I apologize if this has been asked before, I'm not really sure what to search for.
In movies and TV, kings or queens can be seen listening to the grievances of their subjects, one at a time, lined up, all day long. Did this actually happen in history? Were there specific days or times when common people could come to be heard by their leaders?
Again, I apologize if this question has been asked before or if there's anything wrong with how I've phrased my question. I know this is a heavily moderated subreddit, and with good reason, so if this post goes against any rule, please remove it.
Short answer: yes it did. While you wait for someone more knowledgeable to provide a deeper answer, I'll point you towards these two primary sources I quickly found online relating to such a cerimony in the 19th century. This one (in portuguese), from the National Archives of Brazil, corresponds to a letter summoning all court members across the country for such a cerimony in 1821. This painting shows a cerimony of this kind, if not the same, as it was published 5 years later in London. These were called "Beija-mão" (hand-kissing) and were common in portuguese and brazilian courts throughout its monarchy periods. I'd be surprised if they were limited to these two courts.
sources cited, the best reference for the paiting that I found is A.P.D.G.. Sketches of portuguese life, manners, costume, and character. London: Printed for Geo. B. Whittaker, 1826, p. 175, and it seems APDG is an unknown author.
