Inter-Kingdom Anthropology

When traveling or talking with gentles from other Kingdoms in the Known World, one may run into little differences in how things are done elsewhere, versus An Tir. Despite the fact that we are all playing the same game, forms and traditions may vary from place to place. I'm not referring to things like that we know will be different - like specific awards or award names - but things that are culturally different.

Cheering

In An Tir (and the West, and it's other descendants - Atenveldt, Caid, the Outlands, Lochac, Avacal), we tend to shout "Huzzah" in celebration. In some kingdoms - Drachenwald, the East, Atlantia, Æthelmearc, Ansteorra, Trimaris, Northshield, and Artemisia - the common cheer is "Vivat" (with some of these using "Vivant" for cheering groups versus individuals). The Kingdom of the Middle is reported to use "Hoobah". The Kingdom of Ealdormere uses "wassail". Northshield also uses "Skoal" as their toasting cheer. The cheer of "Ave!" was reported, but this may have only been for specific reigns of Roman persona royalty.

The King's Word

Here, we have a tradition of "The King's Word is law" - expressing the idea that if the sitting Royals make a decision, that's that (or at least until their successors decide differently). It's even been used as a chant/cheer during at least one reign.

I've heard it's opposite expressed in describing eastern Kingdoms, where "the King's word is a darned good suggestion". Apparently the Royals are not expected to do anything by fiat, but rather to head up discussion and put forth ideas.

Protege and Apprentice belts

In some Kingdoms, it's common practice for a Protege or Apprentice to wear yellow and green belts to show the student relationship. That is not common (but not prohibited) in An Tir.

The West vs. The East

I've read various musings on how, in a general way, The West has developed differently from The East. Names for this include:

• "The Word" - oral traditions handed down in the West - vs. "The Book" - early Eastern Kingdoms having to learn primarily from SCA Handbooks mailed over from the West
• "The Occident" (Western Kingdoms) vs. "The Orient" (Eastern Kingdoms)
• Eastern Rite vs. Western Rite
• The Atenveldt Heresy - some theories state that Atenveldt separated from the West early enough to be it's own grouping of traditions (including it's daughter Kingdoms)

Awards

Aside from the obvious differences in non-society wide awards and titles, Kingdoms do seem to vary in how the entry and mid-level society wide awards (AoA, Grant of Arms) are given. Some kingdoms have one, the other, or both attached to kingdom specific awards, some commonly only award them "naked", if at all. Some have middle "rank" kingdom awards that don't come with a Grant, others awards an AoA with such awards - unless the recipient has one already, in which case they get a Grant.

Another apparent variance is the position that Court Baronies hold in the Order of Precedence - this changes from Kingdom to Kingdom.