Coronation * Caid College of Heralds

(Note: The terms OLD-SOVEREIGN and OLD-CONSORT refer to the outgoing monarchs, and NEW-SOVEREIGN and NEW-CONSORT refer to the incoming monarchs. The current wording assumes the sovereigns are male; obviously the ceremony will need to be re-worded should a sovereign be female. Likewise some references to officers may need to have the pronouns modified.)

Their Majesties, OLD-SOVEREIGN and OLD-CONSORT, wearing the crowns, are seated on Their thrones, and are attended by such members of Their household as They wish. Her Majesty's Guard and Court have been released from formal service. The scepters have been previously been given into the keeping of the Seneschal and the Crescent Herald, to be returned to the Crown during the ceremony. The sword and tabard of the King's Champion have also been returned to the Crown, as have (optionally) the regalia of the Queen's Champions.

OLD-SOVEREIGN

My Lord Herald, are Their Highnesses ready
to assume their station?

CRESCENT HERALD

They are, Your Majesty,
and they request leave to approach the Throne.

OLD-SOVEREIGN

Let Their Royal Highnesses approach.

The Royal procession, lead by the Dolphin Herald, begins to process towards the Thrones.

DOLPHIN HERALD

Your Majesties,
now comes al-Caid, His Royal Highness, Prince NEW-SOVEREIGN,
with his lady, the Princess NEW-CONSORT,
to claim from Your Majesties' hands
the Crowns and Thrones which are rightfully theirs.
This he claims by right of arms,
and by the honor of his lady
whose token he bore victoriously upon the field of battle.
In token whereof,
he here renders up his sword into Your Majesty's keeping
as pledge of the loyalty he vows to these People of Caid.

The NEW-SOVEREIGN's sword-bearer approaches and kneels before the OLD-SOVEREIGN. The sword is presented to the OLD-SOVEREIGN, who takes it. The sword-bearer withdraws, and the Kingdom Earl Marshal steps forward and drops a gauntlet, delivering this challenge:

Earl Marshal

Be there any in the Realm
who would challenge this Prince,
that he be the true and rightful heir
to the Throne of Caid,
let him step forth now and take up this gage,
or else remain forever silent.

After a moment, the Earl Marshal picks up the gauntlet and approaches the OLD-SOVEREIGN. The OLD-SOVEREIGN delivers the NEW-SOVEREIGN's sword into the Earl Marshal's keeping, and the latter withdraws.

OLD-SOVEREIGN

Prince NEW-SOVEREIGN and Princess NEW-CONSORT,
by law and by custom, what you ask shall be yours.
Approach now, and swear
on the Great Sword of Caid,
won in battle by Caid's first Prince,
that you will be true and gentle lieges
to these people of Caid.

OLD-SOVEREIGN and OLD-CONSORT stand. NEW-SOVEREIGN and NEW-CONSORT approach the Thrones and kneel before Their Majesties. The Chancellor brings forth the Great Sword and presents it to the OLD-SOVEREIGN. The OLD-SOVEREIGN unsheathes the Sword and holds it horizontally for the Prince and Princess to lay their hands upon it. The Chancellor withdraws.

NEW-SOVEREIGN and NEW-CONSORT

Here do We swear by mouth and hand,
to serve and protect the Crown
and Kingdom of Caid,
to uphold the Law of this land,
and to serve its people always.
Faith and truth will We bear
unto these, Our subjects of Caid,
in all matters concerning this Realm,
until We depart Our Throne,
or death take Us,
or the world end.
So say We, NEW-SOVEREIGN / NEW-CONSORT.

OLD-SOVEREIGN

All this We have heard and witnessed,
NEW-SOVEREIGN and NEW-CONSORT.
May you ever remember what you have sworn this day.

OLD-SOVEREIGN returns the Great Sword to the Seneschal, and removes his cloak. OLD-CONSORT does likewise.

OLD-SOVEREIGN

Wear this mantle of dignity,
mindful that you now bear the honor of Caid
upon your shoulders.

OLD-SOVEREIGN drapes the cloak around NEW-SOVEREIGN's shoulders. The fur collar is also placed around NEW-SOVEREIGN's shoulders.

OLD-CONSORT

Gentle lady,
receive this mantle of Caid,
and always be enfolded in honor, love and beauty.

OLD-CONSORT drapes the cloak around NEW-CONSORT's shoulders, and adds the fur collar.

OLD-SOVEREIGN and OLD-CONSORT remove their crowns. OLD-SOVEREIGN stands holding his crown over NEW-SOVEREIGN's head. The Seneschal standswith the Great Sword unsheathed and raised, in symbol of his defense of the Kingdom during the transition of power.

OLD-SOVEREIGN

We, OLD-SOVEREIGN, King of Caid,
acknowledge you, NEW-SOVEREIGN,
as lawful heir to this Realm.
Wear this crown in honor,
and let its weight remind you of your
duty to these your people.

OLD-SOVEREIGN

Arise, NEW-SOVEREIGN, King of Caid.

As NEW-SOVEREIGN rises and turns to face his people, his personal banner and the banner of al-Caid are furled. OLD-SOVEREIGN's personal banner is unfurled at the same time.

CRESCENT HERALD

People of Caid,
behold NEW-SOVEREIGN, your undoubted King.
LONG LIVE THE KING! (Long live the King!)

The Seneschal lowers the Great Sword and withdraws. OLD-CONSORT presents the Queen's crown to NEW-SOVEREIGN.

OLD-CONSORT

My Lord King,
as I do acknowledge this lady
lawful heiress to this Realm,
I offer up this symbol of that estate,
that you may crown her Queen of Caid.

NEW-SOVEREIGN

My lady, as it was my honor to win you this estate,
so it is my pleasure to crown you Queen.

NEW-SOVEREIGN

Arise, NEW-CONSORT, Queen of Caid.

As NEW-CONSORT rises and turns to face her people, her personal banner and the banner of Lady Caid are furled. OLD-CONSORT's personal banner is unfurled at the same time.

CRESCENT HERALD

People of Caid,
behold NEW-CONSORT, your undoubted Queen.
LONG LIVE THE QUEEN! (Long live the Queen!)

NEW-SOVEREIGN and NEW-CONSORT exchange places with OLD-SOVEREIGN and OLD-CONSORT, assuming their thrones. OLD-SOVEREIGN and OLD-CONSORT retire, with their household. The new royal household takes its place.

CRESCENT HERALD

The populace has Their Majesties' leave to be seated.

DOLPHIN HERALD

Let all Great Officers come forward,
with their tokens of office in hand.

The Great Officers of Caid will process forward, in the following order: Seneschal, Minister of Arts and Sciences, Earl Marshal, Minister of the Exchequer, Chronicler and Crescent Herald.

DOLPHIN HERALD

Your Majesty,
the Seneschal here delivers into Your hands
the Great Sword of Caid,
the Sword of Justice and the Sheath of Wisdom.
With its steel defend the defenseless,
and strike down the enemies to the peace of this Realm.
May it never be drawn save in honor,
for its appointed and rightful task.

NEW-SOVEREIGN

My Lord Seneschal, We thank you,
and return this into your keeping
until such time as We require it.

DOLPHIN HERALD

Your Majesty, in the name of Your loving subjects,
the Mistress of Arts and Sciences begs You,
as First Lady of Courtesy in this Realm,
to accept this rose, bright as the purest gold,
as a symbol of Your patronage of the arts in Caid.

NEW-CONSORT

My Lady, We thank you.

The Mistress of Arts withdraws. The Earl Marshal comes forward with NEW-SOVEREIGN's personal sword, and kneels to present it.

DOLPHIN HERALD

Your Majesty,
the Earl Marshal returns Your own sword,
by which Your chivalry is gauged.
Now that Your personal honor and the honor of Caid are one,
may You always keep both unstained.

The Earl Marshal withdraws. The Master of the Exchequer comes forward and kneels presenting a chest or pouch, representing the Royal Treasury, to the Queen.

DOLPHIN HERALD

Your Majesty, the Treasury of Caid,
to be used in the service of this Realm.

NEW-CONSORT

We thank you, My Lady of the Exchequer,
and We return it into your good keeping.

The Master of the Exchequer withdraws. The Kingdom Seneschal and the Crescent Herald come forward and kneel, each bearing a scepter.

DOLPHIN HERALD

My Lord King, receive now the scepter,
the staff of council.
Remember that Your Majesties are the Law,
and only by Your just and honorable example
may You serve all Your liege folk truly.
Yours is the strength upon which the Kingdom rests.

DOLPHIN HERALD

My Lady Queen, take now the Queen's scepter.
May the hand of the Queen nurture what the hand
of the warrior has won.
Make fruitful that which is barren,
restore that which has gone to decay,
and nourish that which is beautiful and just.

NEW-CONSORT takes the sceptre. The Seneschal and Crescent Herald withdraw. All the Officers retire.

DOLPHIN HERALD

Let representatives of the Orders of the Laurel,
the Pelican, and the Chivalry come forward,
with tokens of their respective orders.

The Secretaries or other representatives of the Orders of the Laurel and Pelican present a copy of the their Charters to the Crown; the representative of the Chivalry presents the symbols of the order.

DOLPHIN HERALD

As token of their continuing fealty
to the Crown and Kingdom of Caid,
the Orders of the Laurel and the Pelican
here render up their Charters into Your Majesties' keeping.
Similarly does the Order of Chivalry
here render up the symbols of the Order.

NEW-SOVEREIGN

We return these tokens to your keeping,
my Lords and Ladies,
and do hereby confirm all your ancient privileges,
inherant therein.

DOLPHIN HERALD

Let the Chivalry of Caid come forward,
with their swords girded on,
and kneel before Their Majesties.

DOLPHIN HERALD

The Chivalry of the Realm are the protectors
of peace and the defenders of honor.
For this reason do they swear fealty and
loyalty to the Crown.

DOLPHIN HERALD

Do you, the knights of Caid,
swear fealty and service to the Crown and Kingdom of Caid
To speak and to be silent,
to do and to let be,
to come and to go,
to strike and to spare,
in such matters as concern this Realm;
in need or in plenty,
in peace or in war,
in living or in dying,
until the Crown depart Their throne,
or death take you,
or the world end?

CHIVALRY

I so swear.

NEW-SOVEREIGN

And We, for Our part,
swear fealty to these knights of Caid,
and to all their households,
to protect and defend them against every creature
with all Our power,
until We depart from the throne,
or death take Us,
or the world end.
So say We, NEW-SOVEREIGN, King of Caid.

NEW-CONSORT

And so say We, NEW-CONSORT, Queen of Caid.

The King and Queen raise each of the knights by taking his joined hands in their own. Each knight is presented with a token. When all of the Chivalry have been raised, and Their Majesties have returned to the thrones, the knights draw their swords, salute, sheath their swords, bow and retire.

DOLPHIN HERALD

Let all Masters and Mistresses of the Laurel
come and kneel before Their Majesties.

DOLPHIN HERALD

The members of the Order of the Laurel
hold a special place,
for they preserve beauty, art and science in the Realm.
For this reason do they swear fealty.

The members of the Order of the Laurel approach and kneel before the thrones. Dolphin continues

DOLPHIN HERALD

Do you, the members of the Order of the Laurel,
swear fealty and service to the Crown and Kingdom of Caid
To speak and to be silent,
to do and to let be,
to come and to go,
to serve and instruct,
in such matters as concern this Realm;
in need or in plenty,
in peace or in war,
in living or in dying,
until the Crown depart Their throne,
or death take you,
or the world end?

LAURELS

I so swear.

NEW-SOVEREIGN

And We, for Our part,
swear fealty to these Masters and Mistresses of the Laurel,
and to all their households,
to protect and defend them against every creature
with all Our power,
until We depart from the throne,
or death take Us,
or the world end.
So say We, NEW-SOVEREIGN, King of Caid.

NEW-CONSORT

And so say We, NEW-CONSORT, Queen of Caid.

Their Majesties raise each peer, presenting each with a token. The peers bow and retire.

DOLPHIN HERALD

Let all Masters and Mistresses of the Pelican
come and kneel before Their Majesties.

DOLPHIN HERALD

The Masters and Mistresses of the Pelican,
by their service, maintain and build the Realm.
For this reason do they swear fealty.

The members of the Order of the Pelican approach and kneel before the thrones. Dolphin continues

DOLPHIN HERALD

Do you, the members of the Order of the Pelican,
swear fealty and service to the Crown and Kingdom of Caid
To speak and to be silent,
to do and to let be,
to come and to go,
to serve and instruct,
in such matters as concern this Realm;
in need or in plenty,
in peace or in war,
in living or in dying,
until the Crown depart Their throne,
or death take you,
or the world end?

PELICANS

I so swear.

NEW-SOVEREIGN

And We, for Our part,
swear fealty to these Masters and Mistresses of the Pelican,
and to all their households,
to protect and defend them against every creature
with all Our power,
until We depart from the throne,
or death take Us,
or the world end.
So say We, NEW-SOVEREIGN, King of Caid.

NEW-CONSORT

And so say We, NEW-CONSORT, Queen of Caid.

Their Majesties raise each peer, presenting each with a token. The peers bow and retire.

DOLPHIN HERALD

Let all Royal Peers come
and kneel before Their Majesties.

DOLPHIN HERALD

As they have felt the weight of the Crown,
so do the Royal Peers now come forward
to renew their fealty to the Crown of Caid.

DOLPHIN HERALD

Do you, the Royal Peers of Caid,
swear fealty and service to the Crown and Kingdom of Caid,
to continue by your example
to serve and instruct, according to your means,
in service to this Realm,
until the Crown depart Their throne,
or death take you,
or the world end?

ROYAL PEERS

I so swear.

NEW-SOVEREIGN

And We, for Our part,
swear fealty to these Royal Peers of Caid,
and to all their households,
to protect and defend them against every creature
with all Our power,
until We depart from the throne,
or death take Us,
or the world end.
So say We, NEW-SOVEREIGN, King of Caid.

NEW-CONSORT

And so say We, NEW-CONSORT, Queen of Caid.

Their Majesties raise each peer, presenting each with a token. When all are raised and Their Majesties have returned to the thrones, the peers bow and retire.

DOLPHIN HERALD

Your Majesty,
the Landed Barons and Baronesses of Caid
request You, as their Lord King,
to receive their homage and fealty for their Baronies.

NEW-SOVEREIGN

You have Our leave to call them forward.

DOLPHIN HERALD

Let the Landed Barons and Baronesses of Caid,
being the representatives of the Crown in their baronies,
and embodying honor and justice,
come forward to swear fealty to their liege lord.

The Landed Baronage (or their representatives) approach and kneel before the thrones. The King receives the Great Sword from the Chancellor, and holds it across His palms. Members of the Baronage place a hand upon the Sword. Those unable to reach the Sword may place a hand upon the shoulder of a fellow Baron(ess) in order to form a connection to the Great Sword.

DOLPHIN HERALD

Barons and Baronesses of Caid,
will you now swear homage to our King and Queen and become Their true vassals,
Pledging to defend, represent and answer for all your people with honor and dignity,
To administer them and the affairs of your Baronies with the same justice which the Crown would tender,
To serve and honor Their Majesties in all matters concerning this realm,
And to guard Their rights with all your strength
Until the Crown departs the throne, death takes you or the world end?

BARONAGE

I so swear.

NEW-SOVEREIGN

And We, for Our part,
do make known to all present and to come,
that We do receive these Barons and Baronesses of Caid,
and accept them as Our vassals;
and that We will guarantee to them the Baronies held of Us
against every creature with all Our power;
until We depart from Our throne,
or death take Us,
or the world end.
So say We, NEW-SOVEREIGN, King of Caid.

NEW-CONSORT

And so say We, NEW-CONSORT, Queen of Caid.

The King returns the Great Sword to the Seneschal. The Barons and Baronesses are presented with tokens of their Baronies.

NEW-SOVEREIGN

My Lord Barons and Lady Baronesses,
take these as tokens of your fees.

After Their Majesties have returned to the thrones, the Baronage bows and retires.

DOLPHIN HERALD

Let all Kingdom Officers of Caid come forward,
and kneel before Their Majesties.

DOLPHIN HERALD

The Officers of Caid ensure the smooth running
and functioning of this noble Realm.
For this reason do they swear fealty.

The Kingdom Officers approach and kneel before the thrones. The King receives the Great Sword from the Seneschal and places it across His palms for the Officers to touch.

DOLPHIN HERALD

Do you, the Officers of Caid,
swear fealty and service to the Crown and Kingdom of Caid,
that you will faithfully discharge your offices,
obeying Their Majesties' lawful commands
in all matters concerning this Realm;
and, mindful that the harmony of Caid
springs from your own deeds,
that you will deal courteously and fairly
with those of every degree,
until the Crown depart Their throne,
or death take you,
or the world end?

OFFICERS

I so swear.

NEW-SOVEREIGN

And We, for Our part,
swear fealty to these Officers of Caid,
and to those who serve them,
to protect and defend them against every creature
with all Our power,
until We depart from the throne,
or death take Us,
or the world end.
So say We, NEW-SOVEREIGN, King of Caid.

NEW-CONSORT

And so say We, NEW-CONSORT, Queen of Caid.

The King returns the Great Sword to the Seneschal. Their Majesties raise each officer by taking his/her hands into Their own. Each Officer is presented with a token. After Their Majesties have returned to the thrones, the Officers bow and retire.

DOLPHIN HERALD

Let the Chivalry of Caid come forward,
with their swords girded on, and kneel before Their Majesties.

DOLPHIN HERALD

The Chivalry of the Realm are the protectors of peace
and the defenders of honor. For this reason do they swear fealty and
loyalty to the Crown.

DOLPHIN HERALD

Do you, the praetorium of Caid,
swear fealty and service to the Crown and Kingdom of Caid
To speak and to be silent,
to do and to let be,
to come and to go,
to strike and to spare,
in such matters as concern this Realm;
in need or in plenty,
in peace or in war,
in living or in dying,
until the Crown depart Their throne,
or death take you,
or the world end?

PREATORIUM

I so swear.

NEW-SOVEREIGN

And We, for Our part,
swear fealty to these, the praetorium of Caid,
and to all their households,
to protect and defend them against every creature
with all Our power,
until We depart from the throne,
or death take Us,
or the world end.
So say We, NEW-SOVEREIGN, King of Caid.

NEW-CONSORT

And so say We, NEW-CONSORT, Queen of Caid.

The King and Queen raise each of the praetorium by taking his joined hands in their own, and presenting each with a token. When all of the praetorium have been raised, and Their Majesties have returned to the thrones, they bow and retire.

(Crescent Herald replaces Dolphin as Court Herald or optionally, Dolphin continues through the naming of Her Majesty's court

CRESCENT HERALD

Their Majesties summon [Kings Champion]
and [Champions Consort] before Them.

CRESCENT HERALD

[Kings Champion], whereas you have proven yourself
second only to the King
in prowess on the field at this time,
and as yours is the skill which most severely tested our King,
His Majesty is pleased to name you His Champion on the field.

NEW-SOVEREIGN

[Kings Champion], bear this sword as a token
of the trust invested in you this day.

NEW-SOVEREIGN presents the Sword of the King's Champion and vests him with the tabard.

CRESCENT HERALD

[Champions Consort], your beauty and grace inspired your champion
upon the field of combat.
It is therefore fitting that you also be recognized;
for the honor won by a warrior is a reflection of his
inspiration.

NEW-CONSORT

My lady, accept this token as a symbol
of the inspiration you have provided.

The Queen presents a token to [Champions Consort]. [Kings Champion] and [Champions Consort] bow and retire.

CRESCENT HERALD

Their Majesties summon a representative
of the Order of the White Scarf of Caid
to present himself before the Thrones.

CRESCENT HERALD

In the 31st year of the Society, by treaty with the
Kindoms of Ansteorra, the Outlands, Trimaris, Atenveldt,
An Tir, and Atlantia, the Crown of Caid established
the Order of the White Scarf of Caid. At the founding
of this Order, Their Majesties were presented with
the regalia of this Order, to mark Their status as
the chief inspiration of the Order.

After the representative is present, he or she presents white scarves to Their Majesties and makes such remarks as are appropriate.

Caid Coronation Ceremony