[Sca-cooks] Seating and rank..

[Druighad at aol.com]

Seating at meals was done by rank. the higher you were at the lord's
table/dais for example, indicated your importance. The farther one was from
the high table, the less important. Merchants were generally placed near the
ends, unless they were Guild Masters, then near the center, but below the
nobles. Visiting nobles were always placed near the Lord & Lady of the Keep,
as a sign of respect, regardless of rank, and so news could be more easily
shared without shouting across the room or down the tables. That was
considered to be vulgar, and suited only for the commoners.

Castle servants gerenally didn't eat with the guests, but it depended on the
particular rules of the keep. Some nobles let their servants, but not
servers, eat in the Great hall, but at tables away from the High tables,
where the dignitaries sat.

Never heard of above or below the salt though, unless it refers to noble, or
peasant birth.

Finnebhir