Investiture of a Count and Countess
(This ceremony should be done as the first order of business of the first court of a New King and Queen after their Coronation. The ceremony is to invest a couple, but can be modified for a single person when necessary.)
Herald: ________ and ________, approach the Thrones of their Majesties of Avacal.
Herald: May it please your Majesties, your loyal subject ________ having by valor, skill and strength of arms won the Crown of Avacal inspired by the beauty, grace and virtue of your loyal subject ________ , both having reigned as King and Queen, and having descended from the thrones, have thus, by their own ability, earned the title and rank of Count and Countess of this Kingdom. They now make bold to approach your Majesties that they may receive the title and be invested with the dignities of this high estate.
King: Let the Coronets be brought forth.
(The Coronet is given to King, while the Countess coronet is given to Queen.)
(The King says some words about the one he succeeds)
King: ________, be henceforth Count (or equivalent title) in this our realm and wear this coronet in token of your rank.
(Place coronet)
(The Queen says some words about the one she succeeds)
Queen: ________, be henceforth Countess (or equivalent title) in this our realm and wear this coronet in token of your rank.
(Place coronet)
(If they choose fealty, call for cheers at the end of the ceremony, otherwise call for it now)
Herald: Three Cheers for the Newest Count and Countess of Avacal!
(If scrolls are present)
King: Let the herald read the patent of arms.
(The Herald reads the scroll, hands it to the King who presents it to the New Count. If there is a separate scroll for the Countess, then read that and the Queen presents it to the Countess.)
(They may choose to swear fealty.)
Herald: Is it your desire to swear fealty to their Majesties of Avacal?
Count and Countess: It is.
(They kneel. They can swear on a weapon if they wish.)
Herald: Do you now swear fealty to their Majesties of Avacal, King ________ and Queen ________. That you will support and defend them in your hearts and in your homes and that you will obey them in all lawful and just commands in all matters that concern this realm, and, as you once wore the Crowns and received the oaths of your people, do you, in your turn swear fealty to the Crown and Kingdom of Avacal? And, being mindful that the honor of the realm springs from your own deeds, do you swear that you will treat chivalrously and courteously with those of every degree so long as their Majesties remain Sovereigns of Avacal?
Count and Countess: I so swear
King or Queen: And we for our part do swear fealty to this Count and Countess of Avacal and swear that we shall do all in our power to protect and defend you, so long as we remain King and Queen of Avacal.
King: So say we, _____________Rex Avacal.
Queen: So say we, _____________ Regina Avacal.
Herald: Three Cheers for the Newest Count and Countess of Avacal!
