Title: SCA-coro-oths-msg
Subject: Coronation oaths sworn in various SCA kingoms.
Author: Edited by Mark Harris
Last saved by: Mark S. Harris
Keywords: SCA, Royalty, oath, coronation, King, Queen

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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                                          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>

Edited by Mark S. Harris	SCA-coro-oths-msg	Page  of