[MR] Queen's Corner

[Mike C. Baker]

I ask the indulgence of Her Majesty Atlantia and the assemblage at the
Merry Rose to offer a few poor observations from an external viewer: 

> > > 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)
> >
> > ---- Stephanie Shelton <ldy_sydney at yahoo.com> wrote:
> > 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.
   <SNIP> 
> 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 a  ll things honorable and 
> correct in manner and form. Thank you for your patience in 
> reading this missive. Katyn

Primus, to Her Majesty's concern about the kneeling pillows:  as I have
not directly observed those used in the Atlantian realm, I will offer
the following based upon what I know of the Ansteorran throne
arrangement.  Yes, for some individuals the pillows tend to be set too
close for the summoned person to be able to comfortably raise their gaze
and give full attention to the Crown.  Remember, I beseech thee, that
many of your subjects are of advancing years and not so limber as they
might have been in their youth.  A second and related reason is that
fighters still in armor (I would hope with at least their helm removed!)
may face at least two quandaries - both constricted head movement
(gorget / cuirass such that they have difficulty in looking "up"), and
concern that their knee cops might damage the pillows.  Third may be a
matter of persona play -- a Saracen persona offering full prostration, a
fool or jester, a Borderer, etc. -- where the summoned person does not
consider themselves worthy of dirtying the Royal accoutrements.  Fourth,
consider the plight of the lady with full hoops under her skirts or the
Oriental persona with some of the more expansive additions to costuming
(exaggerated shoulders or the "back flag" whose correct nomenclature I
am not retrieving at the moment)...

In addition, when summoned by the Crown as an individual, which pillow
to choose can be a (sometimes subtle) political statement.  I have seen
individuals change position based upon the award being bestowed, based
upon their personal understanding or traditions of the particular award
/ order / accolade, nature of their persona, or other factors to which I
was not privy.  (Some -- shall we say *interesting* -- court schtick can
be involved or derived from the wording of the summons into the
presence, etc.)  When in doubt as to why summoned, and the arrangement
allowing, I have personally been known to place one knee on each pillow.

Secundo, in response to Ldy Sydney, I will echo what others have said
with the added notes that customs *do* vary by kingdom -- Ansteorrans
are taught that it is not required to escort or accept an escort, but
that it is better to offer than for a gentle to go unescorted who
desired escort, and that disarming to approach the Crown *may* be seen
as an insult to the Crown...

Tertio, for m'lady Katyn and any others in similar & related
circumstance, I can offer observations from what I have seen done by
companions and others elsewhere.  Prepare a short -- two to three
sentence -- apology asking the Crown's indulgence, and remain seated.
Alternatively, if a mobility-impaired subject desires to descend but
will require assistance in rising, communicate this to the herald(s) or
Crown attendants in advance of kneeling.  (Putting a few "husky young
squires" on notice for just such an emergency is a GOOD thing...as is
some advance training of said squires in the proper ways to provide such
assistance!)  Also, note that a bow from the waist while seated can
still be effective, and even spectacular, with a little practice and
perhaps some carefully chosen costuming, jewelry, and accessories.

Adieu, Amra / ttfn - Mike / Pax ... Kihe

Mike C. Baker
SCA: (al-Sayyid) Amr ibn Majid al-Bakri al-Amra, F.O.B, OSCA
"Other": Reverend Kihe Blackeagle PULC (the DreamSinger Bard)
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