Holy Band of Berstrum
The Pride of the Hangeschön
The Holy Band of Berstrum was a group of Northwythian cavalrymen that served as the elite military force for the Principality of Berstrum. Consisting of 200 pairs of male lovers hand-picked from the Principality's traditional men-at-arms, the Holy Band served as a single unit of shock troops, engaging and killing the enemy's best men and commanders in battle. Highly-skilled and operating with consistent drill precision, the Holy Band's exploits allowed for the rise of Berstrum as a major military power in Northwythe during the 2nd-Century BU. The Band was wholly annihilated (alongside the Principality itself) by Friedrich Wythe in 4 AU during the Emperor's final campaign against the Northwythian Princely States. The Band has since been re-formed in the early 5th Century by Prince Heinrich I of Northwythe, following the Princely State's secession from the Empire in 405.
Composition
Manpower
The Holy Band's 400 members were chosen specifically by NAME,
Structure
During the Holy Band's original incarnation under the Principality of Berstrum, the Band was initially commanded by a Ritmeister (EMNW: Riding Master), a Berstrummer cavalry officer of middling prestige. Following the Band's instrumental role in the defeat of...
Type
Shock
Founding
178 BU (Initial), 407 AU (Reintroduction)
Dissolution
4 AU (Initial)
Overall training Level
Elite
Assumed Veterancy
Decorated/Honored
Used by