Centurion Social Classes

Social classes based upon wealth, status, and power exist in all societies, even the Order of the Centurions. Because of the Order's belief that everyone is equal in the eyes of the Lord their classes work differently than in the outside world and there is far less stratification within the Order (i.e. the gap between social classes is dramatically smaller than in the outside world). Education also narrows the gap between social classes so the Centurions strongly encourage literacy.
From the outside, it would appear that the Order has a noble class at the top (the knights and shieldmaidens collectively called the Shield of God) a middle class (the artisans collectively called the Glory of God), a lower class (the servants collectively called the Hands of God) and a peasant class working the land to support them all. There is some truth to this view though it misses some key features of social class within the Order. Each class has its own status symbols but purchasing or making such things for yourself is considered to be in very bad taste. Such symbols are usually received as gifts from others.
Wealth: The wealthiest class in the Order is actually the artisans. The senior noble of each castle (Count Gerard or Duke Paschal for instance) maintains a large treasury to pay for military expenditures but they don't consider this to be personal wealth. Most of the knights and shieldmaidens own only their own equipment. They receive a very small stipend to pay for personal expenses but that is it. Servants own nice clothes for special occasions and also receive a small stipend but that is it. Artisans are able to sell their wares and services outside of the castle (when time allows) and often accumulate things of value that they make themselves (such as gold jewelry, etc.) Personal adornment is considered inappropriate for an artisan so gifts are often displayed on the walls of their quarters. Signs of status within the artisans are subtle and usually involve higher quality tools or who gives directions to whom.
Status: It would not be correct to say that the servant class has the highest status but their status is just as high as the other two classes. Jesus washed the feet of the apostles so acts of service are seen as being Christlike and are held in the highest esteem. As a special tribute to their service, they will be seated near the head of the table and served by the artisans and warriors on special feast days. They dress modestly on most occasions but a status symbol among the servants is nice clothing (especially with embroidery) that they will wear on special feast days. Their fancy clothes are always gifts given to them by artisans and warriors for years of faithful service.
Power: The most powerful class is the warrior class, which makes sense since the Order of the Centurions is a military order operating on the frontiers of Christian Europe. All the classes have their input into the decisions that are made but the final decisions are almost always military ones. The knights and shieldmaidens are commanded to exercise their authority in grace and humility by the founders of the Order, Charlemagne's Twelve Peers. Signs of status among the warriors are subtle with the primary ones being the quality of their equipment (altum steel armor is a clear marker of high status because of its great cost). Age also plays a part as older knights and shieldmaidens generally give direction to younger ones. Occasionally a warrior comes into the Order with outside financial support but even then high-quality equipment is expected to be received as a gift and not purchased for oneself.
Peasants: The Order has large landholdings that it uses to maintain itself but it does not use slaves or serfs to work the land. Most are tenant farmers who pay a share of their crops as rent for the land. They are NOT tied to the land or individually obligated to provide service to the Order (collectively, each village is required to provide one equipped man-at-arms per ten people in the village for military service in times of need, such service may not exceed six weeks without compensation being paid). Occasionally, a renter is able to save up enough money can buy a small parcel of land of their own. They must still help support the men-at-arms from their village but their financial obligation to the Order becomes a set tax instead of a percentage of their crops allowing them to increase their profits.