Chivalry of the Kingdom of Stanislaus

The Royal Knighthood of the Kingdom Of Stanislaus
The Order of the Sable Branch
Rules and Regulations

Section 1: Pages

The title of page is the beginning of the path to chivalry. It is a time when the new page can learn the basics of medieval and renaissance life, gain basic skills and equipment and in the end, develop the necessary knowledge to be able to become a squire.

Requirements To become a page:

1. Must be a member in good standing

2. must possess basic medieval or renaissance clothing

3. must present themselves to a Knight and request to become their page and then have their knight announce their status as page at Court.

Once a member is accepted into the knighthood as a page they are now on the track to becoming a Squire. The page’s knight now is responsible for the basic instruction in courtly manors, fighting arts and to help them acquire equipment necessary for the rank of Squire. The Knight will provide the page with a favor with his or her device upon it. This is to signify that the individual is a page to said knight.

Jobs of the Page:

Must possess at least one flat padded sword.
Must purchase a basic hockey helmet and learn to decorate it
Must have a pair of combat legal gloves
Must possess at least a round shield or buckler (easily made) however, the Page may choose any shield they prefer.
Must possess a field knife (short bladed hunting knife with natural or period handle) MUST be accompanied by a sheath. This is used for basic camp tasks at events such as rope cutting, food prep etc. This item is useful throughout the career of the knight.
Must serve the knight and his squires at feast and at tournament. This may include serving at the feast table, helping their knight into his/her arms and armor, setting up a knights pavilion and furnishings and other tasks.
Must qualify with weapon and shield.

Must possess proper neck protection

Section 2: Squires

A Squire is the backbone of the basic fighting force in the chivalry. They are beginning to become skilled in the fighting arts and have already learned service as a Page. The Squire is learning the Code of Chivalry, becoming proficient in some period craft or skill and has all of the equipment required defending the kingdom from aggression as a member of the household of their knight.

Requirements to become a Squire:

Must have completed the page qualification to the satisfaction of their knight
Must be presented at Court to take the Oath of the Squire (Below)
Must conduct the Squires Vigil

The Oath of the Squire

I,______________ vow to give myself over into service to my Kingdom, House, and Knight and vow to defend the Crown of Stanislaus with my life, my sword and my heart.

The Squires Vigil

The Squires vigil is a time of contemplation. Usually lasting an hour, the Page is allowed time to privately contemplate the tasks and oath he or she has made at court. They must contemplate the agreement they are making with the kingdom, their knight and themselves. The Page may choose to not become a squire without dishonor.

The vigil (like the knights vigil) is set up by the Knight and the details are left to his or her discretion.

Once Becoming a Squire, the real work begins. It is a time where the squire is tested on all manner of tasks. It is a time when he or she will become proficient in many weapons forms, acquire more advanced renaissance items and continue to serve his or her knight both on and off the field.

The Squire must do the following to become a Knight:

Must possess basic combat harness: a proper helmet, neck protection, gloves and gambeson
Must possess basic feast gear
Must help the Lord of Arms develop and register heraldry
Must have said heraldry applied to a 18x 24 banner/tablecloth
Must possess a steel sword and scabbard as well as a way to carry it
Must serve their Knight at feast at all gatherings save their knighting
Must not disgrace the knighthood or the kingdom through drunkenness or boorish behavior
Must possess a lance and pennon
Must possess court garb
Must memorize the Code of Chivalry
Must qualify in 3 weapon forms and possess the weapons required for those forms
Must acquire a surcoat with their heraldry upon it
Must possess a shield with their heraldry on it
Must endure the Knights Vigil
Must be presented in court to recite the Code of Chivalry and to be knighted by the Crown and receive the accolade.
Must show a basic understanding of the Measure

The Code of Chivalry:

A Knight is sworn to valor, his heart knows only virtue, his blade defends the helpless, his might upholds the weak, his word speaks only truth, his wrath undoes the wicked

The 9 Knightly Virtues called “The Measure” as the quality of the knight is measured by his or her adherence to the ideals stated in the measure.

1. Honor

2. Truth

3. Justice

4. Largess

5. Discipline

6. Bravery

7. Humility

8. Piety

9. Service

The Knights vigil is very much like the squires vigil. It requires at least 3 hours. The Squire is asked to remove all fineries except those required for decency. The Squire is then provided with a plain white surcoat with a red cord to bind it. At this vigil, his/her surcoat, helmet, steel sword and shield as well as gloves and boots are arrayed in front of him/her along with a mead horn. The horn is filled with wine or mead (grape juice for those under age) and placed on a table along with the weapons and equipment listed.

Each item represents a different virtue of Knighthood. The Squire who is to be knighted should supply the wine or mead.

· Helmet: the helmet covers the head, symbolically where untruths are born, the helm represents the armor of the oath and measure against the speaking and believing of lies for all speech is measured by such.

· Surcoat: The surcoat represents the honor of the knight. When worn, it proclaims to all who this warrior is. Any actions done while wearing the surcoat, both good and ill are marks on the honor of the wearer.

· Shield: The Shield represents Bravery and Discipline as these two virtues are necessarily combined to make an effective knight. The shield represents bravery as all knights require bravery when going into battle. It represents discipline in that it tempers bravery with prudent defense. This also represents the verbal actions of the knight in that the knight must stand up for what he believes in but not in a boorish or insulting way; but instead, shielded by the measure.

· Sword: the sword represents Justice. The sword is the instrument of the will of the knight, it allows the knight the ability to use force in meting out justice in the lands he or she protects. That the sword is double edged reminds the knight that he is not above the law and that the same justice he/she enforces applies to him/her.

· Boots: the boots represent humility. They are a reminder that all people walk the same earth and that the dirt on the knights boots is the same dirt found on the shoes of the lowest commoner. Likewise, the knight must bear in mind that he holds his station in SERVICE to the people, not so they may serve the knight.

· Gloves: The Gloves represent service and piety. These two virtues go hand in hand as by the hand of the knight, service is rendered. The gloves represent Piety in that they remind the knight that his/her hands should not be sullied by sin as those same hands render supplication to their chosen deity.

· The Mead horn: the mead horn represents Largess. The freely giving of oneself to others. The lack of greedy and selfish thoughts or actions. The mead horn is carried from the vigil chamber at the end of the vigil. At this point the Squire will give the mead horn to the assembled knighthood and guests for the Sacred Sumbel.

The Sacred Sumbel.

This ancient Norse ceremony pays homage to the gods, the ancient heroes and modern heroes. In this ceremony, the mead horn is passed from one to another and toasts are made to the afore mentioned people. During a Knighting Sumbel, the deeds of the Squire are recounted and toasted. It is a reminder to the Knight-to-be of where he/she started from and how far the journey is. The Assembled knights will discuss the oath and measure with the Squire and what it means to become a knight.

The Knights Lieutenant, Bannerette and Commander

The following ranks represent the leadership of the Knighthood before the Crown. In other words, they are the Officers within the knighthood who answer directly to the Crown.

Knights Lieutenant:

This rank is bestowed upon a lay Knight who has shown exemplary service to the crown. The definition of which is left to the Crown but examples may include: Defense of the crown from physical or political attack, going above and beyond the call of duty in battle against a foreign foe, representing the best of the kingdom in some great way whilst in the presence of allies or foreign powers or any other worthy action the Crown finds reasonable.

Knights Bannerette:

This rank is granted to those knights who have squired three members to knighthood. This shows that the individual in question has good leadership skills and is an asset on the battlefield

Knights Commander: This is the leader of the knighthood under the Crown. This person is voted into office by the assembled knights with a vote granted to the Crown and serves for a term of one year. The term limit can be waved in times of war and the Knights Commander can be re-elected every year should the assembled knights agree. The decision rests on a 2/3 vote of the knighthood.

Section 3) Rights and Responsibilities of the Royal Knight.

A Royal knight is a shining example of the chivalric ideal and must reflect this in their conduct on and off the list field.

They will be courteous at all times and will remain vigilant for any threats to the Kingdom of Stanislaus and her allies.

A knight must maintain proficiency with his or her weapon of choice and will demonstrate such in at least three tournaments

A knight must make every effort to take part in any military action in defense or service of the Crown.

A Knight must register legal heraldry with the collage of arms within 3 months of his knighting, this must be displayed on a surcoat or tabard worn on the field and also on a pennon on a lance. Plans for lance and pennon and can be found in the rules and regulations for the Collage of Arms. A Kingdom Herald must approve the heraldic submission.

A Knight must instruct others in the values of chivalry by word and deed. This can be seen in the taking of squires and pages or in instruction at events of non chivalry citizens.

A knight must show due respect to other knights and nobles, even in battle regardless of what banner they fight under. Light banter and the exchange of insults before battle are allowable as long as they are not vulgar.

Section 4: Ranks and Symbols of office of the Royal Knighthood:

Rank Addressed as Symbol of rank

Page	Page	Red Cord Necklace and Their Knights favor on the belt
Squire	Squire	Red belt and silver chain around neck (may also wear tabard with Knight’s badge)
Knight	Sir/Dame	White belt and silver chain
Knight Lieutenant	Worthy Sir	Blue belt and gold Chain
Knight Bannerette	Right Honorable Sir	Blue Belt, Gold Chain and Heraldic Banner on Lance
Knight Commander	Honored Royal Sir	White Belt, Gold Chain, Gold trimmed banner on Lance

Section 5: Courtly Love

Courtly love is an essential part of the life and ideals of the knight and there is a proper way for a knight to act in matters of love and a code of conduct in these matters for those seeking the chivalric ideal. Bear these words well as they do bear weight in how one is viewed. Your place in the knighthood can depend on this.

Virtues of Chivalrous Love:

Modest ~ Attentive ~ Honest ~ Graceful ~ Well Groomed ~ Faithful ~ Discrete ~
Generous ~ Worthy of Praise

The Laws of Chivalrous Love

1. Thou shall keep thyself chaste for the sake of her whom thou lovest.
2. Thou shall not knowingly strive to break up a correct love affair that someone is engaged in.
3. Thou shall not choose for thy love, anyone whom a natural sense of shame forbids thee to marry.
4. Be mindful completely to avoid falsehood.
5. Patience is the greatest virtue of love.
6. In giving and receiving love’s solaces, let modesty be ever present.
7. Thou shalt speak no evil.
8. Thou shalt not be a revealer of love affairs.
9. Thou shalt be in all things polite and courteous.
10. In practicing the solaces of love, thou shalt not exceed the desires of thy lover.n.
3. Thou shall not choose for thy love, anyone whom a natural sense of shame forbids thee to marry.
4. Be mindful completely to avoid falsehood.
5. Patience is the greatest virtue of love.
6. In giving and receiving love’s solaces, let modesty be ever present.
7. Thou shalt speak no evil.
8. Thou shalt not be a revealer of love affairs.
9. Thou shalt be in all things polite and courteous.
10. In practicing the solaces of love, thou shalt not exceed the desires of thy lover.