[MR] [AtlantianHeralds] A question of Protocol regarding toasts

[logan]

i disagree with points 1 and 5 as they imply that somehow the landed
baron/ess outrank the prince/ess.   toasting used to be sort of a given
before feasts.  as such it began to take on an air of simply "playing along"
and not so much one of honoring people or events.  often times it also
became a tedious exercise in which folks would keep addressing the hall with
an almost endless flow of "and while you are still standing....." offering
toast after toast.  it was a tradition that i was kind of glad to see fall
away and much prefer the rare, but very heartfelt, raising of glasses to
perhaps the winners of crown tourney, the newly invested baron/ess, a member
of the event staff that had to overcome some great obstacle at the last
moment to ensure the event ran smoothly, or perhaps the new peer recognized
that day.  those things just seem much more genuine that the scampering
around checking folks place in the op to figure out who is toasting whom.

regards
logan

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-----Original Message-----
From: atlantia-bounces at seahorse.atlantia.sca.org
[mailto:atlantia-bounces at seahorse.atlantia.sca.org] On Behalf Of Beverly
Robinson-Curry
Sent: Tuesday, May 11, 2010 9:51 AM
To: AtlantianHeralds at yahoogroups.com; 'Merry Rose'
Subject: Re: [MR] [AtlantianHeralds] A question of Protocol regarding toasts

My, oh my.  I think I'll ask Triton to reassign Glynis as the "Can o'Worms"
herald.  ;-)  Love you, Glynis!

 

O.k., let's see how succinctly I can outline this, however, please know that
there is some allowance for variation depending on the individual
circumstances of the day (for example, perhaps you didn't have any peers
stay for feast!) and the wishes of TRM's or the Landed Baronage.

 

Let's divide into 2 separate topics, High Table and Toasting.  And remember,
I speak only of how we typically proceed in Atlantia.

 

High Table:

1.       Remembering that all baronial lands are held in trust by the
baronage FOR TRM's, then yes, if the TRM is present, the division of seats
at High Table is Theirs.  

2.       Bearing that in mind, generally the landed baronage of the hosting
group, especially if the event is not a kingdom-level (Coronation, Crown,
etc.) event is invited by TRM's to sit at high table.  If the event is a
baronial event or subsidiary group event, TRM's often offer TE's a portion
of the seats to invite guests of their own.

3.       The number of seats is usually determined by the autocrat, based
upon the size of the hall, available placement of the tables, and number of
feast spots available/amount of food being prepared.  (e.g. it would be
silly to expect 15 seats at high table, when you could only get 2 6-foot
tables across the top of the hall.)

4.       It has often been my experience that the autocrat handles
coordination of high table, going to TRM's or Baronage, letting them know
how many seats are available and asking how they wish it to be handled.

5.       If TRM's are not present, but the Heirs are, and the event is a
Baronial or subsidiary branch one, then it is my feeling that the choice
shifts to the Landed Baronage as it is their event, keeping in mind that in
a few months, TRH's will be on the throne and courtesies will be remembered.
;-)  Asking their preferences is not such a bad idea, if you hope to have a
royal presence in your barony during the next reign.

6.       If TRM's have a preference as to how seating should be arranged
(such as Her Majesty's preference to sit all girls to her side and all boys
to His Majesty's side), then it is done how They want it.  After all, it is
Their table.

 

 

Toasting:

1.       It is expected that the Highest Ranking Peer will give the toast
for TRM's, and the next highest, TRH's, and so forth.  While the toast is a
privilege and duty of rank, it is perfectly acceptable for a peer to defer
their turn to the next person in line, should they so desire.

2.       If there are no peers in the hall (which can happen at smaller
events), then the Landed Baronage would handle the toast to TRM's, with the
group seneschal taking TRH's and the herald toasting TE's.

3.       The ranking, on-duty herald should handle arranging the toast.  In
other words, if I were herald-in-charge at the event, and I was staying for
feast, then I would expect part of my duties to be arranging the toast and
tagging the appropriate persons to handle it.

 

 

Rhiannon

 

Mistress Rhiannon ui Neill

Pearl Herald (Ceremony)

Azure Decrescent Herald (Personal Title)

House Corvus, Atlantia

 

I am the master of my fate.
I am the captain of my soul.
                   -Henley

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