The Matilda Knights are a powerful military organisation within the Dunan Republic and previously the City-States of Jowston.
Overview[]
History[]
The Matilda Knights were formed in the year 280 with the financial backing of Muse and other cities as a way to counter the threat of the Highland Kingdom. Granted the lands of northern Muse, the knights who made up the initial organisation came from Muse and surrounding areas, most of them owning their own fiefs.
In 294, the Matilda Knights gained independence with the approval of Muse. At this time, the knights returned all of the money they were given initially. Due to their military strength, the Matilda Knights had as much or even more political clout than Muse within the Jowston Alliance.
During the Dunan Unification War of 460, the organisation was led by Gorudo, who utilised the knights purely to further his personal ambitions. When Highland invaded Muse, Gorudo delayed the deployment of the knights, ensuring the rapid capitulation of Muse. As the war continued, he refused to join forces with the New State Army, causing a schism whereby a large number of the Blue Knights and Red Knights (approximately 50%) defected to the New State Army along with their respective captains.
Gorudo eventually surrendered to Highland under the threat of military action, forcing the New State Army to invade Matilda. In the ensuing battle Gorudo was killed, and the Matilda Knights received former Blue Knight commander, Miklotov as their new leader.
Organization[]
Within the Knights there are three orders: White Knights, Red Knights, and Blue Knights. Even if two knights have the same rank, superiority depends on whether they are a member of the white, red, or blue knights (superiority is in that order). When a knight is admitted to one of the three branches, he can never change his color to another.
Each order is divided into seven different ranks in the following descending order: Captain, Vice-Captain, Lieutenant, Knight, Squire, Apprentice Knight, Apprentice Squire. Only after reaching the rank of Knight is a person considered to have gained knighthood. During the ceremony of knighthood, a knight swears fealty to the White Knight Captain and his order's knight captain (if applicable).
During times of peace, knights either train within Rockaxe or patrol the Knightdom. There are very few "honor" positions within the Knights, and the norm is that "once you can no longer fight, it's time to retire." After retiring, ex-knights typically help coaching younger knights-to-be or perform bureaucratic tasks.