Asa – Order of the Laurel Ceremony

Researched and Written by Saito Takauji

Edits/Additions by Volkmar Katzbalger

Introduction and Notes:

This ceremony is somewhat different than others that I have written, in that it is my first truly surprise ceremony. Previously I have written ceremonies where the individual did not want to read the ceremony in advance, but not one where it was a genuine surprise. Several moving parts needed to be adjusted here, including adding the opening section where the boon is actually begged; and the section where Asa is given an opportunity to either swear fealty or swear an oath to be a good Laurel.

Graf Volkmar, Asa’s peer, requested a Norse ceremony that was straightforward. As there is not necessarily an appropriate ceremony that I am aware of, the goal was to take a “standard” SCA/Calontir Laurel ceremony and give it as many Norse elements as possible. To that end, poetic language was adapted from and inspired by Norse poetic sources.

Terms/Definitions:

Drottning: Queen

Kennari/Kennara: Laurel

Konungr: King

Meistari: Master

Riddari: Chivalry

Sources:

Havamal, translated by Olive Bray. https://sites.pitt.edu/~dash/havamal.html#men.

The Poetic Edda, Henry Adams Bellow, Oxford University Press (1923).

Dramatis Personae:

KING:	Robert
QUEEN:	Magge
PEER:	Graf Volkmar
ROYAL HERALD	Sir Dirk
BOON BEGGER/LAW SPEAKER	Graf Volkmar
LAUREL SPEAKER	Duchess Ylva
CHIVALRY SPEAKER	Sir Seamus
PELICAN SPEAKER	Master Gottfried
DEFENSE SPEAKER	Master Alan
ROYAL PEER SPEAKER	Countess Isadora
POPULACE SPEAKER:	THLord Eirikr
COAT/ROBE GIVER:	Mistress Brigit
MEDALLION GIVER:	Baron Takauji

Script:

NOTE: Italics represent stage directions and are not to be read out loud.

The ceremony begins during Court. At whatever time is agreed on by the Crown and Volkmar, Volkmar will approach the edge of court and wait.

Herald: Your Majesties, Jarl Volkmar stands waiting to bring wisdom and a request before the folk of the Falcon.

Robert: Let him be admitted without delay, in recognition of his long and storied service to the Kingdom and people.

Volkmar enters court.

Volkmar: Hail to the high hall, hail to the breakers of rings. I have labored in the halls of the Riddari and Meistari, welcoming warriors and servants. But today I have come for the calls of the Kennari, to see one brought to the seat of their Order.

Magge: A most unusual request, but one we have been told is within the bounds of the law. Is it the one of whom we have spoken, skilled in smithing and lauded for leadership? If so, you may proceed.

Volkmar: It is, your Majesties, and with your leave I beg a boon: That you elevate the Honorable Lady Asa Lufa to the ranks of the Kennara. To convince you of the rightness of my plea hear these words from Master Heinrich von Holtzpritzer of Trimaris, Laurel and

Pelican, and he who claims Asa as his apprentice, as I claim her as squire. <Volkmar reads words from Master Heinrich>

Robert: If she be watchful and wary in speech, skilled in hand, and wise in counsel, then she may be seated. We appoint you Law Speaker, to see that all things are done in accord with her Wyrd. Herald, call the candidate.

Herald: The Crown demands the presence of the Honorable Lady Asa Lufa. Awarded arms by Conn and Sile; the Iren-Fyrd by Luther and Lenore; the Torse by Valens and Comyn; the Swan by Chrystofer and Margarette; the Mallet by Donngal and Catalina; and the Hammer by Hirsch and Magdalena.

Volkmar escorts Asa into Court.

Magge: No one may be entered into this Order except in the presence of the Order itself, that they may judge the proceedings and weigh the aspirant. Herald, call the Order.

Herald: The Crown calls before them the leaf gilded Laurels, the Kennari and Kennara of Calontir to take their place of honor in the Court of the Falcon.

The Order of the Laurel process in and array themselves around the throne, on the ground or seated as needed.

Robert: Has the aspirant sat vigil in accordance with the laws and customs of the Kingdom?

Volkmar: She has not yet, but will do so at Gulf Wars, for she will not be so learned in her new station by then as to not need the wisdom of her peers. This too is in accordance with the law.

Magge: Then it shall be done, and let none bar her from the wisdom she seeks, for a better burden can no woman wear on the way than their mother wit. It is the refuge of the poor, and richer than wealth in a world untried. Today let her hear from those of great mind’s worth on her journey to sit in the halls of the Crown.

Volkmar: I call Seamus Yanger, riddari, to speak for the lords of the spear din, the leaders of the Fyrd to which Asa belongs.

Seamus: Cattle die and kinsmen die, but that which does not die is the fair fame of one who has earned it, as you have upon the field in the army of the Falcon.

Seamus speaks other words to Asa as they deem appropriate.

Volkmar: I call Gottfried von Koln, meistari, to speak for the order of servants, tenders of the sun of houses and feast bringers.

Gottfried: Not great things alone must one give to another; with half a loaf and a tilted bowl, I have found me many a friend—as have you, in your service to the people of the Falcon.

Gottfried speaks other words to Asa as they deem appropriate.

Volkmar: I call Alan Smyith of Darkdale, meistari, to speak for the steel bearing warriors, sword born defenders.

Alan: Let one never stir on the road a single step without her weapons of war; for unsure is the knowing when need shall arise to defend herself on the way—as you have defended the folk of the Falcon, and taken the first steps on the road of steel.

Alan speaks other words to Asa as they deem appropriate.

Volkmar: I name Duchess Ylva Jonsdottir, kennara, to speak for the order that Asa is to join, of Brokkr’s secrets and all known arts.

Ylva: Know the secret ways of creation; knowest how one shall write, and how one shall read; how one shall tint, and one shall stain; how one shall learn, and one shall teach. Knowest these things and you shall be one of the Kennari; as you are, and have been, our sister.

I give you the words of your ‘Secondary Laurel’ – Baroness Melisand Aubrey d’Anjou, known as Gryfn of Trimaris,

Ylva reads Gryfn’s words.

Volkmar: I ask Countess Isadora of Orangewode, who has set astride the thrones of the Falcon and departed them in peace, to speak.

Isadora: Not long the leader’s life shall be, when she faces treachery and false friends; good counsel, then, is truly the King’s balm. As you have been, bearing the burdens of the highest.

Isadora speaks other words to Asa as they deem appropriate.

Volkmar: I ask His Honorable Lordship Eirikr Thrimson, though no peer an honored noble of this court, to speak for the people.

Eirikr: Before attending the high halls and sitting among the Meistari as heroes, they sit with us; our halls are the most numerous, and those without which none of the rest could exist. Remember your time in our halls, as we delight in your entrance into higher ones.

Eirikr says other words to Asa as they deem appropriate.

Volkmar: My Konungr and Drottning, the mind hoard of the Orders, the Royal Peers, and People have been given to Asa, who now stands ready to be recognized as kennara.

Robert: Asa, is it your wish to proceed, knowing that if you do so there will be great expectations placed upon you?

Asa: <Responds positively>

Magge: Then kneel, for the last of the wisdom you must hear, and bear, is from us.

Asa kneels in front of their Majesties, hopefully on the cushion.

Robert: Let none put faith in the first sown fruit, but to all things wait in wisdom for the proper time.

Robert places his sheathed sword on Asa’s shoulder.

Robert: May your skills ever be increased in service to Crown and Kingdom.

Magge: Hew wood in wind, sail the seas in a breeze, work a ship for its gliding, a shield for its shelter, and a sword for its striking.

Magge places her scepter on Asa’s other shoulder.

Magge: May your gentle demeanor serve always as an example of courtesy to all who would observe you.

King and Queen cross their scepters on Asa’s head.

CROWN (Together): And may your spirit ever follow the goals your heart sets before you.

AT THIS POINT, ASA IS GIVEN A CHOICE OF SWEARING FEALTY OR SWEARING AN OATH TO BE A GOOD LAUREL. SHE MAY PICK EITHER CHOICE.

Robert: You may either swear an oath of fealty, or an oath to be a good Laurel. The choice is yours.

IF ASA CHOOSES FEALTY, THE STANDARD FEALTY OATH IS USED.

IF ASA CHOOSES GOOD LAUREL OATH, THE FOLLOWING IS RECITED BY THE HERALD AND REPEATED BY ASA.

Herald: Here do I swear upon my honor that I will uphold the law of the Kingdom, the good of the people, and the teachings of my art, and to ever and always strive to be a good Laurel and true.

Magge: It is by the raiment of a Peer that one may be recognized, although it is their honor that makes them one. Is there a Coat or Robe?

Brigit Edan: There is, your Majesty. All feel the bite of the wicked winter, from the farmer in his field to the noble in her hall. Wear this to let all know your station, but also so that you may continue to serve even in the darkest and coldest of days.

Brigit speaks other words to Asa as they deem appropriate.

Robert: Is there a medallion, that all may know you as a peer in the hall and the fields of war?

Saito Takauji: There is, your Majesty. If our orders are work, not idle reward, then there must be a way of knowing us at a glance. But this medallion should always be a beacon, a lamp of chivalry, and never a warning. Wear it as such.

Uji speaks other words to Asa as they deem appropriate.

Magge: A fine artisan needs fine tools – have such gifts have been crafted?

Brannac brings forward the additional items: scribe, dividers, apron, book? Eirikr and Seamus describe and present them.

Volkmar: Your Majesties, in accordance with all the laws and traditions of the Kingdom, Asa stands before you a Laurel.

Magge: And we acknowledge and accept her as such. Is there a scroll?

Dirk: Your Majesties asked me for a scroll and also to craft a hammer, Unfortunately, Picts can’t write, but we can carve.

Dirk displays the hammer

Magge: Calontir, your newest Laurel.

Robert: Herald, please read the hammer!