The Norlandic Book of Thanes

[Narthok 10416]

The Norlandic Book of Thanes

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Preamble

 

The Kingdom of Norland holds a long tradition of Thaneship. Those warriors that set themselves apart on the field of battle being granted the title of Thane to one of the lords of the realm. It is only in recent years that the practice of Knighthood has become more popular amongst some of the younger warriors, masquerading as Knights without any official knighthood. Hence in the interest of preserving the traditions of the peoples and the realms the Holy Hearth council does conceive the Book of Thanes. Wherein the great warriors of each Holdfast shall be recorded for posterity and legitimacy.

 

The Kingdom of Norland is divided into a hierarchy of holdfasts and lords. Each lord, no matter the rank is extended the privilege of granting warriors of their retinue to position of Thane. Those wishing to grant this position to one of their followers must make their intentions known to the scribes at the High Hearth Monastery, that the new Thanes may be recorded in the annals of the Book of Thanes. Those bearing the rank of Thane are considered gentry under the Norlandic code. As such they are entitled to all of the rights and privileges enclosed therein. In addition to that outlined in the scrolls, the Thane is given the right to style themselves as ‘Herr’.

 

One may only become an annointed Thane of the realm if they taken the All Father into their heart. As a defender of the realm the Thanes must serve as an exemplar of what it means to be Norlandic. Hence those bearing the title of Thane are initiated into a brotherhood adhering to a strict code of conduct. In failing to adhere to this conduct a Thane may be stripped of their ranks and titles by a collection of their brethren.

 

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The Thannic Code

 

The following precepts are the triumvirate of oaths that dictate that daily life and service of the Thanes of Norland. While the Thanes of Norland may be bound to specific clans, holdfasts and lordlings, their overarching duty is to the realm and the All Father. It is this brotherhood of elite warriors that supersedes petty territorial conflicts and unifies the best of the realm into a unified bastion that protects the realm from all that would bring it harm.

 

1. My blade to the king, my body to the realm
2. My actions shall heed the Father's Code
3. I will uphold the Norlandic Scrolls

 

Concerning Thannic Conduct

 

While the Thannic code does expect a certain level of conduct from the Thanes of the realm it does recognize their status as fighting men and men of Norland, hence it shall exercise some leniency. As exemplars of Norlandic virtue and value the Thanes of Norland are expected to act in a certain fashion. When confronted with a fellow Thane or a lord of the realm the Thane is expected to respectfully bow their head and address the subject with their appropriate sttylings and titles. The Norlandic Thane is expected to act in a pious fashion, and to ensure that the All Father’s name is not disrespected within their presence. Thanes of Norland are expected to patrol the length and breadth of the realm and assure that is free of crime or banditry. In finding some it is to be rooted out and those citizens that have suffered are to be given immediate aid.

 

When conflict arises from within the ranks of the Thanes there are a number of available solutions. Firstly, as gentry of Norland the Thanes may appeal to the crown for their right to a trial. Should this option prove unattractive then Thanes are to resolve disputes internally. Conflicts of a personal nature that arise between a Thane and another individual of gentry ranking or nobility ranking are to be resolved via a ring of rods. A circle of wooden branches is to be placed on the ground and the two conflicting parties are to fight until satisfaction or until death. Should the conflict be of a legal nature, be it a violation of the Thannic code, the tenets of the All Father or the Norlandic scrolls then Thanes must turn to a different solution. These violations must be confronted and judged by a collection of Thanes. Should the crimes of the offending Thane be true or significantly severe then the offending individual shall find themselves stricken from the Book of Thanes.

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Recognized Thanes of the Realm

 

Name:

Title:

Holdfast:

Deeds:

 

[Narthok 10416]

45 minutes ago, Hero_Prodigy said:

“You lot have a lot of dukes, lords, and chiefs too.” Comments Alain 

1

Upvote

"A whole zero dukes it would seem" responds Arthas to the air
 

[_pr0fit 3084]

3 hours ago, Hero_Prodigy said:

“You lot have a lot of dukes, lords, and chiefs too.” Comments Alain 

 (( You filled out the form wrong, but keep in mind they don't give out thaneship for bravery in a battle that you die in.))