Acknowledgement of a Count and Countess

When Ealdormere was a principality, I was charged as the Trillium Herald of coming up with some ceremonies.  The Midrealm had their ceremony book that they used at the time, but there were some gaps we needed to fill, for principality awards, and Ealdormere-specific things, such as the acknowledgement of a Viscount and Viscountess.

In doing some research, I was able to find an actual period writ creating a viscount from 1440!  The text is below:

from Reports from the Lords Committees Touching the Dignity of a Peer of the Realm (London, 1829) Volume V: 235 as cited in Nobles and the Noble Life by Joel T. Rosenthal

 
The king to the archbishops, bishops, abbots, priors, dukes, earls, barons, justices, sheriffs, reeves, bailiffs and his other faithful to whom this comes, etc. Greetings. 

Know that we observe from our majesty that those who exhibit continuous faithful service to us, especially in those matters which touch on our prerogative we proceed to elevate to special honours with great liberality. And this is especially the case with those whose progenitors were of noble memory and whose virtues were demonstrated by clear evidence in the past, as well as with their intrinsic merit. We now act in order that virtue be strengthened and many people be led to upright acts.

Therefore, considering the noble progenitors of our most dear cousin John, lord of Beaumont, and the service which his parents faithfully rendered to our ancestors, and the way in which he has laudably and faithfully devoted himself to our service in these times, and that he should continue to act thus in the future, we act so that our lofty prerogative shines to honour him.

By our grace in our present parliament the aforesaid John, lord of Beaumont, our kinsman, and his male heirs begotten of his body, shall be assigned the name of Viscount Beaumont, and he shall be invested with the rank of Viscount Beaumont, and he shall have a place in our parliament and councils and other gatherings over all barons of the realm. And we assign this in as much as it will especially adorn him when he stands in the aforesaid status of viscount, according to our accustomed liberality.

We give and concede by us and our heirs, as is in our power, to the aforesaid John and his heirs with his name, rank, and position: 20 marks, to be received annually by him and his heirs begotten of his body, from the profits of the farm of the county of Lincoln, paid by the hand of the sheriff of that county, whoever he shall be, by equal portions at the terms of Easter and St. Michael. He is to have to hold, for him and his heirs in perpetuity, the aforesaid name, insignia, position, and 20 marks, notwithstanding other gifts or concessions made to the same John by us in a previous time, according to the form of this edict, made and enrolled in this present form and all others notwithstanding.

In which thing, etc.

Witnessed by the king at Reading, 12th day of February.

By writ of privy seal.

From that text, I was able to tone down the legalese and keep most of the key phrases.  The script below was used for Viscounts and Viscountesses for the duration of our principality days, and upon becoming a kingdom, we simply changed it to be the default ceremony for a Count and Countess.

Acknowledgement of a Count or Countess

Counts and Countesses are not created, they are acknowledged.  Upon the completion of a successful reign, a former King of Queen becomes a Count or Countess by default, ceremony or no.  However, a ceremony to acknowledge their new station as a member of the royal peerage is a good thing.  This ceremony can be done on Coronation day or any day thereafter, as convenient to the Crown and the former royalty.

In Ealdormere, patents are given to all royal peerage automatically, and all Countesses become a Lady of the Rose.  The patent is included in this ceremony, and the Rose ceremony should follow in the same court.

The text within {brackets} is for a joint ceremony involving a Count and Countess.  Otherwise, simply omit the joint text.

Acknowledgement of a Count and Countess

HERALD: Their Majesties of Ealdormere invite COUNT N {& COUNTESS N} to attend their thrones in this court.

<COUNT N and COUNTESS N present themselves>

Their Majesties greet their Nobles, Peers, Lords, Ladies, Officers by Letters Warrant, Gentlefolk, Vassals, and other faithful subjects to whom these words are received, greetings!

Know that we observe from our majesty those who have exhibited faithful service to Us and Our realm, especially in matters which touch on Our prerogative, We proceed to elevate to special honours with great liberality.  And this is especially the case with those of noble memory and virtue as demonstrated by clear evidence in the recent past, as well as with their intrinsic merit.  We now act in order that virtue be strengthened and many people be led to upright acts.

Therefore, considering our most dear cousin{s} COUNT {and COUNTESS}, and the service which {he/she/they} have faithfully rendered Ealdormere, and the way in which they have devoted their person to our realm in these times, and that they should continue to act thus in future, We act so that Our lofty prerogative shines to honour  {him/her/them}.

By Our grace in our present court COUNT {and COUNTESS}, our {kinsman/kinfolk/cousins}, shall be acknowledged and assigned the name and title of Count {and Countess}, and {he/she/they} shall be invested with the coronet of gold embattled with their rank, and they shall have a place in our court and council and other gatherings over all other nobles of the realm.

We give and concede by Us and Our heirs, as is in Our power, to the aforesaid COUNT {and COUNTESS} their tokens of rank and position, to be received from us this day forward.  They are to have to hold this estate in perpetuity.  Let this act be witnessed by our councilors the Seneschals of Law, and declared by our Herald this day.

<Coronets and Regalia are bestowed, hopefully by the Crown allowing the Count to once again bestow a circlet on his lady.>

For {His/Her/Their} Excellencies, COUNT N {and COUNTESS N}, Wassail!

(Based on "Reports from the Lords Committees Touching the Dignity of a Peer of the Realm", London: 1829, Volume V: 235 as cited in Nobles and the Noble Life by Joel T. Rosenthal)

Scandinavian Coronation Ceremonies

I offered to share some details regarding my research into elements of an early-period Coronation ceremony.

I started with some basic reading on wikipedia -- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_coronations_in_Norway

Then I went on to find some books that covered in depth scandinavian and german coronations.  Here is a post of the research details I found in one book ...

Coronations, by Janos M Bak.

This book details a number of details regarding coronations in different countries, but I found a number of items specifically regarding Danish and Norwegian ceremonies.
* During the danish coronation, the Danish king's ceremony involved `swinging the sword in the cardinal directions` of the kingdom, and handing the sword to the marshal. The king also received the sceptre and orb from the kingdom councillors, swore his oath, and then returned them to the each councillor in charge of it.

* The Swedish coronation oath, recorded for the first time at this occasion, consists of the first part of the professio known from the German ordo. One may assume that the medieval Swedish ordo contained the entire text and was, therefore, identical with the medieval Danish one. Gustavus Wasa quite consciously halved the text. In this way he retained only a general promise of lex, iustitia , and pax to the church and his people. The latter half would have bound him specifically to observe the honor, rights, and privileges of clergy and church, of abbots and of counts as vassals, whose counsel he would also have promised to follow.

*The king, at this time still unmarried, was received at the church door by the bishops, wearing their pallia . After greeting and prayers he was led to the altar while a reponsorium is sung.

http://books.google.ca/books?id=m6nsnzLRPlIC&num=10

Coronation of Quilliam & Dagmar II

Hello all!

A number of people asked me to post the Coronation ceremony I wrote for Quilliam and Dagmar, which I am happy to do.  There was a few small changes prior to the ceremony, and some improvisation, but fundamentally this is what was used.

It occurs to me that setting up a blog to share it, rather than post to livejournal, might be a bit more universally useful.  I can also post a number of other heraldic resources I have, if it will assist people.

This ceremony is heavily influenced by Danish coronation ceremonies, specifically swearing to the four corners of the kingdom, being escorted into the hall, giving regalia to trusted advisors, and the giving of eight gifts.  I will share my research on that in a future article.

- - -

CORONATION OF QUILLIAM AND DAGMAR

(we are assuming that TRM Aaron and Rustique have dismissed their retinue, and have ended their final court with the knighting of Quilliam. Quilliam is present and kneeling, and Dagmar is waiting at the back of the hall. The sword of state and the queen’s champion’s axe are either on or leaning against the thrones)

AARON: The time has come, as We have knighted Quilliam and he has come of age, to take his rightful place as King of Ealdormere.

RUSTIQUE: He has won Our Crown Tourney inspired by Dagmar, and should have this day to crown her Queen of Ealdormere.

AARON: Summon our Great Officers of State to bear witness to this.

HERALD: Their Majesties Aaron and Rustique, call forth the Great Officers of State, the Privy Council, to come stand and bear witness to the passing of the Crown. (the greater officers come forth and stand to the right of the royal presence)

AARON: Seneschal, is it right that We pass the Crown to Quilliam this day?

SENESCHAL: Your Majesties, that man is rightly Prince Thormot Quilliam, Heir to the Throne of Ealdormere, Warden of the Bjornweald, and Constable of the Western Shires. He is rightfully due the Crown in accordance with our law and custom this day.

RUSTIQUE: Marshal, can you affirm that Quilliam rightfully bore Dagmar’s favour in Our Crown Tournament?

MARSHAL: Your Majesties, I speak for myself and by predecessor who witnessed the event, that Thormot Quilliam did bear the favour of Dagmar Halvdan and was inspired to make her our Princess of Ealdormere, and has the right to make her Queen this day.

AARON: Quilliam, it is just that your time has come, and We now make you King of Ealdormere.

(Aaron and Rustique remove their Crowns, and Aaron either places the Crown on Quilliam, or hands it to him to Crown himself. At the time that Aaron and Rustique remove their Crowns, the territorial Barons and Baronesses should remove their coronets as well)

HERALD: For King Quilliam, Wassail!

(crowd cheers)

RUSTIQUE: Quilliam, as you are now king, I leave you this Crown to give to your consort, and make her your queen.

(Rustique places the Queen’s crown on the throne).

QUILLIAM: Your Graces, We thank you for this gift and burden of the Crown. We thank you for your efforts for the Kingdom of Ealdormere. Go take your ease, with Our thanks and love.

HERALD: For Aaron and Rustique, Wassail!

(crowd cheers, and Aaron and Rustique depart)

QUILLIAM: Summon the Territorial Barons and Baronesses

HERALD: King Quilliam calls forth the Barons and Baronesses of Septentria, Skraeling Althing, Rising Waters, Ramshaven, and the Vicars of Ben Dunfirth to bear witness to events, to oaths given and received.

(the territorial barons and baronesses come forth, with their coronets in their hands, bow, and stand to the left of the royal presence)

HERALD: Your Majesty, the Danish Kings of old would swear an oath on their Coronation to the corners of the kingdom. In the presence of your Barons and Baronesses, and your Great Officers of State, will you take up the kingdom’s sword and do this now?

QUILLIAM: Aye

(Quilliam takes the sword up from the throne and brandishes it to each of the corners of the hall, swearing his oath)

HERALD: Will you swear to the East? Will you swear to Lex, Lex being the law, that binds every person in Ealdormere, Crown and subject alike, to uphold the foundations of our kingdom that have been built by Crowns before you, and the people who have served those Crowns?

QUILLIAM: I here swear to Lex

HERALD: Will you swear to the West? Will you swear to Iustila, the concept of justice? Will you swear to uphold the traditions of this kingdom, and to uphold the rights of all your subjects, even if they do not align with your own beliefs?

QUILLIAM: I here swear to Iustila.

HERALD: Will you swear to the North? Will you swear to Pax, Pax being not just swearing to keep the peace, but to respect the rights and privileges of the people of this kingdom, be they high or low? To hold yourself and the people to the same respect and honour, so Ealdormere may flourish?

QUILLIAM: I here swear to Pax.

HERALD: Will you swear to the people of Ealdormere? The people who gather together for tournaments, feasts and revels? The people who work diligently in Ealdormere’s name, be it by service, by craft, or by example? Will you swear to be a good king and true?

QUILLIAM: (Quilliam swears something personal to the people)

HERALD: For The Crown of Ealdormere, Wassail!

(crowd cheers, Quilliam returns the kingdom sword to the throne)

QUILLIAM: Good Barons and Baronesses, I cannot rule alone. I was inspired to win the day of Dagmar Halvdan, and it is right and proper that she rule beside me. Would you please do Us the honour of going forth and escorting her into the hall?

(the barons and baronesses, with their coronets in hand, bow to Quilliam and process to the back of the hall, where Dagmar awaits. They fall in behind her, and process back to the Thrones, and resume their place to the left of the royal presence)

(Dagmar announces herself, and says something awesome).

HERALD: Come forth this day is Princess Dagmar, Heir to the Throne of Ealdormere, Warden of the Trinovantian Plains, and Patroness of the Crucible. Her favor was borne by King Quilliam, and her name was proclaimed as his inspiration on the day of Crown Tournament.

QUILLIAM: (says something personal and Crowns Dagmar)

HERALD: For Queen Dagmar, Wassail!

(crowd cheers)

HERALD: Your Majesty, as King Quilliam has sworn his Coronation oath to the corners of the kingdom, will you take up the kingdom’s sword and do this as well?

DAGMAR: Aye

(Dagmar takes the sword up from the throne and brandishes it to each of the corners of the hall, swearing her oath)

HERALD: Will you swear to the East? Will you swear to Lex, Lex being the law, that binds every person in Ealdormere, Crown and subject alike, to uphold the foundations of our kingdom that have been built by Crowns before you, and the people who have served those Crowns?

DAMGAR: I here swear to Lex

HERALD: Will you swear to the West? Will you swear to Iustila, the concept of justice? Will you swear to uphold the traditions of this kingdom, and to uphold the rights of all your subjects, even if they do not align with your own beliefs?

DAGMAR: I here swear to Iustila.

HERALD: Will you swear to the North? Will you swear to Pax, Pax being not just swearing to keep the peace, but to respect the rights and privileges of the people of this kingdom, be they high or low? To hold yourself and the people to the same respect and honour, so Ealdormere may flourish?

DAGMAR: I here swear to Pax.

HERALD: Will you swear to the people of Ealdormere? The people who gather together for tournaments, feasts and revels? The people who work diligently in Ealdormere’s name, be it by service, by craft, or by example? Will you swear to be a good queen and true?

DAGMAR: (Dagmar swears something personal to the people)

HERALD: For The Crown of Ealdormere, Wassail!

(crowd cheers)

DAGMAR: We have been entrusted with a heavy burden, and we cannot bear this burden alone. We would entrust the symbols of state at this time to those who will help us in the days to come. Herald, summon our Marshal.

HERALD: Their Majesties call forth the Earl Marshal of Ealdormere, Sir Mordain Blackcloak.

(Quilliam says something and bestows the Kingdom Sword to Mordain, who takes up a position behind the thrones).

DAGMAR: Herald, summon our Exchequer, Lady Constance of Caldrithig.

(Dagmar says something and bestows the Kingdom Axe to Constance, who takes up a position behind the thrones).

DAGMAR: Herald, summon our Seneschal, Lady Heather Shea.

(Quilliam says something and bestows the Kingdom Key to Heather, who takes up a position behind the thrones. All the other kingdom officers should retire to behind the thrones at this time).

QUILLIAM: Let Us now bind ourselves with oaths to the people, and the people to the Crown. Ealdormere is great because we all hold together, and together we will begin this reign with solemn promises given and received.

HERALD: Let those who hold lands of the Crown as Baron and Baroness, who have stood witness to this Coronation come forth now to affirm their oaths of fealty first given upon their investiture.

(The barons and baronesses kneel to swear fealty. The Vicar and Vicaress of Ben Dunfirth stand to the side in witness.)

BARON/ESS: I here swear fealty and homage, To the Crown of the North With oaths given and received To be your vassal, and hold your land To have your people prosper, And benefit the realm To lead in honour, And bestow honour as is due Thus do I swear, As the Barons and Baronesses of X

CROWN: We hold you to your words And return these words to you We shall honour your deeds, Reward fealty with love, And service with honor, As long as we hold Ealdormere's throne.

(The barons and baronesses place their coronets on their heads upon the response. The crown then asks the Vicar and Vicaress to step forward and kneel)

CROWN: Do you here swear to serve the Crown as Our loyal representatives in Ben Dunfirth, until such time as a new Baron and Baroness are selected?

VICAR & VICARESS: Aye

CROWN: We hold you to your words And return these words to you We shall honour your deeds, Reward fealty with love, And service with honor, As long as we hold Ealdormere's throne.

(the vicars remain holding the coronets entrusted to them. The Crown gives all leave to depart)

HERALD: As a knight swears fealty to the Crown when the honor is received, so is that fealty renewed at the beginning of each reign. Therefore let all Knights of the Realm come forth before the Throne together with those Masters-at-Arms who wish to swear fealty.

CHIVALRY: I here swear fealty and do homage, To the Crown of Ealdormere To ever be a good Knight and true, Reverent and generous, Shield of the weak, Obedient to my liege-lord, Foremost in battle, Courteous at all times, Champion of the right and the good, Thus swear I, N.

CROWN: We hold you to your words And return these words to you We shall honour your deeds, Reward fealty with love, And service with honor, As long as we hold Ealdormere's throne.

HERALD: Their Majesties also call those Teachers of the Order of the Laurel who would offer fealty to the Crown, join your fellows of the Peerage of Ealdormere in pledging faith to Quilliam and Dagmar, King and Queen of this Realm.

LAURELS: I here swear fealty, To the Crown of the North With oaths given and received The labour of my hands, I pledge to the kingdom The beauty of the realm, Is my safekeeping I lend my hands and my heart, And this solemn oath As companions of your Order of the Laurel Thus swear I, N

CROWN: We hold you to your words And return these words to you We shall honour your deeds, Reward fealty with love, And service with honor, As long as we hold Ealdormere's throne.

HERALD: Those members of the Order of the Pelican, whose Service is recognized as an example to all: come forward if you would swear fealty to the Crown of Ealdormere.

PELICANS: I here swear fealty, To the Crown of the North With oaths given and received I shall serve the realm, Through word and deed I shall speak true, And act truer. I lend my hands and my heart, And this solemn oath As companions of your Order of the Pelican Thus swear I, N

CROWN: We hold you to your words And return these words to you We shall honour your deeds, Reward fealty with love, And service with honor, As long as we hold Ealdormere's throne.

HERALD: Their Majesties would now invite forth those Royal Peers wishing to swear fealty.

ROYAL PEERS: I here swear fealty, To the Crown of the North With oaths given and received As I have been served, So may I serve. As I have held trust, May I be trustworthy As I hold great station, May it be for good cause, In service to the glory of Ealdormere Thus swear I, N

CROWN: We hold you to your words And return these words to you We shall honour your deeds, Reward fealty with love, And service with honor, As long as we hold Ealdormere's throne.

HERALD: Their Majesties now call upon those people of the Kingdom who wish to pledge their support and allegiance to the Crown of Ealdormere

POPULACE: I here swear fealty, To the Crown of the North I shall serve the realm, As best I can I shall follow the banner, And honour my King I shall attend the throne, And love my Queen The laws I uphold, The traditions I honour I serve Ealdormere, Thus swear I, N

CROWN: We hold you to your words And return these words to you We shall honour your deeds, Reward fealty with love, And service with honor, As long as we hold Ealdormere's throne.

HERALD: Let all the Greater Kingdom Officers of Ealdormere, who have stood witness to all oaths given this day, come before Their Majesties to swear fealty.

OFFICERS: I here swear fealty (service), To the Crown of the North To sit your council, and offer my voice I shall lend my service freely, And offer you truth without fear And hold my office, For the good of the realm Thus swear I, N

CROWN: We hold you to your words And return these words to you We shall honour your deeds, Reward fealty with love, And service with honor, As long as we hold Ealdormere's throne. (the kingdom officers swear fealty, and gather behind their majesties)

HERALD: Since those things which are done lapse with the passage of time, and unless they are born witnesses, will easily slip the memories of men and be changed, King Quilliam and Queen Dagmar wish it to be known to all people that on the words spoken this day, for the preservation of the love and constant faith of the citizens of Ealdormere, do also grant these eight gifts to persons of good name and repute, in rememberance of this first day of their reign. Their Majesties call forth worthies to receive rings forged from the nails of a Viking ship that brought the heroes to the lands of Ealdormere.

Their Majesties call to stand before the thrones: Lady Lawiena, Countess Marguerite inghean Lachlain (of the East), Baroness Rosalinda de la Fuertes, Lady Augusta of Ben Dunfirth, Lord Brendan Hunterson, Lord Grimmroth Skullhammer, The Honourable Lord Havard of the Midrealm.

(The eight come forth and stand before the thrones. Their majesties give their gifts, and give them leave to depart).

HERALD: Here begins the reign of Quilliam and Dagmar, the first day being the 24th day of September, in the twelfth year of our Kingdom of Ealdormere. For Quilliam and Dagmar, wassail!

(crowd cheers, Quilliam and Dagmar take the thrones, and conduct any other business they may have)

(close court)