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We officially accept new inductees into our knighthood program at our annual pilgrim's festival in October. A formal induction is had with all knight's and their squires and pages present (girls too). This forms one of many rites of passage experienced by those who begin their ordeal at a young age. Pages (girls are Hand maidens) begin at 7-8 years of age depending on their maturity. For the next 5 years they will be required to read and write a lot from a list of required reading, as well as learn a lot about green martyrdom, camping and survival, serving, hospitality, character, as well as the history and relevance of chivalry and knighthood. Since the only way a boy or girl could become part of our order was to be invited to do so, or recruited by a squire, knight or Arma Patria (or female equivalent), they will also be coached and guided by them throughout their studies and life lessons.
Before we go further, it is important to note that we consider the sacrament of water baptism to be a rite of passage of sorts, and make a big deal about a persons baptism. So Baptism is also considered a rite of passage, celebrating a persons "coming of age" as a disciple of Jesus Christ. It should be treated as such by all those who belong to our order. If this is not so in your particular denomination's tradition, it will be up to those who belong to our order to "step it up a notch" in order to make it be so in their church.
At the age of 12-13, a Page (Hand maiden if a girl) is ready to become a Squire (Lady in Waiting). They have done all that is required of them including attending a 12 week course on living a chaste life until marriage (white martyrdom). They publicly graduated into the next level, which for the boys is junior squire, and for girls is hand maiden, by being given a promise ring which they picked out, made of sterling silver of gold, purchased by their parents, and prayed over and blessed by their pastor or the Bishop of our order. They are then given their next list of requirements to be accomplished in order to graduate to the next level in 3-4 years, which for the boys is red or senior squire, and for the girls is red or shield maiden.
The most noteworthy rite of passage to date happens when a young man or woman reaches their 16 th birthday. The ceremony honoring them at this stage is done so by presenting them with a battle ready sword (an actual functional sword) of their choice, which they will wear from this time forth whenever they dress out for Renaissance Fairs and other Festivals and Highland Games, as well as the Rites of Passage of others. Should a young woman prefer something other than a sword, she may choose a cedar chest in which things for her wedding will be stored, or a nice piece of religious jewelry symbolizing her vows; or a wedding canopy, etc.At this red or senior squire (or re or shield maiden) ceremony, close friends and family gather to speak into the candidates life weighty words of blessing. There are many tears and emotions felt at this particular ROP because of the depth of the words shared by friends and family alike. At this ROP, they are required to repeat formal and sacred vows that they will then sign afterward by having their right palm and fingers soaked in anointing oil, and pressed over the scroll containing their vows. It is our hope that one day their own children will press their hands over this very handprint at their own rite of passage. Usually there is a reception following, held either at the church or at the homes of the hosting family. The battle swords should be hung up somewhere in the home or room of the junior squire, and they should be instructed in the care and upkeep of their sword so that it will not rust or otherwise be damaged. A new list of requirements will be given to these young people to accomplish by their graduation from high school.
At their high school graduation, most families host a party or do something special. So the ROP at this level is rather low key, just a presentation of their vows made on their 16 th birthday nicely framed. Some of our senior knights and shield maidens have preferred to repeat their vows in the middle of their graduation party as a way of reaffirming them. A new list of requirements is then given to the senior squire (or shield maiden) to be accomplished by their college graduation or equivalent (by their 22 nd birthday) in order to qualify them to become, if a young man, a full fledged knight, and if a young girl, a Lady.
A young man who has fulfilled all that has been required of him to become a knight, will be required to go through the necessary steps to prepare him for the be-knighting or dubbing ceremony. In order to keep this experience spontaneous and with an element of surprise, it cannot be revealed in detail here. The ceremony has been taken from the ancient dubbing ceremonies of ancient knighthood orders, and selected by Bishop John-David Schofield, Episcopal Bishop over the Episcopal churches of the San Joaquin . It is a two day affair, in which the candidate will be required to participate in a fast and prayer vigil the night before, a purity bath, and solemn ceremony the next day. From then on, he will be an official knight of the Order of the Green Cross, and addressed as Sir. A high honor indeed.
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