Chivalric order
sovereign non-territorial Principality of statehood with a Prince Grand Master
Knights Templar regarded positions of nobility as solemn obligations, carrying a profound responsibility for representing and upholding the traditions, values and missions of the related historical institutions. Templars considered nobility – like knighthood itself – to be another form of a working system for organized service to humanity.
http://www.knightstemplarorder.org/templar-nobility/
Chivalry itself was essentially opposed to feudalism. The Code of Chivalry of 1066 AD commanded to “perform… thy feudal duties, [only] if they be not contrary to the laws of God.”
“the love of Justice which constitutes its duties”
The 100 rules of Chivalry
“govern Justly” and “take your rights” only as “specifically established” by law
“no person shall be elevated” and the strong must “give thanks to God” for it and care for the weak (Rule 34), and that “God holds both the strong and the weak equal” (Rule 38). [2]
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Each kingdom has Orders. Some knightly orders are unbound by country (unpopular) but many are bound per country, county or province. All knights are from some sort of order. Some orders allow multiple memberships, others not.
there is a sigil used on brooch and/or ring (or earrings in some cases)
orders of chivalry
armoured soldier is not the same as knight
gallantry
Vestments and accoutrements
collars
star
badge
medal
pin
accolade
dub
vigil
The process of becoming a knight generally included these stages:
Page — A child started training at about the age of seven or eight, learning obedience, manners, and other skills.[5] Squire — At twelve to fourteen the young man would observe and help other knights. Occupying a position comparable to an apprenticeship), he managed equipment and weapons such as arrows. He learned the use of weapons while hunting with the knights.[5] He went into recruit training to learn how to become a military fighter. At age 21, if judged worthy, he was bestowed the accolade of knighthood.[5] Knight — A special kind of trained soldier, often cavalry, serving a lord (nobleman or royalty). Knights had particular status in feudal society.[5]
knights get a shield, but not necessarily unique or what they want, unless they show gallantry in combat (or in other ways help the local lord) and receive hereditary knighthood (peer knight)
A knight is expected to receive a small estate, at least a house and some land.
a peer knight normally at least doubles his land ownership to another house or a slightly bigger farm, or 3-4 small one-family settlements (or a 3-4-family settlement)
patent of nobility - adelsbrev
in a Letters Patent. - sent by letter
Accordingly, the automatic passing of a hereditary title to heirs and successors is merely a traditional presumption that offspring of the younger generation have been raised, educated and trained by the elders, and thus have absorbed and follow the meritorious principles of royalty and nobility.
Grand Master
Letters patent (always in the plural) are a type of legal instrument in the form of a published written order issued by a monarch, president, or other head of state, generally granting an office, right, monopoly, title, or status to a person or corporation. Letters patent can be used for the creation of corporations or government offices, or for the granting of city status or a coat of arms.