Section G:  Protocol & Precedence

This section deals with the basic concepts of protocol and precedence.

Protocol and Precedence are two subjects that are very closely entwined.  Protocol tells us how to behave in various situations and circumstances, and precedence keeps track of the rank that each person has attained.  Let's take a closer look at each.

Precedence

Since the Order of Precedence is the foundation of much of our protocol, we will start there.  The Order of Precedence is a listing of all the awards in the Kingdom and who they have been given to.  It tells us what rank each person has achieved so that we know how to address them properly. 

The Order of Precedence (OP) is maintained by the Sextant Herald.  They are responsible for updating the OP after each event that has held a Royal or Baronial court.  It is important to note that only the King/Queen or a landed Baron/Baroness may give awards.  The Sextant Herald is also responsible for making changes to the OP as needed/requested.  The Order of Precedence can be found on the Kingdom website, at https://trimaris.org/trimaris-order-of-precedence/ .

As mentioned above, precedence is a listing of awards.  Our award system is based on the idea that different awards have different 'weight', or rank.

• Honors.  These are recognitions rather than awards.  They do not carry any rank or precedence, but acknowledge something that a person has done that was of merit.  Examples:  Lion d'Or, Flower of Chivalry

• Non-Armigerous.  These are the first level of awards.  They are most often given when somebody has started doing something and shows promise in that field of endeavor.  They are also sometimes given to recognize service done in a particular area of interest, such as for work as a constable or a herald.  Examples:  Order of the Argent Palm, Order of the Watchful Flame

• Armigerous.  These are the second level of awards, also referred to as AoA level.  These awards carry with them an Award of Arms (AoA), granting a person the right to use the title of Lord/Lady or the equivalent.  They are given for continued work in a particular field of endeavor.  Examples:  Order of the Tradewinds Trimaris, Order of the Silver Shield Trimaris

• Grant Level.  These are the third level of awards.  These awards carry with them a Grant of Arms (GoA), granting a person the right to use the title of Honorable Lord/Lady or the equivalent.  They are given for continued excellence and work in a particular field of endeavor.  People who have received this level of award are usually seen as examples and mentors in their field.  Examples:  Order of the Triskele Trimaris, Order of the Arc d'Or

  • Court Baroncy.  In Trimaris this award is considered to be grant level. In practice, it is given more weight than a grant level award.  It is given to those who have served as a landed noble, and to those who have given a great deal of excellent service to the Kingdom.  Recipients of this award are granted the right to use the title Baron/Baroness or the equivalent.

• Patent Level.  These awards are considered to be the pinnacle of achievement.  These are your bestowed peerages as well as the royal peerages.  

  • Bestowed Peerages.  The peerages are society-wide awards that are recognized in every Kingdom.  They recognize someone who is at the top of their field of endeavor.  The peerage orders themselves are ranked, based on when each order was created.  Recipients of these awards are granted the right to use the title Sir/Dame, Master/Mistress, or the equivalent.  They are listed below in order of creation.

    • Order of Chivalry.  This order recognizes excellence in the field of chivalric combat.  Also referred to as the Knighthood.

    • Order of the Laurel.  This order recognizes excellence in the field of arts and sciences.

    • Order of the Pelican.  This order recognizes excellence in the field of service and administration.

    • Order of Defense.  This order recognizes excellence in the field of rapier combat.

    • Order of the Mark.  This order recognizes excellence in the field of ranged martial pursuits.

  • Royal Peers.  These are awards that are granted to people who have served as King/Queen of a Kingdom or Prince/Princess of a Principality.  

    • Order of the Rose.  This order recognizes those who have served as Consort.  

    • Viscounty.  This order recognizes those who have served as the Prince or Princess of a Principality.  Recipients of this award are granted the right to use the title Viscount/Viscountess or the equivalent.

    • County.  This order recognizes those who have served as the King or Queen of a Kingdom once.  Recipients of this award are granted the right to use the title Count/Countess or the equivalent.

    • Duchy.  This order recognizes those who have served as the King or Queen of a Kingdom two or more times.  Recipients of this award are granted the right to use the title Duke/Duchess or the equivalent.

Protocol

In Trimaris, the herald in charge of protocol, ceremonies, and traditions is the Sundial Herald.  They keep record of our traditions and assist people with creating investiture, elevation, and coronation ceremonies.  They also help to direct people in the proper set-up of things like court, feast, and processions.

Earlier we talked about the award system and how it grants rank, so now we need to look at how we use that rank to determine how to address people as well as how to handle various situations.

The first thing we need to look at is how to address people based on their rank.  Let's take a look at the proper form of address for each rank, starting at the top.

• King/Queen.  Addressed as 'Your Majesty'.  The King/Queen is always the highest ranking in the room.

• Crown Prince/Princess.  These are the heirs to the King/Queen.  They are addressed as 'Your Royal Highness', or just 'Your Highness' in less formal situations.

• Prince/Princess.  These are the rulers of a Principality.  They are addressed as 'Your Highness'.

• Duke/Duchess.  Addressed as 'Your Grace'.

• Count/Countess.  Addressed as 'Your Excellency'.

• Viscount/Viscountess.  Addressed as 'Your Excellency'.

• Landed Baron/Baroness.  Addressed as 'Your Excellency'.

• Peers.  Addressed as Master/Mistress, Sir/Dame, or their chosen equivalent.

• Court Baron/Baroness.  Addressed as 'Your Excellency'.

• GoA Recipients.  Addressed as 'Your Lordship/Ladyship' or the equivalent.

• AoA Recipients.  Addressed as 'Lord/Lady' or the equivalent.

• All other participants.  Addressed as 'Milord/Milady' or the equivalent.

In addition to people, groups also have precedence.  For groups it is based upon their date of creation.  For example, the Kingdom of the West is always going to be listed first as they were the first one created.  In Trimaris, we use the precedence of our baronies to determine their placement in court, processions, high tables, and so on.  Our baronies were created in the following order:  Wyvernwoode, An Crosaire, Darkwater, Oldenfeld, Marcaster, Castlemere.  If any new baronies are created in the future, they would be listed after Castlemere.

One of the most familiar and visible uses of precedence is in setting up the various thrones for court.  The highest ranking nobles are always placed in the center, with the rest of the nobles placed to either side based on descending rank.  The same principles apply to high table at feast.

When setting up for court, it is also good to consider where the populace will be seated.  Here are a few things to consider.

• Will there be a center aisle?  This is the most common layout, and should be accounted for.  Enough room needs to be left for two people to walk side by side comfortably.

• Are any elevations planned?  If there are, you will want to leave extra room in front of the thrones for the peerage members to assemble.

• How close should the first row of populace seating be?  Elevations and planned shenanigans can all require extra room at the front of court.  You want to allow for that while still keeping the populace reasonably close.

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