Imperial Etiquette

[The Holy Orenian Empire 280]

 

IMPERIAL ETIQUETTE

Issued and Confirmed by His Imperial Majesty, the Holy Orenian Emperor Peter II Sigismund. Penned by the hand of Her Imperial Highness, Princess Augusta Maria. 7th of the First Seed, 1620.

 

CONTENTS

I. ON FASHION AND PRESENTABILITY

II. ON MANNERS, FORMALITY, CONVERSATION AND GENERAL ETIQUETTE

III. ON THE IMPERIAL PRESENCE

 

I. ON FASHION AND PRESENTABILITY

In order to be a welcome presence at court, it is required for the subject to be both fashionable and at the very least presentable. Certain aspects of court fashion are constantly changing, with most such fashion imitating the emperor’s personal tastes, however other aspects remain the same. The expectations of men in regards to clothing are as follows:

 

• A man coming before the court must generally be clean shaven, with some exceptions. Full beards are not permitted, however, moustaches are. The most fashionable and always-acceptable style of facial hair is the pique-devant, which entails of a well-groomed moustache, accompanied by a short, manicured stemming from the chin, coming to a gentle point. Those violating this rule have been known to be compulsorily shaven by the imperial chamberlains.

• A man must never wear armour or weapons at court unless he is immediately returning from a battle in which he has fought or has been granted express permission from the emperor, such as his retainers are.

• A man’s hair must be neat and well-groomed. The expectation is that it is to be trimmed neatly in the cavalier style. Some courtiers may opt to wear a Lovelock, using ribbons and bows.

• A man must always be in possession of a hat in the Imperial fashion, wide-brimmed, felted and accented with a properly trimmed plume or buckle, however, he is expected to doff it when inside. Such hats are typically worn with one side of the brim pinned to the crown of the hat, though men must be wary of this, as a mal-pinned hat can look extremely misplaced and out of sorts.

• To look presentable in the current Imperial court, the male wardrobe must be composed of the doublet, now having high waistlines and a more billowy silhouette. Capes, matching both doublet and breeches are advised, as though sometimes it may be fashionable to have divergent hues, such is extremely rare and is often looked down upon. Breeches are worn with hose underneath, and boots had loose openings, and are adorned with latchets over the instep. Baldrics are also encouraged, onto which a sword scabbard is generally attached. If a man finds himself well-endowed in resources, investing in a buff coat is highly encouraged, worn both under armour or as a temporary replacement.

• Women’s attire should consist or the traditional low bodice sloped shoulders and covered bosom. Soft silhouettes are de rigueur. The female dress is comprised of the linen shift, bodice, underskirt, over which goes the second skirt, incorporating both the top and bottom halves of the body, the stomacher and lace sleeves. Mule shoes are the preferred footwear. Taffeta, lace, and satin are the preferred textiles of fashionable and well-bred women. A string of pearls high on the neck is absolutely mandatory for all cultivated women.

 

II. ON MANNERS, FORMALITY, CONVERSATION AND GENERAL ETIQUETTE

To live a prosperous and fruitful life at court and attain your ultimate objective, one must adopt the manners and demeanour required of any courtier. There are often complex rules and procedures for matters of courtesy, however, they are quickly learned by those who desire to understand the rules of good breeding, the customs of good society and to avoid incorrect and vulgar habits.

 

When meeting and/or greeting an individual, one must employ both the proper form of verbal address as well as the correct physical gestures.

 

• In introducing a gentleman to a lady, address her first, thus: “Lady (Surname), permit me to present you to Lord (Surname).” If one lady is wed, you are to present the uncoupled woman to the matron.

• Upon greeting a woman of lower social standing, a man must merely bow his head whilst addressing her. No matter status, though, a well-bred man is to always kiss the hand of the lady in question, unless said lady is wed or otherwise engaged.

• Ladies no matter what status must always curtsy to the male in which they are greeting, as well as any women parallel or greater in status to her.

• When a man is greeting a man of higher or equal social status to him, he must bow to him and doff his hat when addressing him, with the proper procedure for bowing established later in this document.

• When greeting the hostess of a ball or salon, a curtsy and recognition of rank and title along with an appropriate remark is proper. When introduced to a woman a man should bow, and if he is not yet acquainted with the hostess, he should seek to express gratitude at her introduction.

• It is regarded a breach of etiquette to disregard the rank and title of any person with whom you are conversing, and all members of the party are to be addressed formally, and then semi-formally, lest they are in an intimate setting.

• No greater insult can be offered to polite society than to repeat the slang of barrooms and other places of lowly nature. To speak vulgarities in the presence of the gentler sex and refined men of court is considered boorish, and those who dally in such offences are to be removed from the host or hostess’ salon.

• It is considered uncouth to endeavour to shine in all companies. Leave room for your hearers to imagine something within you beyond what you have said.

• It is permissible for both sexes to attend a salon, however, it is the only social club where women are permitted to attend unless explicitly told otherwise under special circumstances.

• Ladies of the Gallery are to adopt a modest, graceful and measured gait and precise knowledge of the social graces and rules of decorum. Failure to do so will result in an expulsion from court, and is considered highly contemptible.

• While strolling, a lady should be reserved and demure, and a man is to be observant and civil. If (s)he passes a friend or relative during his/her promenade, a singular greeting is acceptable. If (s)he passes a member of the Imperial family, she/he is to bow and scrape or perform a simple curtsy. The doffing of a man’s hat is not necessary for such a circumstance, as to avoid the harsh ray of the sun.

 

In ascending order, the titles of address among members of the court are as follows. In the case of an individual possessing multiple titles (As in an emperor’s second son, who is traditionally prince as well as Duke of Marna) the higher title takes precedence in address.

 

• Commoners devoid of a title are to be addressed as ‘Mr./Mrs. (Surname)’.

• Doctors with a doctorate, honorary or practical, awarded to them by an educational institution or the emperor are to be addressed as ‘Dr. (Surname)’.

• Knights are to be addressed as ‘Ser’.

• Barons and Baronesses are to be addressed as ‘My lord/lady’, ‘Lord/Lady (Firstname)’ or simply ‘sir/ma’am’.

• Viscounts and Viscountesses are to be addressed as ‘My lord/lady’, ‘Lord/Lady (Firstname)’ or simply ‘sir/ma’am’

• Counts and Countesses (As well as earls) are to be addressed as ‘My lord/lady’, ‘Lord (Firstname)’ or simply ‘sir/ma’am’.

• Margraves and Margravines are to be addressed as ‘My lord/lady’, ‘Lord/Lady (Firstname)’ or simply ‘sir/ma’am’.

• Dukes and Duchesses, as well as Archdukes and Archduchesses, are to be addressed as ‘Your Grace’ first, however after the first address it is an option to address the person in question as either ‘Your Grace’, ‘My lord/lady’, ‘Lord/Lady (Firstname)’ or simply ‘sir/ma’am’.

• Privy councillors, as well as diplomats and other high-ranking civic officials, are to be addressed as ‘Your Excellency’ first, however after the first address, it is an option to address the person in question as either ‘Your Excellency’ or ‘sir’.

• Princes and Princesses are to be addressed as ‘Your Highness’, however, after the first address it is an option to address the person in question as either ‘Your Highness’ or simply ‘sire/ma’am’.

• Kings and Queens are to be addressed as ‘Your Majesty’, however after  the first address it is an option to address the person in question as either, ‘Your Majesty’, ‘my lord/lady’ or simply ‘sire/ma’am’

• Imperial Princes and Princesses are to be addressed as ‘Your Imperial Highness’, however after the first address it is an option to address the person in question as either ‘Your Imperial Highness’ or simply ‘sire/ma’am’.

• The Empress is to be addressed as ‘Your Imperial Majesty’, however, after the first address it is an option to address her as ‘Your Majesty’, ‘my lady’ or simply ‘ma’am’.

• The Emperor is to be addressed as ‘Your Imperial Majesty’ at all times.

 

It is worth noting that in the case of the landed peerage, it is customary and an option to address them by the territory of which they rule over in the fashion of ‘Lord (Territory)’. For example, if a theoretical John Smith is entitled the Baron of Grenville, he may be addressed (Even preferably at times) as ‘Lord Grenville’. However, this is never done with members of the royalty or other titles above ducal level, such as for an archduke. For example, Prince Alexander, despite also being Duke of Marna, is never addressed as Lord Marna, however, the Roswell Dukes of Istria may be referred to as Lord Istria. This is an old custom originating from the reign of Godfrey the Exalted, returned to prominence under Emperors Peter and Robert however abolished once again after the latter’s deposition. With the restoration of the Empire in 1526, it has become codified into court etiquette yet again.

 

It is also worth noting that while the address of familiar first names has been included in this lexicon, it is not customary to refer to a person using their first name unless that person is of lower or equal rank to you. For example, a duke may refer to a baron as Lord John, however, it is not recommended that a baron or commoner refer to a duke as Lord Charles.

 

When referencing people in a speech to others, it is expected that you refer to them by formal title and not their personal name.

 

In the public environment of the court, titles and formalities are expected to be used even between family members. For example, the Emperor will commonly refer to his brothers in a public setting as ‘sir’, and they will commonly refer to him as ‘Your Imperial Majesty’ or ‘sire’.

 

III. ON THE IMPERIAL PRESENCE

The Imperial presence is the phrase used to refer to the company of the Holy Orenian Emperor. If you were in a palace complex, and the emperor was in one of the chambers thereof, you would enter the Imperial presence if you entered that room. The Emperor may often be present in outdoor settings, or in single large halls without side-chambers. Therefore, the area ten feet around the emperor's person has been designated as his presence.

 

By law and custom, no person may enter this presence without rendering courtesy to the Crown. ‘Rendering courtesy’ here means to acknowledge by a bow or curtsy that the person holds a position of honour.

 

There is a proper way to either bow or curtsy when entering the imperial presence.

 

• In entering the Imperial presence, males are expected to bow and scrape. Scraping refers to the drawing back of the right leg as one bow, such that the right foot scrapes the floor or earth. While executing such a bow, the man's right hand is pressed horizontally across the abdomen while the left is held out from the body, often with a flourish. If the man holds a cane, it is always grasped in the hand held out from the body.

• In entering the Imperial presence, women are expected to perform a court curtsy, in which she extends her right foot behind the left, resting on the ball of the foot. Keeping her back straight and a lowered head, she must then bend her knees outward. She must lower herself down until her right knee is just barely grazing her surface of the terrain. Then, after a few moments have passed, she is to raise herself gracefully before His Majesty.  

• This process is complicated when one enters the Imperial presence as the subject of the Emperor and/or the court’s attention, such as when entering a room where the emperor awaits you, for example for a priorly arranged formal audience. In such events, a bow or curtsy must be completed first at the entryway to that room and then again on entering the sovereign’s immediate presence.

 

Kneeling before the emperor is not customary or required save in the circumstance that you are in the direct and explicit attention of the sovereign and are either:

 

• Pledging allegiance to him, such as in a swearing of fealty.

• Surrendering to him, such as when taken captive.

• Pleading for mercy or forgiveness.

• Asking the hand in marriage of one of his relatives.

 

If you wish to speak with the Emperor and he is not busy, wait just outside the presence until you are bidden to approach. You might make yourself more obvious by bowing or curtsying. You must never stare. If you must speak to get the emperor's attention (although this isn't usually necessary) you might try ‘Forgive me, your Imperial Majesty, but…’ or ‘Your Imperial Majesty, may I approach?’

 

There may be times when one must speak with the emperor and you are unable to gracefully arrange it yourself. You might discreetly ask the Chamberlain or Archchancellor to approach the emperor on your behalf to arrange a time and place and ask them to have you sent for when the emperor has time to hear you (or linger around and see if they're able to get you in right away).

 

There are several simple rules and conventions which one must never break when in the Imperial presence.

 

• One must always address the emperor as ‘Your Imperial Majesty’ first, however after the first address, it is an option to address the emperor as either ‘Your Imperial Majesty,’ ‘Majesty,’ ‘sir,’ or simply ‘sire’.

• One must never look directly at the Emperor.

• One must never touch the emperor or in any way violate his person, unless to do so would be to save him from mortal danger.

• One must always remove a hat, helm or other headwear in the Imperial presence.

• One must never turn one’s back upon the emperor, and must always exit the room backwards.

• One must never interrupt the emperor, or speak while he is speaking.

• One must not sit down in the imperial presence unless given leave by him to do so.

• One must stand up on the emperor’s entering of a room.

• One must, on entering the imperial presence and being addressed by the emperor, not exit his presence until leave is granted. If one must leave immediately or urgently, they must request, using the words, ‘By Your Imperial Majesty’s leave, I...’

• One must never come before the emperor armed, except in certain circumstances, such as in the case of his retainers, highest officials, family or immediately following a battle in which one has fought.

• One must never refer to the emperor’s first name in the imperial presence. However, outside of the imperial presence, such as in some publications, documents or general conversation, it is acceptable to refer to the emperor as his given name and regnal number, provided his requisite titles are also applied.

• One must never refer to the emperor’s dynastic or familial name under any circumstances.

• One must never sit in the emperor’s throne or wear one of the emperor’s crowns under any circumstances. Exceptions are made for sitting on the throne in the event of the realm’s chief judicial officer giving a verdict.