Knighting Ceremony of Nigel the Byzantine

Crown:	At this time, We would formally consecrate Our servant as King of Arms for the Empire of Adria. Sir Nigel, are you prepared to accept and execute the duties of the office of Fleur-de-Lis King of Arms?
Sir Nigel:	I am, Your Majesty, and pledge faithfully to serve you and the Empire of Adria.
Herald:	From ancient times, it has been the custom for persons aspiring to the estate of Herald to swear an oath regarding the duties of that honourable office. Are you prepared to swear this oath?
Sir Nigel:	I am.
Crown:	Then may the College come forward.

The members of the College of Arms present, will come forward and kneel. One shall be bearing the Tabard, and the other shall be bearing a Cup. The Crown will take the Sword of State and hold it horizontally, and Sir Nigel shall place his hands upon it. The Crown will direct the Herald to begin the Oath. Sir Nigel shall respond to each clause, saying, "I swear it."

Herald:	First, you shall swear that you be true to our most Imperial and Majestic Empress and Emperor, our lady and lord that here are, and to they that make you a herald, and to their noble populace of Adria. And if you should have any knowledge or hear any imagination of treason, you shall discover it to Their Imperial Majesties or to their noble council, and counsel it in no manner.
	And you shall promise and swear that you shall be serviceable to all gentle persons to do their commandments to their worship of noble deeds; and to excuse their worship by your good counsel, and ever ready to offer your service to them.
	Also you shall promise and swear to be secret and keep the secrets of knights, squires, ladies, gentlewomen, and all manner of gentlefolk; a confessor of arms; and not discover them in any wise except treason aforesaid.
	Also you shall promise and swear if any fortune finds you in diverse lands and countries where you go or ride, if you find any gentle of name and arms that has lost their goods in service of his lord or of noble acts and has fallen into poverty, and if they ask of your goods for sustenance, you shall give them of your goods to your power and as you bear.
	Also you shall promise and swear if you be in any place where you hear debate or peril between two gentles which you be privy to, if so be it that you be required by prince, judge, or any other to bear witness, you shall not be, without license of both parties, and when you have leave, you shall not testify for any good favour or awe, but say the truth to your knowledge.
	Also you shall promise and swear that you shall pursue learning, and teach the heralds under you, all manner of things pertaining to nobility.
	Also you shall promise and swear that you shall make fair division of all largess which you shall recieve for your brother and sister heralds, and render a true accounting of the same.
	Also you shall promise and swear that you shall forsake all places of dishonesty and hazard and dishonestly going to common taverns and places of debates and all manner of vices, and take to virtues as much as you are able.
	Also you shall promise and swear to be true and faithful to the Holy Mother Church of Adria, forsaking evil and defending the Faith.
Crown:	Then by your oath, We do create you, Sir Nigel the Byzantine, Fleur-de-Lis King of Arms.

Crown will take the silver cup from one of the attending heralds and pour a small quantity of water over Sir Nigel's head, and then hand the cup to Sir Nigel. This cup need only have a few drops in it. Crown will take the Tabard from the other herald and invest Sir Nigel with it.