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second, on his left, to defend him with a sword for the appropriate quantity, thus reducing the
from attack in the rear. As the first finished he bill for other diners.
passed the cup to his defender, and the man on
his left stood up. USE OF THE GAVEL

The history of drinking port in Britain is
shrouded in the mists of time.
However, one thread of custom seems to be
consistent: port is always passed to the left, or
clockwise round the table.

In the past, the Guest-of-Honour traditionally
sits at the right of the host, so if the wine
moved to the left, the guest could observe its
effect on other guest before his turn (the
‘poisoned chalice’). If a decanter is passed to The gavel, in possession of the President of
the left the friend to the right of the pourer has the mess, will be used to signal members of
his right (i.e. sword-hand) free for protection the mess. Three resounding raps require the
of the temporarily distracted drinker. attention of all members whether standing or
seated.
There are no good grounds for believing that
this has anything to do with the port side of a Members will rise and stand in place at two
ship being on the left. This clockwise cycle is raps of the gavel. “Take Seats” is signalled by
quite convenient for right-handed people. one rap.

In the Royal Navy, and in many other
organisations, at formal dinners the Mess
President (or the host in charge of the dinner)
has the principal guest sitting on his right.
When there are ladies dining who are not
members of the mess, it is customary for a
diner to serve himself and then the lady on his
left before passing the decanter on to the
gentleman on her left, always continuing the
clockwise rotation. If a diner misbehaves, he
or she can be fined an appropriate quantity of
port. For a simple breach of port etiquette, a
fine of a glass for the President and principal
guest is sufficient.

For major breaches, this can amount to a fine
of port for the whole table. This does not have
to be drunk there and then as extra port. It can
be much more effective to charge the offender