You're Going to a Feast.  Now What?

OR A BRIEF GUIDE TO FEASTING IN AN TIR 

INCLUDING DEFINITION OF TERMS, ETIQUETTE TIPS AND ROMANCE!  

    Eyes the color of tropical seas meet yours across the eric. The fighter approaches, helm tucked under an arm, blond curls plastered across a forehead. "Will I see you at the feast?" purrs a velvet voice. 

    "Yes, of course," you stammer. The herald calls the bout and a helm slides over that face. 

    "Lay on," shouts the marshal. Rattan meets plate in a resounding clash.

     Later at the feast, my darling, you think as the fighter is drawn off the field by comrades. Feast? What Feast? Where, When, How? 

    To attend any feast you will need to have feast gear. Utensils and items like plates, goblets and bowls are not provided. In addition you will need to bring your own beverage in most cases. If you are of legal age, you may bring alcohol to a wet or discreetly wet site. Tables and chairs are routinely provided but you may always bring your own chair.

    There are two main types of feast in An Tir, commonly referred to as Pot-luck and Served. If the feast is potluck, in addition to bringing your feast gear you will need to bring a dish to share that will serve at least 10 people. A card listing the ingredients is greatly appreciated. The site copy often contains a breakdown of who should bring what, for example; all one-eyed Norsemen should bring desserts. Sometimes the host of a pot-luck feast will provide something special like a roast beast or bird. The feast may be served buffet style or the dishes may be presented by servers. Pot-luck feasts rarely require advance reservations, but a small fee in addition to the regular site fee may be charged to pay for rental of tables or other items. 

    Served feasts feature a pre-planned menu provided by the host. Almost always attendance at a served feast requires buying a ticket ahead of time. A cut-off date for ticket sales is typically two or more weeks before the feast. although at the discretion of the Feast-o-crat, other arrangements can be made. Feast staff can sometimes get free or reduced price tickets. Some feasts may include reserved space for picnickers or other off board attendees. 

    Upon entering the feasthall, you may be asked to sign in or be given special instructions on where to sit and stow your stuff. You may be allowed to set up your feast gear on a table early in the day or, if the hall is being used for another activity like court before the feast, you may be given only a short and specific time for setup. 

    Across one end of the hall will be the high table. Do not sit at the high table unless invited. Seating in the rest of the hall is most often first come, first serve, although special sections may be reserved for families with small children, dignitaries not seated at the high table, picnickers, households or other groups. You may usually set up your feast gear at any open seat, but it is polite to ask permission of neighboring diners. They may still need one more spot for Uncle Bernie. Do not shift anyone's personal stuff without permission. Also, do not move tables or chairs unless given permission to do so; the setup of tables and seating is part of the event design.

    Many feast-o-crats plan their feast with a specific theme like "Yule in Jerusalem 1269" or "A Night in a Burgundian Court." The theme may dictate the style of décor in the hall, the menu, or entertainment. Attendees are often encouraged to dress to match the theme, but strict adherence to the theme is not required. The one-eyed Norseman is welcome at an Elizabethan feast and a Renaissance man may sit down with his friends at a Roman meal. You are welcome, in most cases, to add your own flair to the feasthall by bringing and displaying your personal banner. 

    At last the feast begins. Electric lighting in the hall may be turned off or lowered allowing candles brought by the attendees or provided by the host to light the scene. A herald may welcome you and announce the entry of assorted dignitaries. You should stand as they enter and bow or curtsey as Royalty, Royal Peers or the Baron/Baroness pass you. They will ask you to be seated once they reach the head table. Some entertainment or speeches of welcome may take place before serving starts.

    If the feast is being served, the Head server or a herald may announce each of the dishes being served in each course or remove as it is served. Dishes will be served first to the head table then to the rest of the hall. Feasts commonly have 3 or 4 removes but dishes may be served all at once or in many more removes. In period each course would include both savory and sweet dishes, vegetables and meat. In common SCA usage soups may be served only in the first remove and desserts are often clustered in the last remove. So save room for later.

    If you have concerns about the food to be served you can contact the Feast-o-crat before buying your ticket for more detailed information on the menu. This is highly recommended if you have serious food allergies or intolerances or are on a special diet for any reason. Most feasts are planned to have dishes to appeal to a variety of people, i.e.: most feasts will contain at least some vegetarian dishes, but do not expect the kitchen to make special preparations just for you.

    Between courses a server may come by with a slop bowl and collect your bits of bone, fat or other food waste. 

    Also between courses or at other times the Baron may conduct small pieces of court business or bards may entertain the populace. Entertainment may be an elaborate production or a simple story or sing-a -long. If you wish to entertain, you generally may. Ask for the person in charge of the entertainment. He or she can tell you where and when your contribution can be used. 

    Entertainments may also continue during the courses. There are two theories on respecting bards. One theory asks for silence in the audience just as if you were attending a play. Some, including some bards, feel if the bard cannot command your attention, they don't deserve it. Most people split the difference and may eat or talk quietly with their tablemates during a presentation but avoid outbursts not in keeping with the entertainment. The key is not interfering with the enjoyment of others. Do talk to your tablemates. Here's your chance to get to know that gorgeous fighter and other new friends. 

    Flirting is an oft practiced art you may encounter at a feast. Even long married people may indulge in shameless flirting that will ultimately go no farther than a kiss on the hand. Others may be looking for something more than harmless play. It is your responsibility to say when enough is enough. A simple statement of "I am not comfortable with this." should suffice, but do not hesitate to ask for help from others if you need it. The offering of a cloven fruit is a typical flirtatious game. If you are offered one, you may politely refuse or accept the offer. A kiss is required in exchange, but the lady may decide where the kiss is given, lips, cheek or hand. Chocolate kisses or a hug are acceptable substitutes for a kiss. Once accepted, the fruit should be offered to another. 

    Eventually the feast will end. This may be a formal leave-taking by people at the head table or a slow drift off as people pack up and leave. You may be able to wash your dishes or have them washed at the feast hall, but do not count on it. Pack a bag to store them in until later. Do not ever wash your dishes in the bathroom. Bathroom sinks are not designed for food scraps. You are responsible for cleaning up your own place. Pack up your feast gear and clean up any sloppy messes you may have made. Usually there is time for socializing after a feast but if you see the staff getting out brooms and folding tables, either help or get out of the way. An excellent way to get to know people is offering to help with cleanup or other tasks. An extra pair of hands is always appreciated even if there is no work for them at that particular moment. 

    Finally, the end of an evening well spent, good food, good fellowship with friends new and old. New friends have persuaded you to offer your favor to that luscious fighter for the next tourney. Time to repair to your encampment or load up the dragon and wend your way home. Drive safely and soberly and we will see you next time.

    Favor? What the heck is a favor?  (A subject for another day)


Copyright 2001 by L.J. Henson aka HL Rycheza z Polska, posted Dragonslaire.org 1/21/2002  Posted receipt book of Rycheza z Polska February 2013

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