Hold Oath
Theowa:
My Hlafward, if you will have me, I swear from this day forth, I shall be your man, to love what you love and hate what you hate. To always bare Œþelland Ǽ on your behalf and cleave to the Holy Kingship of the eldern Germanic belief.
That while I live I shall never raise voice, nor hand, nor weapon against you or yours, save in self-defense, nor abet or abide any who does so on anything less than thine own deeming. I will respect the ancient pact our ancestors and forbearers made, and I shall strive to reforge that mighty bond. I pledge troth and frith, and I will foremost strive to uphold our Cynn, as that shall only serve to strengthen Œþelland.
By Tiw’s steering, Woden’s wisdom, Thunor’s warding, and Frige’s frith do I place myself into your reach, if you will have me.
(lord’s hand placed on the head of the theowa)
(theowa takes head off knee, but bowed, still kneeling before the lord)
Hlafward:
XXX, we have heard your plight and are glad for it and may we both be lucky in it. You shall be our man, to bear our Ǽ and cleave to the Holy Kingship of the eldern Germanic belief. I hereby swear that I shall hold this Troth with you:
I shall stand steadfast beside you and yours, always offering you the protection of my shield and speeding you and yours in doings and deeds. We shall weave a doom together and into Well shall we set our weal.
By Tiw’s steering, Woden’s wisdom, Thunor’s warding, and Frige’s frith, I shall accept you; and provide for you, as your lord from this day forth.
You who knelt down as XXX theowa, rise now as a freed Karl/Godwif.
(lord removes hand from head)
(Karl/Godwif rises now freed)
(Freedman hands his abraid shot to lord, left hand to left hand, clasps right above left hand in an upward hold)
(Ale maiden hands lord horn, lord drinks, hands to maiden who hands to freedman, who drinks, hands to maiden who pours into blot bowl)
