Edict of Chivalry

[VIROS 2915]

Edict of Chivalry

Issued and confirmed by His Imperial Majesty the Holy Emperor of Oren, Godfrey I

At the will of His Imperial Majesty the Holy Emperor Godfrey I, the ability to raise certain subjects to ranks in the Gentry is hereby granted to subjects of the Holy Empire of Oren outlined herein.

At the will of His Imperial Majesty the Holy Emperor Godfrey I, only the His Honor the Grand Knight of the Holy Empire may permit and assign squires to Knights.

At the will of His Imperial Majesty the Holy Emperor Godfrey I, all Knights must be knighted using the official Ceremony of Knightly Accolade, and shall be held to the Code of Ethics established herein.

At the will of His Imperial Majesty the Holy Emperor Godfrey I, only Ducal, Archducal, or Royal Houses may command a force of House Knights.

Section I

Unrestricted Accolade

The Power to raise any subject of the Holy Empire to a rank in the Gentry is hereby extended to persons holding at least one of the following titles in trust to the Imperial Crown of Oren.

• Reigning Kings and Queens governing Kingdoms within the Holy Empire of Oren
  
• Privy Councilors of the Privy Council of the Holy Empire
  

Section II

Restricted Accolade

The Power to raise subjects of the Holy Oren Empire already in the Gentle, Noble, Royal, or Imperial class to a rank of the Gentle class is hereby extended to persons holding at least one of the following titles in trust to the Imperial Crown of Oren.

• 
  
  
• Reigning Dukes and Duchesses of the Holy Empire of Oren.
  
• Lord Prominents of the Holy Empire of Oren.
  
• Sons of Reigning Kings or Queens governing Kingdoms within the Holy Empire of Oren
  

Section III

House Knights

No House of the Empire shall be permitted to retain House Knights under their command, save for the Great Houses, which shall be defined as those houses whose patriarch administrates a Duchy, Archduchy, or Kingdom of the Empire. All Knights not considered House Knights must subscribe to one of the sanctioned Knightly Orders, as decreed by His Imperial Majesty the Holy Emperor. Knights formerly held as House Knights to houses which do not hold the distinguished status of Great House must report immediately to the Grand Knight of the Holy Empire in order to be assigned to an Order.

Section IV

Squires

Commoners may not be assumed as squires without first being trained in the Order of the Lances of the Holy Empire, and receiving the express and written permission of the Grand Knight of the Holy Empire. Members of the Gentle, Noble, Royal, or Imperial classes may be adopted as a squire without prior training in the Order of the Lances, although they must first be confirmed by the Grand Knight of the Holy Empire.

Section V

The Accolade

The Knightly Accolade is the holy ceremony for raising a man to the rank of Knight. The Ceremony of Knightly Accolade outlined in the Book of Ceremonies must be followed in order for a Knighting to be considered legitimate, and for the man in question to be a true Knight of the Holy Empire.

Section VI

The Ethics of the Knight

The status of Knighthood is a holy state, granted in trust from both the God of the One True Faith and His Imperial Majesty the Holy Emperor of Oren. Knights are therefore held to a higher standard than other subjects of the Holy Empire. Knights who do not strictly obey the following code shall be stripped of their title.

• The Knight shall protect the honor and safety of women, children, and innocents.
  
• The Knight shall obey the orders of and give respect to his superiors.
  
• The Knight shall not have carnal knowledge outside of holy matrimony.
  
• The Knight shall not flee from combat.
  
• The Knight shall not enter into combat unjustly.
  
• The Knight shall not enter into combat without formally challenging his opponent.
  
• The Knight shall not be unjust.
  
• The Knight shall not be irreligious.
  
• The Knight shall not be treasonous.
  
• The Knight shall not tolerate the Heretic, nor the Witch, nor the Criminal, nor the Usurper.
  
• The Knight shall not break his oaths, nor bear false witness.
  

[ski_king3 0]

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