Post by Forge on Jun 19, 2017 15:48:43 GMT
An account of Noblity by Reformer and Noble Lady Suiz.
A common cultural theme that comes along with Serfdom and Feudalism is the Land owning Noble Class. Their appearance can be very diverse, dressing and appearing in different ways. However Court Life always no matter what nation seems to stay if not exact then similar to others. While Knights have chivalry on the Battle Field Nobles have The Aquila. A strict code or conduct on Court behavior and mannerisms that all Nobility are expected to follow. However they also have an unspoken or unnamed code of conduct, one that spells out the rules of power plays, seduction, and more. This darker side of Court Life is what most Nobles play while keeping up the appearance of serinity.
The Nobles ranking system varies from nation to nation. While land does come into play there are Nobles who have little land. These are known as the new Nobles and consist of rich Merchants who were able to purchase a title, or warriors who gained it through service in warfare. These New Nobles no matter their title or rank are looked down upon by the Old Nobles, who can trace their nobility as least 4 generations. In some Kingdoms the ruling monarch may be called a Duke/Duchess or a Prince/Princess , though most of the time they are referred to as King/Queen. Lesser titles include Count/Countess, usually the ruler of a County, Duke/Duchess, the ruler of a Duchy, Prince/Princess a child of the ruling monarch or ruler of a Princedom, lastly there are Barons and Earls who oversee Castles, Towns, Forts and Cities and usually rule over smaller areas of land.
In Court all Nobility is expected to behave as if the very walls are delicate. Voices must be kept low, unless requested otherwise. Manners and politeness must be upheld at all times. The speed of all movements must be crisp. If you wish to meet a new person, you must have another introduce you. Women and Men may not display public affecrion for each other. All discussions must be political or simplw in nature. This is what appears to go on...however whenever a group of the ruling class gather there is always more than what meets the eye.
Husbands and Wives who married for position and power rather than love indulge in younger good looking nobles and even servants. They plot and cheat their way to higher positions of power by making alliances and promises. Marriage proposals between children are also common as it is a good way to ensure an alliance stays true. Sending young boys away to other houses to train and prepare for their future place at the head of their houses is also common. Though often they will be sent to family, (On the Mothers side mind you, Males on the Fathers side are likely to kill the young boy as to receive his inheritance). The Court is also a child auction if anything else with so many young people being traded like cattle. What takes place in Ball Rooms and Great Halls and what takes place in private rooms are two very different things. The World of the Nobility is a harsh one, in of its own way.
A good Noble is expected to look after his people and place their interests above his/her own...however this is rarely the case. Often times peasants, knights and workers are treated no better than slaves by their noble masters. The Nobility create the rules of any feudalistic kingdom, they rule and their word is law. They also are charged with the defense of the land should it require it. Nobles are expected to keep at least a small retinue of Knights and a sheriff/marshal/forester who is charged with maintaining a guard. However should a large scale conflict come into play they may recruit professional mercenary soldiers as well as train peasants and workers from their own lands to fight. Nobility adhere to a strict code of conduct in warfare known as chivalry. This honor code only applies to other Nobles though, peasants and other lesser soldiers can be treated however the nobles wish. This can be seen through common warfare tactics of Armenia which include the burning of entire villages. Nobles who face each other in combat are required to honor their opponents and salute if single combat, or give a battle cry if in a large scale battle. Unhorsed or incapacitated Nobles can expect to be captured unharmed and ransomed back to his peoples.
Even so called Republics are often ruled by a social elite. As a requirement to run for office often involves tracing ones citizenship of the realm as far back as 10 generations as long with land ownership. However these elites are often not associated with the Nobles of feudal society and to do so would be considered insulting by both parties. The Bourgeoisie as they are often called are very similar to Feudal Nobles. Both identify with houses or families and both control their respected nations. However while Nobility is hard to gain entry to, anyone with money is permitted into the Bourgeoisie. The Merchant ruling class is based in wealth more so than family lineage, prestige and land. However what Serfs are to Nobles, workers and artisans are often to Merchants.
This is all on Nobles and is a basic segment in a long history of their kind, if you wish to learn more try looking at Chivalry by The Barron Ashlord or A Lady Waiting by Jane Suiz.
A common cultural theme that comes along with Serfdom and Feudalism is the Land owning Noble Class. Their appearance can be very diverse, dressing and appearing in different ways. However Court Life always no matter what nation seems to stay if not exact then similar to others. While Knights have chivalry on the Battle Field Nobles have The Aquila. A strict code or conduct on Court behavior and mannerisms that all Nobility are expected to follow. However they also have an unspoken or unnamed code of conduct, one that spells out the rules of power plays, seduction, and more. This darker side of Court Life is what most Nobles play while keeping up the appearance of serinity.
The Nobles ranking system varies from nation to nation. While land does come into play there are Nobles who have little land. These are known as the new Nobles and consist of rich Merchants who were able to purchase a title, or warriors who gained it through service in warfare. These New Nobles no matter their title or rank are looked down upon by the Old Nobles, who can trace their nobility as least 4 generations. In some Kingdoms the ruling monarch may be called a Duke/Duchess or a Prince/Princess , though most of the time they are referred to as King/Queen. Lesser titles include Count/Countess, usually the ruler of a County, Duke/Duchess, the ruler of a Duchy, Prince/Princess a child of the ruling monarch or ruler of a Princedom, lastly there are Barons and Earls who oversee Castles, Towns, Forts and Cities and usually rule over smaller areas of land.
In Court all Nobility is expected to behave as if the very walls are delicate. Voices must be kept low, unless requested otherwise. Manners and politeness must be upheld at all times. The speed of all movements must be crisp. If you wish to meet a new person, you must have another introduce you. Women and Men may not display public affecrion for each other. All discussions must be political or simplw in nature. This is what appears to go on...however whenever a group of the ruling class gather there is always more than what meets the eye.
Husbands and Wives who married for position and power rather than love indulge in younger good looking nobles and even servants. They plot and cheat their way to higher positions of power by making alliances and promises. Marriage proposals between children are also common as it is a good way to ensure an alliance stays true. Sending young boys away to other houses to train and prepare for their future place at the head of their houses is also common. Though often they will be sent to family, (On the Mothers side mind you, Males on the Fathers side are likely to kill the young boy as to receive his inheritance). The Court is also a child auction if anything else with so many young people being traded like cattle. What takes place in Ball Rooms and Great Halls and what takes place in private rooms are two very different things. The World of the Nobility is a harsh one, in of its own way.
A good Noble is expected to look after his people and place their interests above his/her own...however this is rarely the case. Often times peasants, knights and workers are treated no better than slaves by their noble masters. The Nobility create the rules of any feudalistic kingdom, they rule and their word is law. They also are charged with the defense of the land should it require it. Nobles are expected to keep at least a small retinue of Knights and a sheriff/marshal/forester who is charged with maintaining a guard. However should a large scale conflict come into play they may recruit professional mercenary soldiers as well as train peasants and workers from their own lands to fight. Nobility adhere to a strict code of conduct in warfare known as chivalry. This honor code only applies to other Nobles though, peasants and other lesser soldiers can be treated however the nobles wish. This can be seen through common warfare tactics of Armenia which include the burning of entire villages. Nobles who face each other in combat are required to honor their opponents and salute if single combat, or give a battle cry if in a large scale battle. Unhorsed or incapacitated Nobles can expect to be captured unharmed and ransomed back to his peoples.
Even so called Republics are often ruled by a social elite. As a requirement to run for office often involves tracing ones citizenship of the realm as far back as 10 generations as long with land ownership. However these elites are often not associated with the Nobles of feudal society and to do so would be considered insulting by both parties. The Bourgeoisie as they are often called are very similar to Feudal Nobles. Both identify with houses or families and both control their respected nations. However while Nobility is hard to gain entry to, anyone with money is permitted into the Bourgeoisie. The Merchant ruling class is based in wealth more so than family lineage, prestige and land. However what Serfs are to Nobles, workers and artisans are often to Merchants.
This is all on Nobles and is a basic segment in a long history of their kind, if you wish to learn more try looking at Chivalry by The Barron Ashlord or A Lady Waiting by Jane Suiz.