[MR] A Question of Protocol

[Beverly Robinson-Curry]

Siegfried wrote:

>So now, where is the protocol Herald and/or Laurel to correct us all?

You rang?

To be quite honest, I haven't seen a completely off-the-mark answer yet (and
probably Master Evan's was the best, so far) as far as the SCA is concerned.
In dealing with matters of protocol and deference, one must also consider
practicality.  Bowing to
every hat you see at Pennsic every single time will exhaust you, as there's
a veritable sea of them in the market/field areas.  Plus, crowns and coronet
styles vary so much, unless you are well schooled in the heraldic markers or
the actual crowns each kingdom wears, it's difficult to identify whether you
are prostrating yourself before the highest king of the land, or a court
baron (not that us lowly court baron/ess' don't appreciate the courtesy now
and again).  In those instances where the crowd is very large (12th Night,
wars, Sapphire, etc.), unless you know who the party is AND they make eye
contact, a simple inclination of the head would probably do.

Which brings me to another point....  Eye contact.  Standing, or bowing,
when the Crown is passing by at some distance and is not even paying
attention, is kinda wasted effort.  So, a good rule of thumb is 10-15 feet
distance and wait until they actually look in your direction before bowing.

 His Grace, Duke Logan wrote:

>until saturday night my experience has always been that the highest (by op)
ranking peer in >attendance offer a toast to their majesties, the next
ranking peer toasted their highnesses (if >applicable) and then the next
would offer the toast to the hosting baron/baroness.  well, this >weekend TE
of the hosting barony opened the toasting by toasting their majesties.

Either is fine.  Landeds (as the holders of the land for the Crown) _within
the boundaries of their lands_, outrank everyone save TRM's, so if doing the
toast by Order of Precedence, they are the highest ranking personage in the
hall.  If they so desire, they can claim the honor of doing the toast to the
Crown.  I have also seen the Prince and Princess toast the Crown before.
But it isn't required of them, and it's nice of the ranking peer to start
the ball rolling.  Personally, I tend to prefer it when the peers do it, but
as long as it's done and not forgotten (which I have seen happen), hey!

Catherine wrote:

>Your Grace a question posed to you, when King of Atlantia, did you ever
feel
>the need to point out to people a lack of respect in this matter? or was it
>not a big deal? or was it a big deal that you did not address?

Thankfully, His Grace (nor any other Atlantian Crown I can think of) never
sacrificed his dignity in this area.  To instruct one's
squires/apprentices/proteges or household in how to behave is one thing and
is to be applauded.  For the Crown to undertake to correct other
individuals, especially should they be newcomers, could have quite the
negative effect.  Hmmm.  This is a touchy point.  There are some areas where
the Crown could undertake to fix a problem, as in should we host a foreign
Crown and they be treated with rudeness and disrespect.  In that instance,
the King/Queen would have every right to chastise their subjects, after the
fact, of course.  Or should they have a peer behaving with consistently poor
manners, they could take that person aside and direct them privately to
amend their ways.  But for people forgetting to bow or not knowing when?
No, that's not necessarily a point for the Crown to handle.  That's for the
rest of us schlubs to remember to lead by example (which we ALL forget or
get slack from time to time), and to instruct newer members through personal
instruction and classes.

Caterine also wrote:

> who just wants to get it right!

There are many, many variants of "right".  What matters is that we each
_try_ to remember to show respect, courtesy and deference to not only the
Crown and the landeds, but to one another.  Just relax and enjoy practicing.
No one is expected to become a little automaton and get it right 100% of the
time.  After all, the Crown doesn't wear bells and they like to play the
"sneak up" game.  ;-)

Requests for protocol classes cheerfully accepted...

Mistress Rhiannon ui Neill
Azure Decrescent Herald - Ceremony and Protocol