General Requirements for the
Elevation to the Peerage
Candidates for any order conferring a Patent of Arms must
meet the following minimum criteria. Additional requirements may be set by law
and custom in each kingdom as deemed appropriate and necessary by the Crown.
- They shall have been obedient
to the governing documents of the Society and the laws of the kingdom.
- They shall have consistently
shown respect for the Crown of the kingdom.
- They shall have set an
example of courteous and noble behavior suitable to a peer of the realm.
- They shall have demonstrated
support for the aims and ideals of the Society by being as authentic in
dress, equipment and behavior as is within their power.
- They shall have shared their
knowledge and skills with others.
- They shall have practiced
hospitality according to their means and as appropriate to the
circumstances.
- They shall have made every
effort to learn and practice those skills desirable at and worthy of a
civilized court. To this end they should have some knowledge of a wide
range of period forms, including by not limited to literature, dancing,
music, heraldry, and chess, and they should have some familiarity with
combat as practiced in the Society.
- They should participate in
Society re-creations of several aspects of the culture of the Middles Ages
and Renaissance.
The following institutions are established for all kingdoms
in the Society. A Patent of Arms may be conferred only a person being admitted
into one of these. Each candidate for a patent order must satisfy the general
requirements above, as well as the specific requirements listed here.
The Chivalry. The Chivalry consists of two equal parts, the Order of
Knighthood and the Order of Mastery of Arms. No one may belong to both orders
at one time. When a member is admitted to the Chivalry by the Sovereign the
choice of which order to join is made by the new member.
Specific requirements:
- The candidate must be
considered the equal of his or her prospective peers with the basic
weapons of tournament combat.
- To join the Order of
Knighthood, the candidate must swear fealty to the Crown of his or her
kingdom during the knighting ceremony. Members of the Order of Mastery of
Arms may choose to swear fealty, but are not required to do so.
The Order of the Laurel. Members of the Order of the Laurel may
choose to swear fealty, but are not required to do so.
Specific requirements:
- The candidate must have
attained the standard of excellence in skill and/or knowledge equal to
that of his or her prospective peers in some area of the Arts or Sciences.
- The candidate must have
applied this skill and/or knowledge for the instruction of members and
service to the kingdom to an extent above and beyond that normally
expected of members of the Society.
The Order of the Pelican. Members of the Order of the Pelican may
choose to swear fealty, but are not required to do so.
Specific requirement: The candidate must have attained the standard of
service to the Society or any of its branches equal to that of his or her
prospective peers, which is above and beyond that normally expected of members
of the Society.
The Royal Peerages. The titles assumed by former Crowns and Coronets
may convey Patents of Arms if the laws and customs of the kingdom so provide.
However, in order to receive a patent with the title, the recipient must meet
the general requirements stated above.
The Order of the Rose. This order consists of former Royal Consorts
of a kingdom. It is specifically charged with encouraging chivalrous and courteous
behavior among all members of the Society. It may be non-armigerous, or it may
be defined as a Patent Order according to the laws and customs of the kingdom.
In the latter case, the general requirements listed above must be met.
The above are the requirements as outlined in Corpora. What these mean is
that candidates should be loyal, courteous, and have demonstrated their skill
and/or knowledge in some area. Some guidelines to follow in these areas are:
Loyalty -- The candidate shall have been obedient to the Corpora,
By-Laws, the Rules of the Lists, and the Laws of the Kingdom, and shall have
consistently shown respect to the Crown. The candidates shall have demonstrated
their support of the ideals of the Society by being as authentic in dress,
equipment, and behavior as has been within their power. Before receiving a
Patent Order, the candidate shall give their word to continue to fulfill the
requirements set forth in this article, to seek to increase their skills, and
to share their skill or knowledge with any squires or students, or others, as
far as may be within their power.
Courtesy -- The candidate shall have displayed the following virtues:
- truthfulness -- a gentle
person does not lie or break his word
- generousity -- a gentle
person gives his opponent the benefit of the doubt when on the field, does
not repeat gossip, is willing to share their knowledge and impart their
skills and practices hospitality according to their means.
- gallantry -- a gentleman
always remembers that his lady is the inspiration of all honor, and
respects all ladies for her sake.
- courtliness -- a gentle
person strives to learn and practice those manners and skills which will
make them worthy of a civilized court. They display a knowledge of courtly
etiquette and proper forms of address, and are acquainted with all and
able to practice at least one of the following:
ACQUAINTANCE
- Dancing -- Identify basic
dances done at court and do one couple and one circle dance.
- Music -- Identify common
period instruments played at court.
- Literature -- Tell a
medieval-style tale.
- Chess -- Identify the pieces
and recognize the basic moves.
- Heraldry--Blazon their own
arms and identify common heraldic terms.
PRACTICE
- Dancing -- Perform most basic
dances done at court.
- Music -- Play an instrument
or sing in the manner of the period.
- Literature -- Compose and/or
perform poetry and/or drama in the manner of the period.
- Chess -- Play the game.
- Heraldry--Blazon the arms of
all nobility at court.
Color Your Way Through Heraldry / Table of Contents
Last Updated January 31, 2003