Gordon England is "sworn in" as Secretary for the Navy in 2001.

An oath (from Anglo-Saxon āð) is a promise. An oath is spoken out loud in front of other people who can see and hear what is done and said. They are witnesses to the oath. A person who cannot speak can make a sign that they are "taking an oath". Another way of saying that a person is "taking an oath" is to say that they are "swearing an oath".