About the Knights
In a time of darkness and despair, there was no order in the land. Chaos reigned supreme throughout the Kingdom and the people called for champions of justice to bring forward a new age of peace and enlightenment. To this end came a man, a Queen, a family. In this so was the beginning, the Queen took upon herself the chore to find the most trusted and loyal subjects to render unto the crown this service. The service to defend Gwynedd, the church, and the very people of her Kingdom from the invaders, and malcontents of the world.
Unto these people were given the right to bear arms, and to meet justice unto the realm. To preserve the fabric of the Kingdom and the ruling family. These my friends are the knights of Gwynedd.
The Knights of the Order of Saint Michael and Saint George:
Leader of this Order: Sir Finn Wyndhaven
This order of knighthood is of House Wyndhaven; it has served and protected the Kingdom in its time of darkness and in its time of peace. These brave knights have given their very lives time and time again to defend the realm and its people.
This order has its very roots buried in the church of Gwynedd and serves this institution, second only to the Crown. They are the most noble and brave knights known to man. A more pious Order of Knights has never existed in the realm of Aratari. They not only defend the realm and church, but also carry the word of our Lord and Savior across the world. They live by a code and instill this in all their members, and have done so since their inception. This code holds this group together and makes them a brotherhood of House Wyndhaven.
Code Of The Order:
- Serve the Crown unto death.
- Protect women and the weak.
- Champion justice against injustice and evil.
- Love the homeland.
- Defend the Church, even at the risk of death.
The Knights of the Order of Saint Michael and Saint Andrew:
Leader of this Order: Sir Mordecai Haldane
This order of knighthood is one of the oldest in the Kingdom; it has served and protected the Kingdom in its time of darkness and in its time of peace. These brave knights have given their very lives time and time again to defend the realm and its people.
This order has its very roots buried in the church of Gwynedd and serves this institution, second only to the Crown. They are the most noble and brave knights known to man. A more pious Order of Knights has never existed in the realm of Aratari. They not only defend the realm and church, but also carry the word of our Lord and Savior across the world. They live by a code and instill this in all their members, and have done so since their inception. This code holds this group together and makes them a brotherhood the likes of no other.
Code Of The Order:
- Serve the Crown unto death.
- Protect women and the weak.
- Champion justice against injustice and evil.
- Love the homeland.
- Defend the Church, even at the risk of death.
The Order of the Dragon
Leader of this Order: Sir/Kensmen Talon Haldane
This is a military order and one of the most noble Orders in Gwynedd. To attain entrance into this order, is a long hard road of trials. The Order of the Dragon is a group of Knights, Kensmen, Squires, Swordbrothers and Men at Arms whose only purpose is to defend the King and Queen of Gwynedd above all else, and they willingly lay down their lives. In their ranks are some of the best fighters that have ever lived, the Order is nondenominational we welcome all that are up to the task Christian and Pagan alike.
Code Of The Order:
- Serve the Crown.
- Protect the Royal Family.
- Champion the King’s Justice
- Defend the Kingdom’s honor.
- Protect the Queen and the royal bloodline above all from all that would harm them unto death and beyond.
The Order of the Dragon are also responsible for the Queen’s Guard:
To be a Knight of Gwynedd:
1. The weapons of a Knight are any that he/she chooses to learn. There are no weapons that he/she may not learn to use if his/her Knight chooses to teach them to him/her. The only exception to this is the flail. This weapon has been outlawed in the Kingdom of Gwynedd by a vote of the royal council. (See the royal council for more details.)
The Knights Council of Gwynedd:
The Council is set up to allow the knights to meet and discuss the future of the realm and to enlist rules and changes to their title.
The Rules of the Council:
- The meeting is one that should be held at least once a month.
- To attend you must have the rank of Knight. As always the Kinsman are asked to join this Council to give advice on what they hear, however they have no voting capacity on the Council. This invitation is extended to the Knights also in the Kinsman’s Council.
Making of a Squire and Knight:
- The Knight must take responsibility to make sure that the Squire is trained in the ways described above. Over all the Knight’s are a family, and should be thought as such at all times. We are brothers in all we do, our strength is in this one true fact. Face off against one you face us all.
- When a Knight comes forward to announce that his Squire is in fact ready to attain the rank of Knight the Council must take a vote. This vote must be unanimous, if but one Knight says no then the Squire may not attain the rank of Knight. If this happens then the Squire may not be brought forward until the next meeting of the council.
- If the Squire is confirmed then the name is sent forward to the King of Gwynedd. If the King approves him/her, then he/she may then be given the rank of Knight. The ceremony is to take place as soon as the Knight sees fit.
Rights and Responsibility of a Knight in the Kingdom of Gwynedd:
- A newly made Knight will serve in the standing army of Gwynedd in a fashion of a Sergeant at Arms.
- A) In this position the Knight will be responsible to the people that are not of rank. Making sure the weapons are distributed to the levies and that they are ready in all ways to defend the Kingdom. The Knight will work hand in hand with the Kinsman that holds the same rank.
- B) In this we teach not only responsibility to the young Kinsman/Knight but also promote brotherhood and understanding between the two Orders.
- The Knight/Kinsman will serve in this position until such a time as he/she shows that they are ready to attain a true leadership role in not only the army, but in the Council of Gwynedd.
- When a Knight/Kinsman is made he/she is given land from his Knight/Kinsman and is allowed to set upon developing the land as he/she sees fit.
- This is when the new Knight/Kinsman takes upon him/herself to maintain the land for the King and Kingdom and to recruit new solders for the army and defend his/her people.
- The Knight will always be heard when he/she has an issue. He/she will take such issues up with said Lord. His/her liege lord will decide on any issue the Knight has.If the Knight is not satisfied with said Lord’s decision then he/she has the right to take his/her case unto the King to be judged by royal decree.
- It is always suggested that the Knight and his Lord try all avenues before considering this action. Involving the Crown is always a last resort. For as we all know the Crown makes it decision based on the facts of the case and can not be overturned. Be forewarned of this before invoking this right.
- The Knight is responsible for the upkeep of his/her weapons, and that of any Squire he/she may have. If it comes to pass that the Knight fails in this action his/her brothers will punish him/her. Do not allow this to happen my brothers for this very action in and upon its self puts the very Kingdom at risk. Police your brothers well in this, for should it come to the attention of the Crown heads will roll.
- The Right of Justice. In this the Knight has the right to be judged by his peers. If this right is brought forward the Knight may have a trial by jury and in this jury will sit only Knights. The judge of course will be either the head of the Knights order or will be a representative of the Crown.
- 8. The Knight title is that of a Knight of the Realm. All due respect will be shown at all times. Any that show disrespect be it on his/her own head.
- Trial by Combat. This right is given to the Knight if he/she wishes to forgo a jury. The two supplicants will take up arms. The winner will be found in the right. This is a combat to the death.
- If this right is called on it will be the choice of the combatants as to what weapons may be used. No one may interfere with this fight.
- If one of the combatants yields then the other is proclaimed the winner and is found in the right.
- The Right of Taxation. All knights are given the honor to pay a tax to the crown for his title, lands, and persons on such land. The Crown and Council of Gwynedd hand down this tax. Failure to pay tax results in the expulsion of said person from the Kingdom.
- Of course there are reasons we know that may inhibit the paying of taxes this will of course be taken into account. We see this as an honor and will not have it said that we are unjust in the application of such an honor.
- The Right to Title. In this we say that once the rank of Knight has been given it may never be taken from an individual. This title is given for life. This does not mean that the Knight will not be held accountable for his/her actions. Just that, he/her must remember that his/her expulsion from the realm will still in affect cancel any honors, rank, privileges that this title holds. Knights he/she may be, but he/she will be alone in the world without his/her brother
