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SCA-coro-oths-msg - 9/27/01

 

Coronation oaths sworn in various SCA kingoms. How the oaths are administered.

 

NOTE: See also the files: crown-cost-msg, Baronial-Lead-art, largess-ideas-msg, SCA-royalty-msg, travel-funds-msg, coronets-msg.

 

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NOTICE -

 

This file is a collection of various messages having a common theme that I have collected from my reading of the various computer networks. Some messages date back to 1989, some may be as recent as yesterday.

 

This file is part of a collection of files called Stefan's Florilegium. These files are available on the Internet at: http://www.florilegium.org

 

I have done a limited amount of editing. Messages having to do with separate topics were sometimes split into different files and sometimes extraneous information was removed. For instance, the message IDs were removed to save space and remove clutter.

 

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    Mark S. Harris                  AKA:  THLord Stefan li Rous

                                          Stefan at florilegium.org

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From: "JE Anderson" <eirika at telusplanet.net>

Newsgroups: rec.org.sca

Subject: Re: IK Anthropology (new) Oaths at Coronations

Date: Thu, 10 May 2001 00:15:48 GMT

 

"Sigen 3" <sigen3 at aol.combridle> wrote:

> I have been following several very interesting threads that have me wondering

> about Oaths.

>

> How are oaths given at Coronations in different kingdoms?  Are there blanket

> (formula) or individual oaths?  Is it different for Peerage/Landed

> Nobles/Populace?  Do you swear on a relic?

 

Principality of Avacal (An Tir) we swear upon the weapon of state (our sword

was stolen about 4 years ago and now we have a "mace-of-state" <smile>) or

upon the physical Coronets themselves.

 

Hope this helps

 

Eirika

 

> Sigen Northkeep

 

 

From: "Susan Carroll-Clark" <nicolaaMUNGED at columbus.rr.com>

Newsgroups: rec.org.sca

Subject: Re: IK Anthropology (new) Oaths at Coronations

Date: Thu, 10 May 2001 00:17:12 GMT

Organization: Road Runner Columbus

 

In the Middle and in Ealdormere, there are specific oaths for each group of

people (Landed B&Bs and Territorial P&Ps/Laurels/Pelicans/Chiv/Great

Officers of State/populace (Ealdormere has a special one for Court B's as

well).  They are normally sworn as a group on the sword of state, and if

there are too many folks for everyone to get up there and touch it, chains

of people form.

 

In Ealdormere there has normally been an option to swear fealty privately if

the standard oath isn't your bag.  I think this occasionally happens in the

Middle but it seems to be less common.

 

Nicolaa

 

 

From: fvigil at aol.comNoSpam (Fernando Vigil)

Newsgroups: rec.org.sca

Date: 11 May 2001 17:46:28 GMT

Subject: Re: IK Anthropology (new) Oaths at Coronations

 

>How are oaths given at Coronations in different kingdoms?  Are there blanket

>(formula) or individual oaths?  Is it different for Peerage/Landed

>Nobles/Populace?

 

Here are the Oaths we used at our Coronation in Calontir:

 

Royal Peers: Here do I swear Fealty to the Crown and Kingdom of Calontir. I

swear to support the laws, ideals, and traditions of the Society, to give wise

council and sound advise, and to loyally defend the Crown and Kingdom to the

utmost of my ability.  Thus swear I, _______.

 

Chivalry: Here do I swear Fealty to the Crown and Kingdom of Calontir. I swear

to support the laws, ideals, and traditions of the Society, to loyally defend

the Kingdom and uphold the Crown. To faithfully fulfill my military obligations

to The Crown. To be the shield of innocence and the sword of justice, and to

ever and always be a good knight and true. Thus swear I, _______.

 

Laurels: Here do I swear Fealty to the Crown and Kingdom of Calontir. I swear

to support the laws, ideals, and traditions of the Society, to loyally defend

the Kingdom and uphold the Crown. To Champion teaching, foster learning,

support the Arts and Sciences of Calontir, and ever and always be worthy of the

laurel wreath. Thus swear I, _______.

 

Pelicans: Here do I swear Fealty to the Crown and Kingdom of Calontir. I swear

to support the laws, ideals, and traditions of the Society, to loyally defend

the Kingdom and uphold the Crown. To champion teaching, and foster service, and

ever and always be worthy of the Pelican. Thus swear I, _______.

 

Great Officers: Here do I swear fealty to the Crown of Calontir, and pledge my

service as <<Office held>>. To well and loyally administer my office, and to

give wise counsel to the Crown, according to my knowledge and ability. I swear

to support the laws, ideals, and traditions of our Society, to loyally defend

and uphold d Crown and Kingdom, and to ever and always strive to be worthy of

my Office.  Thus swear I, _______.

 

Teritoria Baronages: Here do I swear fealty and offer my service to the Crown

of Calontir., to loyally administer the lands entrusted to me to the best of my

abilities, to defend these lands from all enemies,  from within or without, to

protect all persons, both Noble and common, resident within this, your barony.

To uphold and enforce the laws of the Kingdom  and the Society, and to ever

remember that the lands I manage are not mine to rule, but only to administer

as the Crown wishes. Thus swear I, _______.

 

Champions: Here do I swear Fealty and pledge my service to the Crown and

Kingdom of Calontir. To well and loyally defend Crown and Kingdom against all

foes, striving always to uphold the Laws, ideals, and traditions of the

Society. Thus swear I ______.

 

The populace was allowed to swear fealty in evening court (Coronation was in

the morning) to allow sufficient time for thought by the people after our

comments on Fealty. Unfortuantely I do not have a copy of that oath here at the

moment.

 

Fernando

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Conde Fernando Rodriguez de Falcon, KSCA, Baron, OP

        Kingdom of Calontir, Barony of Three Rivers    

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

 

 

From: fvigil at aol.comNoSpam (Fernando Vigil)

Newsgroups: rec.org.sca

Date: 11 May 2001 17:59:09 GMT

Subject: Re: IK Anthropology (new) Oaths at Coronations

 

>By the way, no one seems to have mentioned the most important oath

>given at a Midrealm coronation: the one sworn by the incoming royalty.

 

Good point.

 

At our Coronation as is traditional here in Calontir, Lyriel and I were each

given speeches on what it is to be the Crown before we swore our oaths. These

speeches were fairly different from the typical ones - though they covered the

usual issues, they added a few. Also a number of the lines in the King's were

taken or paraphrased from songs which I like.

 

Here are the speaches and the oaths:

 

Kings:

 

Jarl Asgeirr: <Holding up the Crown.>

  This crown, a circlet, the sign of our land

  The sign of the king, the sacrificed man

  He thinks first of his men, their beasts, their land

  And last of the pride that flows from sword hand.

  A child may play in a castle tower

  The king who does soon sees the hour

  The land he rules has lost all power

  The glory once sweet is spoiled and sour.

 

Count Dongal: <Taking the Crown from Asgeirr.>  

  By law and by custum is the king bound

  No one beyond these limits may be found

  We turn for justice to those who are crowned.

  The King respects what the people hold dear

  Though he like it not, to their hopes gives ear

  He champions their cause and stands against fear

  If the people prosper, that is his cheer.

 

Duke Eringlin: <Taking the Crown from Dongal.>  

  The greatest of burdens falls to the king

  In times of woe, he must cheerfully sing

  In times of crisis, a level head bring

  The first to battle but last retreating

  By each of their subjects, kingdoms are known

  Before us that mirror of honor is shown

  A circlet of metal, polished and honed

  On the brow of a man, one of our own.

 

Jarl Asgeirr: <Taking the Crown from Eringlin.>  

All this is but the smallest part of what it means to be a King. More a King

must learn Himself through word and action.

 

My Oath:

  Here do I swear to serve the Kingdom of Calontir;

  To rule according to the ideals, laws and traditions of these lands;

  To uphold chivalry and honor;

  To support the Arts and Sciences;

  To deal justly with all matters great and small to the benefit of the

Kingdom;

  To set an example of justice and compassion for all;

  In good times and an bad, in war and in peace;

  Till death take me, the world end, or my rightful heir is prepared to take up

this Crown.

  This I swear!

 

Kingdom Seneschal: Will you swear it to the Great Lords of State?

Fernando: This I swear to the Great Lords of State!

Earl Marshal: Will you swear it to the Peers of the Realm?

Fernando: This I swear to the Peers of the Realm!

Gold Falcon Herald: Will you swear it to the people of Calontir?

Fernando: And this I swear to the people of Calontir!

 

 

Queens:

 

Countess Fionna: <Holding up the Queen's Crown.>

  The Queen must be cheerful in the coldest hall

  She must be mirthful though her spirits fall

  She is ever patient, though her interest palls

  She answers promptly when the kingdom calls.

  She is the sharpness in swords of the knights

  She is the fire that makes axes bite.

  She is the keenness in the cast of the spear

  She is inspiration, making chivalry dear.

 

Duchess Alethea: <Taking the Crown from Fionna.>

  For artisans, servants and warriors bold

  Queens give inspiration and their courses mold,

  But Justice for the weak does your crown enfold,

  Mercy for the innocent you must uphold.

  Friends may come for judgement, their causes just and bold.

  You must choose between them by the laws of old.

  This may be the price of your crown of gold

  You may lose a friendship you would rather hold.

 

Countess Aislinn: <Taking the Crown from Alethea.>

  In your people's interest you must always act

  With both law and people, you have made a pact

  The people know your worth as undoubted fact

  They will cherish crowns more than an artifact

  They will do more service than you would exact

  As on their willing shoulders like a giant you ride

  You will see the dangers from which you cannot hide.

 

All this is but the smallest part of what it means to be a Queen. More a Queen

must learn Herself through word and action.

 

Oath:

 

  Here do I swear to serve the Kingdom of Calontir;

  To rule according to the ideals, laws and traditions of these lands;

  To uphold chivalry and honor;

  To support the Arts and Sciences;

  To deal justly with all matters great and small to the benefit of the

Kingdom;

  To set an example of justice and compassion for all;

  In good times and an bad, in war and in peace;

  Till death take me, the world end, or my rightful heir is prepared to take up

this Crown.

  This I swear!

 

Kingdom Seneschal: Will you swear it to the Great Lords of State?

Lyriel: This I swear to the Great Lords of State!

Earl Marshal: Will you swear it to the Peers of the Realm?

Lyriel: This I swear to the Peers of the Realm!

Gold Falcon Herald: Will you swear it to the people of Calontir?

Lyriel: And this I swear to the people of Calontir!

 

Fernando

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Conde Fernando Rodriguez de Falcon, KSCA, Baron, OP

        Kingdom of Calontir, Barony of Three Rivers    

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

 

<the end>



Formatting copyright © Mark S. Harris (THLord Stefan li Rous).
All other copyrights are property of the original article and message authors.

Comments to the Editor: stefan at florilegium.org