Ritter

Ritters are the formal name for knights of the Kingdom of Hain and Hainish noble families throughout North Stildane.
Ritters are the largest class of nobility in Hain along with other members of the gentry (lowest nobility). As gentry, ritters are not part of the full world of landed nobility that Burgraves, Grafs, and Herzogs are - but they are still nobility, distinct from the common classes.
Ritters are also typically "landed" in a minor sense: while they don't operate full political-land units like upper nobles, they do control small tracts of land operated by peasants known as Fees. A Ritter and their family lives as both landlord and warrior. It is not uncommon for Ritters to operate small retinues of men-at-arms, who are a mix of common and gentry warriors and squires that assist the Ritter in land management and battle. During times of peace, some of the men at arms might act as tax collectors and rent collectors. It is not uncommon for the families of Ritters to play major roles in negotiating rent payments and taxes during lean years, and the Ritter's kin often hold key positions in both their retinue and aids.
The wealth and power of a Ritter varies wildly depending on the lands they hold: a Ritter in rich farmland might have significant wealth and a robust retinue, while a Ritter in poor lands might depend solely on their family for support. Ritters do not hold their own castles (the right to a castle being reserved solely for Burgraves), but many Ritters do have manors or fortified houses. Some Ritters who are given honors by their lord might live full-time in their lord's castle; similarly, a Ritter who belongs to a knightly order may spend extended time in a chapter house. During these times, landlord duties are usually delegated to a trusted employee or kinsmen.
A ritter's hold on their land is less absolute than landed nobles. A knightly fee may be transferred or altered frequently at their lord's wishes. A lord is expected to provide enough land to provide the necessary funds or resources for war equipment, though. Similarly, a lord is required to provide a legal explanation for any change of fee; stripping a ritter of their lands without cause is against law and honor. Minor adjustments to fees are common, though. Minor acts of dishonor may lead to fee reductions.
A ritter is most closely attended to by their squires. Most squires are apprentices, young knights-in-training or warriors-in-training sent by other lower noble families. A capable ritter is expected to have been a squire themselves before becoming a full knight. Not all squires are apprentices, though: wealthy ritters may employ common or lowest-gentry squires into adulthood as full-time attendants.
Ritters are never without a liege. Most are sworn to Burgraves, but some serve higher lords directly as part of their personal demesne. Some ritters are sworn not to a lord, but to a Knightly order or the Hainish crown directly. These Order Knights and Crown Knights still typically have fees, though some are salaried instead. Salaried knights are both rare and not looked upon as entirely legitimate - many are elevated commoners knighted for acts of valor and goodness for the crown and temple. These salaried ritters may not always see their titles and salaries inherit, so becoming landed knights is generally preferable.
There is a romance about ritterdom in Hain. The common knight is a symbol of chivalry and valor, and a common subject of song and story. Not all ritters are the chivalric ideal, while others pursue that dream for honor and glory.

Type

Nobility, Hereditary

Form of Address

Sir, Dame, Lady, or Herr

Equates to

Knight

Length of Term

Lifelong

Reports directly to

Burgrave

Related Organizations

• The Kingdom of Hain