THE CIRCLE OF SAINT EMMA

[slattador 511]

“AUTRIE DUNEO ES A SAINTE, WILL ALWAYS BE PRUDENTLY WATCHFUL.”

1893

 

ST. EMMA OF WOLDZMIR

 

In order to promote the values of our Commonwealth and further instill them into our peoples, it is thus that the Circle of St. Emma is henceforth formed in the name of honor, bravery, and selflessness in societal roles and loyalty to such shown in one’s community. Among these may be through the arts, fashion, mannerisms, or other cultural deeds that further Petra towards solidifying its key, honorable values as a society at large. Such a circle will be composed of men and women who have undertaken squire-ship with other knights or dames of the order, and have expressed devotion to the core values of the knightly order through direct action and display of these morals. 

 

The knightly order was created in order to uphold merit as it is shown throughout the community, to enable men and women of Petra to express their skills in all matters encompassing the arts and etiquette that may deepen the culture and society of the Commonwealth through the rigorous apprenticeships and faith to uphold and teach these ways that are held as honorable in the circle’s dames and knights. 

 

 

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CIRCLE HIERARCHY 

The hierarchy of the Circle of St. Emma is simplistic, requiring at least two dames or knights of the order to lead it - and at most three. These leaders shall be chosen through a vote or are appointed by the Knight-Paramount of the realm and hold the title of Shieldmaidens. Shieldmaidens are the ladies who oversee all ladies in the circle and grant wardships to those who, in the future, desire to ascend to dame-hood. They shall have the final say in who trains certain wards and the quests one must complete before they are ceremoniously donned a dame. They also hold the power to remove Head Glados, and if deemed necessary - dames, squires, and wards. 

 

Further down command are the Head Glados who tend to act as second in command to their Shieldmaidens. They are tasked with training and recruiting young women to join the Circle of St. Emma. Alike the Shieldmaidens, they may remove a troublesome lady who has yet become a dame. Additionally, they are the overseers that note progress on the squires under their leadership and report it to the Shieldmaidens so it can be determined when damehood is achieved. 

 

Dames make up the majority of the Circle of St. Emma. They run events, create documents, and bolster further cultural development all while protecting the realm. Although, they are also allowed the privilege of training wards and sometimes squire when a Head Glados is unable. The youngest a lady may be knighted for her valiant work is 14 after approval from the Shieldmaidens in which they shall have a large ceremony in their honor.

 

Ladies desiring to be dames of the Circle of St. Emma are split into squires and wards. The wards of the circle are ladies between the ages of 5 and 10 - an age still pure of heart - and are molded by dames into squires. During this period the children are educated on arts, sciences, and mannerisms. Once a ward is the age of 10, they naturally transition in to a squire-ship. Despite it being an automatic transition upon reaching the age of majority, it is frequently celebrated with a banquet or festival, especially when more than one girl ascends. As a squire the girls are further trained in protecting themselves and others through combative methods, usually inter-joining with their male counterparts. They will also begin their formal quests in which they can prove they are worthy of dame-hood. Notably a lady can become a squire at any time in their life, as long as they are above the age of ten. 

 

THE UNDERTAKING

The process in which a yearning girl must endure on the path of becoming titled a dame is tedious, and one that requires consistency and immense determination. To initiate the process itself, the dame-to-be should contact a Shieldmaiden or Head Glados in order to obtain a beginners warding position. Amidst the taking up of a ward position, the lady should be preferably of younger age - though it is not looked down upon for a woman to start the undertaking later on in her years. During these formative years of a prospective dame or knight, they will be taught the proper etiquette of a lady or gentleman, this being of proper etiquette, fashion practices - as well as the many facets of our contemporary, idiosyncratic society’s culture. In addition to all of these fundamental learnings, a potential knight or dame is to be taught the defensive and strategical basics of combat, for one can never know when war is on the rise, or when one may be challenged without notice to a duel. Protecting one’s family and one’s home is paramount to becoming a knight of the Commonwealth of Petra.

 

Thereafter, once a Shieldmaden has deemed a dame prepared and ready for her titling, a significant ceremony shall be held in honor of the ladies in which the citizenry of the commonwealth are cordially invited to attend. During this protocol, the dame should commence firstly by swearing the ancient oaths of knighthood to Petra’s residents, and ceremonially knighted by the Old Regime; promising to protect them and most importantly, to be prudently watchful of the evils in which potentially haunt the whereabouts of the Commonwealth. It’s especially important to note that because of the formal aura that accompanies the ceremony, that ladies should present themselves in the finest of attires and accessories in this time of honor. It is then that the three Shieldmaiden’s gift the dames a flower of gladiolus, greenery in which symbolizes strength at its stem, alongside remembrance, faithfulness, and sincerity- all virtues of which the dames should hold closest. The dame should be tasked to plant the flower in a location that is remarkable for them, before they are then issued a second task that requires the chopping of their tresses. The ladies will be released thereon from a feast. A dame is eligible for removal from the ceremony if not displayed with moderate etiquette or behavior. 

 

TRADITIONS

Merit of Age 

The largest transition for a lady in the Circle of St. Emma is their transition between squire to dame, however, equally honored is when a ward is elevated to a squire. Upon the eve of a ward’s 10th birthday she is allowed to cut a lock of her hair free and tie it with a ribbon. In the morning, she is to give it to a Lady Glado or Shieldmaiden of her choosing whom she wants to squire under. If the woman accepts, the ward is officially a squire. 

 

Those who were not a ward before their 10th birthday are automatically a squire, however, they must prove to a Shieldmaiden that they are deserving of such. Whether that is through past work, courage, or loyalty is up to the Shieldmaiden to decide. 

 

The Clipping of Locks 

Hair is sacred to the Circle of St. Emma, therefore beside the lock that is cut when a lady becomes a squire, hair should never be cut. That is, until she ascends to dame-hood. During the ceremony she is to take a sword to her hair and chop off her tresses to show her transition manually.

 

Repose’s Release

In a traditional funeral for a member of the Circle of St. Emma - be it a squire, dame, or else - all those who are within the knightly order are to gather in the city’s main square where the body is set within a finely crafted boat that shall be decorated with personal memorabilia representing the member’s life and persona. From there, in a line with pairs standing side by side do they lift the boat high and bring the deceased to the nearest riverside. There, the boat is set in the water. Songs from dames and knights are welcome as the boat passes down the river. One member is selected from the service to arch an arrow within their bow, which is to burn the boat with a flaming arrow.

 

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CURRENT MEMBERS OF THE CIRCLE OF ST. EMMA

Although fresh, the membership of the Circle of St. Emma has grown prominent in the past years among the Commonwealth. It is separated between knighted members and those on the path to knighthood, however, all are prominent members of the knightly Circle. 

 

DAMES

Lady Austina Prudence, Baroness of Aldersberg, Shieldmaiden of the Circle of Saint Emma

@zuziee

‘The Affluent’

Throughout her turbulent life Lady Austina has proved time and time again her honor towards cultural advancement and her love of history. Upon her arrival to the Commonwealth of Petra, she aided in the construction of Summerhall and Brasca. Furthermore she’d take the position as secretary to the Regent of the Commonwealth which allowed her to encourage the development of culture through fashion, food, ceremonies, and festivals. 

 

Upon the eve of the 14th of Owyn's Flame 1893, she’d finally be knighted under the Circle of Saint Emma. In light of no leader of the Circle, Austina was also elevated to Shieldmaiden by the regent of the Commonwealth. With this position within the circle filled, squires and wards of all ages were accepted and an age of prosperity began. 

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SQUIRES AND WARDS

Lady Bianka Ophelia of Grodno

@scarahpot

Lady Austina’s Squire

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Lady Casimira Antonia of Artois

@niya

Lady Austina’s Squire

______

 

Lady Nicoletta Anastasie of Artois

@slattador

Lady Austina’s Squire

______

 

Lady Renilde Helena of Temesch

@tilly

Lady Austina’s Squire

______

 

Lady Catherine Helen of Balamena 

@Eryane

Ward of the Circle of Saint Emma

______

 

Lady Joséphine Marguerite of Artois

@cherrybud

Ward of the Circle of Saint Emma

______

 

Lady Madeleine Renée of Artois

@ibiou

Ward of the Circle of Saint Emma

 

 

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All ladies desiring the chance at a wardship or squire-ship may send a letter to Dame Austina.

[tilly 5115]

"I cannot wait to learn from Dame Austina; I want to be a dame just like her, my mamma, and Dame Catherine!" Renilde said to herself in the mirror as she prepared for a luxurious slumber.

[zuziee 4004]

The newly titled, Dame Austina swelled with pride of all her new squires and wards.

[slattador 511]

Somewhere in the whereabouts of Artois, a little redheaded Halcourt twirled about the courtyards: "Oh- I'hm so excited for zhis! Ma and Pa would be so proud.." Little Nicoletta uttered up at herself, a prideful grin wiping the stillness from her bronze countenance.

[niya 180]

"I just cannot wait to be a dame!" The Halcourt said as she babysat Nico because her mother is incompetent.

Spoiler

i was not held at gunpoint to say this!!! all free will!

 

[ibiou 2397]

A young girl, one who barely knew how to read or write properly yet, stared at the jumbled letters of her name: LADY MADELEINE RENÉE OF ARTOIS. She clapped for her successes, even if she wasn't conscious of them yet.