Rules of Common Courtesy

Common Rules of Eating Etiquette
"Etiquette" is the custom of being well mannered and courteous at mealtime. The practice of eating etiquette is essential to the enjoyment of any good meal. As our parents, grand parents, and others before them had good manners so shall we strive to do the same.

The following is a list of common courtesies.
1. Arrive at an appropriate time.
2. Check with the Chamberlain as to where they would suggest that you sit.
3. Be considerate and courteous to the feast staff.

The following is a list of what to bring besides yourself or partner.
1. A dish you have researched form history.
2. Plates: wood or lead free metal is ideal.
3. Bowls: Wood or lead free metal is ideal for bowls as well.
4. Eating utensils: same as 2 & 3.
5. Goblet or other drinking cup: you got it, no lead for it is not good for you.
6. Cloth Napkins.
7. Medium wash bowl, and water to wash everything for the trip home.

If you are brave enough to bring china or pottery that will be up to you, if you are afraid of it getting broken "don't bring it". Best to use non breakables when you travel to feast.

The Meal
The meal can be elaborate or simple. At most of the Warwick feast, the populace of Warwick will prepare a meal that they have researched from the Medieval/Renaissance time period and bring it to the feast as you would a modern time pot luck dinner.

Entertainment
A Warwick feast can be just as exciting and captivating as it was in the time period we portray. Not all feast will be full of entertainers, such as jugglers, musicians and fools (well maybe fools) but all feast should be fun for everyone present. The Chamberlain of the feast should try to provide a sort of entertainment with a medieval theme.

Servers and Serving
In Warwick, Pages are required to serve as waiters at a minimum of three feasts as part of their advancement requirements.

At each feast there be a head server (Chamberlain) to help coordinate the waiters and work as a liaison between the kitchen staff and the Herald. As it is in most historical groups, it is a good idea for waiters to work in pairs with one carrying the food, the other serving.

Order of Events

Before the Feast
1. The feasting area should be ready for diners at least fifteen to thirty minutes before the beginning of a feast. Most members should have their own feast gear. For those members and guests who do not have gear, some members may have gear that you can use. Be courteous and clean it when your finished!
2. All of the food that is brought to the feast will be placed on the acceptance table where the Chamberlain will inspect and place into removes.
3. Servers should assemble with the head server to receive their table or area assignment.
4. Before the feast starts, the Chamberlain should have a schedule for the Herald to review what will be the order of the evening.

The Feast
1. All members and guests locate their seats (except for Crowns, Knights, & Nobles).
2. The Bailiff(s) will enter, circulate, inspect the room, & take there place by the door where royalty will enter.  
3. The  Herald enters to announce the Crowns, Knights and Nobles, beginning with the lowest to highest-ranking member. The Crowns or the Feast Host shall be the last member to be announced. Everyone remains standing until the Crowns or Host is seated.
4. When Royalty enters "all will bow", crowns will be escorted by the bailiff(s) to there table where the crown will sit.
5. After crowns sit, the bailiff(s) are relieved of immediate duty and sit at a side table and may be joined by there family if desired by the crown, keeping in mind to protect and to serve.
6. Any noble/officers that will be joining the crown will be seated beside crown if requested upon, and may sit on either side of the crown depending on which side of the crown they are visiting "His, Hers".
7. All court nobles/officers will sit at assigned table's next to there own specific crown.
8. After the Crowns and/or Host take there seat they will welcome all.
9. The Herald announces that dinner is served. Throughout the event, he will announce each remove and the entertainers.
10. All left over food will be given to the servants last.
11. After removes are served there might be a small court proceeding, all will give full attention to information given.
12. After court or announcements are given the general populace may get up and visit friends, "if passing the crown's table" it is a must that you will bow and give proper acknowledgement to your crown.
13. When royalty gets up from there table they will be escorted everywhere by there bailiff(s) and/or crown guards as protection from intruders or the unruly populace.
14. When crown's leave the room all will bow until crown has left the room completely.
15. Every family member is responsible for there own table and surrounding floor area, clean up after yourselves and your family members.
16. In sum: Watch your behavior, language, manners, and give what is expected of you and your family.

Any revisions to these rules will be at the discretion of each owns individual kingdoms or territories.

This document was drawn up by

Zouch Brookman of Godmersham

Herald & Ambassador to Warwick

Royal Guard to Warwick

Secret Service to the Crown

August, One Two Thousand and Five