The Golden Eagle

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THE GOLDEN EAGLE

“Honorem et in omnes."

~Glory in all.

 

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The Golden Eagle

 

Founded in 1597, the Order of the Golden Eagle was created to officiate the Knights of the court of the Kingdom of Courland, taking elements of the old Orenian system whilst incorporating them into a more well-intended system of protection and justice. Headed by a Grand Knight (a position on the privy council of Courland, one selected by the the reigning monarch) the Order also seeks to assist the Kingdom and it’s people in any way a man of elevated status finds himself able to do so.

 

 

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Organisation

 

As the Golden Eagle was created to officiate all knights of Courland, the Order is split into two branches;

 

The landed knights are more traditional in that they may raise levies from their entourage, distribute their land as they see fit, and in return uphold the rules and rites of Courland as best as they can, including those a vassal should show their liege lord such as acting always in their lord’s best interests and representing them when outside the nation;

 

The unlanded knights are those assigned to the Kingsguard, or who have done a worthy act for the kingdom yet find themselves unable to maintain land. The Kingsguard are sworn to protect the King and his family in their duties as their primary derivative above acting chivalrous and just when in the presence of others.

 

 

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Chivalrous Code

 

All knights must use their elevated status of wealth, power and moral sense to encourage (and themselves follow) the following core principles of society:

 

1. To live one’s life in GOD’s divine image.

2. To uphold one’s King’s wishes and whims.

3. To protect the disadvantaged.

4. To maintain one’s valour and dignity.

5. To offer one’s wisdom and intelligence when requested.

6. To act courteously to all (unless the other should see themselves a fool).

7. To preserve the integrity of the Order.

 

Special consideration must be given to women, children and the elderly in all regards

 

To take a maiden’s honour runs the risk of losing the knighthood, as taking one of the most valuable assets a maiden and her family may possess is an undignified offense to the maiden & her family.

To act knowingly against the King runs the risk of losing the knighthood, as a direct breach of the responsibilities of knighthood.

To refuse a duel from an equal (exceptions being duels to death) could run the risk of losing the knighthood, as the damage from refusing is a far greater hit to the prestige of the knight themselves and the Order than losing said duel.

 

 

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Becoming a knight

 

To become a knight, one must either perform a great deed worthy of notable distinction, to the degree of earning a knighthood, or prove their purity and loyalty to the realm in the process of becoming a squire.

 

The prelude of becoming a squire is often a page boy.  While not necessary, a page boy is sent usually from one noble family to another between the ages of five and ten to learn the basics of being a knight such as but not limited to;

• Further reading & writing

• Manners in & out of court including humility

• Basic combat (sword & shield, bow, perhaps mounted)

• Chivalric code

• Furthering the basic morality

Once the boy reaches 15 or if the Knight he has been proposed to accepts him at a later age, the boy will learn more of the advanced facets of being a knight, including but not limited to;

• If needs be, those of a page

• Speaking & writing for court

• Further combat techniques

• Dressing & arming the knight

• Maintaining the knight’s arms & armour

• Accompanying the knight into battle

Once the squire is deemed worthy of knighthood, he is knighted by the King and given either a title (leading them towards the Kingsguard) or a fief and thus a hold.

 

If the page or squire has been accepted by the Grand Knight & is referred on to one of the others for tutelage, they should accept lest a sufficient reason be provided to the Grand Knight though no pages or squires should be accepted without the Grand Knight’s acceptance.

 

 

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Current Recognised Knights of the Realm

 

Grand Knight:

Ser RUTGER of HOUSE FOURNIER

 

Kingsguard:

Ser RICHARD of HOUSE WINDSOR

Ser JAMES of HOUSE MONTOYA

 

Landed knights:

Ser ALEXANDER of HOUSE MERENTEL

Ser FLORENT II of HOUSE JORREL

Ser ROWAN of HOUSE VON MARDSTADT

 

Landless knights:

Ser GARED of HOUSE ERRMARK

 

((Direct messages to me for any queries.))

[Dreek 1633]

Moved to The Great Library. It shall be sorted into the appropriate category shortly.

 

If you feel this is a mistake, please contact myself or any FM and we'll restore it.