The Order of the Quartered Rose

The bodyguards of the Royal Family and those who are generally responsible for the security of the capital, the Order of the Quartered Rose are every bit as much political entity as knightly order. Amongst the oldest knightly orders, the Order of the Quartered Rose was founded by the Council of the Free in the great law of Royal Institution, which also founded the Monarchy of Eletheria. In its 800 year history, the Order of the Quartered Rose has had its high points and low points, with the Grandmaster of the Order having been made monarch twice after the death of the royal personage in mysterious circumstances. Despite this, or perhaps because of this, the Grandmaster of the Order of the Quartered Rose tends to be a staunch ally of the King or Queen, and is regarded as a highly prestigious office.
Whilst, historically, the Order drew its soldiers from those of high and low birth, the strict limit of 250 members and its prestige has ensured that its membership is largely filled with those of noble birth. Nonetheless, the Order is well-drilled in the ways of war and has proven itself a powerful force on the battlefield as well as in the courtroom. Boasting gleaming plate armour and tabards quartered with yellow and red, emblazoned with the royal sigil of the rose, the Order of the Quartered Rose has turned the tide of battle on more than one occasion with a devastating cavalry charge.
The current Grandmaster of the Order is Lord Tirus Carillon who is a man who notably has little patience for politics, but who enjoys the full support of the King, who holds the ceremonial title of Supreme Grandmaster. The Grandmaster of the Order is also responsible for the broader defence of Pax, and is therefore ex-officio Commander of the city garrison.