Edict of the Knight Paramount

[GloriaPreussens 798]

Edict of the Knight Paramount

 

By order of Peter I, King of Mardon and Ser Frederick Augustus, Knight Paramount, the following is hereby made into law, concerning all matters of Gentry within the Kingdom of Mardon.

 

Contents

Article I.

Distribution of Knighthood

Article II.

Status & Conduct

Article III.

Knight Paramount

Article IV.

The Knight’s Code

 

Article I.

Distribution of Knighthood

 

Section I.

Elevation to Knighthood

 

• -To become a Knight one must be either squired by a Knight, or be granted Knighthood by the Knight Paramount, or the King for acts valour.

• - To become a squire, one must be selected by a Knight of the Kingdom of Mardon and given. A Knight or may choose any male from the ages of 10-16 within Mardon as they see fit to become their squire.

• -It is expected and required for a Knight to educate their squire on matters of chivalry, faith, combat, strategy, logic, history, equestrianism and any other subject they feel is necessary.

• -Upon the completion of the squire’s training and education, the Knight recommend their squire to the Knight Paramount of the King of Mardon, to be granted Knighthood. Should a Knight wish for their squire to be granted Knighthood, the Knight must be prepared to grant their squire land upon their Knighting.

• -To be granted Knighthood by th eKnight Paramount of the King of Mardon,  the would-be Knight must show valour, courage or righteous action, proving themselves worthy of the Knight’s Code and the title of Knight of Mardon.

• -A Duke of Mardon may also recommend a man to HisRoyal Majesty, the King of Mardon, if he be worthy of the title of Knight. The Knighting Ceremony may only be carried out by the Knight Paramount, or His Royal Majesty, the King of Mardon (See Article I, Section III).

• -To be granted Knighthood by His Royal Majesty, the King of Mardon, the would-be Knight must swear oaths of fealty to his would-be Liege Lord, be it His Majesty, the King of Mardon, a Duke or any lesser titled Lord.

 

Section II.

Criteria & Requirement

 

• -To become a squire of a Knight, the would-be squire must be a male of Mardonic origin. A fee of Two Thousand Sovereigns (Minas) that is subject to raise when the need arises, it must be paid to the Office of Knight Paramount for provided equipment and recognition of the Squire. Noble birth is preferable but not required.

• -A Knight  may choose whoever they wish to act as their squire, be it a commoner, a noble’s sibling or their own son.

• -To be granted Knighthood, the would-be Knight must be well versed in the Knight’s Code of Chivalry (as written by Ser Uthor Silverblade, revised by Ser Maric Varodyr, attached below) and well educated in matters of faith, combat, strategy, logic, history, equestrianism and any other subject of basic education. Knights are expected to uphold an elite standard within the Kingdom of Mardon.

• -To be granted Knighthood, the would-be Knight must swear oaths of fealty to both His Royal Majesty, the King of Mardon and the would-be Knight’s liege Lord.

 

Section III.

Knighting & Ceremonies

 

• -To become a Knight of the Kingdom of Mardon, whether squired or not, the would-be Knight must be Knighted by the Knight Paramount, or His Royal Majesty, the King of Mardon himself and no other, in sight of a priest.

• -To be granted Knighthood, the would-be Knight must swear their Oath of Chivalry (attached below) and Oaths of Fealty, respectively to His Royal Majesty, the King of Mardon and their would-be liege Lord, in sight of the Knight Paramount, of His Royal Majesty, the King of Mardon, their would-be liege Lord, a priest of God and at least one witness. This is so there is no contestation as to the words and vows taken by the would-be Knight.

• -A specific Knighting ceremony must take place prior to being granted Knighthood by the Knight Paramount or His Royal Majesty, the King of Mardon. This ceremony shall be detailed elsewhere.

 

 

Article II.

Status & Conduct

 

Section I.

Gentry Status

 

• -A Knight is a member of the Gentry class of the nobility of the Kingdom of Mardon. They are divided into three categories;

  • Landed Knight - The Epitome of Knighthood, they are granted land to protect and hold

  • Order Knights - Those belonging to a Gentry Order

  • Hedge Knights - Landless, and often wandering Knights who hold no land and belong in no Order

• -The title of Knight of Mardon is non hereditary and thus not passed on to any relations of the Knight.

• -The lands and holdings of the Knight of Mardon are non hereditary and thus not passed on to any relations of the Knight. Upon the passing of the Knight, the lands and holdings are returned to their direct liege Lord to do with as he pleases.

• -As a landed Knight of Mardon, a Knight is free and encouraged, to take on a squire. (Highlighted in Article I, Section I & II).

• -A Knight is to be styled and titled as Ser [Name] of [Knightly fief]. They are to be addressed as Ser and their first name only.

 

Section II.

Laws & Expectations

 

• -As a Knight of Mardon, a Knight is bound by certain oaths and laws. A Knight is also expected to uphold certain standards, though this is not by law, disregarding these will bring shame to the Knight and his sire.

• -A Knight is expected to obey their Oaths of Fealty to their liege Lord, His Royal Majesty, the King of Mardon and all their respective laws.

• -A Knight is expected to care for their lands and pay their taxes to their respective liege Lord.

• -A Knight is expected to answer their liege Lord’s call to war with full force.

• -A Knight is bound by oath and expected to protect and defend the common people of the Realm, regardless of who’s standard they follow.

• -A Knight is bound by oath and law first and foremost, before all oaths, to obey the Knight’s Code of Chivalry (attached below).

• -A Knight is expected to set an example for the people of the Kingdom of Mardon, to act as a beacon of justice, honour and goodness in the Realm.

• -A Knight is expected to be educated in matters of chivalry, faith, combat, strategy, logic, history and equestrianism at the very least.

• -A Knight is expected to be well mannered and polite towards the Nobility, Royalty and peasantry.

• -A Knight is expected to carry and maintain His Sword at all times. A Knight without His Sword is a man without a soul.

• -Impersonating an existing Knight is a violation of the King’s Law and warrants a Severe Punishment.

• -Falsifying Gentry and/or the title of Knight is a violation of the King’s law and warrants a Severe Punishment, by way of the Lexicon of Ashford. (This supersedes all Ducal Laws).

• -Claiming false Knighthood without fulfilling the appropriate criteria is a violation of the Emperor’s Law and warrants a Major Punishment. (This supersedes all Ducal Laws).

 

Section III.

Revocation of Titles

 

• -His Royal Majesty, the King of Mardon, and the Knight Paramount, retains the right to revoke any and all Knighthoods within his Kingdom at any given time.

• -A Knight may have his Knighthood revoked should he break any one of the oaths taken on the day of his Knighting.

• -A Knight may have his Knighthood revoked should he severely violate the Knight’s Code of Chivalry that he is bound by oath to uphold.

• -A Knight may have his Knighthood revoked should he severely violate any of the Laws of the Realm, be they Ducal or Royal.

• -Should a Knight have his Knighthood revoked by the Knight Paramount or His Royal Majesty, the King of Mardon, their liege Lord retains the right to allow the former Knight to retain their lands under a separate non-gentry title, should he so wish.

• -Should a Knight lose his lands through war, natural disaster or any other means, yet retain his life, the Knight shall be known as a Hedge Knight, until he regains his lands or any other under their liege Lord or another. Vagrant and vagabond Hedge Knights are liable to having their Knighthoods revoked.

• -A landed Knight or titled Lord may be placed under investigation should their former squire have his Knighthood revoked.

• -A liege Lord may be held accountable for the actions and crimes of the Knight oathed under them, should their Knighthood be revoked.

 

Article III.

Knight Paramount of the Kingdom of Mardon

 

Section I.

Appointment

 

• -The Knight Paramount is a Privy Seat and Office of the Kingdom of Mardon.

• -The Privy Seat and Office of the Knight Paramount may only be granted by His Royal Majesty, the King of Mardon to a Knight of exceptional valour and honour.

• -The Knight appointed to the Office of Knight Paramount is expected to be well versed in the Knight’s Code and expectations of Knights of Mardon and all appropriate laws.

• -The Knight appointed to the Privy Seat and Office of Knight Paramount is expected to be the definition of a True Knight, acting as an example for all Knights to follow.

• -The Office of Knight Paramount is not hereditary and may be revoked by His Royal Majesty, the King of Mardon at any given time.

 

Section II.

Powers & Responsibilities

 

• -The Knight Paramount is expected to keep up to date with the goings on and dealings of all Knights of Mardon.

• -The Knight Paramount is expected to bring would-be Knights to the attention of His Royal Majesty, the King of Mardon, so that they may be Knighted appropriately.

• -The Knight Paramount is expected to ensure all documents, patents of Nobility and Gentry, as well as any other matters regarding Knights and Knighthood are up to date.

• -The Knight Paramount is expected to ensure all would-be Knights meet the appropriate criteria before being Knighted.

• -The Knight Paramount is expected to oversee all Knighting ceremonies or appoint a representative if he is unavailable.

• -The Knight Paramount is expected to be present at all legal trials regarding Knights and their alleged crimes.

• -The authority to place any existing Knight of Mardon on trial.

• -The authority to place any existing Knight of Mardon under investigation.

• -The authority to place a landed Knight or titled Lord under investigation, provided said Knight or Lord has squired a disgraced Knight.

• -The authority to approve squires to receive Knighthood, upon the approval of His Royal Majesty, the King of Mardon.

• -The the authority to strip a Knight of all titles and Gentry, upon the approval of His Royal Majesty, the King of Mardon.

• -The authority to deny a squire the opportunity to be elevated to Knighthood.

 

Article IV.

 

The Knight’s Code of Chivalry

As revised on the 7th of The Amber Cold, 1470,  by Noble Ser Maric II Varodyr, the Winged Knight and scribed by Ser Akal Ipos.

 

A knight shall live by honour, for glory, and guard the honour of fellow knights.

Honour The Creator and maintain His Church.

Keep the faith and act in righteousness.

He shall serve his liege lord valorously and with conviction.

Persevere to the end in any quest begun and never turn his back upon a foe.
 

-=-

 

A Knight shall not give wanton offense and shall despise pecuniary reward.

Give succour to widows and orphans and regard the honor of women.

He shall offer that which is not needed, to those who are needy.

And safeguard the helpless and uphold the weak.

 

-=-

A knight shall respect those in authority but fight for the welfare of all.

Abstain from Injustice, cruelty and deceit.

He shall be vigilant and show courage, even in the face of evil.

Resolve not with swords what can be with words.

And at all times speak the truth, even if faced with death.

In his blood the creator’s will shall be written.

 

 

 

 

His Royal Majesty, Peter Sigismund of House Horen, Forever August, Duke of Mardon, Marna, Count of Lorath, Cantal, Baron of Darkwood, Gravelhold, and Darkwood.

 

His Highness, Frederick Augustus of House Horen-Preussen, Serene Prince of Pruvia, Duke of Ostland Count of Eastwatch, Knight Commander of the the Knights of St. Owyn, Knight Paramount and the Shield of Mardon

[Jonificus 2763]

((Maybe this time you'll get something done))

[Will (TauFirewarrior) 2466]

"THIS IS ALMOST A CARBON COPY OF MY EDICT!" Remarks Bryce furiously 

[GloriaPreussens 798]

On 5/2/2017 at 5:35 PM, Will (TauFirewarrior) said:

"THIS IS ALMOST A CARBON COPY OF MY EDICT!" Remarks Bryce furiously 

0

 

Frederick winks, having swiped it from old Imperial archives because his was deleted