Norman Knighthood

Knightly crest mentioned on Stormark's forums. It was used between 1673-1685.

The institution of knighthood within Norman society represented a complex hierarchy of service, land tenure, and loyalty. Knights were not a uniform class but rather divided into several categories, distinguished by their relationship to their liege lord or lady, their degree of dependence, and the resources available to them.

While some knights were essentially retainers, dependent on their masters for sustenance and pay, others possessed their own estates and exercised considerable influence over the peasantry and armed men within their holdings. The two most significant categories of Norman knights were the épée lige and the chevalier fieffé, though within these groups further distinctions could be made, such as bouclier lige and chevaliers de la maison.

Knighthood has held a social status among the Udalfolk and (Ark)nobles since ancient times. Unlike the (Ark)nobles, the rank of knighthood is not hereditary, and therefore it is possible for any Norman and ethnic group to become a knight. Norman Knights use the title "Dame" for female knights and "Sir" for male knights.

In the Duchy of Normandie, knighthood was known as the largest knightly order in the Storish lands. With the re-establishment of Normandie in 1744, knighthood became ceremonial, and in 1750, under the order of Roulf de Bayeaux, it was reorganized, rearmed, and redeployed as a legion to maintain the tranquility of the lordships. Contrary to popular belief, Norman knights now carry weapons, which are fitted with bayonets to honor their history.

Norman knights are expected to be honorable, faithful individuals who protect their country. The Norman Knighthood Code exists to protect these principles, and it is through this code that candidates can become knights. Norman knights must be loyal to their lords and wrestlers, protecting them at all costs. Since 1750, Norman knights have also protected wrestlers, even granting wrestlers the right to be knighted by the state for self-protection. Wrestlers are known as the most noble socio-cultural class in Normandy.

The High Kingdom of Stormark owed a great debt of honor to the Knights of Normandy for their cavalry charge in the final stages of the Battle of Myrkviðr, the greatest battle in the history of Reikistjarna, which saved Stormark from complete destruction. The charge was led by High King Harald, then Earl of Quercy in the Duchy of Normandy, and began when the Stormark shield wall atop Mount Myrkviðr was on the verge of collapse after hours of assault by Harkalegar. This cavalry charge tipped the tide in favor of the Stormark army, leading to Harkalegar's crushing defeat and destruction. The oath of honor was revoked after the fall of Stormark in 1685. In 1745, the Norman Knights began to swear an oath of honor to Hurmu and the Order of the Holy Lakes.

The Norman Knights were known for their masterful use of weapons. They possessed skill in both swordsmanship and firearms, and were capable of making effective decisions in times of crisis. Norman knights would enter battle as legions in the event of a potential war, and they were paid a substantial sum of money. Traditionally, they fought as heavy cavalry, and still do today. At one point, they wore armored shirts that gave way to plate armor, and fought on horseback with lances, swords, and shields. Today, Norman knights wear black or white uniforms in battle, bearing the historical coat of arms of Normandy. In private, they wear their own knightly robes. Each knight owned at least one horse, and usually two: a spirited war horse and a much more docile horse for everyday riding. Horses are still used in court and ceremonies today.

Norman knights only fight in the "Grand Tournoi du Camp du Drap d'Or" tournament, except in times of emergency. This battle is fought only with swords.

Since ancient times, beyond the memory of women, the Knights of Normandy have displayed their coats of arms on their shields and robes to identify themselves. They often carried their family coats of arms. Knights who lacked or did not wish to use a family coat of arms were free to create their own. These personal coats of arms often indicated how the individual attained knighthood or held other personal significance. Today, many Knights of Normandy wear large crests adorning the theme of their coats of arms. Wealthy knights often sought to further distinguish themselves by wearing ornate weapons and armor. Lacquered or jeweled armor and cloaks made of exotic fabrics were some of the ways these knights displayed their status and wealth.

Stages

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A child was entrusted to a knight to become a knight. While many noble children were sent to allied families, some looked after the household and looked after the home. Children performed simple tasks, receiving in return basic vital knowledge of the use of weapons of war. Typical training involved dueling with blunt swords and equipment. The practice automatically ended in 1685 AN, and after the re-establishment of the region in 1744 AN, "chivalry technical high schools" and "chivalry academies" were established for those wishing to become knights.

Écuyer

Écuyers were taught all the technical knowledge for fighting, how to care for horses, and learned the Norman Code of Chivalry. Écuyers assisted their lords in battle, carrying their equipment and fighting alongside them. Some Écuyers never chose to become full knights and spent the rest of their lives as Écuyers. This could be because the individual lacked the inclination to live the warrior lifestyle of a knight or the money to properly equip himself. Écuyers gained significant experience under the NRA and the Normandokarum Fyrd during the Purification ov Normandie.

Knight

Écuyers who had thoroughly developed themselves were knighted in due time and manner according to the Norman Knight Code, a process that still operates in the same way as for knight candidates graduating from the academy. This usually occurred when a knight candidate reached adulthood and his lord/lady deemed him worthy to assume the responsibilities of a knight. A person not raised in the chivalric tradition could also be made a Knight of Normandy in recognition of their services. This was usually given to soldiers or other Udal people who had shown bravery or demonstrated great achievement. Knighthood was considered highly valued by the Udal people, as it elevated a Udal's social status. Knighthood was primarily seen as a military position, so even sons of powerful nobles were not necessarily knighted if they could not meet the requirements. Otherwise, instead of gaining honor, honor would be lost, and a knight and his family would become a laughingstock. It was this social pressure that often prevented knights from bestowing titles for trivial or selfish reasons. In 1744 AN, some regulations were put in place regarding knighthood.

The knighting ceremony for candidates for the knighthood of Normandy can be very simple or very complex. However, it always involves the knight candidate kneeling before a Knight of Normandy and having a sword touch their shoulder. The ceremonies formerly involved the religious connotations of the Église de Normandie or Vanicism. During the Second Restoration, all heretical religious connotations related to Vanicism and the Église de Normandie were removed, and instead, the ceremonies are conducted according to the requirements of the Norman Luminist Church, the Karnamarck Catholic Church, or the Norman Orthodox Church. Candidates who qualify for knighthood are obligated to be just and honorable to God. A more elaborate knighting tradition involved keeping vigil overnight in front of a statue of God in a church. The vigil could be heavily abused as keeping vigil in front of Freyja; during the Second Restoration, this was changed to keeping vigil in front of the church. Formerly, knights would place their sword and armor either beside or on top of the statue. The following day, the knights would walk barefoot in the chapel or church to prove themselves once more. Nowadays, this barefoot tradition is banned for women. To receive the title of knight, one wears an undyed wool shirt, which is marked by the donning of a sword belt after the feathering process. New knights are consecrated by a moderator or priest with thirteen different oils derived from plants grown in Normandy. The fact that a knight candidate's ceremony is performed by a lord, a wrestler, and a nobleman adds a special prestige to the knighthood candidate.

Units

Épée Lige

An épée lige (literally sworn sword) was a knight who dedicated zir services to a master or mistress in exchange for material support. Typically, this arrangement included food, shelter, and money provided by the lord or lady, in return for military service during times of conflict.

Nobles often employed large numbers of épées liges on a temporary basis during campaigns. These knights formed an essential part of the noble’s retinue, bolstering military strength without requiring long-term commitment. Once the campaign concluded and the noble had no further need for such a large force, the épées liges were dismissed. Upon dismissal, they reverted to the role of chevaliers errant, or wandering knights, who sought new patrons or opportunities for employment.

Épée Lige naturally suffered from the decline of chivalry after the fall of Stormark in 1685 AN. Épée Lige became easy prey for other warlords. When Theodoric van Orton re-established Normandie in 1744 AN, When Theodoric van Orton re-established Normandie in 1744 AN, he refound the épées liges.

Bouclier Lige

Among the épées liges, a special role was reserved for those who acted as personal protectors. These knights were known as boucliers liges, meaning sworn shield in the Norman–Walsch language. Their primary responsibility was to guard the body of their master or mistress, and they were often selected for their loyalty and martial skill. The bouclier lige embodied the intimate bond between knight and lord, serving not only as a soldier but as a symbol of fealty and trust.

Bouclier Lige naturally suffered from the decline of chivalry after the fall of Stormark in 1685 AN. Bouclier Lige became easy prey for other warlords. When Theodoric van Orton re-established Normandie in 1744 AN, he refound the bouclier lige.

Chevaliers de la Maison

Some épées liges attained a permanent role within the household of their noble employer. In the Storish dialect, such retainers were referred to as chevaliers de la maison, or household knights. Unlike their wandering counterparts, chevaliers de la maison were maintained year-round and became fixtures within the noble household.

Because of their stable position, household knights were able to build careers of prestige and authority. Some rose to important offices such as master-at-arms, responsible for training soldiers and squires; captain of the guard, commanding the defense of the noble’s estate; or even castellan, entrusted with the management of castles in the absence of their lord or lady. In 1751 AN, knights were forbidden from entering the private domain of the nobility.

Chevalier Fieffé

A chevalier fieffé was a knight distinguished by residence within a keep and control over associated lands. Unlike the épée lige, who depended upon a noble for subsistence, the chevalier fieffé enjoyed a degree of independence, supported by peasants who worked the land and men-at-arms who served as retainers.

Chevaliers fieffés could themselves take on épées liges, thereby replicating on a smaller scale the system of military obligation that bound nobles and knights. In this way, they acted as both vassals to their liege lord and as lords in their own right over their households and retainers.

Despite their relative wealth and local power, chevaliers fieffés lacked certain rights enjoyed by nobles. In particular, they had no authority to dispense justice within their territories. Any legal disputes or punishments required appeal to their liege, demonstrating the limits of their autonomy.

Wealth and Status

The fortunes of chevaliers fieffés varied considerably. The wealthiest among them managed estates larger and more prosperous than those of some minor nobles. Such knights wielded influence far beyond their formal rank, shaping the economic and military fortunes of their regions. At the other end of the spectrum, poorer chevaliers fieffés controlled little more than a modest keep and a few acres of farmland, living closer to the condition of a prosperous peasant than that of a landed aristocrat.

Role in Norman Society

Together, épées liges and chevaliers fieffés formed the backbone of Norman military society. Nobles depended upon these classes of knights to staff their armies, defend their estates, and provide loyal service in times of war and peace. Knights without land—especially wandering chevaliers errant—relied on the system for patronage and survival, while landed chevaliers fieffés embodied the aspirations of martial service tied to property and prestige.

The distinctions between these categories reflected broader themes of loyalty, hierarchy, and obligation that defined Norman feudal culture.

The knighthood was disbanded after the collapse of Stormark in 1685 AN. The existing knights then split into smaller factions and subsequently began to lose their existing territories. In 1744 AN, Theodoric van Orton re-established the Normandie, but the duties of knighthood were restricted. Vanic effect and materials have been completely removed from chivalry. Military affairs were added to the Normandokarum Fyrd, but knighthoods were still awarded for meritorious deeds. Especially for the pro wrestlers at the Norman Wrestling Company.

In 1751 AN, the knighthood was restored. It was heavily armed and redeployed to protect lordships. This action was one of the first actions taken by Roulf de Bayeaux.