![[pelican]](../media/pelican.gif)
Prior to the elevation, Their Majesties shall have consulted with the members of the Order of the Pelican and received their counsel. It is the Crown's responsibility to provide a medallion, if none of the Pelicans 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 Pelicans these are to be.
Also see the Invocation of the Pelican'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 the 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 Pelican.
The Pelicans 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 Pelican, to recognize those who, possessing all the other skills, virtues, and attributes appropriate to members of the Peerage, shall also have distinguished themselves by sustained and exemplary service to the Society.
And the symbol of this Order is a medallion bearing a Pelican in her Piety. For it was believed in ancient times that the Pelican would, when necessary, revive her young with blood from her own breast. Hence, the Pelican represented sacrifice, and in time became the symbol of the good servant. And this Order ranks in precedence with the Order of Chivalry and the Order of the Laurel, and carries with it a Patent of Arms.
If the Candidate does not choose an escort, the herald calls the Candidate forward.
HERALD
Their Majesties call forward [Candidate].
The candidate comes forward and kneels before the thrones.
If the candidate has chosen to be escorted, 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 Pelicans 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.
The Candidate comes forward and kneels before the thrones.
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 Pelican. 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 in the cause of service, as you most surely have until now, and seek to increase your labor and talents nobly, as befits a nobleman, 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.
HERALD
To all and singular unto whom these presents shall come. [Name] and [Name], undoubted King and Queen of the sovereign realm of Caid, bid you greetings. In acknowledgement of [his/her] untiring and selfless devotion to the welfare of our kingdom, and after consultation with the members of the Order, we hereby elevate our subject, [Candidate], to the Order of the Pelican of the Society for Creative Anachronism, and affirm by these letters patent [his/her] exclusive right to bear the arms [blazon of the candidate's arms]. In token whereof, we grant [him/her] the privilege of displaying above [his/her] shield, in whole or in part, the achievement proper to the Order; to wit, a cap of maintenance gules turned up plumetty argent gouty de sang, set on a silver helmet, with mantling [color] doubled [metal]. This we have done on the [date] day of [month], being the [year]th year of Our Lord and of the Society the [AS year]nd. In witness whereof we here set our hand and seal. [Name], Rex Caidis [Name], Regina Caidis
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, if the king is not a member of the Order of the Pelican, a member of the Order may assist the king in placing the medallion around the candidate's neck.
KING
With what sword do you wish to be dubbed?
The candidate answers. (Popular choices have been the king's personal sword and the Great Sword of State.) The king receives the named sword. If the king is not a member of the Order of the Pelican, a member of the Order places a hand on the hilt of the sword. The king lightly strikes the candidate thrice with the flat of the blade: first on the right shoulder, then on the left shoulder, then on the crown of the head.
KING
Henceforth be [Master/Mistress] [Candidate] in this our realm.
As an OPTION, the Order may present the new Pelican with a robe of the Order.
The robe bearers come forward and place the robe on the candidate's shoulders.
QUEEN
As this robe folds you in warmth, so does the Order of the Pelican enfold you in companionship.
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 Pelican
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, [Name].
KING and QUEEN
And this do we hear, [Master/Mistress] [New Pelican's given name]. 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, [Name], King of Caid.
QUEEN
And so say we, [Name], Queen of Caid.
The King raises the new Pelican.
KING
Congratulations, [Master/Mistress] [New Pelican's given name]. Go now to your peers.
The new Pelican joins the rest of the Order.
KING
Thank you, my lords and ladies. You may retire.
The Pelicans bow to the Throne and retire while the herald exhorts cheers from the populace.
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