THE SCENE: Judging from this passage from a book on courtly etiquette, the standard of respect that one had to give to a king in 13th century Norway was somewhere around the level of respect that you might give today to your boss’s boss.
THE TEXT: Now if it should happen while you are standing before a king that some one in the meantime should try to address a question or other remark to you, have friendly words ready on your lips and reply in this wise: “Wait a moment, my good man, while I listen a while to what the king says; later I shall be pleased to talk with you as long as you wish.” If he still tries to have further words with you, speak no more to him then until the king has finished his remarks. And if the king should happen to speak a few words to you which you did not catch, and you have to ask what he said, do not say “Eh?” or “What?” or make a fuss about it, but use only the word “Sire;” or if you prefer to ask in more words: “My lord, be not offended if I ask what you said to me, but I did not quite catch it.” But see to it that it happens in rare cases only that the king need to repeat his remarks to you more than once before you grasp them. If the king should call you by name, be careful not to answer by “Eh?” or “Hmm?” but rather speak in this wise: “Yes, my lord, I am glad to listen!”
– The King’s Mirror, King Hakon Hakonarson, 13th Century AD
[King Hakon the Good by Peter Nicolai Arbo]
