Ordo Sus Piperatum

In 488, after the triumph of six Salisbury knights against all odds to win the loyalty of Somerset for Logres against better prepared and larger parties from Cornwall, Silchester and Cambria, the Earl of Salisbury petitioned King Uther to be allowed to create a formal Order of Knights. Permission was granted and the Ordo Sus Piperatum was created. Membership of the order is restricted to knights who, outside of their normal duties set out and achieve great glory for Salisbury, who defy the odds, face death and still triumph.  A membership gives the knights powers and responsibilities. When they strip their heraldry and wear the order's cape and brooch, they are no longer considered themselves. They are Salisbury herself, and they answer only to the rightful ruler of Salisbury, and only if they do not believe he is under influence of another who they have not formally sworn fealty to. The Order exists to further the cause of Salisbury and her interests, and every time a knight dons the garb, he is beholden to only act for the county. Only the rightful ruler of Salisbury may elevate new members. Any actions taken by a knight while they represent the Order are outside of the normal laws of the land, though, this is not widely recognised outside of Salisbury. A knight cannot be legally tried or held responsible for their actions as Salisbury except by the rightful ruler, as long as he remains free from influence. The worst punishment that can be given is to be stripped of membership of the order. The order is responsible for it's own discipline, including sending a knight of the order to the rightful ruler of Salisbury for judgement. All knights who don the cape are equal as brothers, no rank exists within the order. Sir Amig (d. 496) Sir Beldemence (Awarded Posthumously) Sir De Sir Edric Sir Elad (d. 495) Sir Hogarth Sir Hywel (d. 493) Sir Jarren SirJoel Sir Kitto (d. 490) Sir Morial (d. 490) Sir Valens

Excellent! Don’t forget those members (Both NPC and PK inducted since.)

Sir Amig is dead too!!

Ross M said: Sir Amig is dead too!! Ah, that's a small spoiler, sorry! Ross M said: Don’t forget those members (Both NPC and PK inducted since.) Do you remember who?

(Did Elad not die at St Albans 495)? Sirs De and Joel were both inducted.

Scribbs said: (Did Elad not die at St Albans 495)? Sirs De and Joel were both inducted. Quite correct, thank you!

Can you remind me about Sir Edric?

Sir Edric (( Once one of Abubu's characters )) is a half saxon knight. His father is from the Saxon enclave loyal to Uther. Despite his people having always been loyal, he faces much prejudice in his life. He inherited his fathers looks, and size, but is gentle and caring by nature. His interests lie in the nobility, not the peasantry.

Before the meeting Hogarth would probably had a conversation similar to this. For today’s performance the part of Lady Emblyn will be played by Whoopi Goldberg. <a href="https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=E1V07137IWw" rel="nofollow">https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=E1V07137IWw</a> &nbsp;

Sir Hogarth sits alone for a moment or two. The first Ordo meeting since the death of Roderick is no doubt going to be a sombre affair. He waits for the others knights to assemble... The silence is uncomfortable, Hogarth finds himself speaking... "There is so much to do..."

Sir De glances around the meeting. "Recruitment?"

(Before we go further, and to allow Ullin time, Do we know Sir Amig is dead? If he is dead, who controls the castle he was custodian of?)

That depends if this meeting occurs before or after the Easter Feast - before and you will not know, though you may have heard he is ill. After, and this meeting would be better served after the rp of your meeting with Lady Ellen

(That we already did? Where we swore our loyalty?) Shall we say that?

So the timetable of the Easter feast is you are invited, Castle Sarum is opened to admit you for the first time since the Earl died, you swore your fealty to Lady Ellen and confirmed your intention to respect Roberts inheritance of your homage. The feast happened during this. The knights slept in the castle overnight, as would be usual, then Lady Ellen clears court - except for your characters, this Saxon arrives and what happens from then is yet to be played. Shall we say the meeting took place the evening of the feast, perhaps during the less formal swearing of oaths part? If so, you do not know about Sir Amig, you'll be told tomorrow.

Valens looks around the scant few members present. "Aye, recruitment should be the first point of action. We have been lax in introducing new members to the Ordo. We had previously spoken of inducting both Sirs Taron and Dylan to the Ordo for their actions around Sir Joel's wedding. I think we should ratify that decision now. Is there any here who would object to those two joining us? The third member we mooted was Sir Ullin. Did you have anything to add here Hogarth?"

“A great deal. Does any other knight wish to propose a member?”

(I'm assuming the answer is no for the NPC's Will? Let me know if not.)

"Before we begin, I wish to thank you, my fellow knights." Hogarth stands. "The Ordo has slowly changed, over time as members have passed on, I have looked to shape it's form." Confidence grows in his voice. "Through marriage or title, position or guidance I have sought to elevate each of you. The reason is simple, you are the knights I believe to be the most competent, the most skilled. You are the knights I would trust to follow me into the jaws of death..." He places his hand on Sir De's shoulder. "... and drag my sorry backside out again." He walks onwards. "There are many who would seek to split Salisbury, to profit from it's ruin. We are the thin white line that will stop this happening, but we must be united. We must be a unit." Hogarth returns to his seat. "I will never, ever agree to induct anyone into this Ordo I do not trust with my life. I would expect no less from any of you." The telltale smile returns. "Ullin is the Knight I wish to be. His staying power in the pitched battle far eclipses my own. Taron is a house knight of tremendous bravery, his commitment to our cause is unquestionable. Dylan has an eye for politics and anticipates well the actions of our enemies. His measures to keep our drink safe from interference demonstrate that." Hogarth taps the table twice. "Pending Sir Amig's approval I see no reason not to induct these Knights. We need to demonstrate the wheels of power continue to turn."

(( Correct assumption! )) Sir De stands, and bangs her spear against the wall in agreement "Well said Sir Hogarth!"

(Please add whatever you want here.) After all else is concluded...&nbsp; “Two final points. Firstly, Sir Elad was always the overseer of those who were to become squires. This is a roll I intend to take on. Secondly, what troubles the Ordo? What priority should we have this year?”

"What troubles the Ordo or what troubles Salisbury? Although they should be the same thing, there is a matter of scale. I would suggested that the lack of numbers here, despite the newly proposed members, is still a concern that needs addressing." "As to what troubles Salisbury, we need to understand the new wider situation. There is no Pendragon to lead Logres. The alliances made with the other Kings of Briton will be null and void. Those who seek power will likely try to grab more territory or autonomy. In this chaos the Saxons will scent blood and exploit any lack of unity. We need to make sure Salisbury is not isolated and seen as easy pickings by those that seek to profit from this situation."

“Indeed, the lady Ellen is uniquely placed to maintain good relations with Silchester, and I will look to reestablish favourable relations with Somerset. Delegations beyond that will take longer, so I feel our closest neighbours are our first priority.” Hogarth muses. “It is a shame none of these young knights pulled that sword from the stone. Would have saved &nbsp;a lot of opportunistic behaviours.”

"Perhaps, or just another degree of confusion. If a known and respected knight like Sir Brastias pulled it forth, I suspect that there would be some grumblings, but it would be accepted in general. If a young knight of no renown with no name did so, do you believe many would support him as King? More likely further division would be rife."

“I sit before you as a Captain of Salisbury, and I had neither armour or a charger when I was knighted. I’m more than willing to believe in miracles.”

"Not mail perhaps, and no charger, but Black Jack was a warhorse worthy of a knight." Valens cracks a smile. "But none can deny that you've risen highly in Salisbury." "But that does remind me of another point to raise. I think that we might have to reconsider some of the squires that are being taken on. Opening the opportunity to become a knight was necessary to fill our ranks. But I've spoken to a lot of those who fought at St Albans. The squires from a more common background were quickly out of their depth in the chaos of the battlefield. We are lucky significant numbers weren't lost, or their knights as a result."

“Aye, I will not be enforcing that policy again. Frankly, any way we can find to encourage our knightly families to have more heirs will be looked at with favour.”

"Are those our main actions then? Seek more recruits for the Ordo, send out diplomatic envoys to our neighbours. You mentioned Dorset, what of Jagent? Did you not meet the Earl a few years ago?"

“Indeed. And by marriage I am related to Admiral Gwenwynwyn, between his holdings in Cornwall and his mastership of Logres fleet on the Southern coast he would make a strong Ally.”

(If we flash forward to the events of the main thread and Sir Amig's passing, I think we can induct some new knights into the order, perhaps before they head off into this year's adventure?)

Sure!