Court Matters

[applebacardi]

So, I'm having a few problems with some small details concerning Arthur's/Uther's court. First of all, I know that Arthur has his knight, but what about Uther? Has it been mentioned in some episode that he has some sort of council or advisors? I'm sure he has, but has it actually been mentioned? Except for advisors, servants and noble people what

Comments

[sweetestel]

During "The beauty and the beast" Catrina was sitting on Uther's left side, so indeed, Gwen would be sitting at Arthur's left side. Merlin, as Arthur's advisor, would be sitting on Arthur's right side (I think that's where the phrase "right-hand man" comes from") However I've always noticed that Arthur and Morgana were sitting a bit behind Uther whereas Catrina is sitting right next to him. Hmmm I'm not sure this is helping but I wanted to point it out! :p

[applebacardi]

Hmm. Thank you, this really helps :) Maybe Arthur and Morgana sit a bit behind because they are considering his children more than his advisors/spouses, LOL, but I'm not sure if Uther actually has an official 'right-hand man'.

[thisissirius]

Wife/Queen/King/Husband/Spouse always sits on the left - like in our Queen's court, Prince Phillip always sits on the left. Children/wards/other advisors who sit on thrones/whatever - sit a little behind as evidence of their 'lesser' rank - with Heir apparent on the left when there is no spouse.

(Because the witch finder got it a bit wrong and so did the dragon's call - heir apparent should sit on the left.)

Uther's right hand man would probably have been Gaius, but as soon as magic was outlawed, I would have thought he'd want to distance himself from anyone even remotely attached to magic. But yes, closest advisors/MERLIN always sits on the right.

(CUT OFF MY COMMENT, ELJAY >:()

[applebacardi]

Yeah, I figured this would be the case. Thank you for the help!

[zenodameaccount]

In answer to your second question, unless at a council table, I don't think Merlin would sit at all.

Merlin isn't royalty nor is he nobility and - personality-wise - could you see Merlin sitting stately at Arthur's side? If anything he'd probably be standing at his right, perhaps a little behind, a hand on his throne. Almost as if he's a servant status willingly, like he has the right to be where he wants.

'Course, it depends on the state of Arthur's court and how free his relationship with Merlin is. i.e. A round table at council meetings would null rank's hierarchy. Can sit where they damn well please, eh?

Sitting and nobility rules puts me in mind of a bird forced into a cage Merlin's always been like a bird, very wild and do-it-yourself at heart (if not in body :P); a cage is not his idea of fun. If Merlin was Court Sorcerer yet had a tense relationship with Arthur, though? I imagine he'd climb into whatever cage Arthur built him.

haha tangent much...?

[applebacardi]

Type away! I'm loving these answers, they're really helping, because I didn't really know all of this before. You're right, I can't really see Merlin sitting, looking all important-like, in at a council table as he is now, but you know.. *cough* future *cough*, LOL ;D

[zenodameaccount]

Point! So much can happen in the intervening years, you never know how it might change him (or likewise, doesn't!). I guess my thoughts stem from what I can see Merlin, hiding himself from Arthur and Doing It All for him, wanting from the future he hopes Arthur will bring to Camelot. That and the traditional legends of aged, white-haired and bearded Merlin, a.k.a. that Old Guy who's wandering around into one corner or another, being mysterious and ~old~. Probably just restless, silly dork.

Thanks! I went kinda tangential and became randomly passionate about the subject, so thanks for dealing with it. XD

[applebacardi]

Oh, hey, what would the world be like without passionate people? One boring world, I would say, so if you have an opinion, PREACH IT GIRL! Or boy if that's the case, LOL.