Matsudaira Takauji Pelican Ceremony
Researched and Written by Matsudaira Takauji (recursive)
Introduction and Notes:
Whereas my Laurel was framed as a promotion of rank in a Japanese court, matching my primary persona, my thought if I was ever so blessed as to be elevated to a second peerage was always that it should focus more on my Tudor alternate persona and my study of law. While it could have been appropriate to focus on a Japanese ceremony for a Pelican, given that the root of ‘Samurai’ means ‘to serve,’ and do a Laurel as Tudor with a framing of literature and law, there were two considerations which caused me to go the other way. First that I had been offered a Laurel first, and as one is never guaranteed a first let alone a second peerage, I would have regretted it if I did not take the opportunity to do a persona appropriate ceremony. And secondly, there is a way of looking at all my service which is tied up in literature and law as well—the writing of texts and ceremonies to satisfy the legal requirements of an award while also creating a period atmosphere, and the interpretation of SCA law/regulation.
This ceremony is styled after the creation of a Serjeant at Law in Tudor England. Serjeantry at Law, also referred to as the Order of the Coif, is an ancient rank or order for lawyers. It represented obtaining the pinnacle of rank in the legal profession. It is also, arguably, the oldest ‘order’ in England, with writs creating Serjeants dating back to 1300—older than the Orders of the Garter (1330), the Bath (1399), the Thistle (1540), or St. Patrick (1783); also older than the first Duke (1338), Marquis (1385), or Viscount (1440). The rank is mentioned in the Canterbury Tales: “A serjeant of the law, ware and wise,/That often hadde ben at the parvis,/Ther was also, full rich of excellence./Discreet he was and of great reverence,/He sened swiche; his wordes were so wise,/Justice he was ful often in assise,/By patent, and by pleine commissiun;/For his science, and for his high renoun,/Of fees and robes had he many on.”
Serjeants functioned as an elite, with limited numbers and increased privileges over their fellow lawyers (including the exclusive right to be appointed some kinds of judges). The distinctive garment of the Order was the coif, a white cap “in shape not unlike a Knight Templar’s cap.” While at the beginning this was closer to the arming cap shape familiar in the SCA, out of period it became little more than an ornamental cap on top of a lawyer or judge’s wig. The elevation of a lawyer to the rank of Serjeant was a day of much ceremony—courts were suspended for the day, major civic leaders and even sometimes the King would attend, and the Serjeant to be was expected to throw a feast and give presents to their fellows and dignitaries. This last was a financial requirement on the Serjeants, as was their new wardrobe—robes were required “with a furred cape, capicium penulatum, about his shoulders,” and scarlet is specifically noted as a judiciary and serjeantry appropriate color. “At a call of Serjeants in October, 1555, every Serjeant subscribed for one robe of scarlet, one of violet, a third of brown blue, a fourth of mustard and murrey…” Indeed, the robes judges wear are considered by some to have originated with the robes worn by Serjeants!
It was also a polling order—the Serjeants would discuss among themselves, and then make recommendations to the Lord Chancellor. When appointed, it was customary that the appointments be made via a writ from the King.
All told, this makes the Order of the Coif a suitable analogue for the Pelican for someone whose service involves writing and the interpretation and enforcement of SCA law. This ceremony, therefore, adapts the appropriate elements of the Serjeantry to the Order of the Pelican. It begins with an opening of the Order of the Pelican of Calontir, but recognizing that the Order is not just for Serjeants at Law it frames the whole order as a form of Grand Serjeantry in service to the Kingdom.
Terms/Definitions:
Sources:
Alexander Pulling, The Order of the Coif, The Boston Book Co. (Boston, MA 1897).
G.C. Williamson, Curious Survivals: Habits and Customs of the Past That Still Live in the Present, Herbert Jenkins Ltd. (1923, rev. 1924).
Dramatis Personae:
| KING: | Emerick |
| QUEEN: | Kolfinna |
| PRINCE: | Xerxis |
| PRINCE: | Andromir |
| PEER: | Nikolaos |
| ROYAL HERALD: | TBD |
| UJI’S PERSONAL HERALD: | Cory |
| BOON BEGGER: | Maren |
| LAUREL SPEAKER | Gyda |
| CHIVALRY SPEAKER | Felix |
| PELICAN SPEAKER | Jeanne-Marie |
| DEFENSE SPEAKER | Ayesha |
| MARK SPEAKER | Rand |
| ROYAL PEER SPEAKER | Issabell |
| POPULACE SPEAKER: | Catlin |
| CLOAK GIVER: | Lelia |
| MEDALLION GIVER: | Galen |
| COIF GIVER: | Alessandra |
Script:
ROYAL HERALD: Your Majesties, the Calontir Chapter of the Ancient and Honorable Ordo Pelicani, through an advocate, seeks to conduct the business of an elevation in your court according to the laws of the Kingdom and statutes of the Order.
KING: The privileges and rites of these proceedings were reconfirmed by Chepe and Arwyn, reconfirming those granted by Cariadoc and Diana, in turn extending those granted by William the Silent and Sheryl of Thespis—7th Crown of the Society.
QUEEN: Good herald, call forth this venerable Order in due and ancient form, that all business may be recorded properly.
ROYAL HERALD: Their Royal Majesties Emerick and Kolfinna summon to their court all Serjeants at Law and other Serjeantries, Judges and Magisters, and all other members of the Order of the Pelican of this and any of the Laurel Kingdoms, to attend them.
The Order of the Pelican enters, and arrays themselves around the throne in the normal fashion.
HERALD: By order of their Majesties this Chapter of the Ancient and Honorable Order of the Pelican is declared open. Their Majesties call forward the advocate for this elevation, Sir Maren.
Maren advances to the Throne.
MAREN: Your Majesties, at a previous meeting of this Chapter, you announced that admission would be offered to Matsudaira Takauji, known to the courts of law as Matthew Blackacre. The Order has assembled, and wishes to proceed with welcoming him into our ranks.
KING: No one should be admitted to this Order if they are not worthy and well qualified. Has he demonstrated all the essential characteristics of a peer of this Order?
MAREN: He has, your Majesty.
QUEEN: Has he labored for the good of the Kingdom and the Society?
MAREN: He has, your Majesty.
KING: Has he done these things not for the purpose of advancement, but of his own free will?
MAREN: He has, your Majesty.
QUEEN: Then it still meets with our approval, and he may be elevated. We ask the Order to pass around this medallion from hand to hand, in the Outlandish custom.
The Queen hands the medallion to the Pelicans to begin passing the Medallion around.
QUEEN: And we invite our Baron Mag Mor to this court, to hear the counsel of his peers and swear his oaths.
ROYAL HERALD: Their Majesties require the presence of Baron Matthew Blackacre, also known in these lands as Matsudaira Takauji.
Uji and retainers process in, with banners in the front.
CORY (UJI’S HERALD): Oyez, Oyez, Oyez! Comes now before this honorable court and assembled serjeantry Matthew, Baron Mag Mor, right trusty and well-beloved counselor of the Crown. A servant of three kingdoms, last and longest the lands of the Falcon. Awarded arms in the Outremer in Anno Societatis 40, admitted to the Order of the Torse in Anno Societatis 48, called to the Order of the Cross of Calontir in Anno Societatis 52, seated as the right honorable Baron of Mag Mor in Anno Societatis 57, and elevated among the peerage to the Order of the Laurel in Anno Societatis 59.
Banner bearers, herald, and retinue walk to the edge of presence, render courtesies, and then exit, except for speakers. Uji stays. Maren approaches.
MAREN: My friend, until now you have worn the garments of a novice and vigilant. None can approach the throne so garbed. Remember the lessons you learned and the wisdom you heard while in vigil, but stand proud before the Crown.
Maren removes the tabard. Together, Uji and Maren approach the thrones.
UJI: Your Majesties, in accordance with the ancient customs regarding the Serjeantry at Law, I present a pair of white leather gloves, and a collection of gold rings for your Majesty’s grace and benevolence. Further, alms have been paid to charities close to the heart of the people and myself.
Uji presents the largesse to the Crown.
KING: As you well know, no one may step into the ranks of the peerage without testimony from their peers and the people. Are there compurgators to speak to his virtue?
MAREN: There are, your Majesties. All those who hold service truly in their hearts, along with their chosen fields. First is Sir Felix Sniumi of the Outlands, to speak for the Chivalry.
FELIX: We were the first of all to serve in martial endeavors, in peace at the tourney and in war upon the field. You have supported this by heralding our tournaments, and will continue to serve in your new position, and I attest to your worthiness for this elevation.
Felix speaks other words as he feels appropriate.
MAREN: Baroness Gyda Glora, to speak for the Order of the Laurel.
GYDA: You know well how we serve, and you have supported us through your teaching, judging, and your own artistry. We have no doubt you will continue to do so as a member of our Order, and I attest to your worthiness for this elevation.
Gyda speaks other words as she feels appropriate.
MAREN: Baroness Ayisha bint Asad, to speak for the Order of Defense.
AYISHA: We were the second order to serve on the field, defending the lands of our home. And you have supported us well, as a marshal and as an advisor in the creation of the Stile Fyrd, Hirth, and the Order of Defense. We know you will continue to do so, and I attest to your worthiness for this elevation.
Ayisha speaks other words as she feels appropriate.
MAREN: Sir Rand the Tracker, for the Order of the Mark.
RAND: We are the youngest peerage order, of precision and the arrow’s flight. We serve on the field and the range, and you have supported us in supporting our endeavors and our advancement to the peerage. We know you will continue to do so, and I attest to your worthiness for this elevation.
Rand speaks other words as he feels appropriate.
MAREN: Mistress Jeanne-Marie Dubois for the Order of the Pelican.
JEANNE-MARIE: Ours is the order of service, yet we must also see all the ways in which the other Orders serve. You have heard of their service today, and as an Order we know you have supported all of their efforts. Never forget that all service is worthy of consideration by our Order, and you will have grasped our essence. But we know you have done this and will continue to do so, and I attest to your worthiness for this elevation.
Jeanne-Marie speaks other words as she feels appropriate.
MAREN: Duchess Issabell St. Charles for the Royal Peerage.
ISSABELL: Service as the Crown is perhaps our most intense form of service. Constantly visible, called to write and uphold the law, a friend and supporter to all. As Baron, artist, and officer, you have supported years of Calontir crowns. We know you will continue to do so, and so I attest to your worthiness for this elevation.
Issabell speaks other words as she feels appropriate.
MAREN: And the Honorable Lady Catlin Marie de Moretaine to speak for the populace.
CATLIN: All service must ultimately be in service of the people of the Kingdom. Whether safety on the field, administration, art, or upon the throne, if it is not for the good of the people it is not for the good of the Kingdom. But you have worked for the good of the people, and we know you will continue to do so, so I attest to your worthiness for this elevation.
Catlin speaks other words as she feels appropriate.
MAREN: Your Majesties, all testimony has been received in accordance with the laws and customs of the Kingdom and Society. The candidate stands ready to be made a Pelican.
QUEEN: Then let him kneel and swear to be a good and true servant of the people, the same oath taken by all fellows and companions.
Uji advances to the throne and kneels on the cushions.
KING: Do you swear that you will serve the Crown’s people as a Serjeant at Law, and that you shall truly counsel them that you be retained with after your cunning?
UJI: I so swear.
The King places his scepter on Uji’s shoulder.
KING: May your skills be ever increased in service to Crown and Kingdom.
QUEEN: Do you swear that you shall not defer or delay the cause of the people willingly, for covetness of money, or other thing that may turn you to profit, and that you shall give your due attendance accordingly?
UJI: I so swear.
The Queen places her scepter on Uji’s other shoulder
QUEEN: May your gentle demeanor serve always as an example of courtesy to all who would observe you.
King and Queen cross their scepters on Uji’s head.
CROWN TOGETHER: And may your spirit ever follow the goals your heart sets before you.
King and Queen remove their scepters from Uji’s head.
UJI: Your Majesties, while I am already in fealty as your Baron of Mag Mor, I would like my first action as a member of this Order to be to swear fealty as a Pelican, with this instrument of oath swearing as used by the Vehmic Courts of the continent.
The Champion brings the sword of state forward for Uji to swear fealty. Uji places the oath skull next to him, and supports the sword of state.
UJI[1]: Hic ego iuro,
Per os et per manus,
Fidelitatem et servitutem
Coronae et Regno Calontiriensis
Me lectura et tacitura
Actura et abstentura
Ventura et itura
Latura et parsura
In omnes res quod ad regnum pertinent
Honore meo et imperio legitimo regis
Inopia vel copia
Pace vel bello
Vivendo vel moriendo
Ab ista ora inantea
Dum Rex solim relinquit
Vel mors me tollit
Velus mundus exit,
Sic dico Matthew Blackacre.
CROWN: We hear your fealty freely given,
And by Our word confirm that We
Will never sacrifice you needlessly.
We swear to judge your oaths with mercy,
Your words with honor, and your deeds with justice.
We will it and grant it and swear it so,
Emerick, King.
Kolfinna, Queen.[2]
KING: Now you are our oathbound servant as a Pelican. All should know you as a Peer by your actions; but we would also see you invested properly as well. Is there a medallion?
Galen takes the Medallion which has passed from hand to hand, and steps forward.
GALEN: There is, your majesty. This is a symbol of your two peerages, of excellence in arts and service. But it is also a symbol for the people, that they may find you when they need your service and your assistance. Let it always, always be a beacon and lamp of chivalry for the people, and never a warning.
Galen speaks other words as he deems appropriate, and then places the medallion around Uji’s neck.
QUEEN: Is there a cloak?
Lelia steps forward.
LELIA: There is, your Majesty. Scarlet robes were worn on ceremonial occasions by Serjeants at Law, and scarlet trimmed in white is the cloak of your new Order. But this is also a functional garment, to keep yourself warm. Remember that you cannot warm others if you have no warmth for yourself, and tend your own needs as well.
Lelia speaks other words as she deems appropriate, and then places the cloak around Uji’s shoulders. She then steps back.
KING: Is there a coif?
Alessandra steps forward.
ALESSANDRA: There is, your Majesty. The coif is the symbol of a Serjeant at Law, and the cap of maintenance of the Pelican. These are ancient symbols of nobility, here decorated with the symbols of your Orders. Remember the lesson of the drop of blood, symbol of the Ordo Pelicani; may it encourage you to remember that which you have to give to the people.
Alessandra speaks other words as she deems appropriate. Uji removes his hat, and Alessandra places the coif on his head before rejoining the other Pelicans.
MAREN: All the laws and traditions of the Rule of Purple and Gold of the Ordo Pelicani have been followed, and he who was once a vigilant now stands before you twice a peer, and our Companion.
QUEEN: So let it be proclaimed, and so let it be done, now and forever in the name of the Falcon. Let the feasts and celebrations be cried throughout these lands. Calontir, your newest Pelican!
Pause for applause.
KING: Herald, please read the scroll.
The Herald reads the scroll text.
[1] This is the West Kingdom oath of fealty, translated into Latin. https://heralds.westkingdom.org/Ceremony/West/NonEnglishFealty.pdf.
[2] Adapted from 15th century Oaths of Fealty, previously used by Damien and Issabell for their 2nd reign.