Sample Ceremonies for the Establishment of the Order of the Mark

The following are draft ceremonies I presented to Their Royal Majesties of An Tir and to Lions’ Sword Herald (deputy in charge of writing ceremonies for An Tir). I offer them for the use of any kingdom who wishes to adapt them for their needs (e.g., replacing Order secretaries with representatives if your kingdoms don’t have this kind of organizational structure, swapping out the name(s) of your respective Grant-level Orders recognizing ranged martial pursuits, etc.).

A brief note on the logic of the first ceremony: Elevations should be tailored to the needs of the individual candidate, and is a place for that candidate’s creativity to shine through. However, before there are candidates, the Crown may wish to set a tone appropriate to the momentous occasion. The idea behind this ceremony is that the kingdom, through its Monarchs, are receiving the business directive from the Board, and in so doing transforming them into the reality of the Dream. The representatives from each of the orders are a synecdoche for both the peerage as a rank and the populace as a whole.

Order of the Mark – Establishment

Note: I recommend that this ceremony occur when the first candidates for the Order are named. Alternatively, the ceremony can be done on the day of the elevations.

HERALD
Their Majesties summon the Secretaries of the Order of Chivalry, the Order of the Laurel, the Order of the Pelican, and the Order of Defense, and the liaison for the Orders of the Rose and Valorous Estate.

For this historic event, Their Majesties also call before them the Order of the Grey Goose Shaft to stand as witnesses.

The summoned representatives assemble, kneeling before the Throne to either side, leaving a center aisle. As they approach, the Herald continues:

On June 5, Anno Societatis 59, the Board of Directors of the Society for Creative Anachronism created a new Peerage Order, to recognize those individuals who, possessing all the other skills, virtues, and attributes appropriate to members of the Peerage, shall also have distinguished themselves by outstanding achievement in ranged martial pursuits, including archery, thrown weapons, and siege engineering.

And the name of this accolade shall be the Order of the Mark, an ancient term for target, for those called to this Order have shown singular skill to reach their mark at range, be it quarry, butt, or opponent.

This Order shall rank in precedence with the Order of Chivalry, the Order of the Laurel, the Order of the Pelican, and the Order of Defense, and shall carry with it a Patent of Arms.

KING
Representatives of the Peerage in An Tir, you have heard the matter before us. Do you support the creation of the Order of the Mark, and its noble purpose?

REPRESENTATIVES
Yes, Your Majesty.

QUEEN
Do you swear to offer your assistance to the leaders of this new Order as it grows into its own, sharing your own skills in ministering the affairs of your respective Orders, until the Order of the Mark is fully established within the Kingdom of An Tir?

REPRESENTATIVES
Yes, Your Majesty.

KING
Then let the candidates of the new Order be summoned.

Each candidate should be brought forth with due pageantry, in a manner similar to a traditional peerage offer.

Order of the Mark – Elevation of a Premier

(OPTION: If the previous ceremony was performed on a different date, read the following.

HERALD
It has long been recognized that there are certain gentles who are much deserving of high honor, not only for their skill at ranged martial pursuits, but by their mein and noble behavior. For a kingdom is supported by three things: valor, art, and service. And without any one of these, the kingdom topples.

Therefore do we, Nicolai and Ana, establish within Our realm a Chapter of the Order of the Mark, 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 ranged martial pursuits, including archery, thrown weapons, and siege engineering.

And the name of this accolade shall be the Order of the Mark, an ancient term for target, for those called to this Order have shown singular skill to reach their mark at range, be it quarry, butt, or opponent. And the symbols of this Order are a mark within a mascle, representing the target and combat faces of this Order, and a pair of white bracers.

This Order ranks in precedence with the Order of Chivalry, the Order of the Laurel, the Order of the Pelican, and the Order of Defense, and carries with it a Patent of Arms.

End of OPTION.)

Their Majesties call forward N.

The Candidate comes forward and kneels before the thrones.
(As an OPTION: The Candidate may choose to present their weapon, representing the skill which has earned elevation and as a token of continued fealty. The Herald states:

HERALD
Your Majesties, in token of their craft, and in pledge of their continuing fealty, N. here renders up to you their weapon into Your Majesties’ keeping.

End of OPTION.)
The Candidate comes forward and kneels before the thrones.
(As an OPTION, representatives from each of the bestowed peerages and a Royal Peer, usually a Companion of the Rose, may be prompted by the herald to speak for the candidate.

KING
N., that the assembled court may know your worth, we would hear from a member of each of the Orders.

HERALD
Is there here a Companion of the Order of Chivalry who will speak for this candidate?

Pause while Chivalry speaks

Is there here a Companion of the Order of the Laurel who will speak for this candidate?

Pause while Laurel speaks

Is there here a Companion of the Order of the Pelican who will speak for this candidate?

Pause while Pelican speaks

Is there here a Companion of the Order of Defense who will speak for this candidate?

Pause while MOD speaks

Is there here a Companion of the Order of the Rose who will speak for this candidate?

Pause while Rose speaks. End of OPTION.)

KING
N., right mindful of your achievement and devotion to our realm, and responsive to the recommendations of the community, we are minded to create you a Premier of the Order of the Mark. Will you accept from us this honor, and the responsibilities that come with it?

CANDIDATE
I will, Your Majesty.

QUEEN
Will you, to the best of your ability, continue your quest for honor and skill, as you most surely have until now, as befits a noble, and train any dependents 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 text below, if no scroll is available.)

HERALD
To all and singular unto whom these presents shall come, Nicolai and Ana, undoubted Sovereigns of An Tir, bid you greetings. In acknowledgment of their courtesy and skill in [insert form of ranged martial pursuits here], We hereby name Our subject, N., Premier of the Order of the Mark of the Society for Creative Anachronism, and affirm by these Letters Patent their exclusive right to bear the arms (Blazon). In token whereof, We grant them the privilege of displaying above their shield, in whole or in part, the achievement proper to the Order: to wit, a silver helmet with mantling (Color) doubled (Metal), with a medallion of the Order dependent from a ribbon surrounding the shield. This have we done on this (day)th day of (month), A.S. (year), being the 60th year of the Common Era.

In witness whereof We here set Our hand and seal. Nicolai, Rex An Tir, Ana, Regina An Tir.

Herald hands the scroll to the Crown, who hands it to the candidate. (It may be given to one of the candidate’s entourage, or back to the herald, for safekeeping if necessary.)

KING
Bring forth the medallion.

The King then receives the medallion and displays it.

KING
N., take from our hands this token of your achievement and our esteem.

The king places the medallion around the candidate’s neck.

QUEEN
Bring forth the bracers.

The bracer bearers come forward and assist the Queen in arming the candidate.

QUEEN
Let the weight of these bracers on your arms ever remind you of the responsibility you take upon yourself today.

KING
With what sword do you wish to be dubbed?

The candidate answers. The king receives the named 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.

Henceforth be Master/Mistress N. in Our Society.

(As an OPTION, the candidate may choose to swear fealty.

QUEEN
Having been made a Peer and Premier of the Order of the Mark, will now swear fealty to this, Our Crown and Realm?

NEW CANDIDATE
I will.

HERALD
Upon which symbol of fealty will you swear fealty?

The candidate answers. The item of regalia is brought forward, and the candidate speaks the oath as prompted by the herald.

I, N., a Companion of the Order of the Mark,
and a Peer in the Kingdom of An Tir,
do become your liegeman of life, limb and of earthly worship.
Faith and truth will I bear unto You,
to live and die,
against all manner of folks.

KING AND QUEEN
And this do We hear. 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, so long as we remain Sovereigns of An Tir.

So say We, Nicolai, King of An Tir.

And so say We, Ana, Queen of An Tir.

The new Master/Mistress remains kneeling as the item of regalia is returned to its proper place. The King raises the new Peer. The Queen returns the weapon to the new Peer at this time, saying:

QUEEN
Receive back this symbol of your fealty and achievement, and keep it well, as you have hitherto.

End of OPTION.)
For the first two candidates, read the following:

KING
Congratulations, Master/Mistress N. As your first act as a Premier of the Mark, please escort in N.

The candidate goes to the back of the hall and escorts in the next candidate, who is summoned by name; return to the top of the ceremony.
Once all three candidates are installed as Premiers, read the following:

KING
Congratulations, Master/Mistress N. Go now to your peers.

The new Peers bow to the Throne and retire while the herald exhorts cheers from the populace.