By Sofia Matriani della Tempesta

 

Greetings good people,

 

Lebus fast approaches as do the many wonderful contests of skill and wit.  Some people have asked about the Cloved Fruit Contest, so I will elucidate.  :)

 

Too often I have seen, or been the recipient of, a cloved fruit lobbed like a hand grenade while the person lobbing said fruit would dive for the lips, assuming that since the fruit was passed, they were entitled to go tonsil-fishing.  Such is NOT the case and in fact, is a serious breach of etiquette.  Not to mention the fact that it annoys me.

 

This perhaps leads you to question the purpose of passing the cloved fruit around.

 

I am glad you asked. 

 

Andreas Cappellanus wrote in the 12^th Century on the ideals of Courtly Love.  While his thoughts are not always relevant today, some of his Rules are still very true.

 

“The easy attainment of love makes it of little value; difficulty of attainment makes it prized.”

“Every act of a lover ends with in the thought of his beloved.”

“A true lover considers nothing good except what he thinks will please his beloved.”

“Good character alone makes any man worthy of love.”

 

If you approach the game of the Cloved Fruit more as a method for showing respect and admiration of someone rather than an excuse to swap spit with a near stranger, you will be very close to the true purpose of the exercise.  The ideals of Courtly Love are displayed by courteous behavior and gallant endeavors.   Anyone can waggle their eyebrows and say. “Hey baby, ya wanna?”  It is a far cry to present a cloved orange to the object of your affection with compliments and courtship.

 

During the Middle Ages, citrus fruit and spices were very expensive and highly prized in many parts of Europe.  Both had to be imported via sea routes which were slow and hazardous.  Some spices were literally worth their weight in gold.  In those days, spices were used in a wider range of ways than we currently use them.  Spices were used as medicines and as methods to keep demons and disease at bay.  People wore pomanders, containers of spices and other good smelling things, from chains at their waist or wrist.

 

Pomanders and other methods of air fresheners were common in the Middle Ages.  The use of herbs and spices alleviated the not so pleasant aromas of the time period.  They were even thought to protect against the plague. 

 

If a gentleman wished to show a serious desire to court a lady, he would stud a lemon or orange with whole cloves, gems and other expensive baubles.  Then he would present this pomander to the lady of his choice.  This demonstrated that he was wealthy and could provide for the lady.  If she wished to be courted by him, she would accept it.

 

This custom has been adapted to use in the SCA as a meaning for flirtation and introduction.  The custom was revived (invented?)  in AS VIII in the Canton of the Towers in the Barony of Carolingia of the East Kingdom.  During a Christmas Revel, a cloved lemon was produced, along with an explanation of the history and significance of the custom.  And thus began a tradition that is both loved and loathed by many.

 

When we play the Cloved Fruit game, there are certain rules and bits of etiquette that should be observed.  First, remember this is a flirtation game and not a method for less-than-hygenic tonsil diving.  The recipient is under no obligation to accept the fruit, especially when the person handing to them is inebriated and simply hands it to them with the expectation of full contact smoochage.   

 

One thing to remember when playing this game, is that the lady is almost always in control.  Whether presenting or accepting, the lady chooses the body part to be kissed, unless she gives up that control when she is the Presenter.  This can be a hand, a cheek, lips or other more inventive areas.  The Recipient chooses how far the kiss will go.

 

There are some basic guidelines to follow.  The Golden Rule of the Cloved Fruit is to accept the decision of the other party with grace and wit.  One does not simply lob the fruit at the victim and dive for the lip lock.  One presents the fruit with grace and poetry and compliments.  One accepts or rejects the fruit with equal grace.  In my estimation, one should never reject a fruit.  One can always accept a kiss on the hand if a lady, if a lord, offer to kiss her hand to honor her intelligence and good taste for approaching you in the first place.  It’s all about style, baby.

 

When presented with a cloved fruit, you can choose to take a clove out with your hand, and this signals to the Presenter that they are to kiss your hand.  You can take a clove out with your teeth, remove it from your mouth with your fingers and the Presenter can kiss you on the cheek.  If you take a clove and bite it, it allows a deeper exploration of your lips and if you swallow the clove, you are inviting the Presenter to go looking for it.  One rather debated tradition is what is implied if you take the last clove in a fruit, some suggest it is an agreement to spend the evening with the Presenter.  Again, this is up to the Recipient to decide.  Of course, my sister and I have been known to walk around with bowls of grapes with one clove in each fruit.

 

The game of the Cloved Fruit offers many opportunities for grand gallantry and inventive flirtation.  It should never be mistaken for permission to take liberties, unless suggested by the Recipient.  It is fun and makes for great entertainment.  Remember the goal is to meet someone and present them with compliments as well the cloved fruit.  Well, ok, the smooching can be fun too.