Fealty

2004-09-03T20:31:38Z

20.137.52.231:

Fealty in the [[SCA]] is an oath sworn by peers of the realm to the [[Crown]] and [[Kingdom]], represented by the person of the [[King]] and [[Queen]]. Often, Fealty may be sworn to other powers that be, such as a [[Prince]] or [[Princess]], or an [[apprentice]], [[squire]], or [[protege]] might swear fealty to their [[peer]].

In the [[SCA]], all [[Knight]]s are required to swear fealty to the [[Crown]]. [[Masters at Arms]] are also peers of the Order of the Chilvary, however reserve the right to swear fealty instead. The other peers ([[Laurel]]s and [[Pelican]]s) are given the right to swear fealty if they choose, and will be called the same thing regardless of their choice.

In the [[Kingdom of Lochac]], [[Kingdom]] [[Greater Officer]]s are required to swear fealty, whereas [[Kingdom]] [[Lesser Officer]]s are able to swear fealty should they choose.

The [[laws]] of the [[Kingdom of Lochac]] prohibit fealty being required to any body lower than a [[Principality]], i.e. [[Baron]]s and [[Baroness]]es may not require that their subjects swear fealty.

The fealty oath in the [[Kingdom of Lochac]] may be found in the [[Lochac Ceremony Book]], which can in turn be found linked from http://www.sca.org.au/herald/

Fealty is generally indicated by the wearing of a plain chain of links either as a necklace, or a small linked chain under their peerage badge. It is thus considered slightly out-of-place to wear such a plain chain if you are not a peer and have not sworn fealty.

Other random notes on fealty:

* It is a [[Jew|Jewish]] tradition not to swear fealty under any circumstances, as this is prohibited by the [[Kol Nidre]]. Most [[Jew|Jewish]] peers in the [[SCA]] do not swear fealty for this reason.
* [[Fitzherbert on Fealty]]

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Fealty