Initiation into knighthood is a solemn occasion that occurs only once for each knight. Several squires are often knighted at the same time; the order in which they are called forth depends upon the importance of their fathers.
The ceremony is always done with full panoply. This means the lord sits upon his high seat or throne, banners are displayed, courtiers are present in their best clothes, and heralds make announcements.
HERALD: [NAME OF CANDIDATE], come forth and kneel before the throne.
(Servant places sword, armor, shield, and spurs nearby.)
HERALD (reads): Be it known to all men that I, Sir Roderick am minded to raise [NAME OF CANDIDATE] by virtue of his honor, loyalty, valor, and skill at arms, to the high rank of knighthood.
HERALD: [NAME OF CANDIDATE], do you swear and acknowledge Sir Roderick to be your true and lawful liege?
CANDIDATE: I do so swear.
HERALD: Do you also swear fealty to Aurelius Ambrosius, to defend and obey him until he depart the throne, or death shall take you?
CANDIDATE: I so swear.
(Sir Roderick rises, goes to CANDIDATE.)
Sir Roderick: Let this be the last blow you receive without just recourse.
(Sir Roderick delivers the coulee, striking CANDIDATE across the face or on the shoulder, sometimes hard enough to knock him down.
CANDIDATE then kneels before his liege, placing his hands palm-to-palm and upraised. Sir Roderick places his hands over the knight’s.)
HERALD (to CANDIDATE): Repeat after me: “I, [NAME OF CANDIDATE], do solemnly swear and pledge my sword to Sir Roderick, my liege, to defend and obey him until he depart his demesnes or death shall take me, and to uphold the honor of knighthood.”
CANDIDATE: (Repeats the above.)
Sir Roderick: And I, for my part, do swear to defend and honor [NAME OF CANDIDATE] as befits a true knight. (Sir Roderick then receives the sword and taps CANDIDATE lightly on both shoulders with the sword.) I dub thee Sir [NAME OF CANDIDATE]. Receive now your spurs (receives spurs), your right to suitable arms (receives shield), and take this, my sword (girds on sword), to your side to serve and defend me well. Arise, Sir Knight.