Antoran Chivalry: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Redgirl and knight01.jpg|thumb|301x301px|''The Rest,'' 1877, displays an idealized Antoran knight and his maiden|alt=The Rest, 1877, displays an idealized Andoran knight and his maiden]]
'''
The idea of chivalry in
Chivalry is ingrained heavily into the culture of
== Terminology & Origins ==
The origins of the [[Staynish]] word 'chivalry' are disputed, but scholars have noted a relationship to the [[Impelanzan]] word '
As the ''caballeros'' became more and more pervasive in cultural understandings of war, the idea of formations of mounted soldiers spread from the coastal regions to the
The codification of chivalry and the acts of ''caballeros'' into a hard set of rules began with the writing of ''To Become an Ideal Cavalier'' in 1149. Penned by the [[Tunseism|Tunesism]] scholar Guilliam de Cartevija, it was the first literary work to describe in detail the responsibilities and expectations placed upon a ''caballero'' and how he should act to accomplish them. With some obvious but not direct religious overtones, the work was generally accepted as a good guide on comportment. In 1203 it was joined by the
==== de Vries Noble Commandments ====
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# Thou shalt observe the world and make effort to rid it of the unjust, the deceitful, the liars, and the treacherous.
Further texts, such as the 1297 work ''The Great Deeds'', which chronicled the life of ''caballero'' Frederico de Largo and his efforts to always act with moral goodness, and the 1321 anthology ''Fifteen Virtues'', a collection of fifteen poems about different knights and their triumphs over different obstacles, can be considered part of the courtly romance and romantic chivalry movement of
As Tunesism fell out of use in
==
[[File:Joan of Arc - John Everett Millais.jpg|alt=Marta Lilía de Conzelaña, widely considered the most famous woman knight, was said to be the perfect embodiment of all Precepts, here depicted kneeling in armor and a red skirt holding a sword, looking upwards|thumb|200x200px|Marta Lilía de Conzelaña, widely considered the most famous woman knight, was said to be the perfect embodiment of all Precepts]]
The
The Precepts are still used today as the code for the knights of
# As a knight, you will perform the duty required of you by your lord and your monarch, so long as the duty is Fair, Just, and Good.
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# As a knight, you will be in all things Fair, Just, and Good, as the expectations of your people, lord, and monarch are with you at all times.
# As a knight, you will maintain your physical and mental prowess, for you have earned this office in the expectation you will use your prowess when called upon.
# As a knight, you will exercise the prowess of which you
# As a knight, you will never act with enmity towards those with less than you, even if they are criminal or enemy, for all people deserve respect.
# As a knight, you will use only commensurate force against those you are called to combat, and never cause undue or collateral harm.
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# As a knight, you will have the power to make those who embody the heritage and ideals of your office into knights of honor, so long as it is documented and recorded for your lord and monarch.
The courtly reforms were so successful that the royal knights of Réal quickly became made up of only the most skilled, moral, and responsible ''caballeros'' in the Kingdom. The common folk brought most issues before a royal knight to be judged rather than their own
=== Aspects of a Knight ===
According to tradition, there are several Aspects of knighthood that are essential for someone to function and be viewed as a 'true' knight.
First and most importantly is the actual act and record of being knighted, known as Creation. A person who possesses any chivalric title may dub another person as a Knight, through proper ceremony and paperwork. This involves tapping both shoulders of the dubbee twice with a sword, a sprinkling of olive oil across the forehead, and having them repeat each of the fourteen Precepts before reciting "I am a knight, and a knight I shall die, save if I dishonor they who have granted me this boon." This is considered the spiritual beginning of the new knight, though the dubber must fill out an official document, currently a legal form known as a C-180-k. This document requires an explanation for the knighting and must be cosigned by the dubbee and two witnesses. This document is then sent to the Ministry of Civil Services for archival and is then sent to the Monarch, who reviews and rubber stamps it. However, only the Monarch may grant a person
[[File:Ming Gold Belt Plaques (16907707407).jpg|thumb|225x225px|An ornate example of a knight's belt, which would be connected by interlocking hinges and backed by a felt band.|alt=An ornate example of a knight's belt, about two dozen golden plates about the size and shape of playing cards decorated with animal carvings and gemstones, which would be connected by interlocking hinges and backed by a felt band.]]
Second, are the Arms of a knight, which involve the traditional military functions they are expected to perform. These are the Mount, the Armor, and the Weapon. Convention dictates that all these must be in good, functional condition and well taken care of. A knight who was found to be missing parts of his armor, or had no lance, or rode an old pony would be dismissed from the troop and if unlucky, stripped of his knighthood. While the specifics on the Arms are not set in stone, it was generally expected that a knight have at least a lance, a side arm of some kind be it sword, axe, or mace, armor that at least covered his chest, head, and hands, and a horse that was in good physical condition and of a certain size. The fashion of the Arms would change with the time period, most often due to advances in armor making. Modern knights can fulfill these Aspects through an armored vehicle of some kind, which they need only ride in and not necessarily drive, a long gun and a sidearm, and body armor. Some more traditional members of the chivalric school of thought will use body armor that is evocative of medieval designs and carry a sword or baton.
The third Aspect is the Gold. Knights would wear a set of gold spurs, a belt of gold plates, and often a collar of the same. They would traditionally receive these at their knighthood ceremony from the officiant or dubber, and be expected to wear at least the spurs while in armor and the belt at formal occasions, though it was up to the individual to decide what to wear, when. Lack of Gold is viewed as a sign a knight is an unsuccessful or failed soldier, as it implies they cannot fight well enough to either buy their own Gold or have the favor of a wealthy enough patron to provide them Gold. In a similar vein, official squires of knights would be given silver spurs by tradition, to trade in for gold once they reached knighthood. Today, most knights who follow tradition will use a single gold plate belt buckle and gold pins on their shoes.
== Modern Chivalry ==
There are two major influences that chivalry has had on
=== Types of Knights ===
There are different 'ranks' of knights in
The most basic type of knight is simple a 'Knight,' or ''Caballero.'' The rank is non-peerage, meaning the holder cannot be elected to the House of the Nobility and cannot be afforded the Privileges of a lord, and non-hereditary. A Knight is formally afforded the title of 'The Honorable' and may attach the suffix 'cb.' to their name. According to Staynish language conventions, Knights may use the alternative titles of 'Sir,' 'Dame,' or 'Cavalier' depending on their preferences. This rank is often used outside the military as an acknowledgement of an individuals service to the
The next step up from a ''Caballero'' is a 'Knight Sergeant,' the ''Sargento Caballero''. This rank is similarly non-peerage and non-hereditary. It does, however, afford the holder a small state pension. A King Sergeant is granted the title 'The Honorable Sergeant' and may use the suffix 'sc.' While having the same Staynish conventions, this level of knighthood is used for non-military award to politicians, humanitarians, and diplomats who have achieved great successes.
The next rank is known as the 'Knight Captain,' the ''Capitán Caballero.'' This rank is non-hereditary, but does grant the bearer the same Privileges as a
Above Knight Captain is 'Knight Commander,' known as the ''Commandanté Caballero''. It is a peerage rank equivalent to a Viscount, and holders can be elected as Bailiffs and recieve a more robust pension than Knight Captains. Knight Commanders are afforded the official title of 'The High Honorable' and use the suffix 'cmc.' As a Staynish title, Knight Commanders may use 'High Honorable Sir,' 'High Honorable Dame,' or 'High Honorable Cavalier.' Recipients of this knighthood are most often accomplished military officers or nobles who have performed an extraordinary service to the state or people.
The highest knighthood outside of the Chivalric Orders is the 'Knight Banneret,' otherwise known as the ''Banderado Caballero.'' Unlike all other ranks, it is both hereditary and peerage, elevating the recipient to the equivalent of a Count and granting them a small area of land for them to help administrate and receive revenue from. This allows them to be elected to the House of the Nobility as a Lord rather than a Bailiff. A rare title, only granted to those the monarch personally deems to be of the highest deed and moral fiber, it comes with the caveat that once someone inherits it, they must be tested by the reigning monarch to see if they are worthy of carrying on the knighthood. If they are not, the rank is downgraded to that of Knight Commander and the associated lands will revert to the
The authority to make a knight rests ultimately with the monarch, who according to the First Constitution is afforded the power amongst those that deal with managing armory and nobility. The Constitution states that "all chivalric deeds and titles are derived from, and source authority from, the Monarch, who retains the ultimate ability and right to dispense the acknowledgement of chivalry in the form of titles and grants." However, in medieval times, any
=== Chivalric
The Chivalric
[[File:Romanian Armed Forces coat of arms.jpg|thumb|150x150px|Badge of the Order of the Golden Eagle|alt=Badge of the Order of the Golden Eagle, depicting an eagle holding blue lightning bolts in its talons and a gold cross in its beak]]
==== The Order of the Golden Eagle ====
The Order of the Golden Eagle
[[File:
The ranks of the Order are unique in that they give the bearer military authority over knights of a similar rank. Contemporary members of the Order must be
[[File:Badge of the Order of Alcantara.svg|thumb|150x150px|Badge of the Order of Eleçeron|alt=Badge of the Order of Eleçeron, depicting a green four pointed cross with fluer de lis on each point]]
The Order of the
In the modern day, Knights of the
==== The Chivalric Order of Eleçeron ====
The Chivalric Order of Eleçeron was created in 1563 by King Marius Sancho of Réal. Intended to bolster the ranks of knights during the Thirty Year's Bloodshed, the Order is the first
The ranks of the Order are very limited: only two could be achieved, Knight and Knight-Sergeant. Due to this Order being open to the peasantry, it only had ranks that were felt necessary to military operations.
In the present day, the Order still accept applications as a form of secondary education testing, akin to a junior officers program. Applicants are put through a rigorous training assessment of physical and mental capabilities. If they pass they are permitted to enroll in the [[Descarai]] Combat Academy, the nation's premiere military school, and receive the rank of First Lieutenant upon graduation as opposed to Second Lieutenant. Graduation from DCA also automatically earns them the rank of Knight in the Chivalric Order. The rank of Knight-Sergeant is awarded to Knights of the Order if they retire from the military with at least the rank of Major.
==== The Chivalric Order of Santa Claudia ====
[[File:Badge of the Order of Calatrava.svg|thumb|150x150px|Badge of the Order of Santa Claudia|alt=Badge of the Order of Eleçeron, depicting a red four pointed cross with fluer de lis on each point]]
The Chivalric Order of Santa Claudia was created in 1565 by King Félipe I of Casilló. In direct response to the Order of Eleçeron, this Order was not as restrictive in its skill criteria, but it did have a major difference - it was only open to women of noble birth. With a large portion of the male population fighting the war on the front lines, there were gaps in the defenses of the Arranzic heartland which began to be exploited by knights of the Order of Eleçeron. To combat this, Félipe I created the Order of Santa Claudia, which used nearly the same badge as its rival: a Cross of Santo Abrosius, except red instead of green. Open to any lady who was able to display leadership qualities and could equip herself as a knight, the Order of Santa Claudia was charged with building fortifications, training militias, and serving as a military authority in territories whose lords and knights were already in the field. The Order was a resounding success, with many members becoming respected community leaders and, in the case of Marta Lilía of Conzelaña, performing so well as a militia commander that her unit was inducted into the Royal Arranzic Armed Legions.
The rank structure of the Order was designed to provide a chain of command for rear-line defensive troops. The first rank was the Maiden Knight (''Caballera'') who organized small patrol units, and reported to a Maiden-Sergeant (''Sergenta Doncella'') who was responsible for overseeing the security of a particular area. These Maiden-Sergeants would in turn be subordinate to a Maiden-Captain (''Capitana Doncella'') who was the highest military authority in the fief if the lord was not present. This structure worked much the same as regular military security, but provided the women the authority to command the peasantry they would lack if they remained unknighted nobles.
In the modern era, the Order of Santa Claudia is traditionally awarded to women who have achieved something noteworthy like a scientific breakthrough or foreign policy deal. Members of any branch of the Royal Antoran Defense Forces may apply for membership, based on the merits of their service record. This is usually done when a soldier is transitioning from active service to a staff or flag role. For non-women members of the Order, the ranks instead progress from Knight to Captain of Santa Claudia.
==== The Chivalric Order of Málama ====
[[File:
The Chivalric Order of Málama was created in 1566, also by King Félipe I. Over the course of the Thirty Year's Bloodshed, the territory between Réal and Casilló became a war-torn frontier. This region was travelled across and battled over thousands of times, changing hands back and forth. Félipe I decided to create another Order of knights to help hold the territory in Casilló's name
The only rank besides the Grand Master is that of Knight-Mayor (''Alcalde Caballero'', or ''Gobernador Caballero''.) Knights of this Order were given legal administrative control over whatever land they could hold against the enemy, and commonly set policies and tax rates for the settlements in their purview. This had some problems, especially with several of the larger Knight-Mayor polities turning to banditry after the war. However, most Knight-Mayors had only a few dozen to a hundred soldiers in their command and generally fortified and defended a single town or castle, and the surrounding region.
Modern use of the Order is to provide a special status to the administrators of towns or provinces. While being a Knight-Mayor does not confer any actual administrative powers, it does carry prestige and influence and often can see members of the Order elected to higher offices such as the Popular Assembly.
[[File:RedEagleOrderBadge.png|thumb|Badge of the Order of the Red Eagle]]
==== The Chivalric Order of the Red Eagle ====
{{Main article|Chivalric Order of the Red Eagle}}
The Chivalric Order of the Red Eagle is the youngest order. It was created in 2022 by King [[Sebastián II]] together with his brother, Prince-Emeritus [[Astolfo de Naranza-Carratéo|Astolfo]]. The Prince-Emeritus had recently re-entered public life after being believed dead for over thirty years. He had built himself as the leader of the world's most prominent mercenary company under a false identity. His exposure of corruption and treason within the government led to wide-sweeping reforms, including that of the Royal Corric Guard. The King agreed to include the most skilled and trusted members of Astolfo's [[The Company of the Quill|Company of the Quill]] alongside the Guard to create an organization that not only protects against threats to the Monarch, but to Antora as well, even if said threat is the Monarch themselves. The Order of the Red Eagle is the most militant of any current Order, maintaining a standing force of elite soldiers independent of any other organization. Membership is highly exclusive and is an appointment given only to those soldiers who have proven their fitness, skill, wit, and loyalty to the nation and its people. A special review board for addressing personnel needs and vetting candidates exists within the Order to limit the influence other government departments have over membership.
The rank structure is divided between three branches: The Silver Band, the Red Band, and the Black Band. The Silver Band assumes much of the duties of the Royal Corric Guard by guarding the members of the royal family and their residences, as well as important government officials and locations. The Red Band is a special enforcement, defense, and emergency situation unit that deals with matters of domestic security and special assignments not suitable for the armed forces. Black Band is an investigative security unit that operates in parallel with the various Cabinet intelligence agencies: the Department of Investigation's Special Questioning Unit, the Department of Public Security's Domestic Integrity Office, and the Department of Interconnectivity's Office of Special Representatives. Within the Silver and Red Bands, ranks mirror that of the regular Armed Legions and range from OR-4 Knight-Corporal (''Cabo Caballero'') to OF-3 Knight-Commander (''Comandanté Caballero''.) The Silver Band also has the unique ranks of Warden of the Royal Household, Sentinel of the Royal Blood, and Paladin of the Royal Body. These are ceremonial positions that denote the position of soldiers within the Band; most are Wardens, carrying out whatever duties are required, few are Sentinels responsible for the safety of the royal family and their personal property, and fewer still are Paladins with the distinct honor of serving as personal, permanent guards of members of the royal family. The Black Band, meanwhile, possesses a rank system more in line with an intelligence agency.
Members of the Order of the Red Eagle are granted substantial benefits along with their title of knighthood, though functionally all possess a rank within the peerage equivalent to that of a Knight-Sergeant, making them ineligible for political or land privileges. Upon admission, a Band-appropriate colored metal badge is issued to distinguish members from each other.
=== Knightly Orders of Antora ===
Distinct from the Chivalric Antoran Orders, the Knightly Orders of Antora are independent organizations that do not draw authority or patronage from the Monarchy. In structure, they are mostly identical to the Chivalric Orders. Each has a series of ranks and responsibilities for members as well as individual traditions. None can claim the history or prestige of the Chivalric Antoran Orders, however; the oldest, the Order of the Oak Arrow, was founded in 1855. The Knightly Orders are geared more towards traditional chivalric values and action than the Chivalric Orders, which exist today as more of a system of status and accomplishment. Each Knightly Order manages their own members, funds, and operations. The Monarchy allows them to operate on their own in exchange for Oaths of Honorable Fealty that prevent the Orders from acting against the interests of the Antoran state, people, or the Monarchy itself.
==== Knightly Order of the Oak Arrow ====
The Knightly Order of the Oak Arrow is the oldest Knightly Order, founded in 1855 in Cartevedra. Created by a group of merchants, craftsmen, foresters, and lower nobles, this Knightly Order is distinct in their admission of any who wish to join. The Order's mission statement is the preservation, care, and protection of the nations' natural environment, expanded in 1917 from the original which was concerned mainly with large areas of forest. Members of the Order belong to 'Troops' based in their local area and perform a variety of tasks for ecological upkeep depending on their Troop; some will run fundraisers and public outreach programs, some will proactively repair degraded ecologies, and some act as law enforcement officials for protected areas. Ranks within all Troops follow the same model: Fellow, Trustee, Guard Second Class, Guard First Class, Corporal, Sergeant, Captain, Commander, and Paladin. While mostly modeled after other knightly ranks, the Order of the Oak Arrow does not adhere to traditional chivalric military standards. Rather, advancement of rank is dependent on a board of an individual's peers and superiors which reviews acts of community service and protection of the environment. As a whole, comparisons have been drawn between the Order and 'scouting' type organizations in other nations. As Knightly Orders can be categorized as militias, fraternities, extensions of the government, and nonprofit organizations, these comparisons are relatively surface-level.
==== Knightly Order of the Southern Sun ====
The Knightly Order of the Southern Sun is a martial order that has existed in various forms since 1401. Founded in Casilló by Volscine knights settling in Iravala, the Order has evolved from a community defense force to a paramilitary group that blends traditional HAMA practices with modern special forces training. They are widely considered second only to the Chivalric Order of the Red Eagle in combat effectiveness. Ranks follow the traditional model: Knight, Knight Sergeant, Knight Commander, Knight Captain, Knight Banneret, and Master of the Order. Bannerets lead the individual Chapters, of which there are four. The First Chapter is still based in Iravala, while the largest, the Second, is attached to the 1st Venture Legion "Silver Cross Cavaliers" deployed to Volscina.
==== Knightly Order of the Sapphire ====
==== Knightly Order of the Gear ====
==== Knightly Order of the Scroll ====
=== Military ===
[[File:Leopard 2E.jpg|thumb|200x200px|Tank crews such as this one in the
The [[Royal Corric Armed Legions|Royal Antoran Armed Legions]] organization still uses the system of ''caballeros'' and ''lanzas:'' the most basic unit of troops, which would be called a squad in other nations, is called a lance. A platoon, meanwhile, is called a file, usually containing three to four lances. A collection of files is called a band or squadron, rather than a company
=== Social ===
Chivalry has become part of the general
There exists a concept known as 'casual chivalry' in
For ethnically Corric people, honor remains a deeply important part of their culture. One of the less-altered concepts of chivalry, honor can be argued to be a component of chivalry, and chivalry a component of honor. Regardless of specifics, honor is generally viewed as the willingness to act fairly, justly, and equitably and to represent ones self and the position one holds with good standing. Allowing an opponent to pick up a dropped weapon in a fight is seen as honorable, while conversely goading an enemy into a fight and then having another person shoot them is seen as dishonorable. This concept has translated into an economic and social view of honor as well. Companies that lay off domestic workers only to outsource labor are seen as extremely dishonorable, especially when the foreign workers have drastically worse pay and conditions.
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