Brotherhood of The Holy Lance

The Order of Brothers of the Holy Lance (Eastmoorland English: Bibod Broftorsib Halig Spere) commonly known as ‘Lancers’ is a Church of the Holy Lance military order established during the emergence of Christianity within Nova England.

The Brotherhood of the Holy Lance was formed to combat raids and attacks against Britannic Christians from Micran Asiatics and other bandit groups. Its members have been commonly known as Lancer Knights.

History

Foundation

The Brotherhood of the Holy Lance was established by three recent converts to the Church of the Holy Lance in 112AJ. Inwaer Warf, Beowulf Warf and Alric Warf were mercenaries under the employ of the Exarch of Eastmoorland and found themselves in a constant battle with roving bands of raiders crossing the green and attacking Nova English Churches and settlements. They soon began escorting early clergymen and protecting churches which led to a gradual expansion as closer ties began to form between them and the Church of the Holy Lance. In 124AJ following an agreement with the Guardian of the Lance, this mercenary force was reformed as a Military Order of the Church with the mission to protect its followers and the Faedertellus.

Timeline

• 112AJ – Formation of the Brothers of ‘The Holy Lance Free Company’
• 124AJ – Merged into the Church of the Holy Lance as a military order and renamed ‘The Order of Brothers of the Holy Lance’

Organisation

Ealdor Bunda

The Ealdor Bunda (Britannic English: Elder Master) is the highest ranking individual within the order. However despite this high formal position it is a largely symbolic position due to all members of the Brotherhood of the Holy Lance being equals. The Ealdor Bunda is elected by the Dreng Witan following the death or dismissal of their predecessor and will hold the title until their own death or dismissal through a vote of no confidence.

Dreng Witan

The Dreng Witan is the collection of all priests, soldiers and administrators of the order. All members of the order have the right to attend the Dreng Witan and take part in votes or appeals. However for practical purposes it is generally composed of Capitol Bundan and those in close proximity to the meeting place. Meetings of the Dreng Witan take place four days following the new moon, with the location shifting between Lancer estates.

Stigwita

The Stigwita are high office appointments selected by the Ealdor Bunda run the four offices of the order;

• Giungra Bunda (Junior Master) – Deputy to the Ealdor Bunda
• Hordere – Treasurer of the Order
• Caegheorde – Quartermaster
• Cyogel – Responsible for Military Affairs

Capitol Bunda

Due to the territory that the order covers, local leadership is split into a number of ‘Capitols’ each run by a Capitol Bunda that is elected by those members within the regional Capitol.

Current Capitols are as follows;

• Eastmoorland
• New Sussex
• Floria
• Uteweard (Non-incorporated Outremer territories)

Campealdor

The smallest administrative unit of the order is the camp, which is led by the Campealdor who is responsible for the administration for the camp and Brotherhood member’s within its territory. Within a camp all members of the order live together following a monastic life, consisting of prayer, battle practice and education. The officer class are known as Ealdor-Knights or Priest-knights, Dreng-Knights being armed soldiers, Hordemen who undertake general economic and healthcare duties. The final class is the Cymene-Dreng, who are armed soldiers of non-Britannic descent.