apprentices or cadets etc. We have many active Sergeants: Mordecai, Bjar, Thorvald, Constantina, Tygar, Oenghus and Bronwyn. But no one is specifically training Sergeants… perhaps because some didn’t realize they COULD support a student for that specific path of development.
Solution Number 1: We are creating a Montengarde Baronial Militia. The purpose of the militia is to offer a position to people who would like to serve the Baronial couple and work towards becoming a Sergeant. Their term of commitment will be for two years and can be extended if they wish with permission from the Barons. Within that two years they can learn the skills and test for Sergeantry one skill at a time, earning a completion for that specific testing, at their own pace, when they and the Baronial couple are agreed they are ready for that test. Testing might occur anywhere, whether that be at taverns, at camping events, or in a quiet room in someone’s house. It WILL include any educational accommodations that they need to be successful. Examples of educational accommodations include: voice to text, extra time, being provided a reader or a recording of written tests, being able to give purely verbal responses; any educational accommodation will be acceptable. When we do have a Sergeantry event, it will be a celebration event for new Sergeants, not a testing event. Perhaps it will include Sergeantry games that anyone can try to do in order to raise awareness and excitement for those skills and the Sergeantry.
Solution Number 2: Sergeantry Men-at-Arms. They do not have to be fighting men-at-arms; all types of activity and skill sets are represented in the Sergeantry. We have strongly recommended that Our Sergeants be open to requests from folk to sponsor them as Sergeant Men-at-Arms and are also encouraging them to suggest these men-at-arms join the Militia to train and have some fun. We want this to be a safe and creative space for new and old players. You do NOT need to have a Sergeant sponsor you to join the Militia, you can also simply ask Us, your Barons, for permission to join.
I am asking you all now for your support with this endeavour. We will formally take on the first ever Militia members at Samhain and at any time thereafter, not just once a year. Come talk to me if you have any questions and consider joining the Montengarde Baronial Militia; to learn, to be part of a team, and to enjoy being part of Our Court.