[Ansteorra] escorting people to the thrones

[Alden Drake]

I've always understood an escort to be "person's choice".  I've seen entrants into court accept an escort's arm, and I've seen them politely say, "No thank you. I'm fine."  Most of the time people escorted into court, the pair usually stops some distance away from the Crown, and the escort is released to allow the entrant to finish the approach solo.  If some largess is to be presented, the escort is nearby to assist, or if physical assistance is needed, they are there, but they are not "in the picture".
 
>From a personal POV, if my lady wife is present and I am called into court, I would ask her to escort me, that all might see the one who inspires me. It is a way for me to honor her.  If she is not present and I am called into court, I don't feel the need for an escort, though I might accept an escort from a lady in my household.  One time when I was called into court, my wife escorted me, and as I returned to her to leave TRM's presence, Their herald informed *her* that while I had Their leave to depart, *she* did not.  In that fashion, They presented her with an Award of Arms.  I've seen this technique used by many Crowns as a popular "gotcha!" approach. :)
 
Alden Drake
 

----- Original Message ----
From: "willowdewisp at juno.com" <willowdewisp at juno.com>
To: ansteorra at lists.ansteorra.org
Sent: Monday, October 16, 2006 1:16:18 AM
Subject: [Ansteorra] escorting people to the thrones


Greeting to the people of Ansteorra from Duchess Willow de Wisp
We have had a lot of discussion of Courtesy and period behavior and there is something I would like to talk about. It is becoming the custom for gentlemen to escort ladies and Ladies to escort gentlemen to the throne. It is my belief that this is not period. The Duchess Anna of Brittany wrote in her etiquette book that a individual should not have an attendant when approaching the King. A Duchess would have to carry her own train, there would not be any guards of honor etc. It was generally thought one should go to his sovereign like one goes to his God, alone. In latter times it became a mark of honor that sister of a king might have a page that walked with her. Having a Gentleman escort a Lady seems very Victorian to me and it is only in to-days unisex that we would ever think of a Gentleman being escorted by a Lady. For many of us this courtesy is not one we could care for and should not be imposed.
On another level, Ladies in Ansteorra have worked very hard to be independent. Still we are often over shadowed by our gentlemen. Is it fair for a gentleman to hog the honor by escorting us in. That walk of honor to the Crown is a time for everyone to admire the individual and to see them as someone special having someone tugging at their elbow spoils the effect and diffuses the honor. I know many ladies need help in getting down to their knees and really need help getting up. I just think maybe we should give ladies a choice. 
In Service to the Ideals of Ansteorra
Duchess Willow de Wisp