Oath of Fealty - Dergoth Merkel, Thane

Before all who stand within these Cathedral walls, I, Dergoth Merkel, Thane of Somerset, by the Light of Soldeus, hereby swear fealty and do homage to His Grace, Manus Dei, the Duke of Wessex.

I swear to uphold the Common Law of Wessex and to abide by the decisions of the Ducal Cabinet and I swear to fight our enemies to the death if they attempt to lay disgrace or siege upon any part of the Duchy.

I pledge to contribute a reasonable amount of resources and gold from my own estate to His Grace, Duke Manus of Wessex, and shall train and equip a suitable garrison to defend the Duchy of Wessex and to inculcate in my people the culture of Wessex and the love of Soldeus.

If I, or my sons or their successors, do not observe to His Grace, the Duke of Wessex, or to His successors, each and all of the things declared above, we wish that our title be returned to His Grace or His successors.

By Soldeus’ name, before whom this Cathedral is holy, I will to His Grace be true and faithful, and love all which he loves and shun all which he shuns, according to the laws of Soldeus. Nor will I ever with will or action, through word or deed, do anything which is unpleasing to him, on condition that he will hold to me as I shall deserve it, and that he will perform everything as it was in our agreement when I submitted myself to him and chose his will.

Dergoth kneels before the eyes of Duke Manus and after a short silence proclaims, "I become your liege man."

I, Rhygar apGwynn, Chancellor of Wessex, on behalf of His Grace, Manus, Duke of Wessex, to all his vassals and liegemen, sendeth greeting.

Know that His Grace, Manus Dei, Duke of Wessex, has received Sir Dergoth, Thane of Somerset, unto his grace and favour. It is proper that those who offer to His Grace unbroken fidelity should be protected by his aid and since Sir Dergoth, by the favour of Soldeus, has seen fit to swear trust and fidelity to the Duke of Wessex, His Grace has decreed, for the future, that he be counted amongst the equites of Wessexshire.

By my hand,
In his name,

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The College of Arms finds this Oath and its acceptance to be in good order, and they are hereby recorded. May the Radiant Lord shine brightly upon the His Grace Manus, Duke of Wessex; upon Sir Dergoth Merkel, Thane of Somerset; upon His Grace's Loyal Court and upon all His Grace's desmesne.

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Lady Laylah Sothenic
Mistress of Heralds
of the College of Arms
of the Duchy of Wessex