Summary

A Captain’s ceremony is performed whenever a fencer has been chosen by the Captain to serve as their replacement and accepted the responsibility. The new Captain will take on the responsibility of leading the group and upholding the 4 Levels of Importance.

Materials

1. The Company Sword

Preparation

All swordsman should be invited to bring and wear their tabards. Any special people the upcoming Officer wishes to be present should also be invited to attend.

The ceremony should take place during closing announcements or at other appropriate times to allow the group to participate in the ceremony. 

Note: The specifics of the Captain’s ceremony may be tweaked as desired by each Captain as they pass the torch to another. The following process is merely a guideline of what should be included within a Captain’s ceremony. 

Procedure

Captain’s Ceremony

Call forth person to come and stand

Address the group about what a Captain is, does, and has been to you personally.

Ask if they still wish this honor

IF YES

1. Ask recipient to kneel 
2. Ask if there are any who would vouch for them
3. Have them place hand on blade
4. Bestow the Four Levels of Importance
5. The Oath
   1. I ___________ / pledge my word / to strengthen the company / and dedicate myself to those within the Order of the Rose. / I will lead with humility, / fight with valor, / and serve with honor / till I can no longer fulfill my duties.
6. Place sword on shoulder
7. Give rank
   1. I, Captain ____________, now grants you. ____________ ,the rank of __________ in the company of The Order of the Rose.
8. Ask all those who will support the new Captain to stand and salute with hand or sword.
9. While everyone is still saluting:
   1. “For our newest Captain, “Vevot!” (x3).  Joyous noise.”
10. Previous Captain kneels
11. New Captain now places sword on shoulder
12. Give rank
    1. I, Captain ____________, now grants you. ____________ , the rank of Captain Emeritus in the company of The Order of the Rose.
13. Ask all those who will support the past Captain to stand and salute with hand or sword.
14. While everyone is still saluting:
    1. “For our newest Officer, “Vevot!” (x3).  Joyous noise.”