Knight Court

The evening started out normally for an SCA court, as far as I could tell. Since the days events included competitions, past champions were called forward to present awards to new champions. As the title was passed from one champion to the next, the previous champion was also recognized for his or her year of service. Once that was done, recognition awards were given for various levels of service to the crown, kingdom, and shire.

After the awards, the Centurions were called before the king and queen. Membership into this group is given to those demonstrating exceptional leadership, skill and honor in chivalric combat, service to the kingdom and its people, knowledge of courtly graces and obedience to the laws and ideals of the kingdom and the SCA (I got that off the web site). This is, apparently, a very great honor and is often seen as an honor bestowed upon someone prior to being knighted. Owen was named to the Order of the Centurions of the Sable Star last year.

The king played up announcing the newest member by saying their number appeared to be one short and repeated his herald a couple more times. Eventually, he called out the name and the crowed erupted in cheers of excitement and approval. The new member was bestowed with a red sash/cape with the lion dragon of Moonschadowe embroidered upon it.

It was at this time that I realized that objects have history and the history is known and told as the object is passed on. The sash that the new centurion received was given to A by B and to B by C for whom it was created by D. After the court, the king and other centurions were remarking how one of the sashes was "one of the original six." Fascinating. Totally fascinating.

Finally, it came time that the members of the order of Chivalry were called before the court.

The Order of the Chivalry is two orders, The Order of Knighthood and the Order of Mastery at Arms.

The Chivalry is the peerage of Warriors. Noble Fighters, the leaders of the kingdom on the field of Battle. These Gentles have shown not only the skill and ability of martial combat, but also the grace and nobility as befits a Peer.

The textbook difference between a Knight and a Master at Arms, is the Oath of Fealty. Simply put Knights take the Oath of Fealty, and wear the unadorned gold chain as a symbol of that oath. Masters at arms do not take the Oath and therefore do not wear the Chain.

The Badges of Knight hood are "A White Belt" and "A Circular Chain". The Badge of Mastery of Arms is "A White Baldric"

Knights are Addressed as "Sir" or "Dame" while Mastery at arms confers the address form of "Master" or "Mistress"

(that came from the web site, too)

After a brief interruption from a wayward Lahso Apso, a different herald came forth and began to speak. "The crown summons Owen ap Aeddan (that last word is pronounced athan, like Nathan without the N)..." Almost as soon as he began, a voice from the back of the crowd began to herald as well. "Now comes hither, Owen ap Aeddan..."

Both stopped, then the first herald spoke the words, "I speak with the voice of the crown. You will follow my lead."

In response, the second herald said, "I speak with the voice of Owen. You will need to speak loudly." The crowd gave a round of joyous laughter for they all know Owen and the power and strength of his voice. (Eric is someone who will make himself heard)

I won't bore you with the entire processional. Basically, the king's herald would proclaim, "I seek the Owen who was granted [insert award here] by [insert awarding parties here]." to which Owen's herald would respond, "This is he." Once the exchange was complete, the king's herald would take a step toward the rear of the audience and repeat his call.

Once all of the awards were recited, the king's herald joined the procession and Owen's herald began, "This is Owen ap Aeddan ap... (I can't spell all of his aps)" A horn sounded and the procession began reciting other accomplishments (including "...and it took a Welshman to show all of those German and Japanese how to toss a caber!" [basically a big log]) and taking a step forward after each one pronouncing, "summoned he comes." This procession was much like the king's herald's procession to the rear.

When Owen finally arrived before the king, the king asked if it was still his wish to become a knight. "Yes, your majesty." came the clear and robust reply.

After his affirmation, there was part of the ceremony where he removed his red belt, signifying he was a squire. Again, he was asked his intentions. The king asked, "In that you have signified you would accept entrance into the Order of Chivalry, would you take the belt and chain of a knight, or the baldric of a master at arms?"

Again, in a loud, clear voice, Owen answered, "Your Majesty, it is my one hope and dream to be a knight."

Once his intentions were reaffirmed, the king called representatives from other orders to come forward and speak for Owen.

"Is there a member of the Ancient Order of the Laurel who shall speak for this man?"

"Aye, Your majesty." Came the answer from the crowd. "This man has been my roommate. This man has fought with me in seven Gulf Wars. This man stood beside me when we got our AOAs together. Your Majesties, this evening, you elevate this man. You make him a peer of the realm. Your Majesties, this man has always been my peer."

Another stepped forward, "You Majesties, if I may also speak for this man?"

"Indeed."

"I have known Centurian Owen for quite a while. I have known him since he was thrown off the field of combat for using boffer (not sure what that is or if I heard that right) in the moonlight when he was seventeen.

"You have heard the lineage of his arts. His voice, which is known on the battlefield, is equally respected in the circle of bards and performers (apparently, he can sing very well). His art, throughout the herald's regions, is equally well known. This man is a champion of my heir. He is my adopted grandson. He is my peer."

With that, the king then asked, "Is there a member of the Order of the Pelican who will speak for this man?"

A clear, female voice proclaimed, "Aye!"

"Your Majesty, I am Anastacia Marie Trevara, called Stacia. I am Baroness to this court, Mistress of the Laurel and Mistress of the Pelican. It is my honor to speak for this man as his Pelican.

"Owen came into my life some years ago at a feast, along with Master Oxley, where we weren't in Northkeep and we weren't in Moonschadowe and pickins were a little slim for knights, unfortunately. And we wound up feeding him a bowl of olives. Which he hates olives and he put this into bread and put it into his mouth and, in tears, ate his supper. And I have watched him ever since.

"He began in kitchens, serving. I have seen him with great joy, hip deep in water, bare-chested washing pots after." She recounted his awards then continued, "But the thing that makes this man most special is his joy, no matter what he does. Whether it be washing a pot, schleping things across camp... his joy rings. His verve and gusto of live in every waking step. And he always comes to any chore smiling. And I am pleased beyond words to say this man is my peer."

Again, the king asked, "Is there a Lady of The Rose who will speak for this man?"

Two people approached. After introducing themselves they began, "Your Majesty, as former queens of Ansteorra, it is our duty to recognize those who embody grace, devotion, wit, nobility... This man is generous of heart and spirit. Kind. Noble. Not a stingy bone in his body. He embodies honor and grace. Your majesties, peers are not made, they are recognized. This man is truly a peer."

Once again, the king spoke up, "Is there a Lion of Ansteorra who will speak for this man?"

"I'll speak for this man, for we have gone on adventures together. Not just any adventure, a lion's adventure. And within this adventure, Owen found the courage of a lion to look within himself to find what he needed. And he has found it and he has rose amongst men to become a hero of this kingdom. This man is a knight and a hero of this kingdom."

It was during this period of having people speak for Owen that I felt the power and significance of this honor. I could see why anyone would want to attain this level within any organization. To have people stand before a crowd of over two hundred people and speak of you in such a manner, loudly and clearly and without aid of amplification save the power of their own voices, is truly amazing. These are words normally reserved for a time when the subject of such words can no longer hear them. To be able to hear them when you are still alive and have people bear witness to them is something most people do not get to experience. The name they use may be that of the persona but, even knowing Eric for a relatively short period, I know they speak of the man. To have someone speak of you in such a manner it could be be easy to become arrogant. These words, however, are not spoken for the arrogant. The arrogant will speak these words for themselves. No, these are proud words that speak of honesty and honor and a distinct lack of arrogance. I was proud that Eric/Owen asked me to be a part of this.

Once the Lion finished, the king continued, "Having heard the counsel of the Lion and the peers and the ladies of The Rose, I do agree with that counsel and call for the belt for this man."

At that time, the knight Owen had squired for came forward with a white belt. "Your majesty, I freely give this belt, which is the belt that I was knighted with." He remarked that the item had a history then announced to the crowd, "Hear now the history of this belt of white, symbolizing purity, nobleness of spirit. There is no stain on this belt, save the stain of hard work and good and noble bearers." He recounted its lineage, to which I could do no justice here, then presented it to the king and queen who placed it around Owen's waist.

After the belt was placed around his waist, Owen then knelt, once again, before the king who called for the spurs. It was explained that the spurs were used to urge the knight's warhorse into battle. They were also a symbol of the knight's elite status as a mounted warrior. Today they are a reminder to the owner to keep pushing himself to better himself and those around him. The spurs were tied to his boots.

Finally, it came time for the chain. A member of the order came forward and said, "See here, the chain is a circle. It is a symbol of the knight's fealty to the crown. Each link represents a member of our order. This chain, as a circle of knights, is only as strong as its weakest link." And with that, he handed it to the king who added a second chain of his own.

Owen, bowing before the king, holding the hilt of a sword, swore a quiet oath of fealty to the king. The king, after some words of ceremony, handed Owen the chains saying, "I would ask that you now place upon yourself the burden of fealty."

After donning the chains, Owen swore a loud, strong and clear oath that the crowd could hear. "I, Owen ap Aeddon (ap...), do swear by all that I hold sacred, true and holy that I will honor and obey the crown of Ansteorra. I will honor and defend all ladies and those weaker than myself. That I will revere and serve my faith. That I will give courtesy to my peers, both knight and master of arms, and masters and mistresses of the Laurel and the Pelican. That I will conduct myself in all manners as befits a knight, drawing my sword only for just cause and being chivalrous to all to the greater glory of the crown of Ansteorra."

With that, Owen stood before the king and was presented with a sword. The king handed it to Owen saying, "From my hand, I do now arm you that you may serve as protector of the weak and defender of the just."

Owen knelt before the king, who drew his own sword. "Then, by this my hand, Drake, king of Ansteorra,"

"And Sibri, queen of Ansteorra,"

"We do dub thee, Owen ap Aeddon," the king touched the sword to Owen's right shoulder, "once, in honor," he touched the sword to Owen's left shoulder, "twice, in chivalry," he touched the sword to the top of Owen's head, "and thrice, in love."

For the first time, the new title was used as the king instructed, "Arise, Sir Owen."

Now came the interesting part as the king reached for his gauntlets (in this case, a pair of heavy leather gloves). "Sir Owen," the king proclaimed as he raised his gloved right hand, "let this be your last unanswered blow." With that, he struck Sir Owen and knocked the three hundred pound knight to the ground.

The herald then announced, "Know ye that we, Drake and Sibri, king and queen of Ansteorra, in consideration of singular noble virtues and martial prowess alike in courtesy and honor as in courage and feats of arms, do by these, our letters patent [?], advance Owen ap Aeddon ap.. ap.. to the rank and estate in style and title and degree [I may have that wrong] of knight for his homage and service to hold and to have for us and our successors, kings and queens of Ansteorra, in fealty and honor to be in all places encountered a peer of our realm, with all responsibilities and privileges thereto apertaining, in all places in testimony wherefore we have caused to be made these our letters patent, this is so done in our shire of Moonschadowe on the 18th day of September... 2004."

Much rejoicing followed and Owen did... a victory dance.

"For the newest companion to the Order of Chivalry, VIVAT!"

In one voice, the crowd responded, "VIVAT!!... VIVAT!!... VIVAT!!"

And with that, the audience was dismissed as Sir Owen greeted his brethren in the Order of Chivalry as an equal.