A guide to Court Etiquette and Customs

[MissToni 3565]

A guide to Court Etiquette and Customs

 

At the castle, the courtiers live under the constant surveillance of the Duchess, and upon their good behaviour, their respect, and their observance of etiquette their whole careers depend. If you displease the Duchess she will simply "not see you" the following day; her gaze will pass over you as she surveys the people before her. And not being "seen" by Her Grace is tantamount to ceasing to count.

 

In the presence of The Duchess (Duke if male)

1.  One must always address the Duchess as “Your Grace” during formal meetings and events unless told otherwise.
2. One must never touch or in anyway violate Her Grace’s person unless it is to protect her life.
3. One must remove their headwear and masques in the presence of her Grace unless it is for religious reasons. 
4. It is considered rude to interrupt her Grace while she is speaking.
5. Those listed below has first right to sit beside the Duchess. If they arrive and a commoner sits next to Her Grace, they must move and make way to them. Otherwise one is free to sit by her side:

   1. Her husband (if she has one)

   2. Her children

   3. Foreign Leaders

6. One must bow or curtsy when the Duchess walks by and/or addresses you.

7. Only a Nasrid by blood and with the golden/amber eyes may sit upon the throne. Regents and other members of the council must stand before it upon the Dais should the Duchess not be present.

8. Never compliment the Duchess halls, city or herself with the word Queen or King or implying their place is worth such a title, as it will be taken as an insult due to their blood filled history that can be read about [here]

 

Etiquette of Rank

1.  One must always respect the Title of another even if they hold a grudge with the individual.
2. One must know the Titles within Cresonian Peerage and their subsequent addresses:
   1. Duchess – “Your Grace”
      • Duke – “Your Grace”
   2. Count – “Your Lordship”
      • Countess – “Your Ladyship”
   3. Baron – “Your Lordship”
      • Baroness – “Your Ladyship
   4. The title Lord & Lady for all nobles and their children
   5. Knight – “Ser” or “Dame”
   6. Privy Councilors – “Your Excellency” 
   7. High Pontiff – “Your Holiness”
   8. The Keeper of the Cresonian faith – “High Priestess” 
3. If one is not sure of someone's Title, but recognizes them as some form of nobility, one must address them as “my Lord” or “my Lady”.
4. One should not refer to a noble by their first name unless given permission to do so as a show of respect. Furthermore, if one is granted permission. For Instance one should address a noble with the first name of Edward as “Lord Edward” and not “Edward”. 
5. One should bow or curtsy to a noble of higher stature upon arriving, leaving or being acknowledged by them for the first time as a show of respect.
6. One should not instruct an out-ranking noble how to handle his or her business or question their judgement, especially in the presence of a lower or equal ranking noble. Unless he or she is speaking complete rubbish as a show of respect. 

 

A Lord in Court

1.  A Lord must never shame a lady unless she has shamed herself to the Duchess, his Holiness or the High Priestess. This does not count if it has to do with ones clothing in Cresonia due to culture and religious laws clash with the Canonism faith and Cresonian faith. 
2. One is not above a lady or a woman, for they must be treated equally or punishment will be given. Usually by the loss of a finger or an ear depending on how severe the treatment was. 
3. A Lord, in order to be gentleman, should not touch or harm a lady who does not wish to be accosted unless Her Grace, The Cresonian Faith or the Church of the Canon has said otherwise.
4. One should not speak ill of her Grace, the Nasrid family or the Faith, for it is sedition and can cause loss of a finger or an ear.
5. One must never eat in the Grand Halls or in the Temple of the Faith unless tables made for it are placed, for punishment will be given out. Usually in the form of removal of a finger or an ear.
6. One must never, under any circumstance, conduct themselves in pre-martial coitous as such would bring great shame to both their family and ruin the purity of his shaft. If any children is made from this they will be considered illegitimate and the man will be shamed publicly. 

 

A Lady in Court

1.  One must never, under any circumstance, conduct themselves in pre-martial coitous as such would bring great shame to both their family and ruin the flower of maidenhood. If any children is made from this they will be considered illegitimate and the woman will be shamed publicly. 
2. Ones clothing should not cover too much of the skin or be heavy clothed as to make sure one does not smell badly due to sweat from the Cresonian heat. As a Lady should always look her best when in court.
3. One should not speak ill of her Grace, the Nasrid family or the Faith, for it is sedition and can cause loss of finger or ear.
4. One must never eat in the Grand Halls or in the Temple of the Faith unless tables made for it are placed, for punishment will be given out. Usually in the form of removal of a finger or an ear. 
5. A Lady must never shame a lord unless he has shamed himself to the Duchess, his Holiness or the High Priestess. This does not count if it has to do with ones clothing in Cresonia due to culture and religious laws clash with the Canonism faith and Cresonian faith. 
6. One is not above a lord or a man, for they must be treated equally or punishment will be given. Usually by the loss of a finger or an ear depending on how severe the treatment was. 

 

A married Lady and Lord in court

1.  One must not tolerate the advances of another man or woman in any capacity, for to do such would encourage adultery.
2. One must never have intercourse with one who is not their husband or wife as that is against the Cresonian faith and considered unholy. If any children is made from this they will be considered illegitimate and the woman and man will be shamed publicly. 

 

Ladies in waiting, proper manners and their tasks

A lady of a noble title or of a gentry family who usually serves a superior Noble or the Duchess, the terminology also being that of a mistress (not the prostitute variant).

The tasks and guidelines for a lady in waiting are as following:

1. One must always refer to one’s mistress with their title and no other name unless in private or when introducing her to another person. 
2. One must always follow one's mistress around to provide unto her company unless instructed otherwise 
3. One must act as the message courier for their respective mistress, being both a letter receiver and drafter.
4. One must help their mistress dress and undress and one must also clean their jewelry.
5. One must help pick out the correct outfits for ones mistress’ activities for the day
6. One may not engage in a marriage unless one's mistress has provided approval as to prevent chaos within their posse.
7. One must act as an assistant to their mistress in court at all times to ensure that she is well-kept and proper to the environment.

8. Proper manners and rights for a lady in waiting are as following:

   1. One may demand respect in the name of their mistress from those of an inferior titular caste, for if one disrespects a lady in waiting, they also disrespect their mistress.

   2. One must always remain loyal to one's mistress and never gossip nor speak ill of her to others. Furthermore, one must never embarrass, disrespect or tell the secrets of one's mistress’ to others 

   3. One will stay as your mistress’ lady in waiting until one has been relieved of duty.

• Almost all tasks, guidelines, manners and rights are the same for that of a male, who is known as Butler or Lord of the Bedchamber to other male Nobles.

 

All of these customs and laws must also be followed by all citizens of Cresonia. Be they noble or not. Allies and foreigners must also follow these customs, if not a trial will be called and the same punishment will be given if found guilty! 

 

Signed,

 

Her Grace, Asria of House Nasrid, The Duchess of Cresonia