Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: 5 On Fealty
Date: Wed, 23 Dec 1992 21:48:08

5 On Fealty
        We can see pretty clearly here that it is -not- up to the Crown to
decide if a person may or may not be a Master of Arms or a Knight. Such a
choice is up to the person being offered the Belt.
        But is it "period," to have a Peer that does not swear fealty? 
In the context of medieval legal thought as applied to the SCA, the answer 
seems to be an unqualified "Yes!"
        First of all: look at the oaths that are taken when the Peerages are 
given in Atenveldt:
     
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     Knighthood: (N), you stand before us this day having 
     indicated your willingness to accept the noble Order of 
     Knighthood in the Society for Creative Anachronism. Having 
     been adjudged fit for this honor do you (N) swear by all you 
     hold sacred and true that you will honor and obey the Crown 
     of Atenveldt, honor and defend all ladies and those weaker 
     than yourself, give courtesie to your Peers, both Knight, 
     and Master of Arms, and Masters and Mistresses of the Laurel 
     and Pelican, and conduct yourself in all matters as befits a 
     knight, drawing your sword only for just cause and being 
     chivalrous to all to the greater glory of yourself and the 
     Crown of Atenveldt? 

     (The King then says:) Then We, (N), by right of arms King of 
     Atenveldt, do swear to defend you and your household until 
     Death take Us, the World end, or the Crown shall pass from 
     Our Hands. 

 ----------------------------end of quote-----------------------------

        It should be noted that the combination of the Knight's Oath and
the King's response, along with the gift of the Chain, result in a liege-
fealty contract.

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     Master of Arms: Place your hands on this, the Great Sword of 
     State, and swear by all that you hold sacred and true, that 
     you shall conduct yourself in all ways as befits a Peer of 
     this Realm, to be at all times an example of Chivalry and 
     Courtesie, to give honor to the Crown and the Kingdom, and 
     to your Peers, to further your knowledge of the Arts of 
     Peace and War, and to aid others in this pursuit. All this 
     you should swear, by this Sword and by your honor. 

     Laurel (Pelican): Place your hands on this, the Great Sword 
     of State, and swear by all that you hold sacred and true, 
     that you shall henceforth conduct yourself in all ways as 
     befits a Peer of this Realm, to be at all times an example 
     of Chivalry and Courtesie, to give honor to the Crown and 
     the Kingdom, and to your Peers, both Knights and Masters of 
     Arms, and Masters and Mistresses of the Pelican (Laurel) to 
     further your knowledge of the Arts of Peace and War, and to 
     aid others in this pursuit. All this you should swear, by 
     this Sword and by your honor. 

 ----------------------------end of quote-----------------------------       

        ALL Peers promise to -teach- their Art, and to improve themselves in 
their chosen field. This is a "service" contract prima facie. They take what 
amounts to an -oath of service.- Also, the Peerage cannot even be -offered- 
if the person has not shown obedience to Kingdom Law and respect for the 
Crown: 
                                (more)



... The SCA: A Dream to some, a Knight-mare to others

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Newsgroups: rec.org.sca