Newcomer's Corner: Traditions
The Newcomer's Corner: Traditions
from the January edition of the Crown Prints, AS XXXIV (2000)
Once is a Tradition
Twice is a Sacred Tradition,
Three times is a Sacred Tradition whose
Origins are lost in the Midst of Antiquity
Traditions are customs and ways of doing things that are passed by word of mouth from one generation to another which (generally) remain unwritten. As such they are subject to revision and reinterpretation as time drifts by and few are left who remember how things started. Some traditions endure forever, others come and go and still others fade away and are lost.
Because Caid is a child of the Kingdom of the West, breaking off and forming the Kingdom of Caid many years ago, many of our traditions are Western ones. The tone of many of our ceremonies and customs are based on similar ceremonies and customs in the Kingdom of the West, though over the years some ceremonies have been re-written and other have been added that are uniquely Caidan.
WESTERN TRADITIONS
One custom derived from the West, is that the Knight of Caid are allowed to view the final round of the Crown Lists from the fighting field. This is both a privilege due to their rank as knights and a duty to the Crown, as the King may call upon their expertise and ask their opinion of the Final Combat.
Another tradition again has its origins in Western tradition but slightly altered. In the West, the Crown Prince and Princess are crowned with wreaths of laurel leaves at Court following the final round of Crown Lists. When it came time to crown Caid's first Crown Prince and Princess, apparently no one had thought to obtain laurel leaves, so rosemary was substituted. Since then the Caidan Crown Prince and Princess have been crowned with wreaths of rosemary.
One other tradition derived from the West is the use of the term "Eric" to describe the rope fence that defines the area of the fighting field and which provides a barrier between the fighters and the onlookers. In the West, they often gave names to these rope enclosures and one such rope enclosure made from red material became known as Eric the Red. The term caught on and since then the rope and stakes used to divid the fighting fields have been called, "the Eric." Many are surprise that the term does not have a medieval origin at all.
CAIDAN TRADITIONS
Our Caidan tradition occurs during our coronation ceremony. At the time when the Royal Crowns are passed from the old Monarchs to the New, the Great Sword of State, won by the first Prince of Caid, the Sword of Justice, is held aloft. It symbolizes that for the brief moment between Monarchs, the Kingdom is ruled solely by the laws of the Kingdom. Another tradition is that of the King's Champion. This was originated by Duke Jason Griffiths of Shadowhyrst to honor the runner up on Crown Lists.
Another tradition that has endured was meant to last only for a limited time. When Countess Ealasaid nic Chlurain started the Queen's Guard baldrics, she intended them to be used from the 10th Reign, that of Adrian II and Ealasaid to the 20th Reign and then for the Baldrics to be retired. Over the years, the baldrics have taken a few different forms, but all carry a hand-stitched design that is the emblem of the Queen.
One other tradition concerns the litany of the Order of the Dolphin. At the time the ceremony was written, it included the phrase 'of happy memory' following the names of the creators of the award, Gregory and Vivian. In the course of time, for various reasons, this phrase was removed, however it became the practice of the populace to add the phrase back in each time the award was given. There are some in the Kingdom that would prefer to see this tradition fade away.
SUMPTUARY TRADITIONS
Over the years the Kingdom has developed a number of sumptuary traditions that are not codified in law. Many of these are badges of teh peerage orders that are reserved to members of the respective orders. To Knights are reserved the White Belt, the Unadorned Chain, and spurs. To the Laurels, the medallion of laurel leaves is reserved, and to the Pelicans the medallion of a pelican in her piety.
Other than white belts, there are no reserved colors that are restricted, although in recent years, red belts have been used to indicate those that are squires to Knights. Often the red belts have the arms of the Knight inscribed on them. Plain circlets of metal may be worn by anyone, although it may have een traditional at one time to restrict circlets to those with at least an Award of Arms.
Circlets with one point are often worn by Peers, and Court Barons and Baronesses. Baronial crowns are usually more elaborate and often have some symbol of the Barony included in the design. Coronets of Counts and Countesses are still more elaborate and often have embattled edges. Those of Dukes and Duchesses are almost always embattled and are decorated with strawberry leaves.
The Crowns of the King of Caid are made of silver and gold and are decorated with dolphins and roses, symbols of the Kingdom. Inscribed within the King's Crown are the words, "You Rule because They Believe." Inscribed within the Queen's are the words, "For Honor, Love and Beauty."
In order to write this column, I consulted many, many people, unfortunately too many to list here. I would like to thank each and everyone of you for your comments and insight.
