LES DRAGONS NOIRS DU SOLEIL ROUGE

         

The Heraldric Shield of the Knights of the Black Dragons  (Coat of Arms)

L'embleme Heraldique des Chevaliers des Dragons Noirs

Hello and Welcome,

If you are here, it is because you have chosen to follow the path of the Knights of the Black Dragons.

My name is Sir Dracius Jahar, Head Knight of the ordre. First, be reasured, i've been sword fighting for over 8 years, 3 years of those as a knight. I have researched the subject extensivly and i have created a regement of trainings designed to improve your skills as a warrior. But becoming a knight here isn't all swordsplay, Beeing a Neutral Chaotic clan, I include a lot of theory, phylosophie and meditation.

To become a knight here, you must first check the availabilities of the knights, because as you might already know, you must first becaume a Squire to a knight. Basicly  an assistant, For the duration of 1 full out-game year.

During that year, anywhere the Clan goes, or better yet, where you master goes, you must follow. A squires duties include the following:

1. Carry all equipment  for their master.

2. Show complete respect for his/her master.

3. Do as your told.

4. Make the meals and clean up after.

5. Not speak unless spoken to.

6.Stay at your Master's side as long as he or she might tell you to.

7. Take an oath never to reveal the training methods of your master to someone else.

If any of these basic rule are broken, the knight has the right to dismiss you as there apprentice. If this should happen, you will be marked and no Knight in thie order will be allowed to take you as their apprentice. (One chance)

 

Also, New to this year, a minimum deposite of 30$ is now required to becaume a knight. This deposit is returned to you apon completionof your training along with a plaque (or other gift) and a certificat of Knighthood. If you are expelled before, or decide to leave the training, the deposite will not be returned.

 

So good luck to you, young warrior.

Dracius 

For more information, contact Dracius or Rexar

 

 

Allo et Bienvenue,

 Si vous etes ici, C'est pour la raison que vous voulez devenire un Chevalier Des Dragons Noirs.

Mon nom est Sir Dracius Jahar, Chevalier chef des Dragons Noirs. Pendant presque 8 ans maintenant, je participe au combas medieval. 3 d'entre eux comme chevalier. J'ai fais des recherche sur plusieur type d'entrainement. Elas pour cette raison, vous avez rien a craindre. Comme vous le saviez, le clan est classer comme "Bon Chaotique" C'est pour cette raison que j'inclue de la meditation, la phylosophie et de la theorie.

Premierement,  pour devenir chevalier, il faux verifier si il y a des chevalier, libre a prendre un apprentie. Un apprentie c'est plus ou moin un assistant au chevalier. Aussi nommer "Squire", L'apprentie reste avec leur chevalier ou maitre pendant une annee completes. Pendans cette annee, le squire vas ou son maitre vas (GN, pratiques, etc..) Ainsi qu'une couple  d'autres obligations:

1. Le transport de l'equitement du chevalier .
(l'armure, epee, etc...)
2.Montrer le respect totale envers son maitre.
3.Faire se que son maitre lui demande sans questions
4.Faire le manger et le netoyages (pendant Gn)
5.ne pas parler avant qu'on lui adresse la parole
6.Ne pas partir des coter de ton maitre (Ta survie peut en dependre)
7.Faire une promesse de ne jamais devoiller la method d'entrainement de son maitre.

Ceci sont les regles generale d'un squire. Bien sur nous comme chevalier ne pouvont prendre advantage de ses regles, ni esque sa serais tolerer dans le clan. Mais si un de ces regles est briser, le maitre du squire a le droit d'expulser le membre de l'ordre. Si vous etes expulser, jamais vous aller avoir le drois de refaire application pour devenir chevalier. Un depot d'un minimum de 30$ est maintenant requis pour l'etrainemant. Le depot vous seras emise uniquement a la fin de votre entrainemant  ainsi avec une plaque et ou un certifica. Ci pour une raison vous ne finisee pas l'entrainemant (expultion, depars velontaire) le depos ne sera pas remis.

Merci et bonne chance a vous jeunes guerriers.

Dracius

(pour plus d'info, contacter Dracius ou Rexar)

 

Medieval Knights

© 1997-2005 by Marvin Hull
Knights were professional soldiers, high in the order of chivalry, bearing the most noble arms, and riding the best horses. Most knights traveled looking for work, to do battle. An invading army in 1066 and the need for the people of the crown to supply fighters for the home lands brought noble knighthood and chivalry to England.

By the 11th century, these professional soldiers were approaching nobility, but there were later developments. Heraldry took shape during the 12th century, and that the number of knights declined from the 13th century onwards. The true knight disappeared in the 16th century in France and much earlier in other countries. Knighthood flourished before the time of guns and gunpowder when battles were still being won by hand-to-hand combat of heavy armored knights.

Even in peacetime knights looked for conflicts in which to engage. Fighting was an often occurrence, because the common person could not defend themselves against an invading foe. In time of danger the people fled to the castle. When not engaged in combat the knight would participate in tournaments to win favors, power, and money. Often times this would also lead to courtships.

Training of a knight began at a very young age, the age of seven, serving as a "Page" until he was 14 years old. He then became a "Squire". This is when the real training began, learning to use a lance and start wearing the heavy armor. The squire also served as assistant to the knight. At the end of his tough training, at the age of 21, he became a knight.

There would be a nightlong vigil in the castle chapel, a ritual bath at dawn, mass and breakfast with friends and family, and clothing in white vesture. Knighthood was conferred by a gentle blow on the neck or shoulder with the flat of a sword, sometimes with much ceremony. The "dubbing" would take place in public accompanied by fanfares and music. Knights could also be created in the field of battle without any fanfare or ceremony.

The prospects of a knight were: marriage to a wealthy heiress, inheritance of lands, and service to a noble as a high official. A knight's wages were 8d a day and he would be expected to serve for 40 days a year. Sometimes, this service would be as castle guard in a castle.

Undoubtedly, being a knight could reap great benefits, but it could also be dangerous. Some knights inherited, built, or were given powerful castles. Others lost their lives.

Here are some knights and the castles they built.

Name	Castle
Sir John Cornwall	Ampthill
Sir Ralph Eure	Ayton
Sir Edward Dalyngrygge	Bodiam
Sir John de Broughton	Broughton
Sir John Fastolf	Caistor
Sir John de Cobham	Cooling
Sir Richard Croft	Croft
Sir Richard Abberbury	Donnington
Sir Thomas Hungerford	Farleigh Hungerford
Sir William de Prouze	Gidleigh
Sir Roger Fiennes	Herstmonceux
Sir William Hylton	Hylton
Sir William de Leybourne	Leybourne

  Life of a Knight

Training for knighthood during medieval times usually began at an early age. Often the prospective knight was sent to live with a relative or lord who had the resources to train the young boy in use of weapons and, most importantly, the skills to handle a horse in combat. A knight-in-training would often serve as a squire (assistant) for an established knight, attending his needs, helping him don his armor, and making ready his horse and weapons.

Once his training was completed and he reached "fighting age" (usually around 16-20 years old), he would ceremoniously become a full-fledged knight. The ceremony became more elaborate as the Middle Ages progressed, until only the richest nobles or a king could afford to "knight" someone.

The new knight now served his liege lord (which may or may not be the king himself), bound to offer military service up to 40 days a year in peace time, more, as needed, in war time. Military duties included castle guard, serving in the lord's "bodyguard", and participating in battle.

Apart from military duties the knight could also participate in administering justice (as part of assizes--a medieval form of our modern juries), managing his estates (which was his prime source of income), and continuing to hone his combat skills in tournament.

Alnwick Castle, Northumberland, England

The tournament in the early Middle Ages (ca. 800-1200 C.E.) was often a meleé, resembling actual combat in groups that could result in injuries or even death. Men were taken hostage and held for ransom, horses and armor confiscated by the captors. As kings and churchmen grew concerned over this senseless loss of life and resources new regulations and safety measures were put into effect. The meleé was replaced by individual combat events (among them the joust), and new innovations in armor specifically designed for the tournament made it somewhat safer.

  Chivalry

The word, "chivalry", comes from the French word, "chevalerie", which means "skills to handle a horse". The ability to handle a horse, especially in combat, was of utmost importance to a medieval knight. As the Middle Ages progressed, the term "chivalry" began to take on new meanings.

It was around the time of the preaching of the first crusade (1095 C.E.) that the Christianization of knights began in earnest. With the crusades as a "holy war" the pope needed the support of the nobles and knights of Europe to help him with his agenda of ridding Jerusalem of Islam, and returning the "land of Christ" to Christian sovereignty. By bestowing the title of Christian warriors to the knights, the pope had begun the evolution of a code of conduct that all knights were supposed to follow.

The protection of the poor, women and children, and defense of the church were just some of the chivalry codes that a knight was supposed to always obey. In combat when nobles and knights were taken prisoner, their lives were spared and were often held for ransom in somewhat comfortable surroundings. This same code of conduct did not apply to non-knights (archers, peasants, foot-soldiers, etc.), who were often slaughtered after capture.

However well intended this "chivalric code" was, it rarely affected most knights, who plundered, slaughtered, and looted often when given the chance. Our modern notion of knights is very much based in the ideas of chivalry, and it is the survival of medieval romantic writings that tend to show knights as the chivalrous ideal, that sways our view of medieval knighthood

 

Heraldry

Heraldry (symbols identifiable with individuals or families) originated as a way to identify knights in battle or in tournaments. With the advent of the "great" or "barrel" helm (ca. early 13th century) an individual's face became concealed. It therefore became necessary to create a method to distinguish ally from enemy.

Heraldic symbols ranged from simple geometric shapes such as chevrons, to more elaborate drawings of real or mythological animals. As with the honor of becoming a knight, heraldic insignia became hereditary, being passed on from father to son, or with the family name. Eventually heraldic symbols also came to signify kingdoms, duchies, or provinces as a medieval forerunner to our modern national flags.

Heraldic symbols were often worn on the knight's surcoat (thus the term "coat of arms"), shield, helmet, or on a banner (standard) that could serve as a rallying point for knights and others scattered in the chaos of battle. The standard was always to be elevated as long as the battle continued, and therefore was guarded well. A standard taken down would signal the allied combatants that the cause was lost and it was time to flee the field of combat.

Today heraldry is usually associated with individual families' coat of arms. Researching heraldry has become a hobby for many people. The art and science of heraldry, with its medieval beginnings, is still alive and well in our modern world.

    Examples of heraldry