Courtesy in the Inner Bailey

Note: The information listed here is gleaned from the publicly posted information regarding Inner Bailey etiquette and courtesy. More information may be added here at a future time.

1. Clothing
   For women, bodices and skirts are ill-advised as Inner Bailey wear, as they are identified with the serving classes. A woman visiting the Inner Bailey should wear a gown. Brocade gowns available from Mistress Ermengarde are probably the best choice. Men visiting the Inner Bailey would do best to wear hose, either with a tunic, or with a doublet. Pants are apparently currently fashionable, and less formal than hose. Trunkhose should apparently be worn by Outer Bailey residents only to formal Inner Bailey occasions.

   Those welcomed in the Inner Bailey will find other clothing available to them from the Royal Seamstress. The guidelines I present here should help you in estimating what to wear for your first visit, but you should speak with Mistress Ermengarde for more information, and also be guided by what you observe within the Inner Bailey itself.

   Men should remember to always remove their hats when in the presence of royalty. Always. And women should know that it is considered a 'low error' to wear a sword with feminine garb. I must admit that I myself heartily disagree with this last point -- as I see no reason why one may not be both feminine and strong, both a woman and a swordswoman -- but I would recommend that ladies not wear swords in their first foray into the unknown. As with all etiquette, these are not laws ... you must follow your own heart, but I hope it may help to know what is expected before you decide how you will behave. Swordbearing women may wish to consult with Mistress Ermengarde regarding appropriate garb.

2. Carrying items
   I would also advise that you mind the etiquette guideline about not carrying bulky parcels or large numbers of items needlessly, especially any time you go to meet one of your social betters, including visits to the Lord Chamberlain. This also applies not only to your entrance into the Inner Bailey, but your time spent there, and also your exit. If you enter the Inner Bailey carrying nothing, but pick up everything you see and leave with a mountain of clothing or food in your arms, you may still be considered quite rude.
3. Rendering courtesy
   Be sure to bow or curtsy, of course, when meeting someone, and those ladies more accustomed to wearing pants should remember to curtsy, rather than bow, while in feminine attire. (One exception to this is royalty. One should kneel when anyone of royal rank enters the room, but I believe it is still considered appropriate to bow or curtsy if you enter a room where royalty is already present. I am not, however, certain on this.) When meeting someone of a higher rank than yourself, you should be the first to bow or curtsy, and when encountering royalty you should allow them to be the first to speak. Show them the respect of waiting until you have been invited to address them. It is considered shockingly forward to speak to Her Majesty Queen Vivienne or His Highness Prince Bertram without being invited to do so.

   When you do speak to someone, be sure to use the appropriate term of address. If someone has multiple titles, employ the title with higher precedence at Court. (For examples and more detail, I refer you to the publicly posted etiquette guide.) Terms of address with which you should familiarize yourself include the following:

   Persons of royal rank: Her Majesty Queen Vivienne and His Highness Prince Bertram (Note that only those of very high rank may politely say simply "Queen Vivienne" or "the Queen" ... use of these terms by those of insufficient rank is considered a grave error.)

   Persons of aristocratic rank: Lord and Lady, or Lordship and Ladyship (Note that this also applies to Her Majesty's Ministers who are not of princely rank, and so Lord Chamberlain Launfal should be addressed as 'My Lord' or 'My Lord Chamberlain', and not as 'Sir'.)

   Persons of knightly rank: Sir and Dame

   Persons with neither title nor position: ser and sera

   Please note, however, that this list is not exhaustive. It is considered disrespectful, for example, to call Corporal Philo 'ser' ... he should be addressed by the respected title which he has earned. The same is true for other members of the Winter Watch, whom it is appropriate to address as 'Armsman', 'Watchwoman', etc., rather than simply as 'ser' or 'sera'. Please also note that 'Seeker', 'Healer', 'Counselor', and suchlike are not official titles, but only names by which members of those paths do call themselves. You may wish to use these informal titles when speaking to these folks, but courtesy does not demand it.
4. Social interactions
   Good etiquette requires avoidance of such conversational topics as absent spouses, religion, scandal, death, and recently deceased persons. Though this guideline is largely disregarded in Outer Bailey society, one would do well to adhere to it with residents of the Inner Bailey, to avoid unintentionally giving offense.

   It is only required that you ask permission to depart when you are in the Royal Court, but it is always considered good form to ask the senior person present for permission to be excused from any formal assembly. In the Outer Bailey, this guideline is largely disregarded, as it is impractical when folk come and go so often ... but when a person of higher rank is present in the Outer Bailey, it is still advised. Even in the Inner Bailey, this may sometimes be impractical -- especially in large groups -- and you should use your best judgment about whether it is appropriate or not.

   In fact, that is my best advice about all etiquette. Use your best judgment. When in an unfamiliar situation, as when first entering the Inner Bailey, hold your tongue and watch others around you, and do as they do. And always be sure to return any courtesy extended to you. It is understood that such may sometimes be difficult in large groups, as one may not hear something that has been said, but if you make an effort to understand the etiquette guidelines and follow them as best you can, I have no doubt that all will be well and you will be forgiven any small mistakes.

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