![[badge]](../media/laurel.gif)
Prior to the elevation, Their Majesties shall have consulted with the members of the Order of the Laurel, and received their counsel. It is the Crown's responsibility to provide a medallion, if none of the Laurels claim that privilege. The Candidate's wishes should be determined, as to which options are preferred; and, if there is to be an Escort, which Laurels these are to be.
Also see the Invocation of the Laurel's Vigil
If neither of Their Majesties is a member of the Order, the candidate, with Their Majesties approval, may select a member of the Order to stand with Their Majesties during this ceremony.
At an appropriate court, the Order shall be assembled:
HERALD
Their Majesties command the presence of all Masters and Mistresses of the Order of the Laurel.
The Laurels assemble, kneeling before the Throne to either side, leaving a center aisle.
HERALD
It has long been recognized that there are those among us who are much deserving of high honor but who, by reason of the nature and direction of their services and achievement, come not to the glory of warrior or Throne, yet without whom our Kingdom would not be half so blest.
For a Kingdom is supported by three things: chivalry, art, and service. And without any one of these, the Kingdom topples.
Therefore was created the Order of the Laurel to recognize those who, possessing all the other skills, virtues, and attributes appropriate to members of the Peerage, shall also have distinguished themselves by outstanding achievement in the Arts and Sciences.
And the symbol of this Order is a medallion bearing a Laurel wreath; for the chaplet of laurel has long been acknowledged as a mark of superior achievement. And this Order ranks in precedence with the Order of Chivalry and the Order of the Pelican, and carries with it a Patent of Arms.
(As an OPTION: The Escort will here say:
ESCORT
Your Majesties, having consulted with the Order, is it Your desire to increase our numbers at this time?
KING
It is. Please bring the candidate forward.
The Escort, and such other Laurels as the Candidate will have selected, stand and walk to the Candidate, who will be at the rear of the hall or otherwise have arranged to easily come forward. As they escort the Candidate forward, the Herald announces the Candidate's name.
End of OPTION.)
If the OPTION is not taken, the Herald says:
HERALD
Their Majesties call forward [Candidate].
The Candidate comes forward and kneels before the Throne.
As an OPTION: The Candidate may process into court under a canopy, borne by two or more of the Candidate's choice. This canopy is part of the regalia of the Order. If used, it should stand aside during the ceremony, as the Candidate approaches the Throne.
Also as an OPTION: The Candidate may choose to present tokens of his art or science, representing the skill which has earned elevation and as a token of continued fealty. These may be purely symbolic (a pair of scissors for a seamstress, for instance) -- or quite literal (examples of their work). The tokens should be small, portable enough to be brought forward on a pillow. The Candidate bears the tokens forward, as the Herald states:
HERALD
Your Majesties, in token of his [her] craft, and in pledge of his [her] continuing fealty, [Candidate] here renders up to you these symbols of his [her] artistry and expertise into Your Majesties' keeping.
The tokens are presented to Their Majesties, who take them and set them aside.
KING
[Candidate], right mindful of your achievement and service to Our Realm, and responsive to the wishes of your Peers, We are minded to create you a [Master/Mistress] of the Laurel. Will you accept from Us this honor, and the badge of your achievement, and will you swear fealty to this, Our Crown and Realm?
CANDIDATE
I will, Your Majesty.
(As an OPTION, the Queen may ask this question, instead of the Herald:)
HERALD
Will you, to the best of your ability, continue your quest for artistic excellence, as you most surely have until now, and seek to increase your labor and talents nobly, as befits a nobleman [-woman], and train any dependants you may have to do likewise, so far as is within your powers?
CANDIDATE
I will.
KING
Let the scroll be read.
The Herald reads the scroll, or the promissory if no scroll has been prepared. If it is desired to describe the nature of the Candidate's achievements to the populace, a brief description may be inserted into the text. The Herald hands the scroll to the King, who presents it to the Candidate. The King then receives the medallion from that member of the Order who is providing it.
KING
[Candidate], take from Our hands this token of your achievement, and Our esteem.
The King places the medallion around the Candidate's neck.
(As an OPTION, the Order may present the new Laurel with a cloak of the order;
The cloak bearers comes forward and place the cloak on the candidate's shoulders
QUEEN
As this cloak folds you in warmth, so does the Order of the Laurel enfold you in companionship.
End of OPTION.)
The King dubs the Candidate with his sword or with his scepter by lightly striking the candidate with the flat of the blade or with the scepter first on the right shoulder, then on the left shoulder, then on the crown of the head. If the King is not a Laurel, the designated Laurel can place his/her hand upon the sword, or if that is not possible then the shoulder of the King.
KING
Henceforth be Master (Mistress) [Candidate] in this Our Realm.
HERALD
Place your hands between Their Majesties' for the Oath of Fealty.
(As an OPTION, the Candidate may swear fealty on the Great Sword of State.)
NEW LAUREL
Prompted as needed by the herald.
Here do I swear by mouth and hand 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 to teach, 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 me, or the world end. So say I, [Candidate].
KING and QUEEN
And this do We hear, Master (Mistress) [Candidate]. And We, for Our part, swear fealty to you and to all your household, to protect and defend you against every creature with all Our power, until we depart from Our Throne, or death take Us, or the world end. So say We, [King], King of Caid.
And so say We, [Queen], Queen of Caid.
The King raises the new Laurel. (If the OPTION had been taken of presenting tokens of skill, the Queen returns them to the new Laurel at this time, saying:
QUEEN
Receive back these symbols of your fealty and achievement, and keep them well, as you have hitherto.
End of OPTION.)
KING
Congratulations, Master (Mistress) [Candidate]. Go now to your Peers.
The new Laurel joins the rest of the Order.
KING
Thank you, my lords and ladies. You may retire.
The Laurels bow to the Throne, and retire, while the Herald exhorts cheers from the populace.
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