The Royal Order of the Bondsmen was commissioned by His Majesty King Edmund II in 1423. Born from the disbanding of the Royal Order of the Black Bond which had previously guarded English lands for six years.
Any who join this order are to renounce all worldly titles and honours. Should they be a noble then they lose the titles and income of that position, similar positions or more can be given to them upon joining. Any man may donate all or a portion of his land to the Order.
This Order accepts both soldiers and men of faith into its ranks, not just men and religions of England but of elsewhere also. As England is a country populated by many different types of people its diversity is reflected within the Order. All who ask will be found a place within the Order, whether as a soldier, a physician, a diplomat et cetera, all are catered for.
Built upon the banks of the River Liffey is an exact copy of the Order House of the Black Bond which has been painstakingly moved from London to Dublin, brick by brick.
Allegiances
To The King, The People, The Land and The Order
Banner
Ranks
Order Rules
The King is to be the head of the order both in spirit and in practice all decisions ultimately rest with him
The day to day running of the Order is to be left to The Captain-General of the Order
A member of the Order accepts the Captain-General as his liege Lord and in turn, the King. They renounce any previous obligations that they had prior to joining the order. They are also forgiven of any misdeeds they may have committed. The Order is to be a place for second chances.
The Order will follow the laws of the Kingdom in which they reside. They may only be used against noblemen if their actions are deemed criminal and the King gives his express permission. Such actions are not to be taken lightly and will be used only once all other avenues have being attempted.
Order members must bow to rank when on Order business. For the order of rank the Ordermen are equivalent in rank to the example shown above and the men of the Order are to be shown the respect that the position deserves.
Donations are accepted and recommended to help further the Order. Recommended donations are 20% of the member’s annual income. Members may then request the Captain-General for items bought with Order money to help said member further the Order.
Captain-Generals are chosen by their predecessor in their will. In the event of no successor being named then the title shall go to the most senior member, judged by rank and then age.
All members of the Order are allowed to promote both new recruits and current members to a maximum of one position below their own. Such promotions are however scrutinised by the Captain-General and allowed at his discretion.
If members have a confrontation then the issue shall be brought to the attention of a senior member. If there is an argument involving the Captain General and his conduct then it shall be brought to the Kings attention.
If there is any argument between an order member and any none member of the Order it is to be brought before the King to decide.
If an Order member should be accused of a crime the Order may not protect him. The Order follows the law and is not above it.
Crimes committed internally within the Order are to be investigated by the Captain General who will decide punishment.
Going absent without leave is desertion and thus a heinous break in the law. First time offenders shall be detained with repeat offenders dealt harsher punishments. Protecting a deserter from detention is a crime without good reason.
Oath
I [your name], promise on my honour that I will be faithful to the Crown and the Royal Order of the Bondsmen. I will never act to cause them harm and will observe my homage to them completely against all others in good faith and without deceit. I shall honour the Order's values and it's history and stray not from it. Fealty with love, valour with honour. Disloyalty with vengeance.
Old Order Description
The Band of the Black Bond, commissioned as an Order by His Majesty King Edmund II in 1417.
Born out of the Riots and Flames of London in 1414 for people who had lost everything to come together in the spirit of brotherhood and start anew.
This Order accepts both soldiers and men of faith into it's ranks, not just men and religions of England but of elsewhere also. As London is a city populated by many different types of people it's diversity is reflected within the Band. All who ask will be found a place within the Band, whether as a soldier, a physician, a diplomat et cetera, all are catered for. Built upon the banks of the Thames where the refugee camp that had once been a home to the original members of the Band had once stood.
Last edited by Mors Vigilia; April 09, 2011 at 08:10 AM.
GSTK:
Main: Richard de Lacquartier (36) Premier Baron, Lord High Constable of all England, First Baron of Carlisle, Warden of the North and Lord of the Lakes.
Aux: Sir Roger de Courtenay (28) Captain of the northern Wardens.
The members of the Band are summoned to the Order Hall.
GSTK:
Main: Richard de Lacquartier (36) Premier Baron, Lord High Constable of all England, First Baron of Carlisle, Warden of the North and Lord of the Lakes.
Aux: Sir Roger de Courtenay (28) Captain of the northern Wardens.
Robert came striding into the great hall, Ralf at his back. His great footsteps echoed loudly in the newly built great hall.
Greetings Pietro, what do you think of this then? Isn't it marvellous, We've even got mooring space enough for a fleet! I'll have to let Captain Sybal know that he could soon be in control of more than just the Black Swan, a fine vessel that she is but she is just one vessel.
GSTK:
Main: Richard de Lacquartier (36) Premier Baron, Lord High Constable of all England, First Baron of Carlisle, Warden of the North and Lord of the Lakes.
Aux: Sir Roger de Courtenay (28) Captain of the northern Wardens.
And you are the first to arrive and see it's splendour, I can see myself getting used to this place. I've summoned the Band here to discuss our orders from the King, have you ever been to Germania, Pietro?
Ralf smiled at Pietro and showed off the new tabard that he was wearing, complete with sword belt, short sword and a short bow.
Oh yes that reminds me.
The Duke pointed to a bench that his squire had walked past, on it was a gleaming new tabard and chain-mail suit.
GSTK:
Main: Richard de Lacquartier (36) Premier Baron, Lord High Constable of all England, First Baron of Carlisle, Warden of the North and Lord of the Lakes.
Aux: Sir Roger de Courtenay (28) Captain of the northern Wardens.
Is that so? I must say that I found the people there very friendly, I stayed for half a year in Bavaria. Perhaps they though t you to be Venetian? I know that they've had their quarrels...
He began to say something else but then stopped himself.
I was going to say that you should put that on or you'd feel out of place when the others arrive but I realise that I've never actually worn it myself. I wear the scarf of course but I have not yet seen fit to wear the tabard, not even during battle. Perhaps I should change that one day...
Last edited by Mors Vigilia; October 26, 2010 at 10:44 AM.
GSTK:
Main: Richard de Lacquartier (36) Premier Baron, Lord High Constable of all England, First Baron of Carlisle, Warden of the North and Lord of the Lakes.
Aux: Sir Roger de Courtenay (28) Captain of the northern Wardens.
"I was called many things that night, sire, and a "Venetian" was one of the more kinder things." Pietro said, grinning slightly.
"As the leader of The Band of the Black Bond, I suppose it's a matter of preference whether or not you wear the tabard; you're name is well enough known around these parts that even without it, people should know you lead this order by your name alone."
Ah, it's this face and the name Cyclops that I am recognised. To think I used to loathe that name when they first started calling me that. Now I've come to love it for the term of affection that it is.
He grinned.
Perhaps you had done something to anger those of the empire? Bedded the wrong girl did you? Ate the white veal sausage without first removing the skin, no it's not a euphemism! It's a genuine type of sausage of which I ate and was then informed that I'd practically eaten it's container along with it.
He laughed in remembrance.
Oh they were strangely good times.
A noise came from the end of the hall and Captain Sybal along with Sergeant Blochs entered with a fist to chest in salute.
GSTK:
Main: Richard de Lacquartier (36) Premier Baron, Lord High Constable of all England, First Baron of Carlisle, Warden of the North and Lord of the Lakes.
Aux: Sir Roger de Courtenay (28) Captain of the northern Wardens.
Strange, but not without its charms. I look forward to returning.
He looked up and addressed the new arrivals,
Captain, Sergeant. This is Corporal Ippolito, he is Sicilian.
He laughed,
There is not a true Englishman among us yet, Although I am English by blood, I was not born here. Blochs is from Sweden and Sybal is a Borderman. Diverse and yet together. The building blocks upon which we create our world.
Well gentlemen, we may be in for a wait. The weather seems to have taken a turn for the worse and it may waylay the others. It seems that you managed to catch the best winds on your way here Captain, the winds before a storm.
Captain Sybal nodded, he had seen the storm coming and was proud of the Black Swan for being able to outrun it.
Last edited by Mors Vigilia; October 26, 2010 at 10:46 AM.
GSTK:
Main: Richard de Lacquartier (36) Premier Baron, Lord High Constable of all England, First Baron of Carlisle, Warden of the North and Lord of the Lakes.
Aux: Sir Roger de Courtenay (28) Captain of the northern Wardens.
"A league formed to protect the common people of England, and not an Englishman among us. Fate still has a sense of humor, then."
Pietro turned towards Robert. "This building has a barracks, correct? If it does, I'd like to rest till the other members of our order arrive. I'd like to get as much rest before we set sail for the mainland; I doubt I'll get any on the trip over."
Help yourself, I'd be surprised if there was anything this building didn't have. Did you see the tower? That's full of blackpowder weapons from Sovereign in Wales.
The barracks is large as you would expect in an order building, and I imagine that you'll have it all to yourself for the moment. I myself am going down to the bath house. I shall return when the others arrive.
He bid the men farewell and impressed upon them to treat the place as their own.
GSTK:
Main: Richard de Lacquartier (36) Premier Baron, Lord High Constable of all England, First Baron of Carlisle, Warden of the North and Lord of the Lakes.
Aux: Sir Roger de Courtenay (28) Captain of the northern Wardens.
He is shown in by two beaming Band members. As new recruits they found it hard to contain their excitement.
On entering the hall Antonio noticed a good number of uniformed men sitting casually together on the raised section towards the end. These men were the officers of the Band, they were sharing stories and laughing uproariously, already treating this place as their own.
A side door opened and the Duke entered, his hair was wet and he was retying his black scarf around his neck. He looked the epitome of a rogue, in fact as the only man in the room without a tabard, he looked rather odd considering.
GSTK:
Main: Richard de Lacquartier (36) Premier Baron, Lord High Constable of all England, First Baron of Carlisle, Warden of the North and Lord of the Lakes.
Aux: Sir Roger de Courtenay (28) Captain of the northern Wardens.
My Lord Captain General! Ships are aflame in the docks! Our patrol was attacked, four men are down!
GSTK:
Main: Richard de Lacquartier (36) Premier Baron, Lord High Constable of all England, First Baron of Carlisle, Warden of the North and Lord of the Lakes.
Aux: Sir Roger de Courtenay (28) Captain of the northern Wardens.
Pietro is awoken by footsteps running through the halls. The echo in this place might become annoying after awhile, Pietro thought to himself.
He hastily puts on his trousers and runs to the doorway. Catching the runner by the shoulder, he asks why he's causing such commotion.
"The ships are burning in the docks, and a patrol of ours was attacked! Four lay dying!"
"Well what are you telling me for! Alert the rest of the men!" Pietro says, running past the man and towards the Grand Hall, relaying the message to anyone unaware of the crisis.
Robert listened to what the man had to say before crossing over to his raised seat at the end of the hall. It was technically a throne, he hadn't ordered it as part of the design but it was here and he wouldn't say no to a bit of added luxury.
He pointed to Captain Sybal and then at Sergeant Finnegan.
Take the Black Swan out for a look, fill it with buckets and fast moving men, do what you can. Go.
They saluted and marched quickly towards the cavern in the base of the Order, the ship was moored there.
Robert then thought for a while and sat with his hand hovering between the men...
Corporal Di Birmingham, go and find the Admiral Baron Ramsden, Captain of the Thames. Tell him to come down here personally to assess the damage to the docks and then to report to the Deputy Mayor in regards to what work needs to be done on the river. If you have that you may leave.
Sergeant Drake, round up all nearby men to search the area for those responsible, take Mandred along to care for the wounded.
Those two saluted and left also, heading for the barracks.
Sergeant Blochs, hold the fort, see if we get word from the king regarding Germania. If Pietro turns up tell him I'm looking for him. If he asks around, he'll find me.
Leaving Erik in charge, Robert headed also for the barracks, his boots creating a reverberated boom. He would not tire of that authoritative sound, the sound of someone putting their foot down, the sound of someone in charge.
GSTK:
Main: Richard de Lacquartier (36) Premier Baron, Lord High Constable of all England, First Baron of Carlisle, Warden of the North and Lord of the Lakes.
Aux: Sir Roger de Courtenay (28) Captain of the northern Wardens.
Pietro rushed past other Order members to get to the Main Hall as fast as he could. He was surprised to see how many there were. How many had the Order recruited?
He finally made it to the Hall. He made it a point to talk to those in charge to find out exactly what was going on, and this was no exception. Scanning the room, he saw someone who fit the bill; Segeant Blochs was standing across the room, directing members of the Band to and fro.
Pietro walks towards the fellow, just now noticing he'd forgotten to fully dress before sprinting out of his room. Hoping Blochs would see how pressing the situation was, it was something that could be forgiven.
"Mind filling me in on the situation, Sergeant Blochs?"
The Royal Order of the Bondsmen
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Originally Posted by Double A
