Meeting with a Vigilant

It's a wonderful occasion when someone is elevated to Peerage. Whether they are becoming a new Peer, or if this is not their first elevation, it's a moment that they've probably been working hard toward!

As the Herald in Charge of court for the event, you get a front row seat for that ceremony. It's honestly one of my favorite things about standing on the dais. I get a close up and personal view of the person getting one of the highest awards of the Realm, and it just makes my heart soar.

But long before that moment, many things have been going on behind the scenes! It's likely that the preparations for this day have been growing since their vigil was announced, or even further back.

When you hear from the Crown that an elevation will be happening during a Court you're running, you should make space in your day to meet with that vigilant. Why? Because (nearly) nothing that happens in court should be a surprise to anyone sitting on the dais, or the herald.

Now, it's common for a person to sit vigil the day of their elevation. Sitting vigil is a special custom that we have for people to come and congratulate the vigilant, and to give them advice. It's likely that they will have an area set aside with food and a private space. If they did their vigil earlier than that day, you should track them down to talk. But if their vigil is at the event, go there and talk to the vigil coordinator as soon as you can to set up a moment to talk with the vigilant. You should go over some things with them before court, so that everyone is prepared.

Make sure that you bring a pencil and paper, since you will want to take copious notes.

I just have a few questions....
(Francais 2090. f12v)

When you meet with the vigilant, the first thing (after you congratulate them) you should ask them is if they have their own herald. A lot of people ask a specific herald to do their ceremony because they have a special connection to that person. If they do have their own herald, GREAT! Your job is close to done. All you need to do at that point is find that herald and check in with them to make sure they have everything they need, and that they know who to come to if they have questions.

If they DON'T have their own herald, guess what? You're IT! You can pass the job off to one of your assistant heralds, that's ok, too. But you need to have a little chat with the vigilant and ask them some basic questions.

• Firstly, are they using their own ceremony, or the one out of the Book of Ceremonies? If they have their own ceremony, ask for a copy of it now, so that you have time to look it over. If they are using the standard ceremony, open it up in your book (you've got that with you, right?) and briefly skim it so that you're familiar with it, especially the parts about the accoutrements and the speakers.

• Ask them how they pronounce their name, and write it down phonetically. Say it back to them. Get their current title, and the title that they will be using after elevation. Most people use Master or Mistress, but there might be something persona specific and you want to make sure you say the right thing!

• Ask them who is starting the ceremony. Usually, the ceremony begins when a member of the Order they are joining begs, or re-begs, the boon. But, especially if they are using a custom ceremony, this might not be the case, so double check!

• Ask them if they need to be released from fealty. The pre-written ceremony doesn't contain this part, so if they do need that, you will need to make a note of it.

• Ask them who their speakers are. Write that down.

• Talk about regalia. Each ceremony uses different regalia, and sometimes there's a modification to the standard items. A hood instead of a cloak, no clothing at all, more than one medallion, etc. Make sure you know what pieces to expect, and which you need to add or skip.

• Traditionally, the Chivalry ceremony contains a buffet, but that is becoming more common in other Orders as well, even if it's still not common. Or there may be a dubbing with a scepter (that's what I had!). Make sure that you have the script for that noted, so that Their Majesties can have the correct wording to read.

• Ask if there will be a scroll, and if it is to be read, or just shown off, or nothing. If there is a scroll, should you hand it to someone at the end of the ceremony, or put it back down behind the thrones after you display it?

Remember that the Crown should have approved any modified ceremonies, but not all proto-Peers know or remember that, so ask if they did run it by the Crown, and if they didn't, take a moment after you meet with the vigilant to inform the Crown about that change, and offer to let them read it if they like.

Lastly, and I know this is a tough one - but try not to take up too much time, if you are meeting with the vigilant during their vigil. There are probably many people waiting to talk to them, so the more quickly that you can get through your list of questions, the happier everyone will be!