Centurion
The Centurion way is a distinctive subculture within the Frankish kingdoms and differ from them in several marked ways. It is both a Military Order, a group of people, a culture, and a way of believing and living. Based upon a strict adherence to Christian principles they give mercy to their enemies, uphold high standards of personal conduct, believe in equality of status even when some are required to take higher or lower hierarchical positions for organizational purposes. Their women are trained warriors and have a status that is equal to the men (for in Christ there is no more Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female, but all are one in Christ.) Both men and women are referred to as Centurions both inside and outside of the culture, men become Centurion Knights and women become Centurion Shieldmaidens.
Naming Traditions
Feminine names
Latin based
Masculine names
Latin based
Culture
Major language groups and dialects
Latin is the primary language but most also speak Greek. Centurions have a number of words and phrases that they use among themselves that may not be understood by outsiders but these really count as nothing more than Jargon such that Centurions speak "Frankish" with only minor variations.
Culture and cultural heritage
Derived from the Frankish culture they try to establish the ideals of Christ as the guide for their every day living. They bless those who curse them and pray for their enemies. They are know for treating the injuries of their wounded enemies. They share their resources with those in need and fight to mprotect the innocent and the weak.
Shared customary codes and values
Speaking openly and honestly. It should always be done with respect to the other person as a brother or sister in Christ but dealing with issues evasively or deceptively is seen as being weak at best and as being sinful and untrustworthy at worst.
Average technological level
Centurions believe all of their technological advances are gifts from God to be used in defending Christendom and so they don't share them even with allies to keep them from falling into enemy hands. They have developed very high quality smelting practices and metallurgical sciences. Their metal (and consequently their weapons and armor) are well in advance of their neighbors. Centurion steel is considered to be almost mythical and others have tried to determine their secrets they have found a way to smelt a steel/titanium alloy that is lighter and stronger than normal steel alloys and resistant to erosion). Centurions wear an advanced design of Plate and Mail armor that incorporates a shaped breastplate and shoulder guards as well as conical helmets with nose guards. Weapons made of centurion steel are harder to sharpen but will maintain their edge better. Their have advanced stonework, octagonal castle towers, scorpions that use Centurion steel arms (like a crossbow), running water and sewer systems in their castles, and higher hygiene standards. They have advanced medical treatments including beer laced with tetracyclin (used in treating the sick) and an antiseptic moss used to treat injuries.
Common Etiquette rules
ALL members of the Order treat each other with respect, the Lord of the manor does not talk down to the lowest servant. They each have different responsibilities but they are all equal before God. The Lord and Lady of the manor are called such, Knights and Shieldmaidens are called Sir and Lady, everyone else is called Mister and Miss as titles of honor.
Common Dress code
For Knights and Shieldmaidens, their armor and weapons are of the highest quality but their clothes are plain and practical as an act of humility. Artisans will wear jewelry of their own making but it must not be overly ornate, nor may it be something that they have purchased from another (gifts are acceptable), likewise their clothing is plain and practical. Maidservants and Laborers may wear attractive clothing and attractive hair as long as it is still modest in nature. Each group strives to be very modest in appearance but each is allowed one area in which to shine.
Art & Architecture
Simple in appearance but advanced in design. Excellent stone masonry skills and architectural design. They do not do a lot of painting or tapestry work but they are known for their music, their literature, especially their wisdom literature, and their dry sense of humor.
Common Customs, traditions and rituals
1) The feet washing ceremony. They take turns washing each other's feet as an example of humility and service. This is done prior to formal dinners. This is done primarily by the knights to the servants but may be done by anyone for anyone.
2) Incarnation Day. Traditional Christmas celebrations (feasting and gift giving) take place on Christmas Eve. Christmas Day is called Incarnation Day in celebration of the Divine Christ descending to Earth and becoming the man, Jesus. To model this act, the higher ranking Centurions trade places with the lower ranking centurions and each does the other's duties. This also reinforces the importance of being humble and helps each to understand the duties and responsibilities of the other. In Centurion culture the high and the low are of equal importance, they simply have different duties and responsibilities.
3)The Step of Faith Ceremony (a coming of age ceremony): At the age of 12 a young man or young woman goes through a coming of age ceremony that takes place in two parts. In the first part they are attended by adults of their own gender only, the Lord or Lady of the manor and several close relatives or friends. The younger person strips down to a loin cloth, representing the original Adam and Eve and the story of Adam and Eve in Genesis 2 is read aloud. Next the adults sprinkle dirt on them representing the original sin that got them cast out of Eden while reading Genesis 3 and the fall of man. They are asked to acknowledge their sin and then they are asked if they wish to accept Christ as their Lord and savior and be washed clean in his blood. If they say "yes" they are washed in fresh, cold water that contains a drop of blood from the Lord of the Manor to represent the cleansing blood of Christ while Acts 10 - the baptism of Cornelius - is read. (If the applicant says "no" then they are dressed while still covered in dirt and the ceremony ends. They may stay as a guest in the castle as long as they wish and will be treated with respect as an equal but they are not considered to be a centurion. They may choose to undergo the ceremony at a later time if they wish and people who are new to the Order must go through the ceremony regardless of their age if they wish to join). After they are washed clean of the dirt, they are clothed in a simple, white, linen tunic, and presented to the people of the manor in a large ceremony. The Lord or Dame of the manor verify, in front of everyone, that the young person has accepted the cleansing blood of Christ and been washed of their sins. They are asked how they wish to serve the Lord as a Centurion. They may choose to become a Squire/Handmaiden or as an Artisan and the Lord of the manor issues a call if there is anyone who wishes to sponsor and train them. Arrangements have usually been made beforehand but need not be if someone will choose at this juncture to sponsor them. Their sponsor will then step forward and stand beside them while they repeat their vow of service to the Lord ad the Order (it is VERY simple in the "Let your yes be yes" tradition of the Centurions). If they choose Service as their calling they are accepted as a Maidservant or as a Laborer and the Doma or the Foreman step forward and stand with them while they recite their vow. After the ceremony a feast is eaten with the new adults being the guests of honor as others wait upon them. The ceremony is typically done every 3-4 months with small groups of young people, typically 4-6.
Birth & Baptismal Rites
Baptismal rites - see the Step of Faith ceremony above.
Coming of Age Rites
12 year old boys become squires and go into training to be knights, 12 year old girls become handmaidens and go into training to become shieldmaidens.
Funerary and Memorial customs
A large formal funeral is done for even the lowest servant followed by a funeral pyre. The ashes are then spread over the fields so that their dead bring new life by fertilizing the crops. The Centurions believe that their dead are now walking with Christ in heaven and that they will be given new bodies when he returns to the Earth.
Historical figures
Roland is the Leader of Charlemagne's Paladins and the founder of the Centurions.
Ideals
Beauty Ideals
Modesty is emphasized over appearance. Women are expected to help with the fighting so physical fitness is encouraged. The women do not emphasize their feminine attributes as much as the Frankish culture around them. Make-up is strongly discouraged. A plain, physically fit appearance is considered the ideal for both sexes.
Gender Ideals
The women are fighters as well as the men though the women's role in battle leans toward the defensive. They are especially trained in castle defense. Women wear light mail armor, use short swords and bows and are treated as equals to men in most situations. (There is no male or female in Christ.) Men are expected to be hard working, modest, and willing to sacrifice their lives to save others.
Courtship Ideals
Getting engaged while fairly young is common but the engagement may last years before the wedding takes place. This is especially true of nobility.
Relationship Ideals
If a dispute arises between a husband and a wife that they cannot come to an agreement on then the husband is considered to have the final say but it is generally accepted that husbands and wives should treat each others with respect and equality and make every effort to come to an agreement on every issue before acting. Husbands who are seen as abusing the "final word" provision will find other men confronting them on this issue since it is typically the result of pride and pride is the cardinal sin for Centurions. Parents treat children with respect but with the understanding that it is their job to train up and teach their children to live in accordance with the Centurion ways.
Major organizations
The Order of the Centurions
Parent ethnicities
Related Organizations
Related Items
Comments