The Order of the Fleur de Lys

**econ21** · 07-20-2009, 23:37

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

The Order of the Fleur de Lys

La Patrie En Danger!

Soldiers of France! Our enemies are mobilising - even now they are massing on our borders! Every man capable of bearing arms must rally to the King!

Nobles of France! The people look to you for leadership! Swear an oath to chivalry! Let all know the code by which you will live.

Knights of France! Join the Order of the Fleur de Lys! We are a band of brothers, who will fight together to defend France! We are a company who offer our services to the King and to any Duc in need! Members of all Houses and none are welcome to join our ranks!

The Oath to Chivalry

I) To fear God and maintain His Church
II) To serve your Liege in valour and faith
III) To protect the weak and defenceless
IV) To never attack an unarmed foe
V) To speak truthfully at all times
VI) To never abandon a comrade
VII) To never refuse a challenge from an equal

Distinguished Patrons

King Phillipe - - Tristan de Castlereng
Prince Louis (Aquitaine) - Ramses II CP
Duc Hugues de Champagne (Lorraine) - Overknight (deceased)
Duc Raymond de Provence (Bourgogne) - Cecil XIX
Duc Alain de Rohan (Bretagne) - AussieGiant

Officers

Captain: Prince Henri
Steward: Gaspard de Neufville
Lieutenant: Alexandre Le Sueur

Members

Hermant Mauvoisin (Bourgogne) - econ21
* Simon de Montpierre - Ituralde
Eloi de Montferrat - TheLemongate (retired)
Gaspard de Neufville (Bourgogne) - Ignoramus
* Alexandre Le Sueur (Bretagne) - Marcus Agrippa
Robert Bouchart (Bretagne) - Northnovas (deceased)
* Prince Henri (Lorraine) - Braden
Gaetan de Rethel (Acquitaine) - YLC
* Gauthier de Beauvais - Northnovas

* = on active duty.

Charter of the Order of the Fleur de Lys

Aims
1. The Order is a company of knights formed to fight for France. Its goal is the protecting the welfare of the French people in accordance with the standards of chivalry.
2. Members of the Order will seek to fight together where possible, but offer their services wherever there is most need.

Duties
1. Order members must fight for the good of the people of France above all.
2. Order members must serve their King as their ultimate authority and any liege they swear fealty to.
3. Order members must respond to calls for help whenever the country is in danger.
4. Order members must swear an Oath to Chivalry

Membership
1. Any noble of France may apply to join the Order.
2. Applications will be discussed at Order sessions and, if there is opposition, subject to a simple vote.
3. Between sessions, the Captain may accept applications as provisional members.
4. Members can be expelled for conduct unbefitting of an Order member by a 2/3 majority at an Order session.

Leadership
1. Every session of Council, members of the Order will elect a Captain from its ranks.
2. A Captain cannot immediately stand for re-election, but can stand at later sessions.
3. Should an Order member ride with the Captain, they agree to serve under his command.
4. The Captain may ride with another noble and agree that he, and all members with him, serve under that noble's command.
5. The Captain has a casting vote at Order sessions.
6. On assuming the position, the Captain will immediately choose a Lieutenant as his second in command. The Lieutenant will assume the duties of the Captain if the Captain falls, resigns or is otherwise incapacitated.
7. At the end of his term of office, just before each regular Conseil session, the Order Captain must appoint an Order Steward. "

Order sessions
1. Each session of Council there will also be a session of the Order. Members of the Order may vote by simple majority to decide how Order units be deployed and any Order land used.
2. Between sessions of the Council, the Captain will make any day to day decisions.
3. If half the membership of the Order petition for it, an emergency session of the Order will be called where members can vote on policy or Charter amendments.
4. The Charter can be amended by a two-thirds majority of Order members.

Land and units given to the Order
1. Members of the Order may freely possess their own lands and military units; units under their personal command will not have their ownership transferred if stationed in Order lands or serving in the Order Company.
2. Any land given to the Order will be formally owned by the Order Steward.
3. Ownership of Order land can only be transferred when the Order Steward leaves office, when it must be passed to the next Steward.
4. Any units given to the Order, recruited from its settlements or assigned by the Seneschal to garrison its lands will be formally owned the Order Captain.
5. Ownership of Order units can only be transferred when the Captain leaves office, when they must be passed to the next Captain.

**econ21** · 07-20-2009, 23:39

Hermant Mauvoisin stands before the few knights in front of him and solemnly intones:

As God is my witness, I swear:

To fear God and maintain His Church
To serve my liege in valour and faith
To protect the weak and defenceless
To never attack an unarmed foe
To speak truthfully at all times
To never abandon a comrade
To never refuse a challenge from an equal

Brother knights, I am honoured to join you in this company - the Order of the Fleur de Lys.

**OverKnight** · 07-20-2009, 23:51

Hugues enters and surveys the room, a servants lingers behind him.

Well, the first thing we should do is get some better digs, isn't there supposed to be some sort of round table?

The servant leans in and whispers something to Hugues.

Right!

The Duc straightens up and solemnly intones:

I vow to:

To fear God and maintain His Church
To serve my liege in valour and faith
To protect the weak and defenceless
To never attack an unarmed foe
To speak truthfully at all times
To never abandon a comrade
To never refuse a challenge from an equal

So help me God.

The moment passed, Hugues resumes his usual mien.

Well I think that calls for a drink.

**ULC** · 07-20-2009, 23:55

Gaetan de Rethel stands, a look of determination upon his face, and he speaks with fervor.

I vow to:

To fear God and maintain His Church
To serve my liege in valor and faith
To protect the weak and defenseless
To never attack an unarmed foe
To speak truthfully at all times
To never abandon a comrade
To never refuse a challenge from an equal

It is good to be amongst you brother knights! A drink for me as well my Duc!

**OverKnight** · 07-21-2009, 00:07

Hugues snaps his fingers and his servant proffers a few bottles and glasses.

Ah, here we are.

He offers a glass of wine to Gaeten.

Good to see you here, Sir.

Hugues raises a glass to his lips, but then stops and glances at Hermant.

We can have a drink correct? It isn't one those orders is it? Defending the innocent is all fine and good, but a life without wine would be unthinkable.

**Ituralde** · 07-21-2009, 02:19

Simons face lights up as he hears the vows that he had thought about for so long repetead in front of him. He is a small man and the trimmed moustache only accentuates the weasel like features of his face. But for now he is happy. With confidence ringing in every syllable he intones proudly.

I, Simon de Montpierrem, swear:

To fear God and maintain His Church
To serve my liege in valour and faith
To protect the weak and defenceless
To never attack an unarmed foe
To speak truthfully at all times
To never abandon a comrade
To never refuse a challenge from an equal

Comrades in Arms, I am honoured by your presence here.
He bows to the Duc.
And of course it is a special honour to have the Lord of Champagne with us.
He raises a goblet himself.
And while our aspirations are high this definetly isn't one of those Orders.

**Braden** · 09-22-2009, 10:49

Brothers of the Order,

I stand before you to submit my application to join this most noble order.

I, Prince Henri, 2nd born of King Phillip of France, hereby swear without oppression or compulsion…

..to Fear and Honour God and maintain his most Holy Church.

To serve my Father and France in valour and faith at all times.

To never leave the weak defenceless and protect them from always harm.

To never strike at an unarmed and helpless foe, whomever they be.

To speak with truth in all things at all times.

Never to abandon a comrade to harm, poverty or distress.

And to neither refuse or insult a challenge from any equal.

…I pledge, as God is my witness, to uphold these precepts with all my heart and I trust that the Order accept my approach to them for inclusion in the Order.

Henri.

**Ituralde** · 09-22-2009, 10:58

I welcome you to the Order Brother Henri!

I am Simon de Montpierre the elected Captain for this term. I hope you will go on active duty right away and join us in Frankfurt? We sure can use every man to keep the Germans at bay!

Edit: That is if no one speaks against Brother Henri joining our ranks.

**Ignoramus** · 09-22-2009, 11:30

Welcome, Prince Henri!

You favour us with your presence. It is an honour indeed to have a member of the royal family among us.

**Braden** · 09-22-2009, 12:03

Thank you brothers. Think not of me as a Prince for I am only to be amongst equals in The Order, for that is my intention.

I know much of honour and chivalry, I have learned long and hard in skills of arms but have yet to prove myself amongst those who have such experience.

I ride with all haste to Frankfurt, though I fear I may not arrive until the season after next.

**econ21** · 09-22-2009, 23:52

Prince Henri, it is a great pleasure to have you join our ranks. We have accepted all the great Lords of the realm as our patrons, but you honour us by standing with us a regular member.

I believe our Charter speaks of new members being approved at Order sessions, but in this case I am sure I speak for us all in regarding that as a formality. Our Captain has accepted you into our ranks and we will all be proud to ride with you.