The companions should meet as a body to determine affairs, and to elect companions to the company, discussing matters of import to the company as a whole. At the convocation they will consider new members, and discuss great projects. This shall be henceforth known as The Convocation. Hence any time that members of the company gather in an official status, with the Lord of Leon, and his Captain present can official business of the Company be done.
On the Conscription of Errants
Concerning the Advancement of Banners and Family Name
It is the right of a recognized member of the conclave, the Officers, Clerics, or Lord and Lady of Leon to advance the honourable name and banner of gentle worthy of becoming a companion of the right noble Company. The Lord of Leon, and his Captains reserve the right by vote of no confidence of the Officers Court, to refuse the acceptance of an Errant brought before them within the conclave. To see this end done, the companion must bring forth a letter of intent and his right noble banner to the meeting of the conclave. During the meeting, the Patron advances their banner forward to the Officers and denotes their intention to foster the name and banner of an initiate into the roll of the company. The Initiate then advances their banner and their letter of intent to the Officers for inclusion into the Roll of Honor, and the acceptance of the Patrons sponsorship of the advocate into the watchful eye of the Officers and the conclave. Upon each of the Officers High Courts, they shall review the Initiates of the Grand Company, and make forth their words and recommendations of them. When they have deemed a candidate worthy of elevation into the ranks of the conclave of the Company, the Officers, conclave and Peers of Leon shall induct them within. The Patron and Initiate then make ready a time and place of their choosing and readiness for the ceremony to take place.
Rights of the Errants
Errants are the hand chosen successors to the reputation of the Company. They are the family, and close friends of the members of the Company of the Lion and the Rose, and are chosen to become later members of the Conclave because of their friendship, respect, desire, and honor or loyalty shown to the Company and its members. After being placed before the Conclave by the sponsor, the companion sponsor informs the future companion they have been accepted as an Errant.
As an Errant, the following rights and privileges within the Household, and Grand Company are bestowed:
The right to attend functions and tournaments held by the Right Noble Company.
The right to attend the Conclave of the Right Noble Company.
The right to speak, and have a voice at the Courts and the Conclave of the Right Noble Company.
The right to bear the badge � A Sun in its Splendor Or, Eclipsed by a Rose Proper Argent� upon their person and their rightful property.
The right of a share of any property taken, or ransom seized by the Company when at war.
The right to wear the Regalia of the Right Noble Household and Company of the Lion and the Rose, and the right to bear the Arms of Leon, On a Field of ermine a chief gules embordered nebuly three roses proper Argent, a rampant lion Or.
The right to take aforementioned arms into the field of battle.
Companion Induction Ceremony
Normally, the candidate has been notified by the Captain, and one member of the Company. This member of the company is usually the same person who had originally sponsored the Errant into the Company. These companions are the ones who seek out the Errant, and place the cloak around the candidate. The candidate Errant is then brought before the assembled Conclave.
Once the candidate is brought before the gathered Companions, who should be wearing their cloaks, either the King of Arms or another Companion reads the following:
�_______________________________________, �(Include titles if appropriate)
�Mindful if your prowess, chivalry, and dedication to an authentic field appearance, and recognizing within you a spark shared by these Companions, you have been elected as a candidate to the Company of the Lion and the Rose, and the Household�.
�Do you understand the purpose of the Company, and what is expected of its members?�
�Do agree to continue to pursue the example you have set forth which has caused the notice and appreciation of the Companions, bringing no stain upon yourself, or the companions of the Company?�
�Will you maintain the honour of the company, and seek to aid its growth?�
�Will you take up the life of a soldier of a King, and agree to the life of the campaign?�
�Do you agree to follow the Book of Ordinals of the Company, and fulfill your feudal oaths?�
�Is it your intention to accept membership within the Company of the Lion and the Rose?�
If the answers to the above are all in the affirmative, the ceremony continues.
�Then it is my families great pleasure to welcome you into Our Household and great Company. In doing so we become your sisters and brothers, and you become ours. You join your voice to ours so our song is heard throughout the lands, you join your shield with ours to defend our Kingdom, and you join your sword with ours to further justice. May our combined example cause others to strive for excellence!�
The candidate is then invested by the Company Captain with a Gules cloak bearing the Company�s badge, during which the following is spoken:
�Bear this cloak as a token of the renown you have already won for yourself, for any consort who inspires you, and for the Company.�
The Sergeants then present the companion with a shield in the regalia of the Company.
�Bear this shield as a defense to the weak, of a ladies honour, and for your Kingdom.�
The King of Arms, or representative then speaks while the sponsor is presented the Garter by Her Ladyship:
�This garter represents the Circle of the Conclave. While wearing this garter, be it a reminder that we are all a family joined together in the pursuit of honor, chivalry and joy.�
The Errants sponsor then affixes the garter upon the Errant and speaks the following:
�Bear this garter with pride, but not with vanity, allowing it to remind both you and others of your continued commitment to the like-minded chivalry we all share. Let it remind you also that the virtue of humility is all that will keep the Company alive, and that any one of us could destroy it with but a single action or miss-spoken word.��
The Company Champion should at this point step forward and pose a chivalric question the candidate, bidding them answer at their pleasure, but no later than one year hence.
The Companions now greet the new member, and the ceremony is ended. Often one or more officers will speak, depending upon whom is present and what seems appropriate.
Investiture of Captaincy
The passing of the Rank of Captain is one of great honor and sadness. It is the duty of the Lord and Lady, and the Officers of the Company to relegate the Authority of Captain upon a worthy candidate according to the laws and traditions of the Company.
Once the candidate is brought before the gathered companions, who should all be wearing their full regalia, either the King of Arms or his chosen companion speaks the following:
�_________________ (Include titles if appropriate), as in keeping with the traditions and precedents of this great company, it has been deemed that in the highest esteem and sense of worth do the Lord and lady, the Companions, and the Officers hold your name and banner. It is the word of these, your companions, and the officers, and the call of the Lord and Lady of Leon that you be elevated to the rank of Captain of Foote of the great company. Step thee forward before the conclave�.
The candidate then approaches the Lord and Lady of Leon with his honorable banner and wearing the regalia of the company. The candidate then places his banner in the center of the company standards, and takes a standard of the company from it�s resting place.
The candidate then speaks:
�It is my privilege to carry the Arms and renown of the Grand Company, and hence shall I carry them in battle, in service to the conclave and to the Crown.�
The Candidates Lady, or Her Ladyship then leads the Candidate to His Lordship and assembled officers by a gold chain upon his wrist of his sword arm.
Upon reaching His Lordship, the Candidate is released of his bonds and the Lady, or Her Ladyship then takes the Chain around to each member of the Conclave. As each touches the Chain, they place their noble banner into the Conclave. Whence this is done, His Lordship speaks:
�So shall we, and our banners follow thee.�
And the Conclave answers:
�Aye, so shall we follow thee!�
The Candidate then kneels before the Lord and Lady and places his hand upon Promise.
The King of Arms then speaks:
�Hence do thou swear to take up the office of Captain of the Regiment, and uphold the rank, right, responsibility and privilege of this rank?�
Companion answers with aye.
Her Ladyship then speaks:
�And shall ye serve as an example to the Conclave and Right Noble Company upon which we can learn and follow?�
His Lordship Speaks:
�Then take this, thy belt of office, and be bound unto these thy brothers and sisters. Shine forth and not burn, hence to be this, their Captain.�
Then the Captain�s lady brings forth the chain of office and places it about the Captains neck.
The Lady, or the King of Arms then speaks:
�Lead us with pride and hold in reverence this, your noble office.�
Office of Seneschal
�_________________ (Include titles if appropriate), as in keeping with the traditions and precedents of this great company, it has been deemed that in the highest esteem and sense of worth do the Lord and lady, the Companions, and the Officers hold your name and banner. It is the word of these, your companions, and the officers, and the call of the Lord and Lady of Leon that you be elevated to the rank of Seneschal of the great company. Step thee forward before the conclave�.
The candidate then approaches the Lord and Lady of Leon with his honorable banner and wearing the regalia of the company. The candidate then places his banner in the center of the company standards, and takes a standard of the company from it�s resting place.
The candidate then speaks:
�It is my privilege to carry the Arms and renown of the Grand Company, and hence shall I carry them in service to it, and unto the Conclave.�
The Candidates Lady, or Her Ladyship then leads the Candidate to His Lordship and assembled officers by a gold chain upon his wrist of his sword arm.
Upon reaching His Lordship, the Candidate is released of his bonds and the Lady, or Her Ladyship then takes the Chain around to each member of the Conclave. As each touches the Chain, they place their noble banner into the Conclave. Whence this is done, His Lordship speaks:
�So shall we, and our banners seek your governance.�
And the Conclave answers:
�Aye, so do we be governed by thee!�
The Candidate then kneels before the Lord and Lady and places his hand upon Promise.
The King of Arms then speaks:
�Hence do thou swear to take up the office of Seneschal of the Grand Company, and uphold the rank, right, responsibility and privilege of this rank?�
Companion answers with aye.
Her Ladyship then speaks:
�And shall ye serve as an example to the Conclave and Right Noble Company upon which we can learn and follow?�
Companion answers with aye.
Then the Companions lady then brings forth the chain of office and places it about the Seneschals neck.
The Lady, or the King of Arms then speaks:
�Serve us with pride and hold in reverence this, your noble office.�
Sergeant at Arms
�_________________ (Include titles if appropriate), as in keeping with the traditions and precedents of this great company, it has been deemed that in the highest esteem and sense of worth do the Lord and lady, the Companions, and the Officers hold your name and banner. It is the word of these, your companions, and the officers, and the call of the Lord and Lady of Leon that you be elevated to the rank of Sergeant at Arms of the great company. Step thee forward before the conclave�.
The candidate then approaches the Lord and Lady of Leon with his honorable banner and wearing the regalia of the company. The candidate then places his banner in the center of the company standards, and takes a standard of the company from it�s resting place.
The candidate then speaks:
�It is my privilege to carry the Arms and renown of the Grand Company, and hence shall I carry them in service.�
The Candidates Lady, or Her Ladyship then leads the Candidate to His Lordship and assembled officers by a gold chain upon his wrist of his sword arm.
Upon reaching His Lordship, the Candidate is released of his bonds and the Lady, or Her Ladyship then takes the Chain around to each member of the Conclave. As each touches the Chain, they place their noble banner into the Conclave. Whence this is done, His Lordship speaks:
�So shall we, and our banners call thee unto most noble service.�
And the Conclave answers:
�Aye, so shall we follow thee!�
The Candidate then kneels before the Lord and Lady and places his hand upon Promise.
The King of Arms then speaks:
�Hence do thou swear to take up the office of Sergeant at Arms of the Grand Company, and uphold the rank, right, responsibility and privilege of this rank?�
Companion answers with aye.
Her Ladyship then speaks:
�And shall ye serve as an example to the Conclave and Right Noble Company upon which we can learn and follow?�
Companion answers with aye.
Then the Companions lady then brings forth the chain of office and places it about the Seneschals neck.
The Lady, or the King of Arms then speaks:
�Lead us with pride and hold in reverence this, your noble office.�
Steward X Quartermaster of the Scullery
�_________________ (Include titles if appropriate), as in keeping with the traditions and precedents of this great company, it has been deemed that in the highest esteem and sense of worth do the Lord and lady, the Companions, and the Officers hold your name and banner. It is the word of these, your companions, and the officers, and the call of the Lord and Lady of Leon that you be elevated to the rank of Steward of the great company and it�s Quartermaster of the Scullery. Step thee forward before the conclave�.
The candidate then approaches the Lord and Lady of Leon with his honorable banner and wearing the regalia of the company. The candidate then places his banner in the center of the company standards, and takes a standard of the company from it�s resting place.
The candidate then speaks:
�It is my privilege to carry the Arms and renown of the Grand Company, and hence shall I carry them in service.�
The Candidates Lady, or Her Ladyship then leads the Candidate to His Lordship and assembled officers by a gold chain upon his wrist of his sword arm.
Upon reaching His Lordship, the Candidate is released of his bonds and the Lady, or Her Ladyship then takes the Chain around to each member of the Conclave. As each touches the Chain, they place their noble banner into the Conclave. Whence this is done, His Lordship speaks:
�So shall we, and our banners call thee unto most noble service.�
And the Conclave answers:
�Aye, so shall we be governed by thee!�
The Candidate then kneels before the Lord and Lady and places his hand upon Promise.
The King of Arms then speaks:
�Hence do thou swear to take up the office of Steward of the Grand Company and Quartermaster of the Scullery, and uphold the rank, right, responsibility and privilege of this rank?�
Companion answers with aye.
Her Ladyship then speaks:
�And shall ye serve as an example to the Conclave and Right Noble Company upon which we can learn and follow?�
Companion answers with aye.
Then the Companions lady then brings forth the chain of office and places it about the Seneschals neck.
The Lady, or the King of Arms then speaks:
�Serve us with pride and hold in reverence this, your noble office.�
Lord Kieran Annachie MacLeod
Lord of Leon
