Post by Jenna on Aug 31, 2014 19:03:14 GMT -5
Feudalism:
This is a strictly defined hierarchy of lieges and vassals that breaks down to reflect each social class. To keep things simple and easy, we'll cover it by each class.
Ruling Class - The ruling class is the vassals of the King, who is the Liege. Each Duke swears an oath of fealty to the King as their Liege, administrating their House lands in the King's name. In exchange, the King can collect taxes, require tribute and call upon his vassals for military assistance. He does not contact the House Members, but strictly the Lord of the House - in this case, the Duke.
The various members of the Ducal House are NOT required to swear an oath of fealty to the King. That is what the Duke is for.
If a Duke betrays this oath, the King has the right to remove him from the position, to declare him an outlaw and hold him accountable for his crimes. If the King betrays his oaths to his vassals, the vassals can conspire to remove the King... but don't get caught at it.
Noble Class - This applies to the legitimately born members of each Ducal House and the Vassal Lords with their households (Barons/Earls). Each member of the Ducal House/each Vassal Lord and family is required to swear an oath of fealty to the Duke, providing the strength of his or her arm, the wisdom of his or her mind and a percentage of profits to the Duke. In exchange, the Duke protects their interests with the King, provides housing, food, clothing and opportunities for advancement.
If a House member betrays the oath to the Duke or their Vassal Lord, they can be arrested and tried for their crimes, disowned, rejected by the House and stripped of title, lands, wealth and sent forth with nothing. If the Duke or Baron/Earl betrays the oath to the vassal, the Duke/Baron/Earl runs the risk of being betrayed or abandoned by those vassal lords.
If a House member wants to change allegiance, he or she MUST request to be released from their present oath. If this is not done, the House member can be labeled an oathbreaker, a traitor to the House and forced to accept the consequences of a broken oath. Just be aware of this before your character jumps ship.
Illegitimate/Merchant/Gentry Class - This is where feudalism starts getting murky. They can offer their oaths to a Liege Lord, but are not extended the same protections as a noble. The demands tend to be higher of these vassals without as much to show for it. That doesn't mean there's no honoring of oaths, but it's very much give-or-take here.
Chivalry:
We've all heard of this, so we'll keep it very short. Chivalry is an oath sworn by each Knight when he or she is given their spurs, chain and belt. They agree to uphold the tenets of honor, honesty, courage, courtesy, protection of all women, children and the weak, loyalty to fellow knights and lieges, and maintaining virtues.
The King alone doesn't make knights in Archades. In order to become a Knight, a character must have been a squire to an existing Knight (yes, the Knight can be NPC). When the time is right, the squire is raised to the rank of Knight. An oath must be sworn to the Lord under which the character is made a Knight (always a Vassal or Duke), and in exchange, the knight is invested with the symbols of his rank, often receiving a new horse, sword and shield as well.
If a Knight wishes to serve a different Banner, the knight must approach the Lord who holds that Banner to be released from the Lord's service. If he does not, he can be stripped of his Knighthood, which has serious consequences. Once stripped of knighthood, it is very difficult to reclaim. Please keep this in mind - chivalry follows the same basic hierarchy as feudalism.
Medieval Society:
In short, this is how medieval society worked:
- Society is patriarchal. It is mostly run by men.
- Women can lead, but it takes a strong, clever or wily woman to do it.
- Men go to war, women keep the home fires burning, bear children and support the House.
- A married woman has more influence than an unmarried woman.
- Sons are the wards of their fathers until they are 16.
- Daughters remain wards of their fathers or brothers until they are married.
- The Lord of the House is responsible for his House - its protection, its promotion and its influence. He is able to use each and every member of the House for the good of all within the House, including their marriages.
- Love is a fantasy. In this world, you marry for property, trade, wealth or alliance.
- Serving at Court is an honor to be sought.
- Courtesy is just a smart move.
This is a strictly defined hierarchy of lieges and vassals that breaks down to reflect each social class. To keep things simple and easy, we'll cover it by each class.
Ruling Class - The ruling class is the vassals of the King, who is the Liege. Each Duke swears an oath of fealty to the King as their Liege, administrating their House lands in the King's name. In exchange, the King can collect taxes, require tribute and call upon his vassals for military assistance. He does not contact the House Members, but strictly the Lord of the House - in this case, the Duke.
The various members of the Ducal House are NOT required to swear an oath of fealty to the King. That is what the Duke is for.
If a Duke betrays this oath, the King has the right to remove him from the position, to declare him an outlaw and hold him accountable for his crimes. If the King betrays his oaths to his vassals, the vassals can conspire to remove the King... but don't get caught at it.
Noble Class - This applies to the legitimately born members of each Ducal House and the Vassal Lords with their households (Barons/Earls). Each member of the Ducal House/each Vassal Lord and family is required to swear an oath of fealty to the Duke, providing the strength of his or her arm, the wisdom of his or her mind and a percentage of profits to the Duke. In exchange, the Duke protects their interests with the King, provides housing, food, clothing and opportunities for advancement.
If a House member betrays the oath to the Duke or their Vassal Lord, they can be arrested and tried for their crimes, disowned, rejected by the House and stripped of title, lands, wealth and sent forth with nothing. If the Duke or Baron/Earl betrays the oath to the vassal, the Duke/Baron/Earl runs the risk of being betrayed or abandoned by those vassal lords.
If a House member wants to change allegiance, he or she MUST request to be released from their present oath. If this is not done, the House member can be labeled an oathbreaker, a traitor to the House and forced to accept the consequences of a broken oath. Just be aware of this before your character jumps ship.
Illegitimate/Merchant/Gentry Class - This is where feudalism starts getting murky. They can offer their oaths to a Liege Lord, but are not extended the same protections as a noble. The demands tend to be higher of these vassals without as much to show for it. That doesn't mean there's no honoring of oaths, but it's very much give-or-take here.
Chivalry:
We've all heard of this, so we'll keep it very short. Chivalry is an oath sworn by each Knight when he or she is given their spurs, chain and belt. They agree to uphold the tenets of honor, honesty, courage, courtesy, protection of all women, children and the weak, loyalty to fellow knights and lieges, and maintaining virtues.
The King alone doesn't make knights in Archades. In order to become a Knight, a character must have been a squire to an existing Knight (yes, the Knight can be NPC). When the time is right, the squire is raised to the rank of Knight. An oath must be sworn to the Lord under which the character is made a Knight (always a Vassal or Duke), and in exchange, the knight is invested with the symbols of his rank, often receiving a new horse, sword and shield as well.
If a Knight wishes to serve a different Banner, the knight must approach the Lord who holds that Banner to be released from the Lord's service. If he does not, he can be stripped of his Knighthood, which has serious consequences. Once stripped of knighthood, it is very difficult to reclaim. Please keep this in mind - chivalry follows the same basic hierarchy as feudalism.
Medieval Society:
In short, this is how medieval society worked:
- Society is patriarchal. It is mostly run by men.
- Women can lead, but it takes a strong, clever or wily woman to do it.
- Men go to war, women keep the home fires burning, bear children and support the House.
- A married woman has more influence than an unmarried woman.
- Sons are the wards of their fathers until they are 16.
- Daughters remain wards of their fathers or brothers until they are married.
- The Lord of the House is responsible for his House - its protection, its promotion and its influence. He is able to use each and every member of the House for the good of all within the House, including their marriages.
- Love is a fantasy. In this world, you marry for property, trade, wealth or alliance.
- Serving at Court is an honor to be sought.
- Courtesy is just a smart move.