~Part One~

S.C.A Etiquette and Survival Guide

So you make it to your first event, and find that not only do these people dress strangely, beat each other with big sticks and like it, but they also speak a totally foreign language; something resembling English, but you're not quite sure. So to make life easier for you, here are a few vital survival skills to get you through:

* Courtesy is expected of everyone at all times. Obnoxious behaviour and deliberately antagonising someone into a fight or argument is uncouth, and may cause your posterior to become the unwilling recipient of someone's boot..... or at the very least the constables may escort you off-site. Remember, many of the gentles at events are trained fighters and many carry live steel blades....

* All gentlemen are "My Lord" and all ladies are "My Lady". The King and Queen are addressed as "Your Majesty", Prince/Princess as "Your Highness"; a Duke/Duchess is addressed as "Your Grace"; a Baron/Baroness, Viscount/Viscountess, or Marquis/Marquisse as "Your Excellency"....but when in doubt, just call EVERYONE either M'Lord or M'Lady.

* Gentlemen: It is good manners for to offer a lady your arm for support, to help her with her chair, and to kiss her hand upon meeting her, though it need not be an actual kiss, but merely a bowing over the hand if you wish.
* Ladies: it is good manners to offer your hand to a lord upon meeting him, to ensure that his conversation is gentle, not uncouth, and pleasing to the ear.

* Gentlemen, Honour all Ladies; Ladies, be worthy of all Honour.

* Uninvited invasion of a gentles personal space is uncouth. You are perfectly within your right to refuse another's advances, attentions or to turn down an offered delight such as the "cloven fruit" if you are not comfortable accepting the offering. You may also ask other's for help in warding off persistent advances if you feel the need.

* It is rude to talk while a Herald (or anyone) is addressing the assemblage..... and even ruder when the King or any member of Nobility is speaking.

* While the throwing of food has been heard of in medieval times, in these 'modern medieval' times, it is not courteous to those whose fine garb may be soiled by flying victuals, nor to those who have to clean the floors. However, imaginary food fights are encouraged.

* It is good manners to bow, or curtsey in the King's or Queen's presence, including the space in front of Their Majesty's thrones whether Their Majesties are seated there or not.

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