The Raising of a Peer: from vigil set-up to elevation ceremony

Baroness Genevieve d'Aquitaine, OP

Introduction to the "manual"

Outline:

1. Vigil-set-up:
   • Indoors or out
   • Tent or room
   • Furnishings
   • Decorations
   • Personalization
2. Hospitality:
   • Tent/space
   • Food
   • Drink
   • Decoration
   • Seating for guests
   • Book for visitors to sign
3. Staff:
   • Set-up
   • Restock of food and drink
   • Line-minder
   • Handwashing/bath crew (someone to pour, catch and speak)
   • Guards
4. General Flow:
   • Surprise candidate
   • Escort candidate to vigil area
   • Give candidate the option to change into pure white clean vigil tunic
   • Handwashing ceremony (Chiv candidates take ice cold dunk then vigil tunic)
   • Candidate is set upon vigil and Crown gets first counsel visit
   • Heirs, Landed Baronage, significant other are next in line
   • Running vigil line, possibilities
   • Taking candidate off vigil to allow down-time before ceremony
   • Getting into the vigil if you're a "nobody", Vigil Visiting Tips
5. Ceremony Basics:
   • Elevation garb (either new or have signifigant other pack something nice)
   • Procession (music, banners, escorts, etc.)
   • Returning of fealty if in fealty to Peer as squire, apprentice, protégé, or companion.
   • Worthies (Atlantian Four: Chivalry, Rose, Laurel, and Pelican) generally the Worthy of the Order they are joining goes last.
   • Cloak/peerage garment- personalize (words of symbolism)
   • Hat (wreath or cap of maintenance)
   • Medallion
   • Fealty
   • Scroll
   • Chiv specific: Worthies (optional), Regalia expanded to spurs, belt, sword, chain.  Each item of regalia can be presented by a worthy.  Last buffet before dubbing.

     Variations, especially for second peerages

You can also visit the Laurels' Peerage Elevation Checklist

©2006 Jennifer Thies