Elevation to Comital Rank

Ceremonial of the Kingdom of An Tir

Version: (2022)

Entrance

At Their Majesties' command, the herald shall call forth the new count/countess:

HERALD
, approach the Throne.

The Count/Countess and their Retinue shall arrange themselves as follows:

BANNER BEARER            CORONET BEARER
                COUNT/COUNTESS
HERALD
May it please Your Majesties,
Your loyal subject, ,
having by valor, skill, and strength of arms won the Crown,
and having reigned and descended from the Throne,
has thus earned the title and rank and title of of this Realm.
They now make bold to approach Your Majesties
that they may receive the title
and be invested with the dignities of this estate.

If Letters Patent are not to be granted then skip ahead.

The Proclamation

Crown
Let the Letters Patent be proclaimed.
HERALD
Attend these words and know that by these presents,
We, and , [Sovereigns] of An Tir,
in recognition that has reigned as [Sovereign] in Our Realm,
do hereby style them ,
and We do affirm their sole and exclusive right to bear by Letters Patent: [blazon]*
and to bear above the Arms a helm with gold embattled coronet
and mantling of [the principal color and metal or fur of the Arms].
In witness whereof, We do set Our hand and seal,
this day of , Anno Societatis , being Gregorian.

If the new Count/Countess doesn't have registered arms, the herald shall substitute:

"We do affirm their right to bear by Letters Patent, such suitable and unique Arms as, by consulting with Us and Our heralds, they shall choose, and to bear above the Arms a helm with gold embattled coronet and mantling."

The Coronet

Crown
Let the Coronet be brought forth.

The coronet-bearer kneels before the Crown, and then returns to their place.

The Crown shall place the coronet upon the new count/countess's head, saying:

Crown
, be henceforth in this Our Realm, and wear this coronet in token of your rank.

The Fealty

If the new Count/Countess's Inspiration will be raised to comital rank, and will participate in their investiture, then they may move to the Crown's left to await the procession of the Inspiration, and swear fealty to the Crown with them.

But, if they will not participate, or if the Inspiration will not be raised to comital rank, then they may swear at this time.

HERALD
, is it your desire to swear fealty to Their Majesties?
COUNT/COUNTESS
It is.

They shall kneel before the Crown, the herald saying:

HERALD
Do you now swear fealty to and ,
your undoubted [Sovereigns],
that you will obey their lawful commands in all matters that concern this Realm,
and as you have sat upon the Throne and received the oaths of the people,
do you in turn swear faith to the Crown and Kingdom of An Tir?
And, being mindful that the honor of the Realm springs from your own deeds,
do you swear that you shall treat chivalrously and courteously with those of every degree,
so long as Their Majesties remain Sovereigns of An Tir?
COUNT/COUNTESS
I so swear.
Crown 1
And We, for Our part, do swear fealty to this of An Tir,
and promise to protect and defend them and their household 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.

If the new Count/Countess will not be participating in their Inspiration's investiture, or if they are now done, then they shall be given leave to depart and the herald will exhort the cheers of the populace.

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