The purpose of this page is not to explain in great detail how to perform a
Grand March, but to list the sequence in which those in a Grand March
will march, as this sequence is not identical to the Order of Precedence of the Kingdom.
A Grand March is usually done to the Ranking Royalty1
at an event, with the purpose of introducing the populace to that Royalty.
It should be noted that except for rare occaisions a Grand March should be discouraged --
the amount of time and volunteers necessary to pull it off, particularly at a Kingdom level
event is huge2.
Therefore, the Ranking Royalty will not March, but should be seated in the
Thrones. A herald (or multiple heralds) should be present to announce everyone in the Grand March.
Below is the precedence for a Grand March, assuming that it is for the King
and Queen of the West:
- Crown Prince and Princess of the West (if Marching)
- Princes and Princesses in order of creation of the Principality:
- The Mists
- Cynagua
- Oertha
- Great Officers of the Kingdom of the West (or the Principality
if held at a Principality event) -- the sequence is probably not
too important, but would start with Seneschal, Marshal, and Vesper
Principal Herald, from there ... well ... work it out.
- Visiting Royalty (in precedence (order of Creation) -- Note that any
Princes and Princesses of these Kingdoms would March in precedence after all
Kings and Queens (the list starts at number "2" as the West is first ...):
- East
- Middle
- Atenveldt
- Meridies
- Caid
- Ansteorra
- Atlantia
- An Tir
- Calontir
- Trimaris
- Outlands
- Drachenwald
- Æthelmarc
- Artemesia
- Ealdormere
- Lochac
- Northshield
- Gleann Abhann
- Avacal
- Sometimes branches are allowed to March as whole (i.e., the Seneschal
(or Baron/Baroness) may lead the processional for their branch, with banner
bearers, branch herald, and populace -- these would March here)), or
Landed/Territorial Barons and Baronesses of the West may be allowed to March, if so,
the Baronies would be in this order (the order of creation of the Baronies):
- Allyshia
- Eskalya
- Tarnmist
- Westermark
- Winter's Gate
- Fettburg
- Darkwood
- The Far West
- Rivenoak
- Selveirgard
- Bearers of Armigerous Awards may March in the Following Sequence -- and should
normally only March once, ordered by date of recognition (see the
current Order of Precedence if you need help -- that will be accurate):
- Dukes and Duchesses
- Counts and Countesses
- Viscounts and Viscountesses
- Members of the Orders of Peerage (Chivalry, the Laurel, the Pelican, Defense, the Mark) in order
of each member's addition to the Order (see the Order of Precedence -- note
that all five Orders are equal, and therefore the date admitted to the Order
comes into play)
- Awards that Grant Grants of Arms (The Royal Missile Company,
The Western White Scarf, The Western Gold Scarf, the Scarves of Achievement)
- Grants of Arms
- Leaves of Achievement (Order of the Leaf of Merit, Order of the Rose Leaf,
Order of the Ash Leaf) and Western Lily
- Barons and/or Baronesses of the Court
- Awards that Grant Awards of Arms (not counting Leaves and Baron/ess:
Kingdom A&S Champion(s), Kingdom Equestrian Champion(s), Order of Missile
Champions, Order of the Western Prima Spada, others)
- Awards of Arms
1"Ranking Royalty" refers to the Royalty at an event of the highest Rank.
For example, at a Kingdom event, the "Ranking Royalty" would be the King
and Queen of the West. At a Principality event, the "Ranking Royalty" may be
the King and Queen, if present, otherwise, will be the Prince and Princess
of that Principality. This can be fun -- if the Crown Prince and Princess are
present, they may be seated with the King and Queen (and not "required" to March),
or may March if they wish. A lot of what happens is "Royal Whim". If the March
is being done at a Baronial event, the "Ranking Royalty" may be the Baron and
Baroness, or They may be seated with whomever is higher in the chain.
2The last time this was done at a Kingdom event
was at Purgatorio, August A.S. XXII (1987), on the Sunday of the event, and took most of
the day -- at least 6 hours ... everyone was exhausted by the time it was complete.