An Introduction to SCA Courts &
How to Behave at them
By Lord Robin Bowman of Dalriada
These are a few of the traditions / rules that I have picked up so far, in the courts of Drachenwald. As far as I know, they are correct; although if errors are noticed please feel free to tell me, good info is good, wrong info is very bad.
Introduction
As our Crown Principality grows, more and more opportunities present themselves for a court to be held at events. As only a region of Drachenwald we could solely rely on a Royal Presence and thus a court being held at a Coronation or Crown Tourney held here or possibly Warbands. With the formation of the Crown Principality of Insulae Draconis, we now have our own local Viceroy and Vicereine, the direct representatives of the Crown, able to hold court on the Crown’s behalf at events across the Crown Principality. This has increased the number of courts held considerably and thus the need for a quick recap of the basics I feel is useful for everyone, old hand and newbie alike.
Why have Court at all?
A good question to which the answer I feel is this,
- To conduct business of the kingdom or Principality or Barony before the populace (the court).
- To enhance the suspension of disbelief that creates the atmosphere of the ‘Current Middle Ages’.
Both I feel are equally important, the business stuff is necessary and good for morale, we all like to see our friends receiving awards for their good work in public rather than behind closed doors; whereas the pomp and ceremonies entailed in court allows us to drift away from the real world into our ‘Middle Ages’ just that bit more.
To people who say ‘I don’t do court, it’s boring’ I refer them to the second option and suggest they help us make it less boring and more impressive by their participation, you never know they may find they like it.
Behaviour Rules for Courts
Basics
Remember the golden rule of the SCA, courtesy, courtesy and courtesy.
- Don’t carry on long conversations with your pals during court, other people are trying to hear what’s being said, your friend might miss being called up for an award and look foolish, and it is discourteous to the King and Queen whose position, if nothing else, we are all expected to respect.
- Flash photography is not allowed in court by Drachenwald law, digital only if the shutter sound is switched off, and as usual smoking is not permitted except in site designated areas, which will not be near court.
Court Opening and Closing
A court will begin in one of two ways; either with the ‘Royalty’ already seated on the thrones before the crowd known as ‘In place’ or ‘teleporting’ (sic), or, by a ‘Processional’ entrance where the ‘Royalty’ enter the hall and walk towards the thrones and take their seats. Either way the first thing to do is GET UP!! Standing as the court begins is good, although physical issues may preclude you from doing so, if so don’t sweat it. You’ll know when to get up because the herald of the court will either announce the entrance or the commencement for a ‘In place’ court.
The herald will announce that you are given ‘leave to make yourselves comfortable’ or some such phrase only then can you sit down again.
Again at the end of the court, either the court will merely be declared finished, ‘there being no further business before this court, this ends the court of King XXX and Queen YYY of Drachenwald’; more commonly this will be followed by the Crown or their representatives leaving the thrones and the room to a set of cheers raised by the herald. Again the crowd should be standing for this departure and cheers.
The only other time you need to stand in court en masse would be if another royalty joined the Crown such as the Royal Heirs during the court.
Sanctuary
Both at the commencement of court and at the end the populace should bow its head in courtesy to the crown especially when you are within 10-15 feet of them; this is the sphere of ‘sanctuary’ for the Royal personages. It is meant to represent a safety zone for the Crown and a privacy area where their conversation cannot be overheard, thus an award recipient can have a chat with the Crown while the herald reads the scroll text.
Only the guards of the Crown and the Order of Chivalry are allowed weapons of war upon their person within this area. Thus if you are called up, leave your sword at your seat with a friend rather than causing a scene.
Bow or Curtsey?
The answer to this question is simple, if you’re male you bow, female you curtsey. Although there are a few rare exceptions this is the prevailing rule. The obvious reason for this one is that it stops the Crown being forced to look down your chemise when you bow. A slight bow of the head during the curtsey I believe is proper but don’t hold me to it as I don’t do curtseys.
So hereafter if it says ‘you bow’ then read if as ‘males bow, females curtsey’.
When Called into Court
Firstly rise out of your seat, this means the herald and Crown can see you are in attendance and coming up, thus they do not have to arrange for someone to go get you.
If you are called up alongside others you may wish to wait a few seconds so you all approach together rather than one at a time.
As a rule, if an unaccompanied lady is called a gentleman will offer her his arm and escort her to the edge of the sanctuary zone, where they will also bow to the Crown leaving her to approach fully within the sanctuary zone (a safe area). However this is not required and the lady can decline an escort if she so wishes, she should decline it quietly and courteously to the gentle offering before moving to the Crown herself.
Remember stride towards the Crown, preferably from the centre of the hall, i.e. directly facing the Crown where possible, DON’T dawdle or run, both are signs of indifference to the gravity of the proceedings and spoils the courtly atmosphere for others.
You should stop at the end of the ‘sanctuary’ zone, and bow/curtsey to the Crown before approaching further and kneeling on the cushions provided. Yes, that’s what they are there for. Listen to the King and Queen as they speak and reply to them when they speak directly to you not the crowd. You the recipient do not need to be heard by anyone other than the Crown. Once the Crown have completed their business with you, you should rise and make your way backwards (thus not showing your back to the Crown) to the edge of the ‘sanctuary’ zone, bow once more and then return to your seat. The herald at this time will be leading the populace in three cheers of VIVAT (vee-vat) or a single person or VIVANT (vee-vont) for more than one.
On Cheering
Cheers in court are usually led by the court herald and always, in Drachenwald, take the form of Vivat / Vivant, no other forms should be used not applause (non period), or bootstamping (period but bad for floors). Other kingdoms use phrases such as Huzzah so if you hear this it may be a visitor from another kingdom or a new arrival from one who has yet to learn the Drachenwald ways.
At the end of court the herald will lead the populace in a set of cheers whilst the Crown departs, these are in order;
- King XXX and Queen YYY
- Crown Prince AAA and Crown Princess BBB (if they exist at the time of the court)
- The group area, i.e. Insulae Draconis or Nordmark or Knight’s Crossing
- And finally Drachenwald.
Obviously we would hope all the cheers to be loud and lusty particularly the last as it unites all attending from across the kingdom not just the locals.
Conclusion
Court can be fun to attend if you allow yourself to immerse yourself in the atmosphere and imagine yourself in days of yore and not the 21st century.