[MR] Queen's Corner

[Karen Ziebell]

Your Majesties and Good Gentles...If I may, I would like to post a concern of mine in particular. Many of you know I am in a wheelchair and am fearful of offending TRM Sinclair and Kari and Their Excellencies should I ever have the good fortune of being called into Court for any reason (good OR bad!) especially since standing -- much less kneeling -- would be totally out of the question for me. I mean I could stand briefly, and attempt a curtsey but would be ever mindful of the fact that I might just pitch over onto my face and then be in quite a fix as to how to get back up. Getting down is always easy - I just fall down. It's the getting up again that is a challenge! My question is how do I solve this dilemma as oftentimes, court is held on a stage of some sort and stairs are yet another difficulty for me to maneuver (as all those strong backs can attest from Spring Coronation!)? I would never wish to offend Their Majesties and Excellencies as I aspire to become fluent in all things honorable and correct in manner and form. Thank you for your patience in reading this missive. Katyn


---- Stephanie Shelton <ldy_sydney at yahoo.com> wrote:

=============

> HRM Kari wrote:
> >Why don't people kneel on the kneeling pillows in
> front of the throne? Are
> they too close?
> >(This is just my own observation and question)




I completely agree with the gentle who said that it is probably due to most simply not knowing. Our Canton makes certain we hold a class before any large event to teach our newcomers about court, and pointy hats in general. We set up a mock court and run through the whole thing with them.

Our newcomers are taught first to always bow/curtsy to one wearing a pointy hat.

Second, when passing in front of the thrones they are taught to bow or curtsy. We always explain that even if they are empty you still show respect to the Crown and Atlantia.

Men are always taught to never let a Lady walk into court unescorted.

And finally we teach them how to approach the thrones, where to stop, bow/curtsy, where to let go of your escorts arm, to curtsy before you kneel on the pillows, and the proper way to leave the presence of the thrones.