3LB: Open Court

Attention Gentle Denizens of Castle Marrach,

Her Most Serene Majesty, Queen Vivienne shall be hosting an OPEN COURT the 18th day of this, the 10th moon, at 3 Late Bells Castle Time. During this Open Court individuals may bring forth nominations for intrinsic promotions. Individuals bringing forth names for consideration must be able and willing to explain to the Court their reasoning behind this nomination.

Protocols and Procedures for Open Court:

• Individuals attending an Open Court are encouraged to mingle, talk among themselves, and are representations of their household.
  
  
• Due to the length of Open Court (four bells) it is not expected that one remains in Court the entire time, thus the door is left open for people to come and go as needed.
  
  
• It is recommended that at least one representative of every household is in the throne room at any one given time. This will maintain the best interests of your household, and enable the household as a unit to be privy to any changes or desires of the Court.
  
  
• Those who wish to propose changes, ideas, recommendations, demotions, may do so at any time by alerting the Heralds or on duty Pages to announce their intent to approach Her Majesty.
  
  
• The Heralds or on duty Pages announce their intent to approach Her Majesty by listing their name, intrinsic rank, any titles or associations the individual may desire, and the greeting from the household as dictated by their ranking noble.
  
  
• Those who approach Her Majesty first speak to the Lord Chamberlain, (after alerting the heralds) and explain the reason for the approach, giving anything that may need to be passed to Her Majesty (such as documentation), to which he then relays them to The Queen who chooses to hear them or not.
  
  
• Objections to matters brought before the Court are handled again through the Heralds where the Herald is notified of your intent to object. Objections should be rare, and rarer against any who hold a higher intrinsic rank than yourself.
  
  
• Entertainment, singing, courtly dancing, recital of poetry, sampling of wines, is acceptable at Open Court, but should be halted when a Herald announces intent of approach to Her Majesty. Eating is frowned upon.
  
  
• Let it be known, promotions presented at Formal Court hold more weight and sway with the Winter Court, and are deliberated much more seriously.
  
  
• Petitions, promotions, and recommendations should not be presented to the Lord Chamberlain prior to Open Court (unlike Formal Court).
  
  
• Commoners who have a sponsor of courtier or above may petition the court during Open Court.
  
  
• There may be two recesses or more depending on the whims of Her Majesty.
  
  
• Pouches and weapons are forbidden unless carried by a knight or above or if they are a member of the Army or Winter Watch and are ON DUTY.
  
  
• Knights and above may bring seating, or have seating fetched for them.
  
  
• Once Open Court closes, no other petitions or intents may be brought forth.
  
  
• Private Audiences will rarely be given, but exceptions can be made for those members of the court of knightly rank or higher.
  

Any questions may be posted on the public notice board and I shall answer them pre-Court.

In service to the Realm,
Lady Sinvy Valmarana
Chatelaine to Her Majesty