The Chevaliers
Initiation Ritual of the Ladies’ Degree of the Chevalier

1902

First know that all dues and fees have been paid.
Bugle challenge at the outer gate.
Chevalier, sharp tap of gavel or of drum: Worthy Keeper, who gives the double challenge at our gate?
Keeper, sharp tap of gavel or of drum: Worthy Master-at-Arms, you will ascertain who gives the double challenge at our gate.
Master· at Arms salutes, passes out, returns and reports.
Master-at-Arms: Worthy Keeper, Lady Edith and her kinswoman, Maid Margaret, are without, and crave audience with our Noble Chevalier.
Remains standing.
Keeper: Noble Chevalier, Lady Edith and her kinswoman, Maid Margaret, are without, and crave audience at your hands.
Chevalier: It is with pleasure that we grant audience to Lady Edith and Maid Margaret.
Lady Geraldine, you will pass the inner gate to welcome our guests. You will take with you a suitable attendant for Maid Margaret. Worthy Master-at-Arms, and Worthy Herald, you will escort our friends before the altar of this Castle.
All retire and lady attendant blindfolds the candidate with soft handkerchief or hoodwink. When all is ready give Chevalier’s rap.
Warder: Noble Chevalier, there is an alarm at the inner gate.
Chevalier: Attend the alarm.
Warder: It is the Master-at-Arms and the Herald of this Castle escorting friends.
Chevalier: Give them entrance and welcome.
Warder: By order of the Noble Chevalier I give you welcome and entrance to this Castle.
March to altar.
Lady Edith: Noble Chevalier, we are grateful for your gracious welcome. I have made bold to bring with me my kinswoman, Maid Margaret, who desires proper training, that she may be made a member of the Court.
Chevalier: Lady Edith, is Maid Margaret of lawful age?
Lady Edith: She is.
Chevalier: Preferment means service. Is she willing to serve and to learn?
Lady Edith: She is.
Chevalier: To be of noble rank one must be stout of heart. Is she of good courage?
Lady Edith: Test her and see.
Chevalier: Maid Margaret, to be a member of this Court you must be advanced in rank. This will mean that you must take the obligations of fealty to our order. Will you do this?
Margaret: I will.
Chevalier: Will you 'strive to cultivate gentleness, charity and courage?
Margaret: I will.
Chevalier: Maid Margaret, you are standing at our sacred altar. Your attendant will place you in form for the obligation.
Chevaliers, you will all assist in this solemn rite.
Triple circle formed as in Esquire's degree. Guards with centered spears. Attendant places candidate kneeling on right knee before altar and assists in position of hands as Chevalier explains.
Chevalier: You will place your hands together in the ancient form of homage and place them between the hands of Lady Geraldine in token of your fealty. Repeat after me.
In the presence of God and this fellowship, I do solemnly promise and affirm that I will give fealty to the Order of Chevaliers; that in the line of duty I will obey its mandates, and that as far as I am able I will maintain its good name.
I promise that I will not knowingly wrong a Castle of this Order or any member thereof; but that I will protect the interests of a brother or sister as I would my own.
I promise that I will keep the secrets of this Order from all who are not entitled to them, that I will answer all due challenges, signs or summonses, and that I will to the best of my ability perform all duties as they shall be made known to me.
I furthermore promise that upon my part I will live in friendship with the members of this Castle, that I will be a loyal citizen of the Nation, and that I will strive at all times to make truth and justice prevail among men.
 
 
Obligation Ode
 
"Bannockburn," march time, Key "A flat."
Gracious Father, now are we
Pledged to each and pledged to Thee,
Till that day when Heaven shall see
All earthly banners furled;
Bless us now by Thy great might,
Keep us true in honor's sight,
Make us children of the light,
O Thou that rul'st the world.
Chevalier: Arise my sister, look about you and learn this lesson, that it is the duty of the strong to protect the weak. You were blind and helpless, but there has not been a moment since you entered our gates when harm could have come to vou. You are surrounded by those who would give their lives to protect the helpless ones in their charge. You will now be instructed in the nature of your obligation, the tenets of our Order, and the secret work of this degree.
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Chaplain: My sister, the binding nature of an oath, or obligation has been recognize in all ages. Men have not lightly relinquished any pursuit that has been entered upon with a solemn vow. You have thus in the strongest manner known to men bound yourself to us.
You have sworn fealty to our Order: May you be steadfast.
All members respond: So be it.
Chaplain: You have sworn to protect the interests of your brothers and sisters and never to do them wrong: May you be steadfast.
Members respond: So be it.
Chaplain: You have sworn to keep inviolate the laws of honor; and to suffer no stain upon the banner of our Order if your conduct can prevent or efface it.
In the sight of God and your fellows, may you be steadfast.
Members respond: So be it.
Chaplain: March to Past Noble Chevalier.
Past Noble Chevalier: My sister, the tenets of our Order are found in the words Friendship, Courage, and Protection.
One of the strongest ties of our humanity is that of noble friendship. It graces youth, it honors manhood, it comforts age. Its sacred power has been felt in every walk of life; and when the great Master would take leave of his disciples he could give them no more tender thought than "I have called you friends." Cherish wisely every friendship. Stand by the comrade at your side, no matter how the battle goes; and when the storms of life beat hardest, when the night of adversity seems darkest, then let friendship shine with steadiest light to bring strength and helpfulness to men.
Courage dwells in knightly hearts; and this you must exemplify in daily life, fearing nothing, not even death itself, when weighed in honor's balance.
Remember that it sometimes takes more courage to live than it does to die – to live and bear your share of the hardships of life, for the sake of those about you. This is often the knightly courage of our modern life.
Protection is the natural duty of the strong, and this it shall be your study to make perfect. Protect your own home, protect your brothers and sisters, protect the widow and orphan in every right; and as you advance in our Order may you strive to make your influence a shield of safety to every needy life within your reach.
Chevalier: Maid Margaret, you have taken the first step in a great work. Let me exhort you to be faithful to the new trust reposed in you. You will need to understand such secret work etc.
You will need to understand such secret work as will enable you to know your friends and to gain admission to any Castle hall.
We have a grip which is the same in all degrees, and which is known as the grip of a Chevalier. It is given in this manner … and is a perpetual reminder of the time when at our sacred altar you swore fealty to this Order.
We have also a sign of this degree which is as follows: … and has the meaning "my hands are ready to serve." It is answered in the same manner with the meaning "and so are mine."
With the help of the Master at Arms I will give the sign and the interpretation.
Gives sign with meaning.
The sign is given without the words.
Several Members, rising and saluting: Noble Maid!
Chevalier, recognizes one instructed: Maid ....
Chevalier: You are now sufficiently instructed in our work to go upon your journey to the Court. You will be attended there by a lady of rank and authority. You will have also an armed guard and will be under the escort of the Master-at-Arms and the Herald of this Castle. So fear no danger on the way. But remember that you have promised to cultivate gentleness, charity and courage, and that these are often shown at most unlooked for times. Especially remember that charity is the most abiding of all the graces.
And now I will give you a robe without which you cannot lawfully appear at Court. Carry it with you and you will be taught how and when to wear it. I give you also this locket as a token and a passport from me. It is of some intrinsic value and contains something of great importance to yourself.
Guard it well, and may you meet with all success.
Procession forms, Master-at-Arms and Herald, candidate and lady attendant, two guards with spears or swords. Candidate led to anteroom, blindfolded and brought into lodgeroom by another way if possible. Meets woman in lodgeroom begging.
Mendicant: Pity me lady, I am poor and old and illy clad and my poor arms tremble in the cold. Give me I pray you something to keep my aged body from the storms.
Attendant: Peace good woman, I do pity you, but I have nothing but this robe of state, and this I must keep to wear at the Court.
Starts on.
Mendicant, grasps clothing of candidate: O lady, you are going where all is light and warmth and beauty and I must shiver in the night winds. For sweet charity's sake give me the robe and Heaven will bless you for the gift.
Chaplain, slowly: He that giveth to the poor lendeth to the Lord.
Attendant to candidate: What will you do? Will you keep the robe for your own adornment at the Court, or will you give it to keep this poor beggar warm?
Candidate, prompted if necessary: I will give it.
Roll of drum.
Mendicant: Gramercy lady! May Heaven keep you!
They pass on and meet an old man.
Beggar: Gracious lady, pity the sorrows of a poor old man. I am perishing of hunger. Give me a few pennies that I may buy food.
Attendant: Alas, I have no money and no purse. I have only this locket and this I must keep for it is of great value to myself.
Beggar: O lady, you have home and friends and will never know want, but I must lie by the roadside and die of hunger.
Give me the locket that I may sell it and buy food, and God will surely bless your charity.
Chaplain: And now abideth faith, hope and charity these three: but the greatest of these is charity.
Attendant to Candidate: Will you keep the locket because it is of value to yourself or will you give it to save the life of this beggar?
Candidate: I will give it.
Roll or drum.
Beggar: Gramercy lady! May Heaven keep you!
They pass on.
Attendant: Here is a fountain and a beautiful flower is growing beside it. This flower I will pluck and fasten upon your robe. We are now nearing the Castle.
They pass on into anteroom. flood wink is removed, and they approach the inner door and give Chevalier's alarm.
This is answered by the Warder who opens the door.
Warder: Who comes here?
Herald: Maid Margaret has come to be presented at this Court.
Warder: Let her enter and pass before the Keeper of this Castle.
They march in and are stopped by the gavel of the Keeper when almost before his station.
Keeper, sharp rap or gavel followed by drum: Hold! Who dares approach this Court without the robe of state?
Herald: Maid Margaret comes, but without the robe of state.
Keeper: Then let her present the token that is her proper passport.
Herald: Maid Margaret is without the passport token.
Keeper: Then she can pass no farther. Guards, to your posts!
Guards hurry toward Keepers station but are stopped midway by Chevalier's gavel.
Chevalier, sharp rap of gavel and drum: Worthy Keeper, why this confusion and this summoning of the guard?
Keeper: My noble liege, Maid Margaret is on her way to the Court without the passport or the robe of state.
Chevalier: Does she wear the flower that grow by the fountain?
Keeper: She does, most noble liege.
Chevalier: Worthy Keeper I commend your zeal in the care of this castle, but let there be no violence. Dismiss the guard, and let her come before me.
Keeper's gavel dismisses guard, and the procession passes to Chevalier's station. Halt and form semi-circle, guards on extremes, Herald and Master-at-Arms next and Attendant and Candidate in center.
Chevalier: Maid Margaret, why do you appear at this Court without the proper robe?
Attendant: The robe was indeed given me but on my journey here I was met by a poor woman who begged the robe of me to save her life from cold, and I gave it to her.
Chevalier: So a beggar wears the robe, and you come unadorned? But where is your passport token?
Attendant: That too was given me, but a poor old man asked alms; and when I had no money to give him, he begged for the token that he might sell it and buy bread. Thinking that its value was mine I gave it to save his life.
Chevalier: Maid Margaret, would you have given these things to save your fellows from suffering and death, even if you had known that it would prevent your appearance at this Court?
Candidate: … (Must answer in her own words.)
Chevalier: Lady Margaret you have well earned the title that I now give you. Lady means "loaf-giver"-the giver of bread. The lady was the one who dispensed the bounty of the Castle to the poor, who relieved want and suffering among her people. May this be your ambition, to make the world better by good deeds, to help the needy and to comfort the afflicted, remembering that in all ages it is your sex that has smoothed the bed of suffering, that has given courage to the dying, that has bound up the wounds that man has made, and that has moved the world toward purity and right by the "stainless scepter of womanhood."
The robe and the token that you gave away have been redeemed by the king to be returned to you. Let this teach you that she who gives of wealth, or talent, or earnest endeavor for the good of others is but laying up treasure in Heaven to be the incorruptible riches of that fadeless realm.
You have shown your gentleness and charity. Is it still your purpose to show by obedience, courage and high purpose, your fitness for our highest rank?
Candidate: It is.
Chevalier: Worthy escort and guard, your duty has been performed, and you will take seats among us. Worthy Attendant, you will conduct our sister to the altar.
Pass to altar.
If you will take the obligation and the test of courage and obedience I will give you the stroke of knighthood that your brothers have received and name you Chevalier. Will you do this?
Candidate: I will.
Chevalier: You will close your left hand over the token I have given you, and hold it upon your heart. You will take the sword from the altar in your right hand and hold it above your head.
Repeat after me: "I do solemnly reaffirm my previous obligation and make these additions."
And follow Chevalier's obligation.
Chevalier: Worthy Attendant, you will conduct our sister to the test.
Conduct to small table near Chevalier's station.
Chevalier: You will show your obedience and your courage both by this test. I hold in my hand …. At my command you will stretch forth your hand and hold it steady while I …. Stand forth. ….
Chevalier: Worthy Attendant, our sister has bravely borne the test. You will conduct her again to the altar.
Pass to altar.
Chevalier: You will kneel at the altar and bow your head in token of homage.
Draws sword.
"In the name of God, of St. Michael and St. George I dub thee knight. Be brave, be bold, be loyal."
Arise Chevalier … and receive the honors of this Castle.
Calls up. All salute.
Line of fellowship then established as for the knight secret work given and the charge of the Chevalier.