Sworn Knight

A Sworn Knight is a member of the chivalric military in direct service to a liege lord. This service is not vassalage for there is exchange of lands and/or property claims. Sworn Knights are the bodyguards, advisors, justice-bringers, battle-sworn combatants and most loyal of all a noble’s followers. They are entrusted with the safety of the liege and his family. They are able to carry their liege’s authority, with permission, to bring law or war to others. They are the confidants and guardians of land, life and even honor for their liege.

The liege lord accepts the Sworn Knight into his service and ensures that he has lodgings, sustenance, training and equipment for the position. A liege is responsible for all aspects of a Sworn Knight’s comforts and gear. The Knight is outfitted according to the liege lord’s wishes but may also supplement their gear with their own resources.

Becoming a Sworn Knight is treated differently from land to land and lord to lord. Generally, in Rhone and the other western feudal lands, it is seen as a very formal, binding agreement between the knight and lord. While individuals may take the oaths and obligations lightly their peers will not do the same. This exchanging of oaths are more sacrosanct than mere vassalage which is an exchange. While a Vassal Knight gains a home, wealth and authority; the Sworn Knight gains only the honor of service. The customary chivalric oaths are redone with specific emphasis on the fidelity and strength of the bond between the two individuals. Although vassal knights and subject lords offer fealty and service to their liege it is in return for land and position. The Sworn Knight enters into an even more direct and enduring obligation to their liege. In return, they are allowed to carry the honor of their liege, act with their authority, wage war on their behalf and serve in a number of other ways. A Sworn Knight’s obligation extends to and anticipates death in the service of the liege.

The original Sworn Knights were warriors that placed their loyalty and unflinching faith in their lieges or patrons. These agreements were predicated on love, pride in service, and the liege bestowing of great honor by taking a knight into their confidence; the inner circle. It is the Sworn Knights who enact the will of their liege in any arena where their duties require it.
Many different reasons exist to become a Sworn Knight to a single lord. It may be in the hopes of eventual reward and recognition such as the granting of rights and land to live out their older years in comfort. It may be due to profound respect and admiration for the liege or even their family legacy. Finally, though it does not diminish the oaths taken, the position of Sworn Knight is often sought out by those trained as knights but never recognized and granted knighthood. A Sworn Knight must be a knight bound by the customs of chivalry and their culture or land. Those who do not have the patronage to be knighted or lack the funds may seek service as a Sworn Knight. In addition, the younger offspring of vassals often take service as Sworn Knights to their family’s liege in order to continue the legacy of obligation and find a way to support themselves. Such requests are considered a great honor to the liege as the family already has met its vassalage obligations. Many freelancers and mounted men-at-arms are former squires that never earned the rank of knight or could not afford the outfitting required such as multiple horses, weapons, armor and a squire. Becoming a Sworn Knight is a means for many of these warriors to be granted knighthood and a position.

Qualifications

To become a Sworn Knight, an individual must be a chivalric knight pursuant to the requirements of the land and lord. This can be accomplished through a squire service and patronage as experienced by most knights. But there are many different means by which one may be raised and sworn in as a Knight including heroism, great service or even patronage and corruption. Luckily, the vast majority of individuals honored and oathed as knights would not consider knighting an individual without ensuring that they were competent. Such an act ties the ennobling knight to the recipient and many would look upon their failings as conjoined.

Benefits

Through rewards and honors, a liege thanks and encourages their Sworn Knights loyalty and service. A Sworn Knight may find that their lives are carefully arranged and monitored by the liege who often wishes to find ways to keep dependable and competent knights in their service. Many lieges will utilize brides, life grants, claims of right to an income source (toll bridge or forest copse) and even the awarding of Offices to reward and retain their Sworn Knights.

The bestowing of gifts and honors is customary on a yearly basis. In addition, service of an exemplary nature and recognition for deeds done is rewarded throughout the year by means of small amounts of coins, fine goods, clothes, animals and any other thing that a person may desire in their life. These rewards can be of good taste and bad depending on the liege.

Grounds for Removal/Dismissal

A Sworn Knight may be dismissed from service or take their leave with the liege's permission. While it is possible for a liege to refuse their disavowal, very few nobles would risk such a thing.

Type

Nobility, Military

Form of Address

Ser, Sera

Alternative Naming

Household Knight, House Guard, Retinue Knights

Length of Term

Varies