How to Act When No One Is Around

1) Don’t touch other people’s things without asking.

Sounds simple, but it’s hard to remember when you see a beautiful piece of embroidery or metalwork just sitting on an Arts & Sciences display table. Assume even the most plain item is a treasure to its owner, and don’t move or handle things without permission. If you must move something to get it out of the way, place it somewhere within sight or give it to the Gatekeeper (‘Troll’) or Event Steward (‘Autocrat’).

2) Don’t walk through another person’s designated space.

Whether it’s a roped off campsite at a camping event or an obvious personal seating spot in a hall, treat it as someone else’s home. Ask before you enter, and if no one’s there, go around rather than through. Popular ways to ask entry are “Hail (to) the camp!” or “Greetings, may I enter?” (at camping events) and “Good day, may I approach?” (at indoor areas). This is true even if you are a herald on official business.

3) Don’t turn a blind eye.

If you see something that should not be going on, whether it’s children playing with dangerous objects or someone moving something suspiciously, be polite but take action. Approach them and ask if there’s anything the matter, or state your concern politely and ask for clarification. If your concerns aren’t satisfied, tell someone in authority like the Event Steward or Gatekeeper.

How To Treat Each Other

1) Use polite medieval forms of address where possible.

Remember, everyone is as noble as you are in the SCA. Using these terms in everyday speech also adds to the atmosphere of an SCA event. Polite forms of personal address include:

- “milord/milady”
(for general use or for someone without an Award of Arms),

- “(My) Lord/Lady”
(again, for general use or for someone with an AoA),

- “good gentle(s)” (general use, either gender).

2) Respect personal space.

The thing to remember in all social situations is that not everyone is comfortable with extended physical contact. Do not assume that you may put your arm around a new acquaintance, or that you may hold their hand while you speak. An acceptable form of greeting is to bow or curtsey without touching, or to briefly “shake” hands in the Medieval fashion: the lady extends her hand (palm facing down) and the man holds it lightly in his own (palm facing up), bows slightly and then releases the lady’s hand. It is also fairly common for a man to lightly kiss the top of a lady’s fingers while he bows, but this is by no means necessary.

3) Be supportive and offer constructive criticism.

No one is perfect, and we are a society based on shared knowledge and support. If you see someone in difficulty, offer to assist. If you see someone doing something inappropriate, politely remind them (with a smile) of what is appropriate. If you are given the chance to critique someone’s work or skills, do so with an eye to how they may improve, rather than what is badly done. Pay sincere compliments where they are due, and don’t support hurtful gossip.

How To Treat Royalty and Others of Rank

1) Reverence to the Crown and Throne.

There is a tradition in Ealdormere (originating in the Middle Kingdom) that all people should make a reverence (ie. short bow or curtsey) whenever they pass by the King/Queen or their Thrones. This is a show of respect, and helps to set apart our Royalty from the rest of the populace. It may be as simple as a quick bob of the head as you walk by, or you can stop and quietly make a bow or curtsey before you move on.

2) Use appropriate titles.

If you have a chance to address the Royalty, Baronage or Peers (ie. Laurels, Pelicans or Knights), try to use the correct title. If you can’t remember it, you can always use “Good Milord/Milady”.

Titles & Forms Of Address

Royalty:

- King/Queen: “Your Majesty”

- Prince/Princess: “Your Highness”

Former Royalty:

- Counts/Countesses (have been Royalty once): “Your Excellency”

- Dukes/Duchesses (have been Royalty twice or more): “Your Grace”

Peers:

- Laurels (arts&sciences):
“Master [name]”, “Mistress/Dame [name]”

- Pelicans (long service):
“Master [name]”, “Mistress/Dame [name]”

- Knights (the ‘Chivalry’):
“Sir [name]”, “Dame [name]”

(Note: female knights often are called “Sir”.)

Barons / Baronesses:

- “Your Excellency”
- “Lord [Name of Barony]”, “Lady [Name of Barony]”

Court Behaviour

1) During Court: be quiet and respectful.

Court is a unique part of SCA life. While it is a place where people can be recognized for their service and skill, many Royals also try to make it entertaining for the populace as well. Sometimes, though, it can be long and admittedly dull. Remember that the Royalty may not be very comfortable with public speaking and this may be quite difficult for them. Be quiet and don’t heckle, even if others are yelling out things which you think are funny. If you’re not enjoying court, quietly leave to keep the noise down. As a herald, you may be asked to help with Court – do your best to make the Royals’ pronouncements heard clearly, and don’t try to embellish them or make them funny.

Summary

As you spend more time in the SCA, you will begin to learn other customs in Ealdormere which apply to certain situations (ie. while in combat, when dancing, during a Moot) or for certain individuals. But following these basic courtesies will hold you in good stead in any situation, and you will help enhance everyone’s experience in Ealdormere.