Ancient Masonic Order of Alfred the Great
Commemorative Witenagemot of Knight Grand Cross

 
2023

SGM requests all KCAG to retire, except candidates. They do so. Room is rearranged. GCAGs move to form circle with SGM at 12 o'clock position in the E, at a lectern. Pedestal with VSL placed in front of lectern. Empty chair in E on left of SGM with unlit candle on it. Empty seat in W of circle. Lighting is subdued if possible.
SGM: Sir Knights you will prove yourselves Knights Grand Cross with the sign done.
By the power in me vested I hereby convene this commemorative witenagemot of Knights Grand Cross of the Ancient Masonic Order of Alfred the Great. Knocks xx xx xx xx. Opens VSL at 2 Chronicles 7:14, lights candle, moves to front of VSL, court bow/kneel, places candle on empty chair in E.
Sir Knights, you will assemble. GCAGs take seats in circle, SGM in the east.
Candidate is conducted before VSL. If more than one candidate, a representative will be selected and others take seats.
SGM: Sir Knights, we greet you in this hour of contemplation. Whence come you and what is your purpose in approaching this witenagemot of Knights Grand Cross?
Conductor: Having heard of the passing of the unifying king of the Anglo Saxons, a great fear has manifested in the far reaches of the kingdom that once more we will descend into lawlessness and disarray. We come by deputation to loyally petition this assembly on behalf of our fellows, evidenced by this token and tribute removes and presents candidate's collarette, and offer our services in any capacity that may benefit our continued harmony and prosperity.
SGM: We recognise that badge as of one sworn to uphold justice and mercy in all its forms. Give us proof of your right to bear it.
Candidate, prompted/read: I have sworn to instruct the ignorant, to counsel the doubtful, to admonish sinners, to bear wrongs patiently, to forgive offences willingly, to comfort the afflicted and to pray for the living and the dead. Makes the sign of a KCAG.
SGM: We acknowledge you as a King's Thane or Knight Commander. However, you approach us at a time of sadness and lamentation. The noble Alfred has passed to the care of the Supreme Being, and this witenagemot meets to agree upon his successor. Bide your time therefore, while our deliberations commence. Can takes empty seat outside circle.
Members of the witenagemot , ere we commence our allotted task, as we have been charged we must recall those divine virtues that guided our late king held dear in fair ruling the kingdom and care of his people, which we have sworn to preserve and which must also guide us this day. I call upon you each to recite them in turn.
Each stands, recites a beatitude, and remains standing.
GCAG1: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
SGM: For it is by the grace of the Supreme Being that we find our place in His Kingdom.
GCAG2: Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
SGM: And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven.
GCAG3: Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the Earth.
SGM: The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.
GCAG4: Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.
SGM: Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment : thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour.
GCAG5: Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
SGM: With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful, and with the upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright.
GCAG6: Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
SGM: With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself
frorward.
GCAG7: Blessed are the peacemakers , for they will be called the Sons of God.
SGM: And I will give peace in the land, and ye shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid.
GCAG8: Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
SGM: For those under persecution labour and have no rest.
Our precepts thus expressed, we may now proceed to business. Be seated.
Members of the witenagemot, the claim to kingship of the departed king's nephew Aethelwold is well known to us. But our departed king's son, Edward, has proven himself a wise and just warrior who we trust will continue the good works of his father, ensuring peace and stability in the kingdom. What say you?
Indistinct chatter and mumbling. SGM gavels once.
GCAG1: We cannot agree.
SGM: Sir Knights, approach. Can and Conductor move into circle, to west of pedestal.
Our deliberations find merits in both candidates. You come by deputation of the people at the far reaches of the kingdom. Every king must receive the unconditional loyalty of all his people, where'er dispersed. What say you of their views in this matter?
Conductor: Sir Knight SGM, our people under the noble Alfred have known hope, perseverance, justice and mercy. They have known peace and stability. Their choice is clear. The line and legacy of Alfred must continue.
SGM: Sir Knights your observation helps us not. Are not both candidates members of the line of Alfred?
Conductor: Sir Knight SGM, only one can continue the legacy of Alfred of a peaceful and united kingdom for all Anglo Saxons under the gift of the divine virtues. Has not Athelwold allied himself with the marauding enemies of Wessex? This is not the path of unity or of the divine virtues expressed.
SGM: Members of the Witan, what say you to this argument? Pledge you your support to Edward?
WITAN, general nodding and assent. All stand, each moves to pedestal, places right hand on VSL, make sign and returns to place.
SGM: Sir Knights , your wise argument has found favour. We acknowledge the noble Edward as 'rex Angulsaxonurn' that the legacy of Alfred may continue, and will pledge our loyalty to him and his successors. Let word be sent forth accordingly.
In recognition of your wise assistance we invite you to join this witenagemot of Knights Grand Cross. You will assent to this high honour by placing your right hand on the VSL, and repeating the divine virtues, thus also confirming your continued adherence to your obligation as a Knight and your fealty to the legacy of Alfred.
Can approaches VSL, salutes it by placing right hand on it. Additional candidates also. Can reads card on VSL.
CAN: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the Earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the Sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
CAN: I pledge my fealty to the legacy of Alfred.
Candidate hand is raised from VSL by SGM. Takes 3 steps backwards.
SGM: We return and enhance your tribute as a mark of our approbation. Accept this symbol of your membership and receive from us the honourable title of Knight Grand Cross. Invests with jewel.
The sign of a Knight Grand Cross is made by first making the sign of a Knight Commander, then extending the right hand directly in front of the body, palm downwards, thumb extended in the form of a square, as when placing the hand on the VSL to pledge fealty to the legacy of Alfred. It is in this position that the words of a Knight Grand Cross are exchanged , which are "Rex" answered by "Angulsaxonum".
SGM, turns candidate to face west: Sir Knights, I present to you and proclaim Sir Knight .... Knight Grand Cross of the Ancient Masonic Order of Alfred the Great, also a member of this commemorative witenagemot, and I charge you, from this day forward, ever to receive and honour him as such. All make sign.
You may now take your seat among us. Can does so.
 
 
The Address
 
Sir Knight, the brief ceremonial in which you have just participated made allegorical reference to the devotion of Alfred to his maker and his people.
As king and warrior he had no equal, but those skills were tempered by an educated mind that recognised the Supreme Being as god and creator. This recognition was an unopposable catalyst to him to educate his people in the ways of peace, stability and unity.
Alfred's legacy continues to this day.
SGM: Sir Knights, ere we close this commemorative witenagemot I bid you annunciate the precepts of all Knights Grand Cross.
GCAG1: Remember always the poor in spirit.
GCAG2: Remember always those who mourn.
GCAG3: Remember always the meek.
GCAG4: Remember always those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.
GCAG5: Remember always the merciful.
GCAG6: Remember always the pure in heart.
GCAG7: Remember always the peacemakers.
GCAG8: Remember always those who are persecuted because of righteousness.
SGM: Hold too in your hearts the watchwords of all Knights of our Order: Hope and Perseverance sign of KAG, Justice and Mercy sign of KCAG, Peace and Stability sign of GCAG.
Sir Knights Grand Cross, our business being concluded, by the power in me vested I hereby close this commemorative witenagemot.
Knocks xx xx xx xx. Closes VSL at 2 Chronicles 7:14, and extinguishes candle.