The Adrian Empire, Inc. CEREMONIES and OATHS of the Adrian Empire as compiled by the Church of Adria September 2002 © 2002 The Adrian Empire Inc., all rights reserved. Anyone is welcome to point out any error or omission that they may find. Church of Adria churchof adria@adrianempire.org Empress empress@adrianempire.org Emperor emperor@adrianempire.org Handbook of Ceremonies: Table of Contents September 2002 Page 2 of 21 TABLE OF CONTENTS Table of Contents ............................................................................................................................................... 2 Preface................................................................................................................................................................ 3 I. Blessings ......................................................................................................................................................... 3 A. Real-Life Religion............................................................................................................................ 3 B. Sign of the Fleur-di-Lis .................................................................................................................... 3 C. Sample Combatant Blessing (Andorra)............................................................................................ 4 II. Minister's Oaths............................................................................................................................................. 4 A. Sword Oath (Marshal's Manual)...................................................................................................... 4 B. Marshal's Oath (Marshal's Manual) ................................................................................................ 5 C. Archer's Oath ................................................................................................................................... 5 D. Range Master's Oath ........................................................................................................................ 5 E. Artisan's Oath (Arts and Sciences Manual) ..................................................................................... 6 F. Judges' Oath (Arts and Sciences Manual) ....................................................................................... 6 G. General New Minister's Induction ................................................................................................... 6 H. Some Options ................................................................................................................................... 8 I. Sample Minister's Oath (Andorra)................................................................................................... 8 J. Sample Minister's Oath (Esperance)................................................................................................ 8 III. Oaths of Allegiance and Fe alty..................................................................................................................... 9 A. Squiring ............................................................................................................................................ 9 B. Traditions ......................................................................................................................................... 9 C. Sample Squires Oath (Esperance) .................................................................................................. 10 D. Sample Domain Formation (Esperance) ........................................................................................ 10 IV. Knighting Ceremonies ............................................................................................................................... 10 A. Second-level or third-level knights ................................................................................................ 10 B. Traditions ....................................................................................................................................... 10 C. Ceremony ....................................................................................................................................... 11 D. Basic Oath ...................................................................................................................................... 12 E. Sample Knight's Oaths................................................................................................................... 12 V. Coronations ................................................................................................................................................. 12 A. Ceremony ....................................................................................................................................... 12 B. Basic Oaths..................................................................................................................................... 14 VI. Ceremonies of Formation........................................................................................................................... 14 A. General Estate Formation............................................................................................................... 14 B. Some Options ................................................................................................................................. 16 C. Canton Formation........................................................................................................................... 16 D. Sample Estates Formation: Andorra, House (2001)....................................................................... 17 E. Sample Estates Formation: Ekaterinegorod, House (2001) ........................................................... 19 © Adrian Empire, Inc. all rights reserved http://www.adrianempire.org Handbook of Ceremonies: Preface September 2002 Page 3 of 21 PREFACE The documents you hold in your hands have taken much time and research to compile. This was not the work of one person but rather of several individuals. This document is and will always be a living document. As subdivisions grow and new groups are added there will be additions to add. This document shall be updated on a yearly basis to keep astride of such things. Hopefully this document helps to illustrate the diversity of cultures as seen through the variety of ceremonies that exist within the Adrian Empire. If you have comments or additions you feel need to be made please contact us. The Church of Adria sees its responsibility of holding all these items in a trust for all of Adria as a firm and solemn commitment. Respectfully, Frere Auberon Dela'Reve Scribe of the Church of Adria Penned the 24th of April 2002 I. BLESSINGS Within Adria, there is no real-life religion. However, the Church of Adria was formed to provide the ambiance, pomp and circumstance that was so prevalent in the Middle Ages. To that end, many times the Church of Adria will participate in the ceremonies of Adria. A. REAL-LIFE RELIGION Real-life religion does not normally play a part in the ceremonies of Adria. The exception to this is a knighting ceremony. This is considered to be a personal ceremony, to be performed according to the wishes of the knight combatant. If there is to be any sort of real-life religious content, the populace must be informed, and given the opportunity to withdraw (without dishonor, embarrassment or forfeiture of any kind). Content shall include such things as: · Prayers · Blessings There are no real-life religious ceremonies or gatherings in Adria. If there is an overnight event, and someone wishes to get together for a ceremony, they shall withdraw as much as possible from the event site. At no time shall they disturb the event, or the attendees. B. SIGN OF THE FLEUR-DI-LIS In the Middle Ages, as well as today, the sign of the cross is often made in a blessing or benediction. In Adria, we acknowledge that this is an important symbol and part of the blessing, but to remove its real-life connotations, we use a fleur-di-lis instead of a cross. After making the sign of the fleur-di-lis, repeat one of these phrases (or one like it) to complete the benediction: · En nomine Adriae non sanctum (in the name of Adria non-sacred) · En nomine iglesiae, populi et senati Adriae (in the name of the church, people and estates of Adria) © Adrian Empire, Inc. all rights reserved http://www.adrianempire.org Handbook of Ceremonies: II. Minister's Oaths September 2002 Page 4 of 21 C. SAMPLE COMBATANT BLESSING (ANDORRA) Suggested time and location: Immediately after the sword oath. Items to have available: · Sword People who may be present: · Cleric · Combatants Cleric (to the populace): Some of our combatants have expressed a desire to be blessed before their combat. This blessing shall not have any real-life connotations, but if anyone here is uncomfortable, let them withdraw in honor and courtesy for the few moments it will take to complete this ceremony. The Blessing: May each person gathered here today upon this field compete with honor and chivalry with the utmost respect for all whom are present. Regardless of win or a loss may you each exemplify all that is of the chivalric ideal, and serve as shining examples for all that are present. May your arms be strong, and your minds sharp. May your feet be swift, and your blows true. Let your shield parry the blows that others shall hurl at you. Go forth with honor, courage, and virtue. Compete with dignity and to the utmost of your ability. Let no one say that you fought less then ye are able. May you be kept safe from injury and enjoy the fruits and labors of this day to their fullest. (The cleric shall kiss the sword and make the sign of the fleur-di-lis with benediction.) II. MINISTER'S OATHS What follows are the oaths used in various parts of the Adrian Empire oaths of office. A. SWORD OATH (MARSHAL'S MANUAL) All combatants are brought together and asked to kneel. The Marshal shall hold a sword parallel to the ground with two hands. The combatants will touch the sword (or someone who is touching the sword) and repeat the Sword Oath. Mandatory time and location: Before combat begins, all combatants are required to swear this oath. Items to have available: · Sword People who must be present: · Marshal (or other officiator) · All combatants Marshal (to the combatants): Here do I swear by mouth and hand to conduct myself with honor and chivalry, to acknowledge all blows fairly given and received, to heed the words of the marshals and obey the rules of the lists. Combatants shall repeat the oath. © Adrian Empire, Inc. all rights reserved http://www.adrianempire.org Handbook of Ceremonies: II. Minister's Oaths September 2002 Page 5 of 21 B. MARSHAL'S OATH (MARSHAL'S MANUAL) The sword oath makes sure the combatants understand this, the marshals also need to be aware of their duties and responsibilities. No marshal will be allowed on the field until they have been have taken the marshal's oath. Suggested time and location: Before combat begins. Since many marshals are also combatants, it is most convenient to swear one oath right after the other. Items to have available: · Sword People who must be present: · Marshal (or other officiator) · All field marshals Crown Marshal (to the field marshals): Here do I swear by mouth and hand to conduct myself with honor and chivalry, to fairly and impartially call all blows, to enforce the rules of the lists, and to hold safety above all else. Field Marshals: shall repeat the oath. C. ARCHER'S OATH All archers are brought together and asked to kneel. The Range Master shall hold a bow parallel to the ground with two hands. The combatants will touch the bow (or someone who is touching the bow) and repeat the Archer's Oath. Mandatory time and location: Before archery begins, all archers are required to swear this oath. Items to have available: · Bow People who must be present: · Range Master (or other officiator) · All archers Range Master (to the archers): Here do I swear, by mouth and hand, to accept all blows fairly given and received, to obey the rules of the Range, to heed the words of the Range Marshal, and to conduct myself with honor and chivalry. Combatants shall repeat the oath. D. RANGE MASTER'S OATH As the archer affirm their intent to play honorably, so too do the Range Masters. Mandatory time and location: Immediately after the archer's oath is administered. Items to have available: · Bow People who must be present: · Range Master (or other officiator) Range Master (to the archers): Here do I swear by mouth and hand to conduct myself with honor and chivalry, to fairly and impartially call all shots, to enforce the rules of the lists, and to hold safety above all else. © Adrian Empire, Inc. all rights reserved http://www.adriane ...