Rapier Champion Tournament
Honor of the Lion’s Rapier
Ceremonial of the Kingdom of An Tir
Version: 12th Night, XXXVII (2003)

INVOCATION OF THE LISTS
The populace having assembled, at the Queen's command the herald shall call the fighters forward. 
HERALD: Let all combatants who wish to compete for Rapier Champion of An Tir present themselves. 
When they have assembled: 
HERALD: Today you enter the list to vie for the honor of Rapier Champion of An Tir. The person who carries this title is sworn in fealty to the Crown of An Tir, that whenever Their Majesties marshals Their forces, there shall Their Champion be to battle at Their side, and to defend Their Crown and Their Kingdom against all who would take up arms against An Tir. 
This is a grave responsibility, not to be undertaken lightly, for even as he takes his place in Court and at Their Majesty's side, the Champion must know that by his deeds he shows forth the honor and chivalry of that court and this Kingdom to all the world. 
So, understanding the position for which you battle, harken now to the words of The Crown. 
If the Queen and/or King wishes to deliver a personal or inspirational message, They may do so at this time. 
HERALD: Do each of you now swear that should you be victorious this day you will fulfill the obligations of the Rapier Champion 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 chivalry, virtue and loyalty which must mark a Champion of An Tir? 
FIGHTERS: I so swear.

THE FIRST ROUND
When it is time for the first round to begin the herald shall say: 
HERALD: Make yourselves ready for the combat.  Henceforth, let none but the chivalrous combatants and those with official business pertaining to the combat come within these precincts, until the combat is concluded. 
Heralds to the field! Marshals to the field! Let the Lists begin! 
And the heralds shall proclaim the pairings for the first.
 
THE INVESTITURE
Return Of The Regalia
After the last round, the populace will be called to witness the investiture of the Rapier Champion. At the Crown’s command, the herald shall call forth the old Champion: 
HERALD: _______________, Rapier Champion of An Tir, come before Their Majesties. 
QUEEN: _______________, you have nobly served An Tir as Rapier Champion. We release you from your duties with Our deepest thanks for your loyal service to Our Realm. 
If there will be a change of Champions, the old Champion shall say: 
CHAMPION: I return into Your keeping this Rapier of An Tir, and these tokens of the Rapier Champion of An Tir.

THE LION'S RAPIER
Receiving the regalia, the Queen shall say: 
QUEEN: We thank wish to honor you for your service to Our Kingdom.
HERALD: Know all people by these presents that _______________, having served faithfully and chivalrously as Rapier Champion of the Kingdom of An Tir, is hereby given the Honor of the Lion's Rapier. 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 Queen shall present the Champion with a token of the Honor. Their Majesties may invite outgoing Champion to witness investiture.   The herald shall call the victor  forward. 
HERALD: _______________, you have gained victory this day. Come forward. 
_______________, you have gained victory this day. Come forward. 
But, if no change is taking place the Champion shall remain kneeling.
QUEEN: _______________, by your valor and skill you have won the title of Rapier Champion of An Tir.  Will you take the Champion's Oath? 
CHAMPION: I will. 
HERALD: Do you swear to faithfully discharge your duties as Rapier Champion 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 Champion? 
CHAMPION: I so swear. 
HERALD:  Do you swear that ________ and _______ are your True Sovereigns and Liege Lord and Lady? 
CHAMPION: I so swear. 
HERALD: Do you swear fealty to ________ and _______, King and Queen of An Tir, that whenever They marshals the forces of the Kingdom, there shall you be to defend The Crown and Kingdom of An Tir? 
CHAMPION: I so swear. 
QUEEN:  And we for our part do swear fealty to this Our Champion to protect and defend them and their household to best of our ability so long as we remain Sovereigns of An Tir.
So say we __________, Queen of An Tir 
KING:  and so say we _________King of An Tir.
HERALD: Then lay your rapier before Her, that Their Majesties might know that you are Their true Champion. 
The Queen shall take up the rapier, saying: 
QUEEN: We accept your homage, and return to you your rapier, and grant to you the rights due the true Rapier Champion of An Tir, among these a place at Our court, and the right to fight by Our side. So say We, _______________, Queen of An Tir. 
The King shall place the Cloak around the Champion's shoulders, and giving him the other tokens, saying: 
KING: Wear this cloak and receive these tokens of your estate. 
Then giving him the Rapier, the Queen says: 
QUEEN: We give this Rapier of An Tir into your keeping, and charge you to deliver it to Us at such time as the Kingdom has need and We shall require it. 
Take now your place in Our court. 
As the Champion takes his place, the herald will exhort the cheers for incoming and outgoing Champions. 
At this point the Queen may wish to call forth the other finalist and recognize his skill and valor (perhaps with tokens), but even if she doesn't, the herald will exhort the cheers of the people for the finalist. 

NOTES FOR THE HERALD
This Championship has been frequently termed “Queen’s Rapier Champion”, confer with Their Majesties as to which term is to be used and modify ceremony.

Remind the Queen about the Charge to the fighters. Remind Her also about the token for the Lion's Rapier. There is no standard token for this Honor, so the Queen must arrange for one, in advance. 

Remind the new Champion to wear his PERSONAL sword into court. 
This is NOT the Kingdom Rapier.