The Coronation Of Peter

[Castus 71]

Peter Chivay, anointed of St. Godfrey, descendant of Owyn Godwinson son of Horen I,  arrived at the fading of the last voice of the evening vespers in the Synod atop Mt. Gren in Herendul. His entrance was heralded by the alignment of a full moon with the dome above the edifice, another auspicious symbol of his especial blessing. The lunar disc filled the room with splayed silver rays, and the clergymen bowed piously before initiating a hymn.

 

 

"Creator Spirit, by whose aid

The world's foundations first were laid,

Come, visit every pious mind;

Come, pour thy joys on humankind;

From sin and sorrow set us free,

And make thy temples worthy thee."

 

Chivay strode, accompanied by two former Kaedreni squires, down the aisle and to the pulpit. Humbly, High Pontiff Regulus stepped aside, granting precedence to the blessed son, and motioned for the prayer "God, the Ruler of Heaven and Earth.” The abbot and monks of the Abbey of Saint Owyn began to file in procession from the back of the chamber, leading the prayer as they walked. Their leader wore the reliquary of the Saint's Ampoule hanging by a silver chain, and was shaded by a silk canopy born in the hands of four senior monks. Thick incense from their thuribles fogged the room, giving Peter Chivay a solemn, otherworldly presence that overwhelmed the senses. The reappearance of imperial sentiment was plain: each tapestry that decorated the Synod had been replaced with one that more fully glorified the old achievements of Oren. The illuminated stories of Siegmund and Heinrik were noticeably absent.

 

Briefly pausing the long string of prayers, Regulus and the other bishops present solemnly swore to return the Saint's Ampoule to the abbey after the Sacre, a tradition long out of use since the days of Raevir rule. Then, the abbot and monks approached the altar, onlookers bowing reverently.

 

The coronation proper, a ceremony entirely separate from the optional post-vespers prayer, began with the bishops' petition that the traditional rights of the Church be maintained and the emperor-elect’s reply with a nod and the sign of the lorraine cross. “So I swear.” Chivay then took the Emperor’s Oath; curiously, not the oath once taken by King Heinrik, but rather the old oath of the once-Kings and Emperors of Renatus and Oren. The clergy present formally Recognized his ascent to the throne, and his loyalty to the oath of office witnessed by Archduke Edward Winter II, Count William Horen, Count Farley Stafyr and others. As the pair spoke the final words of the witnessing, the choir began to sing again.

 

 "We praise thee, O God :

 we acknowledge thee to be the Lord.

All the land doth worship thee :

 the Creator everlasting.

To thee all Angels cry aloud :

 the Heavens, and all the Powers therein.

To thee Aenguls and Daemons:

 continually do cry,

Holy, Holy, Holy :

 Lord God of Horen;

Heaven and earth are full of the Majesty :

 of thy glory.

The glorious company of the Divines: praise thee.

The goodly fellowship of the Prophets : praise thee.

The noble army of Martyrs : praise thee.

The holy Church throughout all the world :

 doth acknowledge thee;

The Creator: of an infinite Majesty;

Thine honourable, true : and favored Son;

Also the Holy Light: the Comforter.

Thou art the King of Glory : O Horen.

Thou art the everlasting Son : of the Creator.

When thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death :

 thou didst open the Kingdom of Heaven to all believers.

Thou sittest at the right hand of God : in the glory of the Creator.

We believe that thou shalt come : to be our Judge.

We therefore pray thee, help thy servants :

Make them to be numbered with thy Saints : in glory everlasting."

 

There was a shuffle amongst the crowd as its many members dug out prayerbooks from beneath the pews. Some, such as the one held by William Horen, were old and well-illuminated, bespeaking centuries of treasured use. Others, such as those used by the soldiers of St. Lucien, were new and used the more conservative lettering of the Holy Kingdom rather than the Empire. The crowd, led by the monks, prayed aloud in unison.

 

"Thy unity is inscrutable, O my God, to all except them that have recognized Him Who is the Manifestation of Thy singleness and the Day-Spring of Thy oneness. Whoso assigneth a rival unto Him hath assigned a rival unto Thee, and whoso hath set up a peer for Him hath set up a peer for Thyself. No, no, none can withstand Thee in the whole of creation. Thou hast everlastingly been exalted far above all comparison and likeness. Thy oneness hath been demonstrated by the oneness of Him Who is the Dawning-Place of Thy Revelation. Whosoever denieth this, hath denied Thy unity, and disputed with Thee about Thy sovereignty, and contended with Thee in Thy realm, and repudiated Thy commandments.

 

Assist Thou Thy servants, O my Lord, to recognize Thy unity and to declare Thy oneness, that all may gather together around what Thou didst desire in this Day whereon the sun of Thine essence hath shone forth above the horizon of Thy will, and the moon of Thine own being hath risen from the Day-Spring of Thy behest. Thou art He, O my Lord, from Whose knowledge nothing whatsoever escapeth, and Whom no one can frustrate. Thou doest Thy pleasure, by Thy sovereignty that overshadoweth the worlds.

 

Thou well knowest, O my God, my Best-Beloved, that naught can quench the thirst I suffer in my separation from Thee except the waters of Thy presence, and that the tumult of my heart can never be stilled save through the living fountain of my reunion with Thee. Send down, then, upon me, O my Lord, out of the heaven of Thy bounty what will draw me nearer unto the chalice of Thy gifts, and make me able to quaff the choice sealed Wine, Whose seal hath been loosed in Thy name, and from Which the sweet savors of Thy days have been shed abroad. Thou, in truth, art the All-Bountiful, Whose grace is infinite.

 

The whole universe testifieth to Thy generosity. Have mercy, then, upon me by Thy graciousness, and deal bountifully with me through the power of Thy sovereignty, and suffer me to enjoy near access to Thee by Thy manifold favors. Thou, truly, art the Great Giver, the Almighty, the Ever-Forgiving, the Most Bountiful."

 

The buskins and spurs were placed upon the King’s feet, and the gird bearing the Coronation Sword was wrapped about his waist. His courtiers, who stood against the walls of the Synod, walked forward and spoke, "I was glad when they said to me, let us go into the house of the Lord," as they began to place upon him the remaining regalia. Chivay’s coat was taken away, exposing three silver lachets on his silk shirt which were opened to reveal his chest, upper back and the joints of his arms. Attendants filled a paten upon the altar with oil as the Abbot of St. Owyn presents the Saint’s Ampoule to the High Pontiff, who with a small golden stylus removes a small particle from the contents of the Saint Ampoule and carefully mixes it with the oil within the paten.

 

The attendants retreated to their appointed areas on the edge of the ceremony and Chivay kneeled slowly before Regulus. The bishops Fabian and John chanted the Litany of the Saints, followed by the High Pontiff beginning the prayer of consecration.

 

"God eternal, All powerful, Creator and ruler of the Heavens and the Lands, Maker and Disposer of Aenguls and of men, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Thou who madest Horen Thy faithful servant to triumph over his enemies, who hast raised to the highest in the Kingdom Horen, Thy humble servant, and hast delivered him out of the mouth of the lion, and out of the paw of the beast, and likewise from Haren, and from the malicious sword of Saul, land from all his enemies, and has enriched Godfrey with the wondrous gift of wisdom and of peace, forgive and accept our humble prayers, and multiply the gifts of Thy blessings on this Thy servant, who with all humble devotion, we, with one accord, choose for King, and we beseech Thee encompass him evermore, and in all places with the right hand of Thy power, so that strengthened by the fidelity of Horen, possessed of the patience of Everard, inspired with the humility of Owyen, adorned with the wisdom of Godfrey, he may be to Thee ever pleasing, and walk evermore without offence in the way of justice, and henceforth in such wise succour, direct, guard and uplift the church of the whole Empire, and the people belonging thereto, may he administer with puissance and right royally the rule of Thy power against all enemies visible and invisible, may he not abandon his rights over the kingdoms of the Salvians, but aided by Thee inspire them with their sometime loyalty so that made glad by the fidelity of all his people, and provided with the helmet of Thy protection, and ever guarded with the invincible buckler, and compassed about with the celestial armies, he may happily triumph over his enemies, cause the infidel to fear his power, and with joy bring peace to those who fight under Thy banner. Adorn him by many a gracious blessing, with the virtues with the which Thou hast enriched Thy faithful ones aforesaid, counsel him richly in the government of the Kingdom, and anoint him plenteously with the grace of the Holy Light. So say we all."

 

Regulus, solemnly and slowly, lifted the oiled stylus, anointing Peter Chivay with a lorraine cross on the top of the head, the breast, between the shoulders, on both shoulders and on the joints of both arms, each time repeating,

 

"I anoint thee with the holy oil in the name of the Creator, and of the most favored Son, and of the Holy Light."

And all, as the echoes of his voice faded, each time responded, "So say we all."

 

While the anointment took place, the monks sang in an unceasing baritone,

"Aenguls and priest anointed Horen King in Oren, and did proclaim this right joyfully, saying, May the king live forever."

 

The High Pontiff then said these prayers,

 

"God Almighty anoint Thou this Emperor to the government, as Thou hast anointed those priests, and kings and prophets and martyrs, who by faith have subdued kingdoms, exercised justice, and obtained the promises. May this Thy most holy unction fall upon his head, descend within, and penetrate even unto his very heart, and may he by Thy grace be made worthy of the promises, the which the most famous kings have obtained, so that in all happiness he may reign in this present life, and may be one with them in Thy heavenly kingdom, for the sake of our Saviour Horen, Thy  favored Son, who was anointed with the oil of gladness above his fellows, and by virtue of the cross has triumphed over the powers of the air, and has destroyed Hell, and vanquished the kingdom of the Evil One, and is ascended into Heaven as conqueror, to whom belongs all victory and glory and power, and who lives with Thee, and reigns in unity with Thee and the Holy Light to all eternity.

 

O God, the Strength of the Elect, and the uplifter of the humble,who in the beginning didst punish the world with a flood of waters, and didst make known by the dove carrying the bough of olive, that peace was yet anew restored to the land, and hast with the holy anointing oil consecrate as priest Aaron Thy servant, and by the infusion of this unction hast appointed the priests and kings and prophets to govern the people of Oren, and hast by the prophetic voice of Thy Servant Daniel foretold that with oil should the face of the church be made to shine, so we pray Thee, all-powerful Creator, that Thy good pleasure may be sanctified in the blessing of this Thy servant with the oil of this heavenly dove, so that he may bring as did the dove of old, peace to the people committed to his charge. May he follow with diligence the example of Aaron in the service of God, and may he ever attain in his judgments to all that is most excellent in wisdom and equity and with Thy aid, and by the oil of this unction, make him to bring joy to all his people through Horen The First: our Lord.

 

May Horen I our Lord, who by the Creator was anointed with the oil of gladness above all others who are one with Him, by this present infusion of the sacred unction pour upon thy head the blessing of the Holy Light, and make it go even unto the innermost recesses of thy heart, so that thou canst by this visible and material gift, perceive the things invisible, and after having with right moderation accomplished the temporal kingdom, mayest thou reign with Him eternally for the sake of Horen our Savior."

 

Then the High Pontiff and the assisting priests and deacons closed the silver latchets of the King's shirt which were opened for the anointment.

 

After this, the King, standing up, was vested in the tunicle, dalmatic, and royal mantle, all of 'azure purple’ velvet sprinkled with fleurs-de-lys of gold, representing the three orders of subdeacon, deacon and priest, by the High Seneschals of the regency council. Kneeling again, the King was anointed in the palms of both hands by the High Pontiff with the formula,

 

"Let these hands be anointed with holy oil, as kings and prophets have been anointed and as Daniel did anoint Edgar to be king, that thou mayst be blessed and established as King over this people, whom the Lord, thy God, hath given thee to rule and govern, which he has vouchsafed to grant, who with the Creator and the Holy Light, be blessed and praised, now and for evermore. So Say We All."

 

After this, Regulus turned to the right and blessed the royal gloves with two prayers.

 

"Give strength to these hands, Lord, to wash away every unclean stain; that they may be able to serve Thee without defilement of mind or body. So Say We All.

 

Place upon these hands, Lord, the cleanliness of the new man, that came down from heaven; that, just as Richard Thy beloved, covering his hands with the skins of goats, and offering to his father most pleasing food and drink, obtained his father’s blessing, so also may the saving victim offered by our hands, merit the blessing of Thy grace. Through our Lord Horen, Thy Favored Son. So Say We All."

 

Regulus leaned forward and placed the blessed gloves upon Chivay’s hands. They slipped effortlessly around the calluses formed by many years of wielding a sword; a portent that revealed the Creator’s favor for active Emperors. The Pontiff again turned to the right, and this time blessed the Imperial Signet.

"Bless, O Lord, and sanctify this ring, adorn with virtue, Lord, the fingers of his body and of his heart, and place upon them the sanctification of the sevenfold Light," and placed upon the King’s hand with the formula, "Receive the ring, and be praised," and the prayer, "God to whom belongs all power, Abide in him, and he in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in him. He is the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Him, and He in you, bears much fruit; for without Him you can do nothing."

 

This time leaving the signet on the cushion, Regulus turned to his left and anointed the scepter of St. Godfrey with holy oil, reciting another blessing.

"Receive this Scepter, the Sign of Kingly Power, the Rod of Kingdoms, the Rod of Virtue, that thou govern thyself aright, and defend the Holy Church and Faithful People committed by GOD unto thy Charge; punish the Wicked, and protect the Just, and lead them in the Ways of Righteousness, that from this temporal Realm, thou mayest be advanced to an eternal Kingdom, by his Goodness whose Kingdom is everlasting. So Say we All" and the prayer, "O LORD the Fountain of all good Things, and the Author of all good Proceedings, grant, we beseech Thee, to this thy Servant HOREN, that he may order aright, the Dignity which he hath obtained. Vouchsafe to confirm the Honour, which thou hast given him. Honour him before all Kings, and enrich him with thy Benediction, establish him in the Throne of his Realm, visit him with increase of Children. Let Justice spring up in his Days, and with all Felicity let him reign in thine everlasting Kingdom. So Say We All."

 

At this point, the Archduke Edward Winter performed the Service, supporting the King’s right arm as he placed the signet upon his ring finger and the scepter in his left hand.

 

Next, Regulus took the globus cruciger and put it into the King’s right hand.

‘’Receive the Rod of Virtue and Equity, learn to make Account of the and to terrify the Wicked; shew the Way to those that go astray, offer Hand to those that fall, repress the Proud, lift up the lowly, that our Lord Horen The Divine may open to thee the Doors, who saith of himself, I am Door, by me if any Man enter, he shall be safe: And let him be Help, who is the Stay of Owyn, and the SCEPTER of the HOUSE of HOREN, who openeth and no Man shutteth, who bringeth the Captive out Prison, where he sat in Darkness, and in the Shadow of Death. That all Things thou mayest follow him, of whom the Prophet Owyn saith, Thy Seat, O’ GOD, endureth for ever: the Scepter of thy Kingdom is a right Scepter. Thou hast loved Righteousness, and hated Iniquity; wherefore GOD even thy GOD hath anointed thee with the Oil of Gladness above thy Fellows; even Horen our LORD. So Say We All."

 

Chivay kneeled, holding both the Scepter and the orb in his Hands, whilst the High Pontiff thus blessed him, "The Lord bless and keep thee; and as he hath made thee Emperor over his People, so may be still prosper thee in this World, and make thee Partaker of his Eternal Felicity in the World to come. So Say We All.’’

 

Then the peers were summoned by name to come near and assist. The High Pontiff took the crown of gold, set with diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and pearls of great value. It was composed of crosses and fleurs de lis, with arches, and a mound and cross on the top, after the manner of the imperial crown worn by the Emperor Godfrey. The cap was of purple velvet, lined with white taffetee, and turned up with Ermine. The Pontiff took this in his hands, from off the altar, and reverently set it upon the King's head, saying, "Receive the Crown of Glory, Honour, and Joy; and GOD the Crown of the Faithful, who by our Episcopal Hands, though most unworthy, hath this Day set a Crown of pure Gold upon thy Head; Enrich you with Wisdom and Virtue, that after this Life, you may meet the everlasting Bridegroom our LORD HOREN THE DIVINE, who with the Creator and the HOLY Light, liveth and reigneth for ever and ever. So Say We All."

 

As the King was crowned, all the peers donned the coronets appropriate for their rank, while the other eleven peers touched each with their right hands. Regulus followed each touch of the imperial crown with a blessing, and spoke the words,

 

"Stand fast now and hold firm the place of King of Kings, Emperor of the Holy Empire of Oren," and the choir sang the antiphon,

 

"Let thy hand be strengthened and your right hand exalted. Let justice and judgment be the preparation of thy Seat and mercy and truth go before thy face.’’

 

Regulus stepped deferentially behind the newly created Emperor as he took his seat upon the throne that has been placed to the front of the altar.

 

A Kaedrini herald shouted, “Come forth, Lords of the realm, and pay homage to your Emperor!”

 

Each lord was made, in order of supremacy of title, to kneel before the throne and speak the following oath.

 

Quote

I, [Name], [Title] of [Fief]

do become your liege man of life and limb,

and of earthly worship;

and faith and truth I will bear unto you,

to live and die, against all manner of folks.

So help me God.

 

When the Homage concluded, the drums beat, and the trumpets sounded, and all the people shout, crying out,

“God save EMPEROR PETER.

Long live EMPEROR PETER.

May the EMPEROR live for ever.”

[Aetosion 2062]

[No tinfoiling here!]

 

 

Ave Orenia!

[Temp 2006]

That book-styled post...))

Orenia Invicta.

[yopplwasupxxx 5946]

"AVE ORENIA!"

[Treshure 5817]

Syles Colin bends his head as the coronation ends.

 

((Holy mother that was a big post.))

[Vukovic 30]

[[i thought it was spelt Kaedreni.

[Eddywilson2 2117]

I, Jonathan Othaman, Duke of Valles

do become your liege man of life and limb,

and of earthly worship;

and faith and truth I will bear unto you,

to live and die, against all manner of folks.

So help me God.

[Avacyn 1712]

I, Harrison Briarwood, Count of Caer Rhoswyn,

do become your liege man of life and limb,

and of earthly worship;

and faith and truth I will bear unto you,

to live and die, against all manner of folks.

So help me God.

[AmK 322]

Oliver walks up to the throne as the rest of the nobles do. He kneels in front of the Emperor and recites the oath.
 

"I, Oliver Blackwell, Count of Norfolk-Ager

do become your liege man of life and limb,

and of earthly worship;

and faith and truth I will bear unto you,

to live and die, against all manner of folks.

So help me God."

[Aetosion 2062]

I, Edward II, Archduke of Herendul

do become your liege man of life and limb,

and of earthly worship;

and faith and truth I will bear unto you,

to live and die, against all manner of folks.

So help me God.

[Hanrahan 2983]

"I, Arnorian Elendil, Count of Ildon and Westmarch

do become your liege man of life and limb,

and of earthly worship;

and faith and truth I will bear unto you,

to live and die, against all manner of folks.

So help me God."

[Emenzi 1069]

Farley smiles widely as he approaches the throne, his eyes focused on the Emperor as he kneels down in front of the throne, speaking his oath.

 

"I, Farley the second of my name, Count of Schattenburg

do become your liege man of life and limb,

and of earthly worship;

and faith and truth I will bear unto you,

to live and die, against all manner of folks.

So help me God."

 

He rises after saying his oath, inclining his head in a bow towards the newly coronated emperor before going to step back once more, the wide smile still covering his face at the thought of a new empire.

[Castus 71]

[[i thought it was spelt Kaedreni.

[[i believe that was fixed about 10 minutes ago. If you can locate a remaining error of that sort, notify me. Bit of a long post, hard to keep errors out of it. Thank Mog and VIROS for the bulk of it.]]

[Helvetius 314]

Rand blinks to himself as he remembers stories from his childhood. He would ask himself,  "Why isn't Peter Chivary dead... Or really, REALLY old? Why is Oren electing an Emperor who will die soon?"

[DagonsChosen 85]

* Seymour lowers his Towering self onto his right knee, following the example of the other Lords *

 

I , Seymour Geminine, Lord of HighRock

do become your liege man of life and limb,

and of earthly worship;

and faith and truth I will bear unto you,

to live and die, against all manner of folks.

So help me God.