A new squire contract.

Vitus von Atzinger · Post by **Vitus von Atzinger** » Thu Jul 02, 2009 7:36 pm

To the populace of the Known World comes greeting from Vitus von Atzinger, knight of the Middle Kingdom and tenan of the Great House Stahlgeist. May St. Michael guide all good Christian men-at-arms away from evil deeds, and may the pagan gods smile upon those of you who follow another -yet equally glorious- path toward everlasting martial or artistic fame, as we all serve the same noble cause and waking dream.
Well met and a happy time of day to all who read this, or hear it read in churches, within the streets, in camps of war or in the mead halls of the pagan north. Mark me well, for I am well-resolved to raise a yeomen soldier unto the Estate of Esquire.
Mael Colum mac Eoin mec Fearghus ui Niall, Called Maelcolm Mor (or Malcolm the Giant in the common speech) shall be raised, upon his agreement to this contract, into the estate of Esquire, and he shall be guided towards holy knighthood by my guidance and counsel. I here publicly declare what the nature of his service shall be, and likewise what the limits of my authority over him shall be. Let those who would interfere in this matter fear my retribution, as I am a knight of some renown and whose family should not to be roused in anger- our deeds of arms are known widely in the world, and I count many knights and good squires as brothers and cousins. This having been said, I shall now relate how this thing shall be done.

Item- This man-at-arms Maelcolm Mor shall not take the family name of Atzinger, as this is not keeping with his place among his pagan tribe, who do worship heathen gods and follow customs unknown to me, my gracious lady and my retainers.
Item- This Maelcolm Mor shall not attend upon my person, or serve within my war band under the banner of Baron Omarad the Wary, knight, as these labors will interfere with his present role as a warband leader.
Item- Any troops or men-at-arms under the command of Maelcolm Mor shall owe me no allegiance or obedience in any undertaking of arms, whether they be deeds done with arms of peace or deeds done in battle.
Item- Maelcolm Mor shall be required to tirelessly seek after deeds of arms, fulfill any quests assigned to him by myself or my lady, carry private communications from myself to others, read statements to appropriate parties if required and act as my herald if commanded. If acting as my messenger or herald, he shall do his labors in garments of my choosing and design. These garments shall be provided at my expense. I agree to give him ample time to prepare if he is called upon to do these labors.
Item- Maelcolm Mor, if required, shall perform certain chivalric labors for any gentle of my choosing, unless he feels that such labors would bring him dishonor or shame. If he feels thus, he must present his reasons for such refusal and will be allowed to either publicly or privately debate the nature of his stance. I will receive his reasons openly and with no malice.
Item- Maelcolm Mor shall not, upon his agreement to this contract, loose arrow shaft or crossbow bolt at any belted knight of any Kingdom or faith. However, he shall be allowed to hurl all other matter of arms at any man-at-arms of any rank, keeping with the traditions of his culture. If it is found that he has loosed arrow or bolt at any good knight, his arms shall be displayed in my camp inverted until he shall perform such penance as I see fit to give him.
Item- I shall guide Maelcolm Mor toward his goals in the life-in-arms.
Item- I shall give instruction in the discipline of arms to Maelcolm Mor without reservation.
Item- I shall spread his fame and accounts of his worthy deeds among the Kingdoms of the world.
Item- I shall impart to him all that I know of the science of chivalry, which I have learned in my long study of great men of fame, loyalty and prowess.

Upon his agreement to these items, Maelcolm Mor shall be allowed to style himself a squire of the Middle Kingdom, meaning that he may at any time of his own choosing put the blood-colored military belt around his waist, and he may wear it until he is made knight, or unless he or I choose to end this contract- including its responsibilities and obligations. The right to wear the spurs of a squire shall depend upon his performance in certain knightly duties, to be assigned to him at a later date. He retains the right to wear the silver chain of his rank, since he is the sworn vassal of the Crown of the Middle Kingdom.
This contract shall be renewed each year in the month of July, and any changes to this document shall be discussed with him beforehand, allowing him to renew our pact or break our bonds as he sees fit.
I make these declarations openly and in front of the entire Known World, since this Maelcolm Mor has, through his long service to the Crown and to his tribe, shown himself worthy to be raised into the second estate.
These are the words of Vitus von Atzinger, written this day at his castle in the Barony of the Flame, held in fief by Erick der Rochnatten, Baron and his peerless lady Camilla de la Reynard, Baroness. May God and his angels guide them toward ever higher honors.

Malcolm_Mor · Post by **Malcolm_Mor** » Thu Jul 02, 2009 7:44 pm

To Sir Vitus von Atzinger, Knight of the Laurel Kingdoms, Vassal of the Crown of the Midrealm, Tenan of the Dread House Stahlgeist, and to all those to whom these words reach;

Now come I, Maelcolm Mor, Son of Eoin, of the line of Fearghus, of the Clanne Ui Niall, Rigfenneid Fianna de Fainne, Lord of the Dragon Blood and Serjeant of the Red Company; Greetings and let the Children of Danu, all the Saints of the White Christ, and the Powers of Flame, Sea, Sky and Stone bear witness thereof;

Hear me, o ye people;

Long have I known Vitus, warrior and knight; and I know his service is exacting but fair, demanding much, but none that he demands not of himself, and knowing that the hardest demand will be to demand much of myself. I know him as a wise chief, a puissant taker of heads, and a stalwart defender and champion of the Ard Righ, his Queen, the people an the land, instrument of their justice, shield of the weak, and always holding to that which is right and true.

It is both humbling and proud that he has seen fit to offer this worthy service to me, and his terms are more than generous, and so do I swear to abide by them, to serve the Ard Righ through my service to him, and to keep faith with such oaths already sworn in service to my people and to the Dragon Throne, for the greater glory of same.

May I be a vessel to be filled, and never give case for regret that he has taken me into his company as a squire, and so do I consent, right gladly and without reservation. Know also, should the crown see fit to ever offer me the honor and privilege of the accolade, I vow that It is the belt I should take over the baldric.

So swear I, Maelcolm Mor, by all that I hold sacred and binding.

audax · Post by **audax** » Thu Jul 02, 2009 7:46 pm

Excellent.

bkillian · Post by **bkillian** » Thu Jul 02, 2009 8:27 pm

This is goodly and right.

Kenwrec Wulfe · Post by **Kenwrec Wulfe** » Thu Jul 02, 2009 8:43 pm

Most excellent!

Angusm0628 · Post by **Angusm0628** » Thu Jul 02, 2009 9:07 pm

May you both walk your path free of obstacles and ever in the light.

Jess · Post by **Jess** » Thu Jul 02, 2009 9:27 pm

Welcome, brother!

Malcolm_Mor · Post by **Malcolm_Mor** » Thu Jul 02, 2009 9:37 pm

Jess wrote:Welcome, brother!

Thank you, it is good to be here.

AEiric Orvender · Post by **AEiric Orvender** » Thu Jul 02, 2009 9:40 pm

Holy Bloody F....! :shock:

Well Done Brother

Guess I should get off my ass too eh? :wink:

Balin50 · Post by **Balin50** » Thu Jul 02, 2009 10:05 pm

Well done.
May your journey be filled with challenges and victory in those same challenges so that the iron of your heart becomes the strongest steel for the Middle Kingdom.

Balin

Leopold der Wolf · Post by **Leopold der Wolf** » Thu Jul 02, 2009 11:40 pm

*claps*. Congratulations Squire Malcolm Mor!

maxntropy · Post by **maxntropy** » Fri Jul 03, 2009 12:48 am

My heart is well and truly gladdened by these noble and worthy missives, and I am deeply impressed by the significant growth, open-mindedness, and willingness to listen and learn that such a development demonstrates -- and for my part, I hope that the Archive discussion on the topic of a few months ago may have provided some impetus for such happy tidings.

May your journey down this path bring rewards beyond your wildest dreams, since I can imagine no better guide for you than Sir Vitus!

Welcome to the club! (and don't forget there's an SCA-Squires list on Yahoo)

Max Von Halstern

Amanda M · Post by **Amanda M** » Fri Jul 03, 2009 1:08 am

A fine declaration on both accounts.

Gilebert · Post by **Gilebert** » Fri Jul 03, 2009 7:10 am

Congratulations to both Sir Vitus and Sgt. Maelcolm Mor, Esquire!

Very well thought out and written declarations of expectations and acceptances.

Hrolfr · Post by **Hrolfr** » Fri Jul 03, 2009 7:13 am

Congratulations to you both!

Sextus Maximus · Post by **Sextus Maximus** » Fri Jul 03, 2009 8:48 am

Welcome Brother, may your deeds be long and great..

Malcolm_Mor · Post by **Malcolm_Mor** » Fri Jul 03, 2009 12:49 pm

Many thanks to all for their well wishes.

It is my intent to demonstrate that Sir Vitus chose to offer me this not unwisely, and I pray your assistance in this task.

AlexendreBautista · Post by **AlexendreBautista** » Fri Jul 03, 2009 6:55 pm

congratulations on both your elevation to this most worthy journey and too the well thought out and most beutiful missives and to the most noble Knight who saw with in you the light of chivalry

D. Sebastian · Post by **D. Sebastian** » Fri Jul 03, 2009 9:06 pm

Huzzah!

Aaron · Post by **Aaron** » Fri Jul 03, 2009 9:30 pm

Huzzah!!

-Aaron

Finnvarthr Finnbogason · Sat Jul 04, 2009 7:57 am

Congratulations to you both! Gorgeously done!