Below
the Barons are their Knights. A Baron may have one Knight
per estate that they hold and each Knight manages one
estate, never more and never less. A Knight is addressed
as Sir or Dame.
Below
the Knights are the Squires. All Squires come from one of
the Seven Great Families and are in training to become
Knights themselves. A Squire goes through years of
rigorous training in the arts of etiquette, diplomacy,
leadership, estate management, and warfare. In general, a
child of the peerage is squired at the age of six and put
to work caring for the Knights arms and steeds. While
working, they are also taught in a vigorous manner which
encourages their learning. By the age of twelve, the
Squires begin training in the finer points of being a
noble and begin to ride circuit with their liege. At this
time, their training with weapons and/or magic also
begins. By the age of sixteen, they are generally
considered ready to begin an active role and are tested
by joining with the Knights men-at-arms on patrols for
their combat abilities and managing a small parcel of
land for their liege. By the age of eighteen, they are in
general ready to attempt leadership themselves and are
usually given command of a unit of their liege's men. In
addition, they are given more responsibilities toward the
governance of their liege's estate. Once the Squire
proves themselves capable in all areas to the
satisfaction of their liege, they are presented in court
to their liege's liegelord. At this point, a ceremony is
held where the Squire pledges their loyalty to their
liege's liegelord and, if the liegelord sees fit and has
an estate with an opening, the Squire will be Knighted.
If, as is more often the case, there is no current
opening, the Squire must wait until a suitable position
can be found for them. Often while waiting, the Squire
becomes one of their liege's attendants or joins the
Royal Army as an officer. The best squires may be
presented directly to the Grand Dukes or even to the King
for their consideration of a Ducal Knighthood or a Royal
Knighthood. A Squire is addressed as
Squire.
A
Knight may have up to six Squires at any one time and
only perhaps one in six makes it through the training and
becomes a Knight. The others in general remain in the
Royal Army or become men-at-arms or attendants for their
liege. A Baron may have up to twelve Squires in his own
name at any one time. A Grand Duke may have a number of
Squires dependent on the number of Baronies he holds, up
to twelve Squires per Barony and their Squires, if
Knighted, are granted Ducal Estates not Baronial
ones.
The
King may appoint any number of Royal Knights and these
are the only Knights not required to hold land as they
have specific duties which may prevent them from properly
managing an estate. If a Royal Knight does hold land,
they are not necessarily limited to one
estate.
A
Constable is not a noble but is charged by the governing
noble of an estate, barony, or duchy, to enforce the laws
and administer low justice, the punishment of any crime
not requiring a sentence of death or
denial.
A
Commoner holds no noble title but is due the respect any
civilized sentient being deserves. A Commoner is often
addressed as Goodman or Goodwoman. The may have
additional titles based on their profession or rank
within a guild or army.
All
nobility in the Kingdom must come from one of the Great
Families. These are those who are born to the peerage.
There are currently seven Great Families: Valerton,
Bainbridge, Clairborne, Versante, DeVane, Morindell, and
Hartwell. There was an eighth great family until two
hundred and fifty years ago when the Winterthorne family
was stripped of all power and right to bear
title.
The
titles Count, Countess, Viscount, Viscountess, Paladin,
Justicar, Sheriff, and Seneschal are not used in
Neridia.
