The Supreme Order of Exalted Owyn

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THE SUPREME ORDER OF EXALTED OWYN

HIS HOLINESS, Owyn III, By the Grace of God High Pontiff of the Church of the Canon, Archbishop of Visigia, Successor of the High Priesthood of the Church, Supreme Pontiff of the Church of True Faith, Keeper of the Canon, Missionary to Aeldin, High Servant to the Exalted's Testaments, Humble Servant of the Faithful and Vicar of GOD does decree . . .

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

SECTION I - EXHORTATION

SECTION II - HISTORY

SECTION III - COAT OF ARMS

SECTION IV - ARMATURE

SECTION V - MEMBERSHIP

SECTION VI - HIERARCHY

SECTION VII - JURISDICTION

SECTION VIII - OATH OF HOLY KNIGHTHOOD

 

SECTION I - EXHORTATION

 

Your illuminated sword, the light in a world darkened. 

Your cross-bearing armour, our defense against evil.

Your arrows are guided by GOD;

Wherever you send them, he shall make them land. 

Your swords anointed with holy oil; 

May it render the rivers of humanity red with the blood of heathens.

You, valiant Knights of GOD. Serve a greater calling that transcends all temporal.

You are to be a Holy Knight of the Supreme Order of Exalted Owyn,

You are the servants of GOD and His House alone. 

Under the light of Owyn’s flames, you shall never falter. 

IGNE NATURA RENOVATUR INTEGRA.

 

 

TE DEUM.

In Nomine Dei,

Pontifex Maximus Owyn III

SECTION II - HISTORY

 

The Holy Order of Knighthood that would eventually become the Supreme Order of Exalted Knighthood was established within the Holy See of Vuillermoz in 1730 FA as the Palatine Guard Order of All-Saints. The Order was first led by Saint Harald Vuiller, who set forth the creeds which the Order follows today: the defense of the Church, the defense of the clergy, and the defense of Canon Law.

 

Upon the passing of Saint Harald into the Seven Skies in 1761 FA, the Order was turned over to his son, Johan Vuiller. The next few decades of the Order’s existence was mired in politics. The Vuillers attempted to establish the Holy See as the hereditary seat of their house, with the regency over the Order as their hereditary title. Border disagreements with the Kingdom of Hanseti-Ruska led to the dissolution of the Order’s home in Vuillermoz and a new home found in the Holy Palatinate of Aquila.

 

Upon the election of Owyn III as High Pontiff of the Church of the Canon, a cleansing of these political elements within the church was conducted. The House of Vuiller was stripped of their hereditary leadership of the Order, allowed to retain the title of Knight-Regent Emeritus, and the Order was reformed as the Supreme Order of Exalted Owyn. It would no longer be tied to House or Land, but be the protectors of the Faithful as a whole. The new head of the Order, Apostolic General Armand-Philippe Talraen de Rennes, was appointed by Owyn III with the charge that the Order would never again devolve to petty politics. 

 

SECTION III - COAT OF ARMS

 

The Coat of Arms of the Supreme Order of Exalted Owyn is the enthroned Exalted Owyn bearing a sword to enforce GOD's will and the Orb of the Canon for the authority granted by the Holy Mother Church. Exalted Owyn wears the Crown of the Kingdom of GOD. A bordure of an alternating castle, representing the Bastion of the Faith, and Owyn's Cross, representing the Pontifex Maximus that founded the Order, surrounds the enthroned Exalted.

 

SECTION IV - ARMATURE

 

Arms and armor for members of the Supreme Order of Exalted Owyn will be provided by the office of the Praefectus Castrorum, the Quartermaster of the Order. Members of the Order are allowed to customize their uniform by adapting the color of the slashes in up to two of four limbs to match their house or temporal liege.

 

 

SECTION V - MEMBERSHIP

 

The Supreme Order of Exalted Owyn is organized with two separate branches under a singular high command. The first branch is the Army of God, laymen tasked with protecting the Faithful in times of need. The second branch is the Order of Knights, sworn Faithful unto death with guarding the Faithful, the Clergy, and the Law of the Canon. To qualify for membership in the Guard, prospective applicants must: 

• Have attained the age of 14;

• Have been baptized as a Canonist and practiced the faith devoutly for at least one year;

• Not have any public notoriety or cause for doubt of their character;

• Not owe oaths of service which would override their service to the Church;

• Be able to swear either lifetime oaths or a seven year term of service, known as a Septannum.

SECTION VI - HIERARCHY AND STRUCTURE

 

AUXILIARY

Auxiliaries are the reservists of the Supreme Order of Exalted Owyn. They do not swear vows, but make a nonbinding promise of obedience. Auxiliaries may discharge their promise at any time; likewise, they are not bound to activity requirements.

 

Auxiliary is an appropriate rank for layman advisors and tradesmen, particularly those providing part-time medical or construction services. Auxiliaries can hold no position of leadership in the Supreme Order of Exalted Owyn.

 

Auxiliary is the only rank appropriate for Canonist priests, who are forbidden from drawing the blood of other Canonists.

 

THE ARMY OF GOD

 

SOLDARIUS

The soldiers of the Army of God. These soldiers are oathed to the Holy Mother Church for a septannum of service. These are usually younger clergymen who cannot commit to an active lifetime service in the field, but who are willing to aid the Holy Mother Church where she may need it.

 

CENTURION

The officers of the Army of God. These battle-hardened soldiers are oathed to the Holy Mother Church for a septannum of service. These are tasked actively training & organizing the soldiers of the Army of God in the field.

 

THE ORDER OF KNIGHTS

 

ARMIGER

The squires of the Order of Knights. These knights-in-training are oathed to the Holy Mother Church for a septannum of service. Armigers are entitled to bear steel in the presence of Church leaders and are assigned to a particular Equestor for training in the ways of the Faith and the blade. An armiger is entitled to the postnominal Esquire.

 

EQUESTOR

The Knights of the Order. After an Armiger passes their trials or is deemed worthy of knighthood without need of a trial by the High Pontiff, they may take lifetime oaths to the Holy Mother Church and become Equestors. An Equestor of the Supreme Order of Exalted Owyn is entitled to the title “Holy Sir” or “Holy Dame” as appropriate to their gender. The rank of Equestor is permanent until death or discharge from the Order through Canon Law.

 

EQUESTOR-CENTURIO

The Knight-Captains, or officers, of the Order of Knights. They carry the task of actively training & organizing the Knights of the Supreme Order of Exalted Owyn in the field. They carry a larger degree of leadership responsibilities and may give orders in absence of higher command.

 

THE HIGH COMMAND

 

EQUESTOR-IMPERATOR

The Knight-Commanders of the Supreme Order of Exalted Owyn. The Knight-Commanders serve as members of the Papal Military High Command, and potential representatives of a regional chapter of the Supreme Order, who aids the Apostolic General in leadership affairs. An Equestor-Imperator is entitled to the honorific “His Excellency.”

 

APOSTOLIC GENERAL

The mandated representative of the Pontifex Maximus, who wields executive authority over all matters pertaining to the Supreme Order of Exalted Owyn until established otherwise by the Pontifex Maximus. Ex officio, he has authority over the Order of Knights, the Army of God, and all laymen sworn in service to the Church. The Apostolic General has been granted the titles of “His Reverend Excellency the Apostolic General, Custodian of the Faith & Sword of Exalted Owyn.”

SECTION VII - JURISDICTION

 

In all cases, the Supreme Order of Exalted Own acts as bodyguards of the priesthood and defenders of the laity. They act under the authority of the Apostolic General in all matters military and act under the authority of the Pontifical Auditor in the enforcement of Canon Law and investigations therein.

 

The Supreme Order of Exalted Owyn operates as a private military organization, licensed by the Secretary of War under the Private Military Organization Act of 1774 in the Holy Orenian Empire. Members 0f the Order have temporal authority to enforce the laws of the Oren Revised Code in the Holy See, Church buildings, and the other temporal holdings of the Church, arresting suspected criminals and referring them to the Ministry of Justice for charge and trial. Members have policing authority but not judicial authority; they may not issue or deliver sentences for lay crimes. Members have no authority to enforce canon law, except where a crime falls under the Oren Revised Code.

 

Outside of the Holy Orenian Empire, members of the Order have only that temporal authority assigned to them by the local government.

SECTION VIII - OATH OF HOLY KNIGHTHOOD

 

Candidates for Equestor are granted that rank by the High Pontiff upon swearing the following oath: 

“I vow to never falter, to obey and guard the laws of GOD, who is the one true Creator.

I vow to be the sword and shield of the Church of the Canon and her faithful, to fight for them when they cannot protect themselves.

I vow to resist the temptations of Iblees and strike down those who have fallen under his dark rule."

 

With the response by the administering official:

“Then rise, [Name], and join your brothers as Holy Sir/Dame [Name and Epithet]. 

You are a Equestor of the Supreme Order of Exalted Owyn and the Church of the Canon, sworn to protect the people of the Canonist faith.

You shall be fair and just, defending the innocent no matter their rank: beggar and bishop alike.”