[Ansteorra] In defense of courtesy (was: Re:Courtesy challenge)

[Lisa Sawyer]

In addition to the skirts, the stairwells and doorways were very narrow. I
toured two castles that had large sections existing from early to
mid-period (yes, I know that isn't enough to make a general statement) and
one notable fact was that the stairwells were extremely narrow and twisty.
There weren't hallways per se, just doors connecting rooms. I remember
thinking as I was climbing the stairs in my jeans as part of a tour group
that it would have been very difficult to walk up those steps in long
skirts, much less full skirts, and carrying something. I'm not necessarily a
small woman but there wasn't much room on either side of me to allow for
carrying objects and holding my skirts up. Passing someone on the stairwell
would have meant getting really up close and personal. The same thing with
the doorways. Now, these sections were built before the big skirts came into
fashion but it would have been difficult to get through them in the
Elizabethan style I've seen at events. The skirts would have to be squished
to get through...making it impossible to carry something and get through the
door without the risk of tearing your skirts. Also, there were stairs
everywhere...not just the stairwell type...one step up to this room, two
steps down to that room. It wouldn't have been easy to carry more than a
small basket without it becoming very cumbersome.

Just my thoughts,
Ysabeau of Prague



On 10/5/06, Elisabeth B. Zakes <kitharis at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> On 10/4/06, Marc Carlson <marccarlson20 at hotmail.com> wrote:
> > ... demonstrating our defacto ownership over the weaker sex through an
> array of bizzare
> > rituals such as escorting them into court, opening doors for them, and
> so
> > on.
>
> On the subject of opening doors, I never saw it as demonstrating
> defacto ownership. Women throughout the centuries have usually worn
> long skirts, and opening a door, if it opens towards you, can drag the
> door over the hem of the skirt. This is highly inconvenient, and can
> be downright dangerous if it captures the hem and the lady starts to
> walk forward, only to pitch headlong onto the floor. In certain
> centuries, when farthingales, panniers, crinolines, etc. made skirts
> stiff and much larger, even getting TO the door handle took
> engineering. For me, opening a door for me demonstrates a person's
> kindness to avoid these difficulties.
>
> And if a woman's hands are full, whether of embroidery, baby, or feast
> basket, opening the door for her is, again, a kindness so she doesn't
> have to juggle what she's carrying. The same holds true for a man, by
> the way. I've opened doors for men with burdens any number of times,
> and I've seen others do so.
>
> Even now, I appreciate anyone who opens a door for me, and thank them
> as I walk through. I've seen many a 12-year-old smile with delight in
> response.
>
> Aethelyan Moondragon
> Bryn Gwlad
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