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

[K C Francis]

I've inserted comments below,

Katira

>From: Micheal <dmreid at hfx.eastlink.ca>
>Reply-To: Cooks within the SCA <sca-cooks at ansteorra.org>
>To: Cooks within the SCA <sca-cooks at ansteorra.org>
>Subject: Re: [Sca-cooks] Re: IKA - head table seating?
>Date: Thu, 14 Jul 2005 09:05:09 -0300
>
>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.


The Royal pairs are always seated together.  The only time they are split in 
my experience is the first court appearance of the Royal Heirs.  This avoids 
shifting ALL the thrones.  But sometimes they can be fit in ok as a pair.  
AND sometimes, the standard order is modified so there is good balance 
around the centered pair, both in court and at feasts.  I leave that to the 
real experts.

>>
>>>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.
>>

I would layout the stand way with the reasons.  I would also indicate thing 
might change and to go with the flow if it happens.


>>>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.

If it is their groups event, I would see this as a slap in the face.  If it 
is a Kingdom event in their territory, then of course they would not be at 
the high table or in court.  It is the HOSTING groups head that gets the 
honor of center stage and everyone else is their guest.


>>
>>>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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