[D1, LA, EVENT] The Coronation of Richard Lionheart]

[King Richard Lionheart]

At this point Richard rises from his seat, and fairly bursting with energy, strides up the steps to the altar, and, briefly laying aside the scepter, takes up the crown with one mighty hand and passes it to the Archbishop with a look of supreme triumph.

He then takes up the scepter again and returns to St. Edward's Chair, the shocked Archbishop trailing behind, stupefied by the King's naked ambition.

[Baldwin of Forde]

Almost meekly, the Archbishop rises up on tiptoe, his arms shaking slightly from the weight of the crown. As he brings it down on the king's head, you can see the mass of metal nestle where it has always belonged. The cry goes up from his Officers and is echoed throughout the chamber and even from the great throng outside.

God Save the King!
God Save the King!
God Save the King!

A great fanfare suddenly blares from the trumpets in the abbey and the great bell tolls to the sound of answering bells from London in the distance, and the Archbishop fairly shouts:

"We have crowned you with the crown of righteousness, that through your works, you may receive the crown of a heavenly kingdom at the right hand of God. Amen.

May the Lord bless you and keep you and guide you in your ways. May the Lord prosper your work, grant you wise councilors, fruitful lands, quiet realm, honest, peaceful and dutiful citizens. The Lord who made you king over these people give you increase of happiness, grace, and honor in this world, and a surfeit of grace and felicity in the world to come. The same Lord Almighty grant that those assembled here and all people in this realm fearing God and honoring the king, continually enjoy peace, prosperity, and plenty, through Jesus Christ Our Lord who, in unity with the Holy Spirit and his Almighty Father, is Lord without end."

[Cearnach]

The Great Officers of State, the Bishops, and bearers of regalia then process to the center of the abbey, where the throne sits on its risers, the artificial hill calling back four hundred years, when kings were lifted onto the shields of their retainers for their people to see.

The king follows, towering over his people. When he reaches the seat, William Marshal takes his right arm and Baldwin of Forde his left, and (with a heavy grunt from the Archbishop) together they lever him into his seat, where, at last, anointed, crowned, and enthroned, he is truly and rightly King of England.

[Baldwin of Forde]

Wiping a bead of sweat from his brow, the Archbishop sighs out: "Lord God Almighty, establish your throne in righteousness, that it may stand forevermore."

Then all of the bishops kneel along with Baldwin as he sinks down at Richard's feet.

"I, Baldwin, swear to be faithful and bear true allegiance to Richard, our sovereign lord, the King of this Realm, and to his heirs and successors, and that I will, as in duty bound, honestly and faithfully defend His Majesty, his heirs and successors, in Person, Crown, and Dignity, against all enemies, so help me God."

[Prince John]

As he and the other Bishops rise, so do Prince John and little Arthur, who, impatiently prompted by a glare from his Uncle, replaces his scarlet cap on his head and toddles after him. As John kneels and places his hands in Richard's, swearing his personal oath to serve and defend his brother, he winces under the force of Richard's powerful grip.

"I, John, swear to be faithful and bear true allegiance to Richard, our sovereign lord, the King of this Realm, and to his heirs and successors, and that I will, as in duty bound, honestly and faithfully defend His Majesty, his heirs and successors, in Person, Crown, and Dignity, against all enemies, so help me God."

[Cearnach]

Arthur's oath requires Richard to bend down to meet his tiny fists. There is no strain for Arthur in taking the oath, and the King smiles openly as he stumbles through it, sending him on his way with a playful clap on his shoulder.

"I, Arthur, swear to be faithful and bear...um...allegiance to Uncle Richard, our sov'rin lord, the King of the Realm, and to his heirs and suck-sessors, and that I will, as in duty bowed, honestly and faithf'ly defend His Matchesty, his heiws and suck-sessors, in Person, Cwown, and Dignity, against all en'mies, so help me God."

[William Marshal]

Next to take the oath is the Earl Marshal, who seems not to mind the ordeal of the king's grip, but meets the Lionheart's eyes all the way through the oath.

"I, William, swear to be faithful and bear true allegiance to Richard, our sovereign lord, the King of this Realm, and to his heirs and successors, and that I will, as in duty bound, honestly and faithfully defend His Majesty, his heirs and successors, in Person, Crown, and Dignity, against all enemies, so help me God."

[Cearnach]

Now it is the turn of the Earls of the Great Houses, who are free to post their oaths, following the formula here. After the Earls come the Barons. Ladies are not required to swear the oath, unless they hold a title without a spouse. Men who only hold a title by right of marriage are required to swear the oath. Feel free to post your oath swearing in any order as you think it would play out. We will understand it to have come in the proper order.

[Simon IV de Montfort]

After the Earls, when he was called upon, Simon the man approached his liege with as much fire and conviction he could use to cover his anxiety and fear. As others had done before him, he knelt before the King and placed his hands in his.

"I, Simon,"

He began, speaking in a meeker voice than his own and with his head cowed in fear,

"swear to be faithful and bear true allegiance to Richard,"

From rocks to Iron, slowly rid the boy rise to meet his King in the eyes,

"Our sovereign lord, the King of this Realm, and to his heirs and successors, and that I will, as in duty bound, honestly and faithfully defend His Majesty, his heirs and successors, in Person, Crown, and Dignity, against all enemies."

And from Iron into steel. If there was doubt in his voice before, there is naught left - there is only Simon IV de Montfort, swearing his Allegiance to the King of England. Briefly, he wondered what King Richard saw in his eyes.

"so help me God."

And with those final words he bowed his head, should his Lord see fit to take it. He awaited to be arisen, as solid as a statue. A single bead of sweat dripped down his forehead, silently praying he had performed the ceremony correctly.

[King Richard Lionheart]

...

Richard's grip is powerful, but not punishing, and when you meet his eyes there is a warmth among all the searching keen-ness in the expression that you had not expected. As your voice rises, the hands tighten in sympathy, until the grip grows painful. But then, pain is often the accompaniment of growth, and if the warmth in the command to

"Rise, Simon, and hold your oath close."

is any indication, you have grown in esteem today.


+3 Glory to Simon de Montfort.

[Simon IV de Montfort]

"Rise, Simon, and hold your oath close."

"Abreast my heart until it beats no more, Your Highness. God Save the King."

With that he rose, bowed, and returned to wherever the ceremony should send him.

[Llywelyn mab Iorwerth]

Llwelyn waits patiently, not wishing to rush. In fact, if a group goes well before him, it will hopefully allow him just a hair wider a step on the rope he knew he was walking. He doubted that any of the Normans would have quite the same distinctions that he would make. When it is his time, Llwelyn steps forward and kneels, placing his hand over his heart.

"Hail, Richard, first of his name, rightful King of England, Duke of Nomandy and Overlord of Wales. I,Llyw elyn mab Iorwerth, have come to preserve the pledge of my father, and his father before him, Owain Gwynned."

He extends his hands to Richards, carefully hewing to the words that he practiced.

"I, Llwelyn, swear allegiance to Richard, King of this Realm, and to his heirs and successors. It shall be my sworn duty to act as your sword and defender, and to your heirs and successors. May God hold me to these words."

[King Richard Lionheart]

You hear nervous shuffling in the bishops surrounding the King's throne as you make your introduction. No one dares to say a word, and in the end these men of the cloth could hardly matter less to your mission, but their alarm at a variance in the formula is palpable.

Richard, though, seems not to notice. He takes your hands in his gently, loosely, and as you say the oath administers a powerful squeeze. You swear you hear a knuckle pop, though it may just have been your imagination.

Then, as you finish and look up at Richard, his expression reveals a sort of resigned warmth.

He leans toward you and says quietly "Rise, sword and defender. Make yourself ready."

+3 Glory to Llewelyn mab Iorwerth.

[Llywelyn mab Iorwerth]

Llwelyn offers a grin, lowering his voice and switching his tongue.

"I have been preparing a long time Your Grace. It is a sincere wish that I shall serve you well and soon.

[King Richard Lionheart]

Richard belts out a thunderous laugh. "A Welshman of culture! Perhaps you will show these hidebound Normans a thing or two! Go with God, Welshman! But go carefully."

He winks, and suddenly his smile is all teeth.

[Llywelyn mab Iorwerth]

"By your leave, your Grace" Llwelyn does not specify his words, whether he means "show the Normans a few things" or "Go carefully", and steps back for the next person to present themselves.

It can be the hardest thing, m'boy, to resist plunging forth once tasting success. Sometimes, you must take a victory and be satisfied with it. HIs mentor had been speaking of Owain's battles against Richard's own father, and the same applied with a different English king in a very different fight. He had stood out without being hammered down. He had offered allegiance without fealty, and offered service without ruling out his own eventual goal.

[Geoffrey of Tournemine]

Geoffrey steps up to offer his fealty, moving and presenting himself with the precision, dignity and presence of a true warrior and noble. His features definitely bore some resemblance to his cousin, but the connection would be far more visible in the presence of a portrait of their grandfather.

When he speaks, it is in an accent that is rural, but has been painstakingly trained into propriety, leaving him with a definite air of relatable charm.

The oath was given smoothly, clearly and with a definite respect and regard for family.

"I, Geoffrey, swear to be faithful and bear true allegiance to Richard, our sovereign lord, the King of this Realm, and to his heirs and successors, and that I will, as in duty bound, honestly and faithfully defend His Majesty, his heirs and successors, in Person, Crown, and Dignity, against all enemies, so help me God."

He awaits the acceptance.

[King Richard Lionheart]

Richard's powerful hands hold yours in a firm but painless grip as he takes in your oath. As you finish, his sonorous voice says quietly.

"Rise, cousin, and know that your fealty is accepted with pleasure by your King and kin."

His voice may be soft, but his eyes, as you meet them, are calculating. You see great gears turning in their stormy depths.

+3 Glory to Geoffrey of Tournemine

[Geoffrey of Tournemine]

He nods and smiles. "Already figuring out how I can be of assistance?"

Geoffrey seems pleased by that.

"Just let me know, my king. That is what family is for. Fealty is a formality, you always had my support and loyalty. We'll take the world by storm."

Even in Occitan his accent comes across pleasantly.

[King Richard Lionheart]

The Lion chuckles, a resonant sound deep in his chest.

"I will have need of swords, cousin. And the ones in hands I can trust are the most welcome."

[Geoffrey of Tournemine]

"It's yours, of course," he replied with a nod. "I won't keep you from the others any longer, we can catch up later. Congratulations on a wonderful coronation. God save the king."