Recognition of Branch Closure
I wrote this ceremony for inclusion in the Northshield Boke of Ceremonies revision, submitted in the fall of 2022.
We have had a ceremony in the Boke for the recognition of a branch moving to full-status. In some cases, a group may need to close due to inactivity or other reasons. It was therefore necessary to write a separate ceremony for closure, as the memory of a closing group deserves the same celebration as a group who is just starting.
Written in summer 2022
Herald
Their Majesties summon __________________, Kingdom
Seneschal.
The Kingdom Seneschal enters the Royal presence.
If the closure is occurring in a location where the populace of the dissolving group will be present, continue with the next part. If not, skip to the next part.
Seneschal
Your Majesties, the people of the [shire, village, canton, barony] of ___________ seek an audience in your court.
Crown
Herald, call forth the populace of ___________.
Herald
Their Majesties invite the populace of __________ into their court.
Populace of group come forward. If there is a banner or other heraldic item available, this should be brought forward as well and presented to Their Majesties.
Seneschal
With sadness, your Stallari wishes to advise the Crown that
the people of __________________ have determined that they are no longer able to maintain full status as a group. After discussion, they have made the difficult decision to dissolve their [shire, village, canton, barony]. After many long years of service, they request your permission to return these lands to you for safekeeping.
Crown
We grant their request
and confirm that the lands called the [shire, village, canton, barony] of____________
will be returned to crown lands
[or, placed into the care of the neighboring [shire, village, canton, barony] of _______].
Herald, what shall happen with their registered heraldry?
Herald
The name and heraldry of the [shire, village, canton, barony] of _________
will be retained by the kingdom
And held safe
In memory of the people
Who they once represented.
Crown
Exchequer, what shall happen to their accounts and property?
Exchequer
Their accounts will revert to the Kingdom
To ensure the future prosperity of Northshield
in memory of their service and honor.
Crown
Seneschal, what shall happen to these people?
Seneschal
They shall remain as they always have:
Members of your populace,
Steadfast, stalwart, and true.
Crown
The memory of ____________ will survive
Through stories and legends.
You will continue to live in our lands
As children of the ice and snow.
You will continue to thrive
under the compass banner.
From the sea in the east
To the stone in the west,
Regardless of location or circumstance,
You are named and known
As people of Northshield.
In some circumstances, the Crown may wish to gift the group banner back to the populace of the closing group. This should be discussed with the populace ahead of time.
This banner represented
Our faith in _________.
Keep it safe for us and our successors.
Herald
For the memory of the [shire, village, canton, barony] of __________, SKOL!*
*It is not recommended to use vivant in this case as the closure of a branch is antithetical to the sentiment.
Source:
Ceremony and opening text loosely inspired by the An Tir Herald Extraordinary ceremony (2018) and Late Medieval Oaths for Kings of Arms, Heralds, and Pursuivants by Dom Pedro de Alcazar (2004).
Ceremony and text originally written for Mira Fastova, our Keythong Herald of many years.