I have to admit I skimmed this article, but the aristocrats had a purpose for the rules and regulations. If you're at a very long table in a very long hall with

I have to admit I skimmed this article, but the aristocrats had a purpose for the rules and regulations. If you're at a very long table in a very long hall with 20 other people, it's difficult to see, much less hear or join in with the conversation of the other guests. Making a bunch of noise, getting in people's way, spilling things all over the table, mixing up whose drinking glass or knife this is, etc could cause annoying disruptions, not to mention made dining less gross.