The Engrailing of a Knight
of the Order of the Tower*
by Edward
of the Order of the Tower*
by Edward
|
| Dave Choat |
In accordance with ancient custom, it is desirable when possible that the Knight be engrailed at dawn upon a High Feast Day.
The Engrailer must be a knight of the order, and must be authorized by the Keeper of the Keys to enfeoff Church revenue.
The Candidate shall kneel before the Engrailer.
There must be at least three witnesses present.
The Engrailer shall stand facing the witnesses, and shall speak the following words to the assembled witnesses.
Dearly Beloved, the Church is of Mithras, and shall be preserved unto the very end of time, for the conduct of worship and the due administration of Epimetrius' words and sacraments, the maintenance of discipline, the edification of believers, and the harrowing of Darkness.
The Order of the Tower is charged, within Father Church, with the protection of the roads and highways that are under Church domain, with the protection of Church holdings, and with such needful services as the Archimandrite may demand.
This person, who is today to be engrailed a knight, has served as Novice and Squire, has been instructed in the teachings of Father Church, and is now called to stand forth publicly as the virtuous embodiment of Father Church, embodying at all times the Light of Mithras.
Then the Engrailer shall draw his sword, and shall take a lit candle of beeswax, and shall annoint the blade with the wax drippings, saying
Let the Light that is our Strength and our Wisdom defend us in this as in all our deeds.
Then the candidate shall kiss the blade.
Now the Engrailer shall remind the Candidate of the Ten Disciplines of Knighthood, and the candidate shall return.
Wilt thou believe whatsoever the Church teaches, and observe its directions?
By my love of the Light, I shall.
Wilt thou defend Father Church?
By my love of the Light, I shall.
Wilt thou respect all weaknesses, and constitute thyself the defender of them?
By my love of the Light, I shall.
Wilt thou love the Church into which thou has been summoned, and keep its honor unstained?
By my love of the Light, I shall.
Wilt thou never recoil before an enemy?
By my love of the Light, I shall not.
Wilt thou makest war against the Python, and other enemies of Father Church, without cessation or mercy?
By my love of the Light, I shall.
Wilt thou treat all Knights of the Church as thy brethern, giving them aid at need, comfort in despair, and succor in extremis?
By my love of the Light, I shall.
Wilt thou perform scrupulously thy feudal duties to the King, if they be not contrary to the redes of Epimetrius?
By my love of the Light, I shall.
Wilt thou never lie, and wilt thou remain faithful to the pledged word?
By my love of the Light, I shall.
Wilt thou be generous, and give of thy largesse to everyone?
By my love of the Light, I shall.
Wilt thou be everywhere and always the champion of the Light and the Good against Injustice and Evil?
By my love of the Light, I shall.
Then the Engrailer shall touch his sword three times to the shoulders of the candidate, saying
Then in the service of Mithras, and by the redes of Epimetrius and Albidar, do I dub the Knight: arise, Sir ______, and draw thy blade, that it may be sanctified to thy task.
The candidate shall rise, and draw blade, and turn to face the witnesses. He shall hold the blade in both hands over his head, and the Engrailer shall place hands over the candidate hands. The the Engrailer shall speak the following prayer:
Hearken we beseech Thee, Mithras, to our prayers, and deign to bless with the right hand of Thy Majesty this sword with which Thy servant desires to be girded, that it may be a defense of churches, widows, orphans and all Thy servants against the scourge of Darkness, that it may be the terror and dread of all evil-doers, and that it may be just in both attack and defense.
Then the candidate shall stand, holding forth the sword, and shall speak, saying
By this blade am I made Knight. With this blade shall I drive back the Dark. Strengthen me, O Lord of Light, that I may be a fit retainer of thy Glory.
Then the Engrailer shall conclude with a blessing:
O Mithras, of unchangeable power and Eternal Light, Look favorably upon Father Church and This Thy Order of The Tower, And this Man who is today dubbed Knight, that the wonderful and sacred mystery, by the effectual working of your Providence, carry out in tranquility your plan of salvation; let the whole world see and know that a new Light is kindled, that Men may no longer fear the Darkness, and know that that which was cast down is raised up, that which was old is made new, and that which was Evil is broken, by The Four whom you called, Epimetrius, Sagron, Elihu, and Albidar. May we all walk henceforth in The Light Undimned.
*Acknowledged:
Chivalry by Leon Gautier © 1989 Braken
Books.
The Book of Hymns © 1964, 1966 United
Methodist Publishing House
The Book of Common Prayer © 1977 Charles
Mortimer Gilbert, as Custodian of the Standard Book of Common Prayer of
the Episcopal Church