Knight
A knight is first and foremost a warrior. While most of the upper nobility are knights, many knights hold no hereditary titles, and simply serve their lord as a fighter. Many will be manor lords, but many will be chosen by the manor lord and knighted. There is roughly one knight per manor, but knights who are not manor lords will typically travel with thier lord as their lord travels through different manors, rather than being spread one manor a knight, but this does not count toward time in service unless they are serving.
Knights are expected to serve their vassal lord for a set amount of time every year, including military campaigns or just guarding. However, they spend most of their time in their manor, acting as their other titles.
Knights are not specifically martial characters, a knight could be a holy warrior, a sorceror, or maybe even a wizard, whatver can serve the lord.
When serving their lord in a military manor, a knight must provide a small force. This may be provided by the knight themself if they are a manor lord, or may be drawn from their lords holdings. It varies, but tends to consist of:
Themselves
3 Squires or Men at Arms
5 Horses, with at least one being a war horse
1 carriage
2 archers
4 spearmen
However, if it is in defence of the realm, the number of archers and spearmen triples.
All knights who are not herdeitary, or at least the vast vast majority of them, are well sparked lower class people who were recruited by their lord to act as a knight. Typically recuited at 9, this is a great honour for the child and their family, and so most are happy to do it, as it will give the child a far better life than they would have had otherwise. Most will not be assigned to their local manor, but most will be given a good size farm at retirement at their original home. Typically a manor, which commands 450 adults, will have 20 odd people with sparks, and so whenever one with a powerful spark, above around 4th level comes around, they will be recruited and trained. Higher level sparks may be sent up to higher lords as tribute and a special gift, and also because they cannot be fully utilized by the lower lords (And they are a bit scary powerful).
Knights are expected to serve their vassal lord for a set amount of time every year, including military campaigns or just guarding. However, they spend most of their time in their manor, acting as their other titles.
Knights are not specifically martial characters, a knight could be a holy warrior, a sorceror, or maybe even a wizard, whatver can serve the lord.
When serving their lord in a military manor, a knight must provide a small force. This may be provided by the knight themself if they are a manor lord, or may be drawn from their lords holdings. It varies, but tends to consist of:
Themselves
3 Squires or Men at Arms
5 Horses, with at least one being a war horse
1 carriage
2 archers
4 spearmen
However, if it is in defence of the realm, the number of archers and spearmen triples.
All knights who are not herdeitary, or at least the vast vast majority of them, are well sparked lower class people who were recruited by their lord to act as a knight. Typically recuited at 9, this is a great honour for the child and their family, and so most are happy to do it, as it will give the child a far better life than they would have had otherwise. Most will not be assigned to their local manor, but most will be given a good size farm at retirement at their original home. Typically a manor, which commands 450 adults, will have 20 odd people with sparks, and so whenever one with a powerful spark, above around 4th level comes around, they will be recruited and trained. Higher level sparks may be sent up to higher lords as tribute and a special gift, and also because they cannot be fully utilized by the lower lords (And they are a bit scary powerful).
Requirements
Having a moderatly powerful spark, above around a 2nd level one, will leave one as a powerful enough warrior to serve as a retainer for a baron, especially when trained martially.
Appointment
Young children, at their first birthday, will be brought to the local lord, where they will test if the child has a spark. If they do, they will figure out how to use them, and if it is a powerful one, they may begin the negotiations to make the child a knight.
Duties
To serve and fight for their lord
Benefits
Room and board, a generous salary, and retirement on a manor with a sizeable farm for their family.
Accoutrements & Equipment
A martial knight will wear armour, but more magic focused knights might not. Generally it is up to the knight, how their spark is expressed, and how they are most able to use their power. Most will carry a ceremonial sword and have a ceremonial breastplate and helmet at least though.
Grounds for Removal/Dismissal
The lord can dismiss them for most any reason, but the most common one is obviously treachery. The lord is hesitant to remove knights however, as it can lead to distrust amongst the other knights,
Type
Nobility, Military
Form of Address
Sir
Source of Authority
Their spark and their lord
Length of Term
Life
Comments