Knighting Ceremony of Nigel the Byzantine

Knighting Ceremony of
Nigel the Byzantine

Cathedral Church of Saint Paul 8 April anno domini 2000

Feast of SS. Albert of Jerusalem & Walter of Pontnoise

The Knighting

Part the First: The Introduction of the Candidate

The Knighting shall begin at 2:00 in the afternoon. Everyone shall assemble in the Lady Chapel, with the Crowns seated on thrones in front of the Altar. When everyone is assembled and the Candidate is ready, Court shall be opened in the usual way.

Herald:	Your Majesty, His Imperial Highness, Sir François de Coucy, has business before You.
Crown:	Please come forward, Your Highness.

Sir François shall come before the Crown, and say:

François:	Your Majesty, on behalf of the Chivalry of the Empire, I beg to inform you that our numbers are not complete. There is one who by his deeds and his demeanour has the right to a place in our company, a place he has deserved for quite some time.
Crown:	Then let him come forward.
Herald:	Their Imperial Majesties, Elisabeth and Erik, by the Grace of God and the Will of the Estates Empress and Emperor of Adria, do command the presence of Their servant, Nigel the Byzantine.

Knight Candidate Nigel, accompanied by the Knighting Party and wearing a white robe, shall come forward to the following Boast and kneel before the Thrones:

Herald:	Your Majesties, he who comes before You now is Nigel the Byzantine, who serves You and this Empire as Fleur-de-Lis King of Arms. He is a Baronet in this Empire, a Companion of the Order of the Star of Adria, a holder of the Golden Spoon and the Celestial Raven, and a Paladin of the Orders of Saint Bela and Saint Warhammer. In the Laurel Kingdoms, he holds rank of Lord and the Order of the Golden Trident, and he is Drafn. He comes now before Your Majesties to beg from Your hands the accolade which his peers agree is rightly deserved.
Crown:	Your Lordship, are you prepared to accept the accolade of Knighthood this day?
Nigel:	I am, Your Majesty.

Part the Second: Statement of the Legal Requirements

Crown:	The Laws of the Adrian Empire require that the Candidate's legal requirements for elevation be confirmed. Minister of Rolls: Has the Candidate completed all of the required points for the rank of Knight Minister as prescribed by the Estates?
Rolls:	Yes, Your Majesty.
Crown:	Sovereign of Arms: Has the Candidate duly registered heraldry as prescribed by the Estates?
SoA:	Yes, Your Majesty. He bears Purpure, two lions addorsed, tails entwined or.
Crown:	Chancellor: Is the Candidate under any judicial ban that would prevent the taking of this estate at this time?
Chan:	No, Your Majesty.
Crown:	Steward: Has the Candidate paid his taxes according to Our laws?
Steward:	Yes, Your Majesty.

Part the Third: Speaking the Qualifications

Crown:	Who would speak to the Candidate's qualifications for this Estate?
Chivalry:	I would speak for the Chivalry. Speaker should speak to the Candidate's chivalry and reverence of the customs of the Empire.
E.Minor:	I would speak for the Estates Minor. Speaker should speak to the Candidate's service and fidelity to the Empire.
E.Major:	I would speak for the Estates Major. Speaker should speak to the Candidate's prowess and courage.
E.Royal:	I would speak for the Estates Royal. Speaker should speak to the Candidate's honesty and loyalty.
L.o.Rose:	I would speak for the Ladies of the Rose. Speaker should speak to the Candidate's courtesy and generosity.
Church:	I would speak for the Church. Speaker should speak to the Candidate's faith and humility.
Dream:	I would speak for the Dream. Speaker should speak to the Candidate's noble demeanor and how he upholds the Traditions.
Crown:	Is there anyone else who would speak to the qualifications of this Knight Candidate?

A few minutes should be allowed for those who have something nice to say. In the off chance they don't have anything nice to say, the Crown should cut them off. After people have said their peace, the Crown should continue:

Part the Fourth: Vestment of the Regalia

Crown:

With your fulfillment of the Lawful requirements verified, and your qualifications been spoken to by these noble gentleman and ladies, let the Spurs be brought forward.

While the Spurs are being placed on the Candidate's heels, the Herald continues:

Herald:

The Spurs represent the right of a Knight to ride unhindered throughout the land, dispensing justice tempered with mercy, protecting the weak, defending the defenseless, and helping the needy. By wearing the precious Spurs near his feet, the Knights shows his disdain for earthly treasures in favour of spiritual.

One of the people putting the Spurs on the candidate should say as they near completion:

Spurs:

May they never be hacked from your heels in shame and disgrace.

Once the Spurs are on, the Crown continues:

Crown:

Let the Belt be brought forward.

While the Belt is being girded on the Candidate, the Herald continues:

Herald:

The Belt respresents the unity of the Chivalry. The blue color is symbolic of the Virgin Mary, reminding the Knight to be ever faithful in his duties, to be pure of heart, and to be respectful in his actions. The belt hearkens back to the ancient days of the Order of the Garter, whose motto, "Honi soit qui mal y pense", or "Dishonour on him who thinks ill of it", speaks as a reminder to the Knight to remain ever honourable in his actions and his deeds.

The person vesting the Candidate with the Belt should say as they near completion:

Belt:

Choose death before dishonour.

Once the Belt is girded, the Crown continues:

Crown:

Let the Sword be brought forward.

While the Sword is being girded on the Candidate, the Herald continues:

Herald:

The Sword represents the Knight's right to dispense justice. The double edge of the blade ever reminds the Knight to temper justice with mercy. As the steel of the Sword must be tempered in fire and water, so must the soul of the Knight be tempered by adversity and compassion.

The person vesting the Candidate with the Sword should say as he nears completion:

Sword:

Never draw this in anger.

Part the Fifth: Swearing the Oath

Once the Candidate is fully vested, the Crown shall ask:

Crown:	Upon which sword to you wish to swear your Oath?
Nigel:	Upon the sword of His Imperial Majesty.

The Crown shall direct the Candidate to place his hands on the Sword. The Herald will administer the Oath (one phrase at a time):

Herald:

All members of the Chivalry present, including SCA Peers, and all those who aspire to the Chivalry, are encouraged to kneel in support of the Candidate as he swears his Oath.
(to the Candidate): My Lord, please repeat after me:

Here do I reaffirm
My oath of fealty and service
To the Crown and Empire of Adria
And I do hereby swear
By mouth and hand
To be a good and worthy Knight
To be a Lamp of Chivalry unto the Populace
To be ever courteous and reverent
To seek excellence in all my endeavours
To be courageous and faithful
To be always loyal and true
To temper justice with mercy
To defend my Crown and my liege

To be temperate and humble
To shelter the weak
To help the needy
To champion the right
And uphold the good
To teach what I know
To learn what I can
To be true to my Faith
And to be faithful to my duties
All this in each area of my life.
So swear I,

Nigel the Byzantine

Crown:

This we do hear and shall never forget nor fail to reward that which is given: fealty with love, service with honour, and oath-breaking with vengeance.

Part the Sixth: The Accolade and the Collée

After the Oath is administered, the Crown will commence with the Accolade:

Crown:	With which sword do you wish to be dubbed?
Nigel:	With the sword of His Highness, Sir Stefan Belski, who was the first Monarch I had the priviledge of serving.

Dame Katayana, who has been holding her husband's sword, will present it to Her Majesty.

Crown:	Having fulfilled the requirements, had your qualifications spoken to, been clothed in your vestments, and having taken your Oath, I hereby create you a Knight Minister in the name of
	Saint George Saint Michael and Our Lady. Rise, SIR Nigel!

Now that the Knight has risen, the Crown shall ask:

Crown:	Whom do you wish to administer the Collée?
Nigel:	His Grace, Sir Gregory of York, who is a Knight of my homeland and the man who to me best exemplifies all that is Knightly and Chivalrous.

The Knight should be braced for what is to come.

Gregory:

Let this be the last blow you take unanswered.