Conduct at Court and in the Presence
Apparently in the Kingdom of Trimaris
It should be noted that customs do differ, at times wildly,
between Kingdoms
There are three types of Court -- Royal Court, Baronial Court,
and Curia. At Royal Court anyone who wishes to address Their
Majesties or Their Highnesses must fill out a presentation card
and will be called into the presence by the herald. A Baronial
Court is similar, but with nobility rather than royalty. Curia is
designed so that His Majesty may know the feelings of the
Populace on certain matters. Anyone may speak at Curia once they
have been recognized by the herald or Their Majesties. Curia is
similar to your local town meetings.
- PRESENCE refers to the areas around the King, Queen, Prince,
Princess, Crown Prince or Crown Princess which no one -- whether
out of courtesy or for the safety of the Royalty -- may enter
without permission from the Royalty. This is a circle which
should be assumed to be roughly 10 feet in diameter around the
Royal Person, their thrones (while occupied or not), unworn
crowns, and their banners or shields. If you wish to enter the
Presence or are called to it, make a Courtesy (discussed later)
at the Presence's edge and wait to be recognized. No one without
at least an Award of Arms may enter the Presence bearing weapons.
AT NO TIME should a weapon be drawn in the Presence. (This
Presence also applies to territorial Barons and Baronesses and
their symbols, such as we have in Darkwater.)
- COURTESY here refers to the show of respect to the Crown or
Coronet. The form of courtesy shown is individual to each persona
and should reflect the culture of the persona. No matter the form
of courtesy, it is the intention of respect that counts. Each
person should research what courtesy should be. Whether the Roman
salute of striking the chest with a fist and extending the hand
or the full, formal bow to the floor of the Japanese, each
courtesy is personal. If the time period you are using in persona
does not have or recognize royalty or nobility, it is still a
courtesy to bow or acknowledge their position -- as if you were
visiting a foreign court or land. If you may have to leave the
Court for any reason, please remain close to an exit, so that the
Court may continue without disruption. If you bring a child to
court, please keep them as quiet as possible.
- THE ROLE OF THE HERALD AT COURTS:
- Whenever there is royalty
or nobility present, a herald will be assigned to act as the court
herald for the duration of the event. This does not mean that
they will work themselves to laryngitis, but they are responsible
for the heraldic activities involving the royalty. If you wish to
be presented to the Royalty at royal court, go to this herald and
ask for a presentation card. This is simply who you are and what
you want on a 3 x 5 card. (ex. Lord John the Smith has a gift of
a jewel for His Majesty). There will be a time announced as
deadline for these cards. Do not run up to the herald just
before, or during court to ask to be presented.
- At a list or outdoor court, don't just stand around the Throne
area, and NEVER stand between the Thrones and the List Field.
If Royalty speaks in an announcing-type voice, consider this a
silent Oyez and be quiet so they may be heard.
- The ONLY persons who may take the court herald's attention from
the royalty are the peers and the Autocrats of the events. Near
the end of court, the herald may ask, "Is there any other business
before Their Majesties?". At this time you may ask the herald to
be recognized. Audiences will be granted usually by precedence:
peers; then groups (if an entire shire wishes audience); then
armigers; then all others.
- The main duty of the court herald is to be there, so the royalty
will not have to search for a herald. Quite often the court
herald will do little other than stand beside the Thrones.