Ve Staal Preztja | The Steel Pledge

[The Knights Table 906]

Ve Staal Preztja

THE STEEL PLEDGE

 

"The leader of an army must command through unsmirched authority, through dread-forged respect, and with a heart of ice capable of sacrifice. The leader of knights, however, must command through the respect of his peers, through chivalry and virtue, and with love for his companions."

 

- Bozidar Kindheart, Book of the Bogatyr 10:15

 

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For generation, the Knight's Table has played a central role in our Kongzem.

 

Whether as the iron fist of King Heinrik II, or the esteemed companions of King Sigismund III, the virtuous warriors of the Knight's Table have served dutifully since the resurrection of militant Haeseni knighthood in 343 E.S. under King Josef I. Since this rebirth, it has continued to grow and change, with several edicts of reformation having moulded it in the near 50-years since its recreation. These changes have brought with them many fabled Knights who have achieved immortality in song and tale - from Ser Franz the Oracle to Ser Ailred Steelheart - and many Knight Paramounts; the foremost warriors of the Knight's Table who leads and trains them, and stands as most trusted protector and companion of the Crown. Many have occupied the Seat of Slavomir as 1st Knight of the Table since 343 E.S., from Konstantin Wick, to Ser Boris the Persistent, to Ser Alric the Cavalier, to Ser Cedric the Kind, to Ser Karl the Humble. The process of choosing a Knight Paramount to lead the Table has always been the executive decision of the Crown, but it is the will of King Sigismund III - acting Paramount - that such an autocratic appointment does not befit a band of companions such as the Knight's Table, who must exist with respect for their fellow Knights.

 

Therefore, his Majesty establishes the ritual of the Steel Pledge (Naumariav: ve Staal Preztja), inspired by how the Bogatyr of King Barbov of the ancient Raev elected Slavomir Twicedrowned as their leader, in order to elect the next Knight Paramount of the Knight's Table of King Sigismund III.

 

Electing the Knight Paramount - the Steel Pledge

In order to elect the Knight Paramount of the Knight's Table, the following ceremony will take place, and Knights shall not leave the hall until it is concluded;

 

I. The Table will gather before the throne;

II. The Crown will call upon those who wish to take the Seat of Slavomir as Knight Paramount to step forward; 

III. Each candidate will be allowed to speak as to their merits;

IV. After each candidate has spoken, Seated Knights of the Table shall cast their vote by laying bare their weapon at the foot of the Knight they wish to elect to the Seat of Slavomir. Squires and Unseated Knights cannot vote. Candidates may vote. 

V. Should there be a tie, it shall be for the Seated Knights to resolve themselves by way of agreement, for without trust and brotherhood, the Knight's Table stands for naught;

VI. Once there is a consensus, the Crown must bless the election. In exceptional cases where the Crown deems the elected Knight unworthy, they shall intervene. 

 

Once elected, the chosen Knight shall undergo the Drowning of the Blades to become the Knight Paramount, occupant of the Seat of Slavomir, 1st Knight of the Table, and leader of the Knights of Haense. 

 

 

IV JOVEO MAAN

His Royal Majesty SIGISMUND III by the Grace of Godan, King of Hanseti and Ruska, acting 1st Knight of the Table, Grand Hetman of the Army, Prince of Bihar, Dules, Lahy, Muldav, Solvesborg, Slesvik and Ulgaard, Duke of Carnatia and Vanaheim, Margrave of Korstadt, Rothswald and Vasiland, Count of Alban, Alimar, Baranya, Graiswald, Karikhov, Karovia, Kaunas, Kavat, Kovachgrad, Kvasz, Markev, Nenzing, Torun, and Toruv, Viscount of Varna, Baron of Esenstadt, Kraken’s Watch, Kralta, Krepost, Lorentz, Rytsburg, Thurant, Venzia and Astfield, Lord of the Westfolk, Fidei Defensor, Protector of the Highlanders, etcetera.