The article about the Court of past week seemed to create quite an impact, yet it is quite clear a lot of people did not seem to read the same article that was written. May it be personal interest, may it be a way to deflect accusations, to think we support one side, or any other reason.
To put it clear, that article was made for a reason and one reason only: we believe that the Court should treat every citizen with a minimum degree of respect, and that calling people names and slurs have no merit in the throne room of our Kingdom. Our King is missing, our etiquette does not need to follow. The Court should be above this and behave with the manners and morals we expect from them, especially since not doing so can lead people to think they are not impartial, that they do not treat every citizen the same.
Some people decided to make it about other things, about support, even if it was clearly stated that it wasn’t about who is right or wrong. Others decided to make it about this paper accusing the Court of something, when we merely stated the concerns some citizens have due to some members of the Court being friends, or at least in good terms and often together, with the Slock family (just to clarify: no, I am not referring to Earl Michael van Rook, he has stated several times he treats them as he would with any other noble house -maybe he shouldn’t – considering the history of this family, but that is for him to decide – there is no law saying who a nobleman can or cannot talk to). That is the price to pay for being the rulers, models and leaders of our kingdom, any action, any move, any friendship, is subject to the public opinion, as any politician should know.
I will conclude this part saying the Court is the perfect place to propose rules and changes, the guards are the perfect place to deliver evidence and ask for an investigation. Mixing those two up will generally not do anyone any good.
This is a lesson that proved to be learnt, but the same way it was important to say, ‘not like this’, I believe it is important to say, ‘this is the way’. If we give out critique for what we consider bad behaviour, we should also be ready to compliment behaviour which shows leadership, tact and patience.
Last Friday a large group of the members of the court showed such during a meeting in the Internal Affairs committee. They put side the recent events to treat the proposal of banning brawls. As we published recently then it was rejected based on several different arguments given without any personal feeling, ideas, investigation, or accusation, against the Shady Lady or the owner. It was a very calm and civil meeting, with some people going a bit out of the way, but perfectly presided over by the Chair.
Now, finally, congratulations to the Lord High Chancellor for the incredible display of patience he had on the last Court meeting, and to everyone, except some members of the audience, for the manners shown. No insults to the petitioner, except from some members of the audience who didn’t quite manage to control themselves or their manners. It was not easy to show that level of patience, but The Lord High Chancellor managed – and that is the next lesson.
I decided to reach out to Earl van Rook, as one of the people some of the drama has been centred around on the Court side in all this. After explaining the purpose of this article for him to have the proper context I asked if he wished to say anything related to what happened two Mondays ago and after. Here are his words:
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Earl Michael van Rook:
“As you mentioned, I lost my temper due to a constant barrage of falsehoods and accusations at the door of my family and myself. In the heat of the moment, I said things I should not have, and which were... very uncourteous. In the moment I apologized to the chair and immediately recanted the statements. This is procedure and - when done to another member of the Court - is a rather deeply rested apology.
While I could not have expected that to resonate with Miss Danny, I thought the slip up was dealt with until the Lion Roar article showed itself, at which point I realized not all understand our traditions. So, I went to Miss Danny herself, in the Shady Lady, and apologized, in person.
Clearly what I said was not proper and I regret having said it, but I can't change it, so I accept it.”
Mistakes happen, specially when in anger and bothered, and not even nobles are perfect or made of stone, however it is good to see mistakes are corrected. And may this serve for both sides to learn about tradition, for the citizens to know that recanting a statement is apologising and not hiding, and for nobles to know direct apologies are appreciated, and there is, in a way, honour and courage in them.
Lesson 3: Silence
Sometimes if your words are not better than your silence, you should just shut up. Repeating oneself to the point of making every member of the audience want to go back home, fall asleep, gag you or just pull every single hair out of their heads, it is not a good way to make a petition.
People need to learn to get to the point, great speeches have their places, but they have to be great. Sure, members appreciate some elaboration as to why you petition this or that, but sometimes the same can be said in two sentences. If they need you to clarify more, they will ask, but most petitions are moved to a committee for further discussion where maybe a bit of a longer speech, not too long, is better received. Also remember that even if your petition is something you feel strongly for, then you may not always be the right person to carry it to the court, not everyone can calmly petition the court in a manner and language they appreciate. Look for a courtier who may be willing to take your petition to the court, or hire a lawyer for such, both can be a perfectly good solution.
But even more sometimes it is needed to learn about picking your fights. This time the Court showed time and patience towards Miss Danny and even the will to do better, at some point it felt like there was a great chance the Lord High Chancellor might even admit her petition of an independent investigation. But she repeated, and pushed, until asking for too much, to remove him for his position. As much as some might not like it, we have a monarchy and we have a Royal Court who advises the King or in his absence, the regent. This means one cannot go around threatening people with a petition to make them resign, this is not how it works. It is important to have main goals clear, and to put the wellbeing of all citizens, over some personal feelings, especially when that petition could have been achieved. Believing that just because some people supported something you have the right to ask for all, is a great way to lose it all out of greediness.
Lessons yet to come
Mistakes happen. In the search for good sometimes people are reckless, impulsive. Surely there are more lessons to come, but if we keep these principles in mind, showing respect, keeping an eye on appearances, listening, and reading carefully, apologising when needed, but also going to the point and when to shut up, maybe we can make a better Stormwind together. And focus on the things that matter.