Charter Granting the Mormaerdom of Arrochar

To all knights, Masters, Peers, Barons, Earls, Mayors, Sheriffs, Provosts Officers and to all faithful subjects as well as others to whom these presents shall come, be seen, heard, read, or understood from Seigfried King and Ragni Queen of Ealdormere Greeting

Know all that We by these Letters Patent have given, granted, and by this Our present charter have confirmed and do advance, create our beloved servants, Nigel MacFarlane, and Adrielle Kerrec, to the state degree style dignity title and honour of Duke and Duchess. Know ye that We have given, granted, and established by this present Charter to Nigel MacFarlane and Adrielle Kerrec, that Mormaerdom which is called Arrochar. To be held by them, with all its pertinants, liberties and easments, freely, quietly, fully, and entirely, with gallows and pit, toll, theme, sock and sack, outfangthief and infangthief, with all advantages and freedoms pertaining by law or custom in the Kingdom of Ealdormere without any secular or servile exaction: except that, when he is summoned, they shall come to the courts which the Crown may announce. And he shall be bound to go on no military expedition, unless the Crown ordain one against the countries or provinces adjoining Ealdormere. These are the land-boundaries Arrochar - first south from the cross at St. Mary's down along through the fleet wood to the barrow, thence east along the barrow till it comes to the Pond at Baxter Creek. Then north over the furlong to the fen. Then east along through the wold to the old cross. Should any secular person attempt to go against this, after three warnings if he should not make amends, he may lost his honour and be liable to divine justice, and subject himself to retribution. For the rest, in order that this decree may, for all ages, remain valid and unshaken, We bind ourselves and our successors to keep and observe this present charter and have ordered it to be written and have affixed our seal. 

Dated at Rising Waters the twenty-sixth of the month of April in the forty-eighth year of the society in the first days of our reign.

Wording by Adrielle Kerrec.

Outlands Count / Countess Wording

We,_____ and ______, King and Queen of the Outlands, to all and singular send Greetings. Whereas _______ has, [as a result of [his/her] great valor on the field of honor][through the valor of [his/her] champion], ruled once as a [King/Queen] in this Realm, we do this day acknowledge [him/her] a [Count/Countess]. We hereby confer by these Letters Patent those Arms previously registered by the College of Arms, to wit: <BLAZON> for [Count/Countess] ________'s sole and unique use throughout the lands of the Known World as a symbol of [his/her] high rank. {Furthermore, it is Our will that she be welcomed into the Order of the Rose as an example of those noble virtues embodied by the Queens of the Outlands.}

By Our hands this ___ day of ___, Anno Societatis ____, being ____ Gregorian.

_______________, King ______________, Queen

The College of Arms, finding no impediment to the arms here blazoned, has assigned their exclusive use to <NAME>.

_______________, White Stag Principal Herald

ALTERNATIVE:

Be it known unto all that We ______ and _____, King and Queen of the Outlands in rightful succession to <Past King’s first name> and <Past Queen’s first name> send Greetings. In recognition that Our loyal subject ______ has once served as [King/Queen] of this Realm, offering [his valorous skills in battle], [her grace and courtesy to all] and given of [his/her] wisdom in council and in court, We are pleased to invest [him/her] as [Count/Countess], to bear all rights and responsibilities of this high rank. We hereby confer by these Letters Patent those arms previously registered by the College of Arms, to wit: <BLAZON> for [Count/Countess] ________'s sole and exclusive use throughout the lands of the Known World. {Furthermore, it is Our will that she be welcomed into the Order of the Rose as an example of those noble virtues embodied by the Queens of the Outlands.}

Done by Our hands this ___ day of ___, Anno Societatis ____, being ____ Gregorian.

__________, King __________, Queen

The College of Arms, finding no impediment to the arms here blazoned, has assigned their exclusive use to <NAME>.

If recipient is already a peer, change [We hereby elevate, by these Letters Patent those arms previously registered by the College of Arms] to [We hereby affirm by Letters Patent those arms previously registered by the College of Arms] If the recipient does not have a registered name and device, the award may be treated as a promissory and the following portion may be used.

Otherwise, omit all reference to Arms, and treat the scroll as a final.

[We further charge [Count/Countess] ________ to consult with Ourselves and Our Heralds to devise suitable and unique Arms.]

[Source: Kingdom of the Outlands Scribe’s Handbook (pdf)]

Meridies Count/Earl Wording

Harken all good gentles of the Known World. We, (Sovereign's name) and (Consort's name) Sovereign and Consort of the Laurel Kingdom of Meridies, wish to honor One who has reigned and served Meridies as King. Thus, hereby, and herewith do we elevate Our subject (Recipient's name) to the Rank and Estate of [Count/Earl]. Bearing with this rank all duties, responsibilities, honors and privileges appendant thereto. Done by Our Hands this day, the (number) day of (month) Anno Societatis (Society year), being (year) Gregorian. 

-To be signed by Sovereign and Consort, with space for their seals. This award carries precedence and must also be signed by Beacon Principal Herald, with places for a third signature and seal.

[Source: A Handbook for Scribes of the Kingdom of Meridies (doc)]

Nigel MacFarlane, Earldom, 2010

We know and from the chronicles and books of the ancients we find that among other famous nations our own Sir Nigel has placed himself on the anvil of virture and has been graced with widespread renown.

He journeyed from the Midrealm, to dwell in Ealdormere and took possession of that home, a reiver richly rewarded with many victories and untold efforts and the people did indeed live in freedom and peace and harboured no malice or treachery; and, as the historians of old time bear witness, he held it free of all as King of this Realm. Their Royal Majesties Quilliam and Dagmar have taken careful heed to these things and do hereby bestow on Sir Nigel MacFarlane many favours and numerous privileges as befits one who has once borne the Lupine Crown. We grant him the title of Earl that he shall be henceforth recognized not only by his stature and prowess at arms, but also by a coronet of gold adorned with embattlements. We furthermore grant him, all the land in Arrochar on south side of the bridge, rights to the hunt in the forest at Argyll, and the license to fish in the River Croe.

It is in truth not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that Sir Nigel won the crown, but for only and alone for freedom which no man surrenders but with his life. In expectation of further service We do hereby place Sir Nigel on permanent quest to be ever ready to answer the call to arms, and do battle when bidden, whether at home or abroad. 

By HRM Adrielle Kerrec