[Sca-cooks] Re: IKA - head table seating?

[Micheal]

 Tis so by the rules of protocol , of the game. Would not do to sit them in 
the noncenter unless they wish it.
 Da
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <iasmin at comcast.net>
To: <sca-cooks at ansteorra.org>
Sent: Thursday, July 14, 2005 8:49 AM
Subject: [Sca-cooks] Re: IKA - head table seating?


> Katira wrote:
>
>> Here in the West, the hosting Royalty (K&Q or P&P)  or the hosting landed
>> B&B take center stage on the long table with all facing the hall.   All
>> other Royalty can expect to be seated in order of precedence sitting
>> left/right/left/right of the center.  Same way they are seated in court 
>> as a
>> matter of fact.
>
> Thankyou for this. Question. When you say they are seated as if in court, 
> which method(s) do your Court Herald follow in seating them? Some kingdoms 
> seat the King and Queen center stage, with the prince at the right hand of 
> the Queen and the Princess and the left hand of the King.  If more than 
> one P&P are there, some kingdoms continue adding them left and right 
> alternating boy-girl-boy-girl. Some kingdoms pair multiples in order of 
> precedence. That is. 1st ranking P&P to the Queen's right, 2nd ranking P&P 
> to the King's left, and so forth.
>
> The reason I ask is because I'm trying to get a sense of how prevalent it 
> is to split up royalty or dining partners at head table. Within the 
> Midrealm the practice is mixed, at times depending on the whim of Royalty. 
> But despite the fact that "The Royalty is Always Right" seating a head 
> table always seems to be a source of stress for the retainer in charge of 
> ensuring said head table is filled with the appropriate invited guests.
>
>> So you see there are conventions and there are exceptions.
>
> Exactly so, but I think that a lot of retainers are unfamiliar with 
> seating a head table and I'm trying to come up with some sort of head 
> table hand-out that would help the newest learn for the first time and 
> provide the experienced ones with a refresher or a quick reference if the 
> rush of an event seems overwhelming.
>
>> In planning for a feast and the head table, one usually checks to see
>> which Royalty is  coming, 1 or 2,  w/ or w/o guests, etc. and plans for
>> at least that many total.
>
> At least on the reigns for which I've worked, the number of spaces 
> available at head table is a standard question we asked when preparing for 
> an event. We then planned accordingly. Because of the feast halls we 
> typically have access to, the standard seating at head table is 8, 4 each 
> along the long side of two standard "church" tables, butted end to end. It 
> is typically only at the larger events like crown tournament and 
> coronation that the table is any larger than this. I have also been at a 
> few feasts where only round tables were available, no long ones, and 
> royalty assumed the position in the center of the room at a "table of 
> honor" rather than a true "head table" or "top table."
>
>> I am sure there are things done differently in other Kingdoms and I am
>> curious to hear about them myself.
>
> I am as well, if only because I want to ensure a good bit of information 
> that might help retainers understand that setting up head table isn't half 
> as scary as it sounds. I suppose is anyone were to have ideas in this 
> regard, I'd be happy to hear them. What troubled you the most in this if 
> you've done it before? If you've never done it before, what would you want 
> to know?
>
>> If you don't want to post this somewhat OT topic to the list, you may 
>> reply
>> directly to me.
>
> Good heavens, I think it's perfectly in keeping with the the topic of food 
> and feasting in the SCA.  I doubt Papa Gunther would disagree, but 'tis 
> his call. :)
>
> Giano wrote:
>
>> I've never seen it done any other way. Most high tables seat between
>> 6 and 8. The royals are seated in the centre, with the highest ranking 
>> other
>> members filling the places to their right and left, proximity being 
>> governed
>> by rank.
>
> So were the couples invited to sit at head table seated together or split 
> to the left and right of the Royals? As I mentioned it before, I've seen 
> it a number of ways. I've even seen it with the host and hostess split, 
> with the honored guest of the opposite sex sitting to their right.
>
>> There have been some acrimonious debates within earshot whether a
>> representative of the hosting group (seneschal or marshal) should be 
>> seated
>> there, but I gather the answer is 'not unless s/he has the rank'.
>
> That would be the case in our areas as well. Unless specifically invited 
> to sit at head table by the Crown, even if there is room, the Baron and 
> Baroness of an area can assume they sit at an honored space in the hall, 
> not necessarily at head table. I know that some people will diagree with 
> me on this, though. My opinion is based on personal experience.
>
>> Drachenwald has lots of local variety, though. This may just be the way 
>> they
>> do things where I happened to be at the time.
>
> I suppose this would be true just about anywhere. "Yes, Your Majesty!" is 
> our mantra, no? ;-)
>
> Iasmin
> iasmin at comcast.net
>
>
>
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