The candidate and their entourage should assemble at the back of court.
Herald: Within the fellowship of the Society three orders of great merit have been created to honor those who have excelled in Arms and Chivalry, in Arts and Letters, and in Service to the Realm.
A companion of each of these three orders is one whose skills are freely manifested and willingly taught, whose efforts on behalf of others are unstinting and above all, who is an example of courtesy and grace.
The Order of Chivalry honors martial achievements; the members of the Order are the swords of the King. The Order of the Laurel honors those skilled in Arts and Sciences who create works of service and beauty.
In the sixth year of the Society, there was called into being the third great order of Peerage: The Right Noble Order of the Pelican, to salute those who distinguish themselves in areas not otherwise recognized: by their sustained and exemplary service to the Society.
It is the privilege of the Crown to elevate into companionship in this order such persons as it sees fit.
Therefore, the Crown now calls into its presence the Companions of the Right Noble Order of the Pelican here present:
As an option, the members of the order may be called forward by name, in order of precedence, but this must be arranged in advance.
Members of the Order come forward and kneel, leaving an aisle.
Herald: The Crown now calls __________________________ to come before this Court and Company.
Escorting Herald: Your Majesties, Now before you comes _______________________________, <FULL AWARDS AND TITLES> who bears the arms, to wit: <BLAZON>
Their Majesties stand.
King: _________________________, have you undertaken to accept Companionship in the Right Noble Order of the Pelican that was offered to you at __________________________.
Candidate: I have.
King: This greatly pleases us.
Queen: Bring forth the medallion.
Medallion bearer hands it to Her Majesty and may explain the significance or history of it.
Queen: Let this Medallion pass from hand to hand among the members of the order gathered here, to symbolize the bond you shall have with each of them.
Her Majesty hands the medallion to the nearest Pelican.
Queen: Sir/Master/Mistress
_______________________ (Chivalry representative),
Master/Mistress
____________________, (Laurel representative),
Master/Mistress ___________________,
(Pelican representative),
< OPTIONAL> _______________________,
(Royal Peer representative),
as members of the Peerage, do you now
affirm that _______________________ has grown in gentle virtue and chivalrous
grace, the hallmarks of a true and faithful Peer?
Chivalry Rep.: Replies
in their own fashion, or says:
Your Majesties, of my own certain
knowledge, I am able to affirm that __________________ is a chivalrous
[gentleman/lady]
knowledgeable in the arts and weapons of war, and an example of courtesy
and gentility for all Your Majesties' subjects.
Laurel Rep.: Replies
in their own fashion, or says:
Your Majesties, of my own certain
knowledge I am able to affirm that _____________________ has knowledge
of and supports
the arts in Your Majesties' kingdom.
Pelican Rep.: Replies in their
own fashion, or says:
Your Majesties, of my own certain knowledge
I am able to affirm that _____________________ has given freely
of [his/her]
time
and talents to the Society greatly enriching Your Majesties' realm
and its people.
<OPTIONAL> Royal Peer Rep.: Replies in their own fashion, or says:
Your Majesties, of my own certain knowledge I am able to affirm that ____________________ is a dutiful and loyal subject to Your Majesties' Crown.
King: Gentle Peers, we thank you for your wise counsel. Bring forth Lightning, the Great Sword of State.
Swordbearer hands Lightning to His Majesty, who holds it so Her Majesty and the Candidate can support it.
(The Candidate can either state their oaths in full, or answer as scripted below:)
King: ______________________________, you have been deemed fit for this high estate by your peers, and have indicated your willingness to accept this honor from Our hands. Do you now swear by all that you hold sacred, true, and holy that you will honor and defend the Crown and Kingdom of the Outlands?
Candidate: I will.
King: That you will persevere in your pursuit of excellence, thereby bringing honor to yourself, your Order, and the Outlands?
Candidate: I will.
Queen: That you will further your knowledge of the ways of service, and give aid to others in this endeavor?
Candidate: I will.
King: That you will be courteous and honor your peers, of the Chivalry, and of the Laurel, and of the Pelican?
Candidate: I will.
Queen: That you will conduct yourself in all matters as befits a Peer, continuing to practice the virtues of chivalry, nobility, and personal integrity, to the benefit of your own good name and the greater glory of the Outlands?
Candidate: I will. Or some more elaborate response.
King: Then having sworn these solemn oaths, know now that We, _________________ and ___________________, by right of arms, King and Queen of the Outlands, do proclaim you to be a Companion of the Right Noble Order of the Pelican.
His Majesty hands Lightning back to the swordbearer.
Queen: Let the medallion be brought forward.
Medallion is handed to Her Majesty.
Queen: Take from Our hands this medallion, which bears the symbol of your Order: a Pelican in her piety. For this creature was believed, in ancient times, to nourish her young, if necessary, with blood from her own breast, and thus came to symbolize the good and true servant. Wear it always with great honor; wear it always with humility.
Her Majesty places the medallion around the new Pelican's neck.
If fealty is to be sworn, say the following:
Pelican: Your Majesties, at this time I would swear fealty to the Crown of the Outlands.
King: It shall please Us to accept your fealty. Hand me my sword.
Swordbearer hands Lightning to His Majesty.
Pelican: Speaks own words, or text below, prompted by the herald:
This day do I render homage and fealty to my Sovereign Lord and Lady, ____________________ and __________________ by Right of Arms, King and Queen of the Outlands, who will, form this day forward, Be my Liege Lord and Lady. I will remain true in all ways, serving them faithfully. This do I swear, by my honor and the high ideals which I hold as a Peer of this Realm. So say I, ________________________.King: We accept your homage and fealty and pledge to you that from this day forward until the end of Our Reign you are Our Liege [man/woman] that We will honor your order and defend your rights as a Peer, and that We will protect the trust that you have placed in Us, mighty with justice, tempered with mercy.
King: Arise [Master/Mistress] ________________________! Let the scroll be read!
Herald: Reads
the scroll or text below:
Unto all who come by these
present letters, _________________ and ____________________,
King and
Queen of the Outlands,
send Greetings. Whereas, ______________________________ has
shown through [his/her] long and steadfast service to Our
realm that
quality of effort
which is the mark of a peer, We are minded to advance [him/her]
in honour and admit [him/her] to the Order of the Pelican.
We do hereby
elevate and
affirm those Arms previously granted by the College of Arms
by these Letters Patent, to with: <BLAZON> which [Master/Mistress]
__________________ shall hold for [his/her] sole and unique
use throughout the Known World.
To which We set Our hands this ___ day of __________, Anno
Societatis ____, being ____ Gregorian. _____________________,
King ______________________,
Queen
King: Go now and greet your Peers.
Herald: For [Master/Mistress] ______________________________, HIP, HIP,..... (3 cheers).