Ceremonial of the Kingdom of An Tir
Version: (2022)
At the Crown's command the herald will call forward the SECRETARY for the Order:
HERALD
, Companion of the Laurel, has a petition for Their Majesties. Let him come before the Thrones.
CROWN
What is your petition?
SECRETARY
The Order of the Laurel petitions Your Majesties to admit another into the Order of the Laurel and the Peerage of An Tir.
The CROWN will order the HERALD to summon the members of the Order.
HERALD
All members of the Order of the Laurel here present come now before the Thrones of An Tir.
The members of the Order may process in a formal procession, or they may gather more informally before the Thrones, leaving an aisle approaching the Thrones, and kneeling there.
CROWN
Greetings to you, Companions of the Order of the Laurel.
Each of you is a Peer of this Our Realm by virtue of your service and
the sharing of your talents with the people of the Kingdom. Today you bring
before Us another for consideration. Tell us of the qualities of this
candidate.
The sponsor(s) will enumerate the qualities which qualify the candidate for the Order, without naming him. When they have finished, the SOVEREIGN will query the secretary.
CROWN
Who is this candidate?
The secretary will name the candidate. And the CROWN will command the HERALD to summon the candidate.
HERALD
Let approach the Throne.
CROWN
Is it your desire that be admitted to this Order?
The members of the Order will reply in the affirmative.
If a vigil is offered, the Crown will give the order and the candidate leave to depart Their presence. If the elevation will take place immediately, continue as below.
HERALD
Are you sworn in fealty to another?
If so, call the other person forward and have them release the candidate.
CROWN
, well pleased with your skill,
and your continued service to this Our Kingdom,
and right mindful of the desires of your peers,
We are minded to create you a Companion of the Order of the Laurel.
Will you accept from Us this honor,
and swear to uphold the rights and responsibilities of the Order?
CANDIDATE
I will.
HERALD
Then will you, , give your word
to continue to fulfill the requirements set for the governance of this order
as you most surely have until now,
to increase your labors nobly,
to nourish your talents as befits a noble,
and to seek to disseminate your talents and abilities
throughout the Kingdoms of the Known World,
as far as is within your powers?
CANDIDATE
I will.
Crown
Bring forth the medallion.
When the medallion arrives, if there is history it may be shared at this time.
Then the Crown will give the medallion to the candidate.
Crown
Then take from Our hands this token of your accomplishment and Our esteem.
Crown
Bring forth the circlet.
When the circlet arrives, if there is history it may be shared at this time.
Then the Crown will place the circlet on the candidates head.
Crown
Wear this circlet as symbol of that nobility to which your own labors,
as much as Our recognition, have raised you.
HERALD
Let it be known that on this day
has been admitted to the Right Noble Order of the Laurel
and will be known as a Peer of the Kingdom of An Tir.
The new peer shall here be asked if he is willing to swear fealty.
HERALD
Would you now swear fealty to the Crown?
If the new peer does NOT wish to swear fealty, skip ahead. Otherwise the herald shall ask:
HERALD
Upon which Symbol of State would you swear fealty?
The symbols include:
the Sword of State,
either or both Royal Crowns,
the Orb,
the Rod,
the Scepter,
the Great Seal of State,
Their Majesties' person,
the sword of another,
another appropriate symbol.
The new peer shall state his/her choice, and the Crown shall take up the Symbol.
HERALD
I, ,
a Companion of the Order of the Laurel,
and a peer of the Kingdom of An Tir,
do become your liegeman of life, limb and of earthly worship.
Faith and truth will I bear unto You,
to live and die,
against all manner of folks.
Crown
And We for our part
do swear to protect and defend you and your household with all Our power,
so long as We remain Sovereigns of An Tir.
So say We, [Sovereign] of An Tir.
Crown
And so say We, , [Sovereign] of An Tir.
But if the new peer does not to swear at this time, the ceremony will continue as follows:
Crown
Arise, , and go to your peers.
The HERALD will exhort the cheers of the populace.