Ceremonial of the Kingdom of An Tir
Version: (2022)
At the Crown's command, the Herald will call forth the representatives of the incipient Barony:
HERALD
Your Majesties, the seneschal and people of have a petition for your consideration.
Crown
Let them come forward.
HERALD
People of of , come before Their Majesties.
The Petition
The delegation, led by the Seneschal and the proposed Coronet,
displaying the branch's banner, will approach the Thrones, bow and kneel.
The Seneschal will then approach more closely and present the petition to the Crown.
Crown
Let the petition be read.
The HERALD [May be branch herald] will read the petition.
The CROWN will then command the HERALD to announce Their Majesties' decision:
HERALD
Their Majesties have received your petition and are well pleased.
The excellence of your arts and sciences is well known,
as are the prowess of your fighters and the skill of your craftsmen.
Many fine events have been held within your borders.
Your officers are capable and your people give their support.
Therefore, as you have fulfilled all the requirements set forth
in the laws and customs of this realm and of the Knowne World,
it is Their Majesties' pleasure to grant you the status of Barony
in our Kingdom of An Tir.
If no charter has been prepared, skip this section.
The Charter
Crown
Has the charter been prepared?
HERALD
Yes, Your Majesties.
Crown
Then let it be read so all may hear.
The HERALD will read the charter.
If it has not yet been signed, Their Majesties will sign it. They will then hand it to the SENESCHAL.
Crown
By Our hand, accept this Charter as Seneschal of the Barony of .
If there has been no Charter prepared, the HERALD will read the following:
HERALD
Attend all and know that We,
, by right of arms, [Sovereign] of An Tir,
and , by virtue and grace, [Sovereign] of An Tir,
do here set Our hands in Letters Patent.
Whereas the people have long supported the Crown of An Tir
and enriched Our Realm, and
Whereas the prowess of its warriors,
the skill of its craftsmen,
and the capability of its officers are well known, and
Whereas the people have made known their desire and support
for to become a Barony,
Therefore, do We proclaim that is a [shire] no more
and shall take its rightful place among the Baronies of An Tir
as the Barony of .
We have commanded our great seal to be set here
and these words to be proclaimed throughout the Land
this day of , Anno Societatis , being Gregorian.
, [Sovereign] of An Tir , [Sovereign] of An Tir
The Coronets
The Crown shall then call for the proposed Coronets:
Crown
Are there among you any whom you would have serve as Our representatives?
SENESCHAL
There are, Your Majesty.
We ask You to create and [Baronial Coronets],
to hold your lands, and to sit in Your place among us as Your representatives.
The proposed Coronets will approach the Thrones, bow and kneel.
HERALD
and ,
it is the wish of the people of that you serve as [Baronial Coronets],
and Their Majesties concur.
Will you accept the title and responsibilities of this estate?
CORONETS
We will.
If necessary, any releasing of fealty may be done at this point.
Crown
Are you in fealty to another?
CORONETS
Answer as appropriate. If affirmative, the release shall be done immediately. If negative, continue as below.
HERALD
Right mindful that as the representatives of the Crown of An Tir in your Barony,
do you understand that you will be responsible for the defense and well-being of its people?
CORONET
We do.
Crown
Let the scroll be read.
The HERALD will read the Writ creating the new Coronets.
If no Writ is prepared, the HERALD may read the following:
HERALD
Attend Our words and know by these presents that We,
and , [Sovereigns] of An Tir,
in consideration for Our citizens of ,
hereby create and [Baronial Coronets] of .
We charge them
to stand in Our stead in all matters ceremonial
and to comport themselves as is meet for nobles of Our fair land.
Further, We charge them
to be ever mindful of the well-being and prosperity of these, Our citizens,
their lands, and their chattels.
To them We confer all rights, duties, obligations, and privileges
appropriate to this Baronial estate.
With all here assembled as witness,
We do set Our hands and seal
this day of , Anno Societatis , being Gregorian.
, [Sovereign] of An Tir , [Sovereign] of An Tir
Placing the coronet on the new Baron Coronet 1 head, Crown 1 shall say:
Crown 1
I, , [Sovereign] of An Tir,
do now name you, , [Baronial Coronet title] ,
to stand in Our place in all matters ceremonial.
Wear this coronet as symbol of your title
and of the responsibility you bear.
Placing the coronet on the new Baronial Coronet 2 head, Crown 2 says:
Crown 2
I, , [Sovereign] of An Tir,
do now name you, , [Baronial Coronet title] ,
to stand in Our place in all matters ceremonial.
Wear this coronet as symbol of your title
and of the responsibility you bear.
HERALD
Are you now prepared to swear fealty to Their Majesties?
CORONET: We are.
The CHAMPION will come forward with the SWORD OF STATE.
The CROWN will lay their hands under it and the CORONET will lay their hands over the hands of the Crown.
HERALD
Do you now swear fealty for the Barony of ,
to and ,
your Sovereigns,
that you will obey their lawful commands in all matters that concern this Realm,
that you will uphold the Crown and Kingdom of An Tir,
and mindful that the harmony of your Barony and of the Kingdom springs from your own deeds,
that you will deal courteously with those of every degree
so long as Their Majesties remain Sovereigns of An Tir?
CORONET
I so swear.
Crown 1
And We for Our part do swear to this [Baronial Coronet] of
and to their Barony,
and their households,
to protect and defend them with all Our power
so long as We remain Sovereigns of An Tir.
So say We, , [Sovereign] of An Tir.
Crown 2
And so say We, , [Sovereign] of An Tir.
The CORONET will stand and face the populace.
HERALD
Be it known to the people of An Tir
that and will henceforth be known
as [Baronial Coronets] of .
And as the new Barony takes their leave, the herald will exhort cheers.
Make sure that the Petition will be ready and in court. Pre-read it if possible. Branches should provide a typewritten copy for the herald. If no written petition will be ready, a verbal petition from the seneschal or herald may be substituted (see the ceremony text).
Find out if the Charter will be ready. Pre-read as above. Typewritten copy should be provided. If it is to be signed in court, make sure a calligraphy pen will be ready.
Find out if any releasing from oaths of fealty will be necessary prior to the investiture of the new coronet.
Make sure that the baronial coronets will be behind the Thrones, or that the coronet bearers know their cue to bring the coronets forward.