Immediately after dinner and Grace, the Master and Wardens drink to their Guests a hearty welcome; the Cup is passed around the table, and each guest after they have drunk, applies their napkin to the mouth of the Cup before passing it to their neighbour. The person who pledges with the Loving Cup stands up and bows to their neighbour, who also standing, removes the cover with their right hand, and holds it while the other drinks.
On passing the Loving Cup, the one who has pledged should immediately turn their back on their neighbour until the latter has passed on the Cup.
The ceremonial is said to derive from the precaution to keep employed the right (or "dagger") hand of the person removing the cover, while the person standing behind the one who is pledging guards their back against any such treachery as that practised by Elfrida on King Edward the Martyr at Corfe Castle in the year 978.
Should guests not wish to drink, they may raise the cup in greeting to their neighbour.
