Noble Vocations

For nobles, the obvious choice of profession was training as chevalier, a man-at-arms, the quintessential noble. Depending on family wealth, this could be embellished by a truly noble education, preparing the young scion to become not only a warrior, but a cultivated man of courtly behaviour and manners, who might read and indulge in political and economical interests.

Usually parents would try to direct at least some of their junior sons towards the clergy. This was important in regions that did not follow strict primogeniture (as in France), to avoid excess division of the family’s holdings. The eldest son usually inherited the family seat or the richest holding, but in these territories (such as Wales) brothers also typically received a share, as did daughters. If there was only a single holding, younger sons were generally compensated, this being true, to some extent, for those who chose an ecclesiastical career. Lands which followed primogeniture (such as England) were less equal in traditions of inheritance.

If able, the wealthy would place their sons into rich benefices, while more modest nobles would attempt to achieve for them a canonry, or have them enter a monastery or friary. Some Benedictine monasteries and some chapters of canons being exclusive to nobles.

In the LF/WF period minor nobles of knightly or esquire rank, might choose to enter a law school or university, this being especially common in the South of France, northern Italy and south-east England.

Entry to a university was sometimes sought after becoming a canon as students were considered unordained clergy, although they only had to be tonsured and celibate. Legal professions may be combined with a fighting vocation: these characters being able to become judges, prévôts (provosts) or even baillis or sénéchau, both being alternative terms for bailiff (English: bailiff and senechal).

Daughters of the nobility generally have the choice between marriage, and being a dutiful wife and mother, or entry into a nunnery (or occasionally a dual monastery, which were divided by sex). Some daughters, as heiresses, inherit their father’s land, becoming highly desirable.

They might (if able) hold them in common with their husband; these women having true political, judicial and economical power, and being equals of male lords or seigneurs - as long as they avoided remarriage.

All 'gentle' PC’s gain +10% to PSF% to the skills of Courtly Love (not EF) and Leadership.