This is the expected ritual for the Kings and Queens meeting the Amyrlin
Zeratul Send a noteboard - 15/12/2010 10:39:45 PM
Egwene mentions this in her POV just before the end of ToM; she expects Elayne to kiss her ring. I realise this is a very trivial matter beside everything else that's going to happen that day, but it bothers me a little. As an Aes Sedai Elayne owes her allegiance to the Amyrlin, but what about her role as a Queen? For the Queen of Andor to show obeisance to the Amyrlin Seat that way seems wrong, and out of character to boot. Elayne is intensely aware of both the importance of appearances and the respect due her as a sitting monarch. I would have expected her to insist on establishing the extent and limits of Egwene's authority over her long since.
As RugbyPlayingAshaman said, the Amyrlin is considered a rank above the Randland monarchs, so the protocol demands that they kiss her ring when meeting her. Here's a confirmation quote from the books:
TFOH, Ch. 28
“You were the Amyrlin Seat,” he said calmly, “and even a king kisses the Amyrlin’s ring."
“You were the Amyrlin Seat,” he said calmly, “and even a king kisses the Amyrlin’s ring."
This is Gareth Bryne speaking, BTW, so this implies Morgase had done this ritual a few times too.
This message last edited by Zeratul on 15/12/2010 at 10:40:26 PM
Elayne kissing Egwene's ring?
15/12/2010 09:11:34 PM
- 1606 Views
This is the expected ritual for the Kings and Queens meeting the Amyrlin
15/12/2010 10:39:45 PM
- 856 Views
It's a mere mark of respect to the Amyrlin Seat (the position, not the woman)
16/12/2010 02:01:17 AM
- 981 Views
Interesting points
16/12/2010 10:41:52 AM
- 841 Views
Re: Interesting points
16/12/2010 01:57:56 PM
- 810 Views
I disliked her actions
16/12/2010 03:46:44 PM
- 767 Views
It's not like the Kin weren't getting anything out of the deal, so what's the problem?
16/12/2010 04:33:16 PM
- 766 Views
BTW by "High Queen" I meant that other rulers showed her respect, not that she ruled them.
16/12/2010 04:42:40 PM
- 762 Views
This deserves its own thread..
16/12/2010 08:51:05 PM
- 905 Views
Re: This deserves its own thread..
17/12/2010 02:30:21 PM
- 984 Views
Re: This deserves its own thread..
17/12/2010 04:46:28 PM
- 759 Views
Re: It's a mere mark of respect to the Amyrlin Seat (the position, not the woman)
16/12/2010 11:36:22 PM
- 859 Views
question for you, cause you are kind of missing the point of what Elayne is doing
20/12/2010 09:07:17 PM
- 726 Views
Re: question for you, cause you are kind of missing the point of what Elayne is doing
22/12/2010 09:55:01 PM
- 976 Views
excellent observations ... makes me think the real reason it's been so hard for a Monarch
20/12/2010 08:42:34 PM
- 743 Views
Elaida / Siuan versus Morgase springs to mind
16/12/2010 07:00:21 AM
- 972 Views
yes, because that question is totally a yes/no question
16/12/2010 11:49:34 PM
- 805 Views

You can rephrase as 'What's more important to you, being Aes Sedai or being Queen of Andor'
17/12/2010 02:54:19 AM
- 887 Views
The Nobles don't really have any reason to assume the Amyrlin would do that
20/12/2010 08:50:54 PM
- 782 Views