INVOCATION
The populace being assembled, at the Crown's command the herald shall call forth the contestants:
HERALD: Let all who would compete to be the Protector of the Kingdom of An Tir, come now before Their Majesties.
And as they come forward they shall be called by name, that all may know the competitors are, or they may declare themselves. And when they have assembled:
HERALD: Today you enter the List to vie to become the Protector of the Kingdom of An Tir. The Protector is sworn in fealty to the Crown of An Tir, that when Their Majesties marshal the forces of the Kingdom, there shall be the Protector at the fore, reflecting the skill of the kingdom's archers.
This is a grave responsibility, not to be undertaken lightly, for even as you take your place in Their Majesties' court and at Their side, the Protector must know that by the deeds performed, it shows forth the honor and valor of the court and this Kingdom to all the world.
So, understanding the station to which you aspire, hear now the words of the Crown.
THE CHARGE
And here the King or Queen may give a personal or inspirational message to the competitors. Then the herald shall say:
HERALD: Do each of you now swear that should you be victorious, that you will fulfil the obligations of Protector of the Kingdom of An Tir, and that you will abide by the laws of this Kingdom, and that you will bear yourself, now and in the future, with the honor and skill, virtue and loyalty which must mark the Protector of An Tir?
COMPETITORS: I so swear.
HERALD: Then bear yourselves bravely in competition and strive with honor to the greater glory of the Crown and Kingdom of An Tir.
Henceforth, let none but the chivalric combatants and those with official business pertaining to combat, come within these precincts, until the combat is concluded.
Bowing to the Thrones, the constables and marshals shall withdraw.
HERALD: Let the archery begin.
When the competition has ended, and the court has begun, the Protector ceremony shall begin. If the previous Protector wins again, skip to Lion’s Arrow.
RETURN OF THE REGALIA
After the last round of competition, the populace will be called to witness the investiture of the Protector. At the Crown's command, the herald shall call forth the previous Protector:
HERALD: _______________, Protector of An Tir, come before Their Majesties.
KING or QUEEN: _______________, you have nobly served Our Kingdom as Protector of An Tir. In accordance with the laws and customs of this Realm, We now release you from your duties with Our deepest thanks for your loyal service.
The previous Protector shall say:
PROTECTOR: Your Majesties, as I have completed my service as Protector, I return into Your keeping this quiver and this cloak of office and other tokens of the Protector of the Kingdom of An Tir, that the new Protector may receive them from Your hand.
THE LION'S ARROW
Receiving the regalia, the King shall say:
KING: We thank you for your service to Our Kingdom, and before all assembled here wish to honor you for it.
HERALD: Know all people by these presents that _______________, having served faithfully and chivalricly as Protector of the Kingdom of An Tir, is hereby presented with the Honor of the Lion's Arrow. In acknowledgement whereof We do here set Our hand and seal this __________ day of __________ , Anno Societatis __________ , being __________ Gregorian.
__________, King of An Tir __________, Queen of An Tir
The King shall present the Champion with the token of the Honor. The King and Queen may here express their appreciation to the previous Protector, who will then leave, and the herald will exhort the cheers of the people. And then, if appropriate, the herald shall call forward the new Protector:HERALD: _______________, you have proved victorious this day. Come forward.
The Protector (NEW OR PREVIOUS) kneeling, the King shall say:
KING: _______________, by your valor and skill you have won the right to be the Protector of the Kingdom of An Tir. Will you take the Protector's Oath?
PROTECTOR: I will.
HERALD: Do you swear to faithfully discharge your duties as Protector of the Kingdom of An Tir, to abide by the laws of the realm, and to loyally serve the Crown of An Tir, so long as you remain Protector?
PROTECTOR: I so swear.
HERALD: And do you swear fealty to _______________ and _______________, King and Queen of An Tir, that whenever They marshal the forces of the Kingdom, there shall you be to advise and defend Their Majesties, Their Crown, and Their Realm? And do you swear that _______________ and _______________ are your liege lord and lady and only Sovereigns?
PROTECTOR: I so swear.
KING: We accept your homage, and as symbol of your station, We give you this quiver, and grant to you the rights due the true Protector of the Kingdom of An Tir, among these a place at Our court, and the right to stand by Our side.
So say We, _______________, King of An Tir.QUEEN: And so say We, _________________, Queen of An Tir.
If this is a new Protector, the King shall place the Cloak around the Protector's shoulders, and giving him the gauntlets and other tokens, saying:KING: Wear this cloak and receive these tokens of your new estate. Take now your place in Our court, for today you have earned this right.
As the Protector takes his place, the herald will exhort the cheers of the people.
At this point the Crown may wish to call forth the other finalists and recognize their skill and knowledge (perhaps with tokens), but even if They don't, the herald will exhort the cheers of the people for the finalists.
NOTES FOR THE HERALD
Check with Their Majesties and the Protector, concerning the ceremony, before
or at the event.
Remind the Crown about the Charge to the competitors.
Remind the Crown to have tokens for the finalist (and his inspiration, if applicable).
Check with Their Majesties to find out if there is a scroll for the Lion’s Arrow.
How long a break will there be (if any), between the invocation and the start of the competition?
Be sure that the Crown has a retainer to hold the regalia.
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