Ser Nickolas takes his first squires

This ceremony took place on January 29 A.S. XXXIV (2005) at A Regular Event in the Cleftlands during feast. In Attendance were Their Royal Highnesses Alaric and Noelle , Baron and Baroness Sir Ephraim and Lady Madelaine of the Cleftlands, Baron and Baroness Alexander of Hawkwood and Catriona nicHugh Mclaey of Brendoken and Baron and Baroness Ragnar Karlsson and Brise Sanguin of The Middle Marches.

THE CONVOCATION

Ser Nickolas:

Caius, Farthegn, please come forward.

For many months now, we have shared each other's
company. We have fought, and talked, and brewed, and
even danced. We have traveled to distant lands to kill
Normans, and have walked the foggy roads of Pennsic to
kill Jug. You have shown great kindness to my lady. We
have welcomed you into our home, and you have welcomed
us into yours. You have joined our household,
increasing its renown ten-fold. You have become very
dear to our eyes.

(L to R Farthegn and Lord Caius)

I would reward you for your love and generosity. But,
alas, it is not in my power to do so. I am not a King
or Baron, charged with the ability to bestow titles or
awards. However, as Knight, there is one thing I can
do. I can make you both my squire.

Do not think that this is an award, it is not. It is
the opposite. If you accept my belt and chain in front
of these goodly people, you will be publicly marked as
someone who's time is not their own: you will help
ladies carry heavy loads, you will arrive early to
help set up an event, you will leave late after
scrubbing pots. All will know that you have set foot
on a long and difficult path; one without a guaranteed
conclusion.

However, being a squire is not without benefits. You
will hold a premier spot in my heart; I will put
teaching you above all other things, save serving our
King. You and your families will never want for food
or shelter. You will share in my joys, and I will
bring righteous fury down upon those that wrong you.
Good times or lean, my support of you will never
falter.

Now. With these things being said, is it still your
desire to become my squires?

Candidates:

It is.

APPEAL TO THE POPULACE

Herald (to general populace):

Oyez, oyez! Ser Nickolas Grigorevich Petrov and his
beautiful wife, The Honorable Lady Serena Kimbalwyke
beg your indulgence and attention to bear witness as
Lord Caius Mac An Bhaird and Farthegn Rinkson enter
into their service as squires. May all assembled this
evening mark well the oaths given and received on this
St. Valerius' Day, Anno Societatis XXXIX.

THE SWEARING OF OATHS

Herald (to candidates):

Good gentles, do you swear fealty to Ser Nickolas and
to Her Ladyship Serena, to support them and House
Strakoza in word and deed at all times?

Candidates:

I so swear.

( L to R Lady Colette, THL Serena Ser Nickolas, Lord Pietro)

( kneeling Lord Caius and Farthegn)

Herald:

Do you swear to always and at all times to remain in
fealty to the Crown of the Middle Kingdom?

Candidates:

I so swear.

Herald:

And do you swear to always strive to be a shining
example of the best aspects of chivalry, to become
mighty in skill of arms, and in service and in the
arts?

Candidates:

I so swear.

( L to R Lady Colette, THL Serena Ser Nickolas, )

( kneeling Lord Caius and Farthegn)

Herald:

Then remember that you will no longer represent only
yourselves, but this man and woman as well. Know that
swearing these oaths means that you shall remain Ser
Nickolas' squires forever, until the world ends, you
are released from service, or you earn the accolade of
Knighthood. If it is still your will to enter into
this service, so swear it now.

Candidates:

I, Caius Mac An Bhaird, so swear it forever.
I, Farthegn Rinkson, so swear it forever.

Herald (to Ser Nickolas):

Ser Nickolas, you have heard the oaths of these fine
men. Will you swear an oath in return?

Ser Nickolas:

I so swear.

Herald:

Will you always and at all times strive to be the kind
of Knight that will bring honor to your household and
make these men proud to be in your service?

Ser Nickolas:

I so swear.

( L to R Lady Colette, Ser Nickolas, Lord Pietro)

( kneeling Lord Caius and Farthegn)

Herald:

Will you teach them what you know of being a Knight in
our Society, both on the field of combat and in the
courts?

Ser Nickolas:

I so swear.

Herald:

And will you swear to support them in word and deed,
and to offer hearty praise and gentle guidance when
necessary?

Ser Nickolas:

I swear.

Herald:

Then good Knight, remember always that these men have
pledged fealty to you and your lady, to support you in
word and deed. Use their service gently, for they are
your squires, not your servants. The oaths given and
received on this day bind Caius and Farthegn to you as
your squires forever, until the world ends, you
release them from service, or they earn the accolade
of Knighthood. If it is still your will to accept
their service, so swear it now.

Ser Nickolas:

I, Ser Nickolas Grigorevich Petrov, so swear it now
and forever.

THE GIVING OF BELTS

Ser Nickolas:

Take these belts, which I have crafted with my own
hands. They are red, to symbolize the blood you may
shed in my service. Know that you will now and forever
more be marked as one who freely gives service, asked
or unasked. Always be worthy of it.

Lord Caius was belted by THL Serena and Farthegn was belted by his lady Lady Colette

(L to R Lord Caius Ser Nickolas, Lady Colette, Farthegn and Lord Pietro)

THE GIVING OF CHAINS

Ser Nickolas:

( L to R Lady Colette Lord Caius, Ser Nickolas, Farthegn, Lord Pietro )

Take these chains as a reminder of the featly and
oaths you have sworn this day. Your chain is of
silver, itself a noble metal, but not as pure as the
gold chain of a Knight. Wear these chains as an
outward symbol of your sworn obligations.

( L to R Lady Colette Lord Caius, Ser Nickolas, Farthegn )

THE EARNING OF SPURS

Ser Nickolas:

In period a squire would ride mounted beside his
Knight, his spurs used to goad his warhorse forward
into battle. With that said, to earn your spurs you must

become authorized in equestrian. I am not authorized

myself and will give my spurs to my lady for safe keeping

until I have completed the same task as you.

( L to R Lady Colette, THL Serena Ser Nickolas, )

( Lord Caius and Farthegn)

THE CONCLUSION

Ser Nickolas:

Your Highnesses, Your Excellencies, my lords and
ladies, know that it is with great love and joy that I
accept these men into my service. We thank you for
your kind attention. Now let us return to our feasting
with renewed vigor.

After the ceremony we received congratulations from Their Royal Highnesses.

( Princess Noelle, Prince Alaric, Sir Ephraim, Baron Alexander and Baron Ragnar)

(kneeling Farthegn and Caius)

We received kind words from Baron Sir Ephraim

Thanks

I would like to thank those that helped make this ceremony possible

Lady Colette for who’s honor I fight.

Lord Caius, my squire brother, for fighting along side of me.

Ser Nickolas and THL Serena for receiving my oath and giving theirs in return

The event staff for letting us have the time.

Lord Pietro for being the herald.