In Case of Peerage

The In Case of Peerage (ICOP) letter is extremely useful to prepare ahead of time, especially for Companions, and pass along to someone you trust (like your Peer). Having this information on hand ahead of time can assist those preparing for your special event to ensure you get the experience you desire. There is no official format for the ICOP letter. It can be as simple as a narrative description of your ideal elevation. It can also be extremely detailed to ensure that no stone is left un-turned. What follows is a 'middle of the road' approach that asks most of the big questions but also makes space to let the potential candidate openly describe their thoughts. These letters can, and should, be tailored to the specific person and situation.

EXAMPLE Questionnaire on Peerage Preferences and Requests

1. How would you want to find out about being elevated? For example:

• Complete surprise to me until Their Majesties tell me in court
• Surprise me...but don't feel bad if I start picking up on hints and goofs.
• Writ

[note: if you want to be surprised, but start picking up hints, you are NOT allowed to ask. Wanting a surprise and fishing for info: you can’t have it both ways!]

2. When would you want the ceremony (with respect to being told)

• No vigil. Everything is done all at once. This is sometimes referred to as a 'battlefield elevation'
• Everything is all on the same day. Usually, you're put on vigil that morning and elevated that evening
• Put on vigil on one day but have the ceremony on the next day (overnight vigil)
• Be given a Writ to arrange for both vigil/ceremony at some event(s) in the future

3. How much involvement do you want in the planning?

• None - you do it!
• I'll be happy to tell you my preferences.
• I want to plan everything myself ahead of time and let you know

4. What kind of ceremony would you like? 5-worthy type ceremony, or something else?

5. If you would like the '5-worthies', who would you love to have speak for you as the 5 worthies? And, if they aren't available, who as a back-up?

• Rose:
• Knight:
• Pelican:
• Laurel:
• MoD:

6. What other people would you like to have somehow involved? Who from outside the Order should be notified ahead of time? Anyone who should be traveling in for the event, who would not necessarily otherwise be at an Atlantian event? How do I contact them?

7. Other things you would "dream" of having? Ceremony elements? Vigil elements? Regalia?

8. Is there anything that you specifically DO NOT want to happen?

9. Do you plan to swear fealty? If so please provide a copy of your oath so that your organizers can have it on-hand for your elevation.

10. Do you have a preferred mode of address to use after your elevation? This question is to make sure that the ceremony respects your chosen honorific. For example 'Maestro' vs 'Master'.