[MR] Queen's Corner - High Table

Thu Apr 24 21:37:13 PDT 2008

thank you very much for the detailed description of how it works!  and, i
agree with everything you state with one exception (well more of a failure
to mention).  you stated:

" That is usually the king and/or queen if They are present and the
baron/baroness if They are not."

perhaps you meant to say "royalty" if they are present (and the proper
seating is a given if the crowns and heirs are there).  but it would be the
crowns high table, followed by their heirs, followed by the landed
baron/ess.

regards
logan

"If an injury has to be done to a man it should be so severe that his
vengeance need not be feared"
Niccolo Machiavelli

www.ebonwoulfe.com
-----Original Message-----
From: atlantia-bounces at atlantia.sca.org
[mailto:atlantia-bounces at atlantia.sca.org] On Behalf Of E. L. Wimett
Sent: Thursday, April 24, 2008 11:19 PM
To: atlantia at atlantia.sca.org
Subject: Re: [MR] Queen's Corner - High Table

Since Her Majesty specifically asked. . .

First of all, the choice of who sits at high table --- and where they sit
--- is absolutely the prerogative of the person or persons whose high table
it is.  That is usually the king and/or queen if They are present and the
baron/baroness if They are not.

Fortunately, our Society is a lot freer in its protocols on this point than
the mundane world or the King and Queen would have the same people as Their
dinner partners at an awful lot of the feasts They attended!!!

That having been said, there are some "usual and normal" practices that can
be used to help decide on how a high table should be populated.

The first is that seating need not be in strict order of precedence and in
fact at most events usually is not.  An invitation to sit at high table is
technically a way the Crown has of honoring someone and that often has
nothing to do with permanent rank or power.

The second is that by tradition the seat immediately adjacent to the king
carries the most honor and that next the queen is next in prestige.  In
mundane situations, often a couple honored with an invitation to high table
would be split, but usually these days in most kingdoms it is customary to
seat a couple together.

The third is that there are a few cases where an invitation to high table is
virtually automatic.  If the Crown Prince and/or Princess is present, an
invitation is expected.  If the King, Queen or heirs of another kingdom are
present, an invitation is also expected.  And it is also usual for the Crown
to invite the local landed noble(s) to join Them at high table.  

At this point I should probably note that, if one of these folks are present
and are NOT at high table, it should not be considered in any way a slight.
An invitation may have been tendered and politely refused for one of many
reasons.  A visiting monarch may not be present in an official role and may
wish to stay with members of Their entourage.  The Crown Prince or Princess
may not have planned to stay on board or may have dietary restrictions that
would make a particular feast inadvisable so has opted to give up the place
to someone who could enjoy it.  (As we are now in Passover season, I am
reminded of several events in the East and Middle when religious observance
prevented some individual from enjoying feast.)  Or other duties may make it
impossible for someone to take a seat at high table.  (This happened at the
recent Coronation where the local Baron was cooking feast!!!)  A couple
invited to high table may have their children with them and not wish to
leave them during feast.

Getting back to the main theme, beyond the obvious more or less automatic
invitations, there are a number of reasons why the Crown may ask someone to
sit at high table.  Often an invitation is sparked by an event of the day
and made to the victor in the main combat or arts competition of the day, to
someone who has been honored in court (a brand new peer, for instance) or
who has performed a particularly egregious act of service or courtesy during
the day.  Sometimes the Crown may opt to honor a non-royal visitor from
another kingdom.  (I got a LOT of invites to high table in the Middle when I
was ambassador from the East!)  And sometimes the Crown simply chooses to
invite an old friend whom they have not seen in some time.  Finally, yes you
were waiting for it, a senior peer or peers may be invited to sit at high
table simply because of their rank. . .

Incidentally, when I speak of an invitation, it is assumed that such an
invitation will include not only the individual but also his lord or lady,
if the individual has one present.  Note that this generally includes not
only a permanent association but also someone who may be lord or lady for
the day.  (Politely ensuring that such "temporary couples" are accounted for
in planning is one of the major duties of entourage in planning for high
table!)

Well, this is already probably a LOT longer than Her Majesty thought it
would be (Alisoun falling naturally into university lecturer mode!) so I
will simply conclude by saying that, if anyone has any questions, they
should just ask email me and I will try to help.

Alisoun

P.S.  It was not mentioned, but the protocols for high table and those for
seating visitors for court are a bit different and the latter are
considerably more protocol-defined. . .

-----Original Message-----
From: atlantia-bounces at atlantia.sca.org
[mailto:atlantia-bounces at atlantia.sca.org] On Behalf Of trey and janine
sutter
Sent: Thursday, April 24, 2008 8:18 AM
To: atlantia at atlantia.sca.org
Subject: [MR] Queen's Corner

Greetings Atlantia,

There are many questions people ask me about the Kingdom, courtesy, etc that
I believe would make good discussion items. There are also things that I
have noticed.  So, it is my intention to periodically send an e-mail
addressing these questions/ideas/observations.  I really did not intend for
it to be this long, but I didn't want to put any of these off until later
and I am sure I will have more for next time.

Children's Feasts- THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU to the groups who are
hosting children's feasts at events.  This is a good idea on many
levels---the children actually get something they will eat at dinner, Court
is not interrupted by bored children and it shows the children of Atlantia
that they are wanted and appreciated.  Not only that, in several cases, it
has been older children and teens who have cooked the children's feast,
thereby providing them with an A&S and service opportunity.  THANK YOU!!

Household ladies in period---what were they called?

I realize that some ladies were wards of the Lord/Kings/etc, but that does
not often work in the SCA.  We can say, "I am a lady of the XYZ household,"
but is there any other title that you have heard?

Travel funds- Baron & Baroness

            It has come to my attention that some Baronies have a Baron and
Baroness travel fund and some do not.  I believe that it is an extremely
nice gesture to add this into the Baronial budget.  With gas prices soaring,
it is a way to thank them for the work they are doing and help them in their
tasks. 

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)

Please remember the Waterbearers in your event budget-I realize that this is
an additional expense for the event, but when the Chirurgeon' are spending
money to provide you with water, Gatorade, band-aids, etc, it can get
pricey.  Just an additional $20 to the budget would help a lot.

Talk to people before criticizing, it may be their first event-  I have
heard two stories lately of people who were at their first or second event
and were criticized for wearing their garb wrong or doing something
incorrectly.  While we want people to learn, please be aware that they are
trying to make an attempt at garb and you need to be gentle with your words.

Who sits where based on OP - Why is everyone sitting where they are?   I
will let Mistress Alisoun address this one.she is an expert.  That said,
there is a proper place for everyone to sit based on the OP, but it can be
superseded by where the Royals/Baronage wants people to sit at Their table.
So, if you see someone sitting in the wrong order, it may not be a mistake,
but a preference.

I have a gift for the Royals, is it appropriate to give it to them in court?
Generally not unless you are representing a group (Canton, Spinner's Guild,
Coursing College, etc) although there are times when exceptions are made.
There is often a period of the event when Their Majesties will walk around
the event site or sit in royal accepting populace visits. These would be a
much more appropriate time to give a gift. 

Thank you for your support and for making Atlantia the best Kingdom in the
Knowne World.

HRM Kari

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