Seats for passive candidates should be reserved in the SW. See layout plan.
There is no entry procession.
Three full size swords are arranged as per layout plan, points toward W, leaving room for candidate investiture on a kneeling stool placed in the E. The Marshal should confirm the appropriate VSL to be used for each candidate in advance.
Candidates wait quietly outside the chamber during the opening.
SGM, *: Sir Kts, assist me to call this Commandery into session. You will prove yourselves Knights Commander with the sign. Done.
By the power in me vested I declare this Commandery of Knights of the Ancient Masonic Order of Alfred the Great to be open. Gavels ** ** ** *.
Opens VSL at Psalm 26 and facing E raises and then positions sword symbol on VSL with the words
Upon the sacred writ of the Supreme Being
I place the Sword of Justice Spiritual.
I place the Sword of Justice Temporal.
I place the Sword of Mercy, called Curtana.
Judge me O Lord for I have walked in mine Integrity.
SGM returns to station. Prompted by SGM, all make sign of KCAG and sit.
SGM: Let the Candidates enter this Commandery.
Candidates are admitted and assembled in line S to N, in W of chamber.
SGM: Sir Knight(s), I invite you to approach and stand before the VSL.
Candidates then advance to the E under direction of the Marshal and are placed between the swords on the chamber floor and the VSL.
Give me the first and second watchwords of a King's Thane or Knight of the Ancient Masonic Order of Alfred the Great. (done). Give me the sign of a Knight of the Ancient Masonic Order of Alfred the Great (done).
SGM: Sir Knight(s), the lessons of a King's Thane or Knight of the Ancient Masonic Order of Alfred the Great have been well learned, and your conduct and discharge of your obligation has been such as to merit your advancement to this superior grade of Knight Commander. As you are Instructed in the lessons of this grade, remember the words of the esteemed Alfred: "we enjoin you, as a matter of supreme importance, that every man shall abide carefully by his oath and pledge". While your obligation on admission as a Knight remains binding on you as long as you shall live, we now require your reaffirmation of that covenant, once with your lips on the VSL. Marshal presents VSL to each candidate.
The grade and seniority of Knight Commander brings with it deeper obligations to your fellow Knights and brethren. Once again we take as our lesson in this grade the example of the esteemed Alfred in his dealings with his fellows and enemies, where he regularly emphasised the importance of justice for all and merciful treatment of foes or offenders. Alfred's justice was enshrined in his Law Code, the essence of which was developed by his heirs and successors and which ultimately formed the basis for our modern judicial system.
No better example of these qualities can be given than Alfred 's treatment of the family of the Viking raider Hastein who, in 894, treacherously and mercilessly reneged on a peace agreement. During retaliatory actions, Alfred's armies took many prisoners, including Hastein 's wife and sons. It is our symbolical interpretation of this event and its aftermath that forms the allegory of the lessons of the grade of Knight Commander.
You will now retire under the guidance of … (named Knight - the Guard) in preparation for our allegorical ceremonial.
In the case of multiple candidates, all but the representative candidate now take reserved seats in the SW of the chamber and only the representative candidate retires.
One loud knock on door of chamber.
SGM: Sir Knight Marshal, ascertain who dares disturb this Commandery.
Marshal opens door. Candidate is escorted in by Guard, hands loosely bound in chains, and placed to E of swords on chamber floor.
SGM: Sir Knight, this worthy brother is well known to me and all his fellows as a true and faithful King 's Thane. What reason have you to present him in this manner?
Guard: This thane is accused of treason , having liberated our captured enemies.
SGM: Sir Knight, what say you?
Can, reads: The Viking Hastein has subjected us to many violent and bloody attacks despite agreement to cease hostilities. It is our custom when faced with such treachery that all captives are put to the sword. Knowing that our captives included god-fearing women and children, albeit of the family of Hastein, such a fate inflicted upon the innocent filled my heart with dread. I therefore released them to the sanctuary of the Church, that the Supreme Being might be their protector.
Guard: I accuse this thane of treason.
SGM: We need not fear his intent at this assembly. Loosen his bonds. (chains removed).
Can, prompted by Guard: As the Supreme Being is my judge I am ready to submit to any trial.
Guard: Trial by battle is the swiftest path to judgment. Which weapon shall gird your loins?
Can, prompted by Guard: The sword of mercy known as Curtana. Picks up a sword from chamber floor.
Guard: That ancient sword is a strange choice for one who must duel with those who assert treason. I choose the swords of justice that justice may prevail in all matters. Defend yourself. Picks up remaining swords from floor and crosses swords in front of him. Can places Curtana between blades.
SGM: HALT. Such base trial by battle is the custom of those we seek to expel from our lands, not of men of Wessex.
Sir Knights, you will observe the symbolism of the positions of your swords, a parallel of their rightful position on our holy testament indicates swords symbol on VSL. Justice spiritual and temporal, tempered by mercy, form an unassailable threefold buttress against bigotry, ignorance, callousness and corruption in all their forms. Justice and mercy should never be in conflict.
Desist from your hostilities that a less violent settlement of the issue might be agreed. Return your swords whence they came. Guard and Can replace swords on chamber floor in original pattern.
Sir Knight, being aware of the judgment of the Supreme Being should you make false pledge, will you avow your innocence by inviolable oath, and, by the good report of your fellows already established, compurgation?
Can, prompted by Guard: I will.
SGM: Do so.
Can, prompted by Guard: With my hand on my heart places hand on heart I pledge my innocence of all treason. Drops hand.
SGM: Sir Knight, as it is written, blessed are the merciful, for they shall also receive mercy. We accept your oath and the compurgation of your fellows and absolve you of the charges proffered. Your actions prompt us to consider the fate of our captives.
Pause. Nominated Knight (not the Guard) approaches and has whispered conversation with SGM.
SGM: We are informed that our captives, while in sanctuary, have confirmed their belief in the Supreme Being according to the rites of our Church. It is surely just to show mercy to the innocent. It is our intent to release them to their patriarch.
However, for the impertinence of both your actions, a penance is required. We charge you both to escort those released to sanctuary back to their own people. As a symbol of your benign intent, you will do so armed only with the Sword of Mercy, whose point has been removed as a symbolic recognition of that unique virtue. In this dangerous task you risk life and limb as an enemy of those you escort. Do you accept this chivalrous task as Knights have done in all ages, figuratively entering the lion's den, from which escape to safety is far from certain?
Can & Guard: Placing our trust in the Supreme Being we accept this task.
Marshal picks up the Sword of Mercy from the chamber floor and presents it to the Can. Can and guard retire.
After a short interval, they return carrying Sword of Mercy (Can) and a scroll of parchment (Guard). They take position to the W of swords on floor of chamber.
SGM: Sir Knight is your task completed?
Can, prompted: It is.
SGM: Relate the circumstances of the same.
Guard: On our arrival at the camp of the invader we were disarmed and taken before Hastein, who in a fit of amazement at the sight of his kin-folk unharmed, at once fell to his knees in joyous praise.
His astonishment was compounded by the sight of the Sword of Mercy which we had carried as our protection. He demanded to know its origin, claiming it to be identical to Cortaine, the revered sword of the legendary Ogier the Dane, long thought lost to history and lore.
I replied that the Curtana honoured the legend of Tristan, which I related, and was a symbol of that virtue that ought to govern the conduct of all righteous and valiant men, its point removed but its blade sharp to defend the innocent.
My explanation proving satisfactory, thus quoth Hastein.
Guard approaches and passes scroll to SGM, returns to Can.
SGM, reads from scroll: "Men of Wessex, you have returned my kin-folk unharmed under the symbolic protection of the Sword of Ogier. No finer shield against adversity might be the privilege of any Dane. All men of honour bow to its virtuous intent as a harbinger of mercy. We recognise your good faith and as a token of respect return the Sword to you, with its courageous bearers unharmed, with our proposal for truce between our peoples."
SGM: Sir Knight you will replace the Sword of Mercy. Can replaces sword.
Sir Knight, our allegory illustrating the virtues of justice and mercy is complete. Thus has been illustrated the power of justice and mercy to quell the rages of even the most ardent foe. Remember thou always those watchwords in the face of the malicious persecution of the innocent that they may guide you along the right path.
It is now our pleasure to advance you to the noble rank of Knight Commander.
Approach. Sir Knights, to Order. All stand.
SGM moves to a position in front of VSL. Can is conducted to pedestal by Marshal. If there are multiple candidates, the Marshal assembles them in line in the S, ready to be advanced in turn and invested. Guard assists with marshalling candidates.
SGM places his right hand first upon the swords on the VSL, then on candidate's forehead. At the discretion of the SGM, in the case of multiple candidates, the words may be spoken to the representative candidate only.
SGM: Under the imperium of the august and venerated swords of justice and mercy I hereby advance you to the superior grade of Knight Commander in the Ancient Masonic Order of Alfred the Great.
I invest you with the distinguishing collar of your grade, which consists of a green ribbon with a scarlet border, from which is suspended the jewel of the Order. Wear it always with honour in our assemblies and those of the Masonic Order of Athelstan.
After each Candidate is invested they Court bow to SGM and then proceed via N around the chamber to rejoin the end of the candidate line. When all are invested M and Guard return to stations.
SGM: A you assume your new rank and status, I charge you (all) ever to heed the spiritual works of mercy:
• To instruct the ignorant
• To counsel the doubtful
• To admonish sinners
• To bear wrongs patiently
• To forgive offences willingly
• To comfort the afflicted
• To pray for the living and the dead
Sir Knights of the Assembly, be seated.
The sign of a Knight Commander is given from the sign of a Knight by subsequently placing the right hand on the heart thus, the centre of all just and merciful actions. To the Knight Commander, the drawing represents the drawing of the swords of justice and mercy, and each time the sign is made within a Commandery you should mentally repeat those watchwords before placing the hand on the heart. Cans copy.
Sir Knights, I present to you and proclaim Sir Knight .... (these worthy Knights) Knight(s) Commander of the Ancient Masonic Order of Alfred the Great, and I charge you, from this day forward, ever to receive and honour him (them) as such.
Under direction from the Marshal, all rise and salute, and then sit. Marshal conducts candidates to seats. SGM may offer brief impromptu words of welcome.
SGM: By the power in me vested I declare this Commandery to be closed. ** ** ** *. Removes swords from VSL and closes it.