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 its 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 its 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 its own grouping of traditions (including its 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, then in some cases 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.

Bowing to the empty thrones

In An Tir, it's customary to bow to the empty thrones as you pass in front of them (within a certain distance, say, the reach of court). This is not the case in all Kingdoms, and can even be mildly derided in some cases - referring to it as "bowing to furniture."

The Eric

I believe it's a Western tradition to refer to the list fields as "The Eric" (so named after "Eric the Red," due to the red ropes used). This term is not universally used.

Sumptuary Laws

An Tir doesn't have a whole lot in the way of Sumptuary Laws (beyond SCA-wide registered regalia, such as the specifics on order badges, etc.) - anyone may wear a plain circlet, no restrictions on collars of estate, very few restrictions on heraldic display like standards, and so on. An Tirians traveling may be surprised to discover this is not always the case in other kingdoms. While many kingdoms have similar polices to An Tir, many regulate all of those examples and more.

Squires Tourneys

An Tir traditionally holds Squires Tourneys at Crown events. These are tournaments where Squires, along with "squires for the day", sponsored by a knight, enter. Many kingdoms also hold these (East, Meridies, Calontir, Middle) but never allow "squires for the day," feeling that becoming a squire is the price for entry.

Some (Drachenwald) don't have Squires Tourneys, but rather have Unbelted Tourneys, open to everyone except knights. These appear to have the same purpose (that is, for the knights to observe fighting prowess). At least one view of a resident is that one doesn't have to be a squire to become a knight, so such tournaments should not be likewise restricted. Others have unbelted tourneys in addition.