IMPERIAL

by Lady Hugs

Entire contents are hereby Copyrighted © 2004

There were six basic actions of the Vigil of Arms, every one of them required for knighthood. First, the hair of the candidate was cut, since sacrificing one’s hair was seen as a sign of devotion to God. Generally, the cutting of a single lock was considered sufficient, but some of the more holy orders of knights required their candidates to be shorn in the fashion of a priest’s tonsure.

The candidate was then bathed, to symbolize the washing away of sins, then dressed in a white tunic, which symbolized the new purity. Then, was dressed in a long sleeve red tunic, with a hood, over the white tunic, which symbolized the preparedness to shed his blood, in the service of his God and his liege lord. A long black coat was put on top of the red hooded tunic, which symbolized that death will come but, not to fear it. Fasting for twenty-four hours, was to purify his soul, reflect on his humanity, to be a good champion to the meek and poor. After these ritual steps, the candidate was then entered the chapel, where he stood or kneeled before his weapons, displayed on the alter, where he would stay for ten hours on watch. This time was for humble reflection, of his holy watch.

Although this ritual is rarely practiced, it is still practiced by the candidates of the Swiss Papal Guard.

The meanings behind the bestowing tokens of knighthood can also be as symbolic as military ceremonies of modern times. The knights' white belt symbolizes purity and chastity that a knight might reign in his body steadfastly, avoiding the scandals of the body: gluttony, sloth, and lechery. A purity of purpose on his beginning steps on the path to Chivalry. The spurs were the second token bestowed, with the following meaning. As knights' spurs goad the war-horse so should they goad the knight to Valor, Service, and Diligence. Let these spurs hasten the knight to his duty that he might maintain his order in the high honor to which it belongs. By placing precious golden spurs near his feet, a knight displays disdain for worldly things. They should be worn with honor and discretion lest they be hacked from your heels in shame and disgrace. The cloak then was presented, this is the origins of "coat of arms," Fear of Shame. These arms ensure that all might know this knight from afar, and judge him fair or foul. It symbolizes the hardships and travail that a knight will suffer. As the cloak first receives any blows, rain, or insult before the armor and body of the knight, so shall the knight be foremost in battle and place his body between his Kingdom and her foes. The fleece, the garter, the star or other badge of that order was bestowed, as to their badge of honor and responsibility to that order. The knight then swore their fidelity to the lord liege, then the lord would dub the knight. Usually the right shoulder is touched first, then the left.

Like our present military, the uniform has roots to the knight or warrior. Underlying theme is submission and obedience to God, King or Queen, or in this case in America, the President and country. The dominant authority and the submission and obedience to that authority.

In the area of personal service, which is in the privacy of a Master’s or Mistress’s home, house or castle, in the BDSM culture the roots of the service is often patterned after established noble households, the monarchy holding a more elaborate account of the significance of each servant, with a title and their duties.

Each sovereign nation had their preferred treatment but, for the sake of this presentation, it will focus on the most documented examples.

Most royal households consisted of two divided parts. The chambers upstairs, which was under the supervision of the highest rank, and titled Lord of the Chamber and revised to be called Lord Chamberlain. Everything upstairs was under his supervision and reported directly to the King. The lower chambers was called the "household proper." This level was supervised by the Lord Steward.

The chamber was divided into a privy chamber, which is distinguished from the bedchamber, the outer chamber and the great hall. The privy chamber was the most influential department of the household, where it had a bedroom, a library, a study and the toilet. This was staffed by the "gentlemen of the privy" as well as ushers, grooms and pages. Before the privy chamber was created, the chambers were divided into, the "Jewel House," "Wardrobe of Robes" and "Wardrobe of the beds."

By the fifteenth century, the "esquire" was regarded superior in position to the "Gentlemen of the Privy," These "esquires" were responsible for the attending, the guarding, the watching over as well as dressing the sovereign. By the sixteenth century, modeled after the French court in 1518, the duties of the "esquires of the household" and the "knights of the body," was combined to create the "Groom of the Privy Chamber." This was then was placed under the supervision of the "Groom of the Stole." The "Groom of the Stole," was responsible for the state robes, coronation robes and official robes of the many orders that existed.

The order of rank for gentlemen in service to the sovereign was listed as follows: Lord Chamberlain, Vice Chamberlain, Groom of the Stole, Master of the Ceremonies (which was created by King James I), Master, Assistant Master, Marshal of the Ceremonies, Deputy Marshal of the Ceremonies, which had the duty to enforce the observation of court etiquette. Then, the list continues with the Gentleman Usher, who carries the ensigns of the sovereign’s office and principle usher of the court. In addition, there were Gentlemen waiters, who fell after Gentlemen Ushers, then after Gentlemen waiters was the Chancellor, Treasurer, Cofferer, Auditor, Clerks of the Household, Secretary, Clerk of the Closet, Almoner, Attorney General, Solicitor General, Master of the Horse, Equerries and Pages of Honor.

As far as ladies in service to the sovereign, there was the Mistress of the Robes, Lady of the Bedchamber, Women of the Bedchamber, Extra, Extra-Extra and Honorary Women of the Bedchamber then Maid of Honor, followed by a private secretary "Lady Secretary." These ladies went were gentlemen were not allowed, to include Lord Chamberlain and all those who fall under him in rank.