Authority Etiquette

Photo: Dr. Martin Luther King giving a speech in front of a crowd.

The History

In the Medieval period society was very codified. Meaning it was strictly, and systematically governed by laws. Such laws can be moral (biblical and enforced by the church), formal (enforced by the ruling power/police), or societal. By societal  law, I am referring to laws which are dictated and enforced by societies and cultures. These laws are informal in nature, but this in no way lessens the serious affect they had on people.

This post will focus on two intersecting, and correlational laws. The first is the moral and ethical code referred to as chivalry. According to this code you must: obey those placed in authority, fear god and maintain 'his' church (respect/uphold religious authority), and always serve your liege lord. This basically called for an unconditional, and unquestioning faith in authority.

There were also laws that arranged society into different classes of people. Known as the feudal class hierarchy the few and powerful were at the top, and the many and powerless were at the bottom. The hierarchy was as follows: God and his earthy representative at the top, followed by the Monarch, nobles (liege lords), knights, the working class (merchants, and farmers) and then came  peasants in at last place. There was no room to maneuver in the system. The class you were born into would most likely be the class you died in.

The Custom:

Therefore, it was customary to respect those in authority. The aforementioned laws inherently enforced and perpetuated this class hierarchy. Well, technically all Medieval laws did. By engineering obedient, unquestioning members of society the class hierarchy remained unchallenged. It would be anarchy to transcend the class (with all its barriers) that you were born into.

Most people are still taught to respect authority, and to do as they are told. For the most part there is no harm in this. Children should respect parents and teachers, adults should respect the law, etc. However, when you raise a population from birth to blindly do as they are told things can go from good, to bad, to worse very quickly.

The verdict: Leave it (stick it to the man)

I would like to clarify: I am not saying loose all respect for authority. Rather, do not blindly adhere to those who hold positions of power. Question, debate, and engage in your government, relationships, and lives. Do what you are told, only if it is the right thing to do. For example: it is a good thing to obey the speed limit, and other laws. But, it was also a good thing that Dr. Martin Luther King challenged power structures, and societal norms which were backward and unjust.

Hannah Ardent, a philosopher, wrote about what she called the "banality of evil". She argued evil wasn't monstrous, demonic, or other worldly. Rather, the greatest evil occurs when normal people refuse to think critically. This type of behaviour allows for things like the holocaust to occur. Normal citizens, for the most part, just did as they were told. A sentiment reiterated time, and time again during the trial of Eichmann (Nazi). Never forget to think before you act.

Flower Etiquette

Photo: A field of daisies

The History:

In Medieval society dating, and courtship rituals were quite different from that of today. First of all, dating was not something that was taken lightly. If a person was spending time with their intended it was as a means to an end not simply 'hanging out'. It would have also been chaperoned. It was of the utmost importance that honour, virtue and chastity (just to be clear we are talking about virginity) were preserved.

For knights who took an oath of chivalry it was their duty to protect and honour those weaker, and lesser than themselves. There also  was specific stipulations about upholding the honour and reputation of women throughout the code itself. Therefore, one could not simply kiss their significant other or tell them how they felt.

This was because:
A). They would never be alone
B). People would speculate something dishonourable was occurring.

Also at this time the concept of love began to make an appearance in the world of relationships. But, it was not necessary as many people still married for reasons of class, wealth, and finding an 'appropriate' match. Many relationships were arranged at the time.

The Custom:

It was from this historical, and social landscape that the concept of giving coded gifts as symbols of affection arose. Since the couple would not be alone together they could, instead, pass notes and gifts to one another. This allowed for intimacy, privacy, and some degree of secrecy in relationships.

Tokens of affection took various forms: actual love tokens, poems, and most notably flowers. The language of flowers (floriography) has existed for thousands of years but was extremely popular in Medieval, and Victorian times. Every flower carried a specific meaning, and books or lists were used to help both the giver and receiver decipher the intended message.

For example:
Daisy - innocence
Ivy - Fidelity
Lavender - Distrust
Lilac - First Love
**Click here for a longer list**

The Verdict: Love it (don't leaf it)
There is nothing wrong with letting your significant other know you are thinking of them, or how you truly feel. The language of flowers has been lost in translation from the Medieval period into modernity. However, the original meaning a flower carried is not what is important; it is the thought that counts.

It is simply good manners to show up to a date, or a party with flowers. Or to offer flowers as a sign of congratulations or affection. It does not simply have to be a guy giving a girl flowers. Rather friends, women, parents, etc. taking the time to say 'I care' without actually saying it.