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Extras - Seating Etiquette

  1. History -
    A little history first so more of this makes sense. When a person of equal or lower rank is on your right side, you are telling them that you trust them to be your right hand; you trust them to defend you, and since they are on your right, you will not need to draw your sword. You are trusting them to defend you. It is a powerful signal of trust. When you take up the right hand position of someone of higher rank, you are telling them that they may trust you to serve them like a right hand, and that they will not need to draw their sword, as you will draw yours for their defense instead. At the table in Medieval times, the hostess, wife, daughters, were often given the honor as being cup bearers for the High Table. It was believed that it honored both the Honored Guests and the females of the Host's family by having them serve. However in Amtgard society and at feasts, that honor is often given to one or two in whom the autocrat has absolute faith to be polite, softly spoken, and as unobstructive as possible.

  2. Keeping it easier to remember -
    If you would show respect to someone of higher rank, place them on your left so you may honor them by being their "right hand."
    If you would allow others to show respect to you, place them on your right to show they are your defense and "right hand."

  3. Guest of Honor is of Higher Rank than Host -
    Seating a high table has been a source of anxiety for many regents and feast o'crats. However, it needn't be so with a few adjustments and some thought to the matter before the feast begins. According to Emily Post, seating at any dinner should be centered with the Host and his or her Guest of Honor. From there, the arrangement of the guests should be male/female partnering, side by side.

    Therefore, seating itself is rather simple as the table below will show: (These will appear reversed since they are from the perspective of the the populous, facing the high table.)

    Fourth Highest Second Higest
    /Regent    		 Monarch
    		 Higher Ranking Guest Third Highest Fifth Highest

    The Host Monarch should be in the center or on the center right hand of the Guest of Honor if that guest is of higher Rank and the number of seats is even. If there is an odd number of seats, the Host is always centered and the Higher Ranking Guest of Honor on his left (so he/she is on the right hand of the Higher Ranking Guest). In this way the Host tells the Higher Ranking Guest of Honor that he/she is in the right, and his/her right hand is free to defend them on an instant's notice.

  4. Guest of Honor is of Equal or Lesser Rank than Host -
    However, if the Guest of Honor is of equal or lesser rank than the Host, then they should be seated on the Host Monarch's right side:(Populous view - facing the Head Table)

    Fifth Highest Third Highest Highest Guest
    of equal or lesser rank    		 Monarch Second Highest
    or Regent    		 Fourth Highest


  5. No Real Guest of Honor (anyone of Higher Rank) - Alternative Seating -
    The final setting that is entirely appropriate when there is no one of higher rank attending is to have the Monarch and Regent center, and others setting out in wings from them, monarchs on the left of the Host Monarch, guest regents on the right of the Host Regent.

  6. Event Seating Kingdom Level Events-
    Event Seating is just a little different. Center will be the Host Monarchy, Regent on the left of the Monarch. Monarchial pairs should not be split during Interkingdom Events. All too often the Regent plays reminder for whatever events are to be announced, keep this in mind for the seating. Champions should be permitted to stand behind their Monarchial pair. Only the Host kingdom's Champion, Regent's Defender, and Guard Captain should be permitted on the front flanks of the seating.
    (Populous view - facing the Monarchs)

    5th Ranked Monarch
    Regent on the right    		 3rd Ranked Monarch
    Regent on the right    		 Oldest Kingdom Monarch
    Regent on the right    		 Hosting Kingdom Monarch
    Regent on his/her Left    		 2nd Oldest Kingdom Monarch
    Regent on the left    		 4th Ranked Monarch
    Regent on the left    		 6th Ranked Monarch
    Regent on the left


    While this does go for very large events such as Clan or Spring War, it fits many smaller events put on by Kingdoms during the year as well. Just keep in mind the size of the land each Monarch or Monarchial pair represents, and sit them by size and time as that size (Kingdom, Duchy, Barony, Shire), oldest first.

  7. Lower Level Events with Sponsoring Kingdom -
    The only exception to this would be a lower level event where other Kingdom Monarchs are in attendance. The Sponsoring Kingdom's Monarchy pair would be seated on the Duke's left, and the Oldest visiting Monarchial pair on the Duke's right, etc. The Sponsoring Kingdom is shown the honor in this case.

  8. When all this fails -
    The world will not end, likely very few people will notice. However, in recreating a period of time, and honoring those who you wish to feel honored, and by allowing others to honor your land, you are setting a tone for a feast or event that people will remember.