Historia Normannis. Society Handbook

Transcription

1 Historia Normannis Society Handbook

2 Introduction This document serves as a basic overview of society structure, the regulations, as well as some important information for all members. Given the restructure of the society as it expands, all the pertinent information to how the society actually works was considered a useful tool for members- and so it is laid down here, in hopefully an accessible format. The plan is that this document will expand in time, covering more information that members may need- however this edition has been somewhat fast-tracked to explain the structure of the upper society and the three estates. Hope this is a helpful resource! Remember- if in doubt, ask on the forum- Dan FitzEdward 19/10/14, Lancaster Index Introduction The Three Estates Single Estate Members Society Structure Tiers and the Regulations The Cadre/Coterie/Seminary System Departments & Guilds Code of Law

3 The Three Estates As of the season the church and monastic aspect of the society was considerably expanded, and the society begin to restructure along the lines of the medieval ideal- The Three Estates. The Laboratores- those that work- traditionally referring to any secular non-noble (who were considered de facto Bellatores), in Normannis this term is used for members giving a secular presentation on the Encampment. As such all members are de-facto Laboratores, unless they join the Oratores. Progression within this estate is based around secular craft, encampment involvement and at the higher Tiers, leadership ability. The Oratores- those that pray- members of the clergy or monastic world- these men and women were the scholars and bureaucrats of the medieval world. In Normannis members whose primary functions are as historians and/or primarily assist in logistics and organisation are offered promotion in the Oratores. Membership of this Estate is nominal- members must choose to be part of it. The Bellatores- those that fight- members of the military aristocracy, such as Knights and fighting Barons- these men were the warrior elite of their world. In Normannis all members who fight are considered Bellatores whilst on the fieldsome may continue as Bellatores onto the encampment (see below). Membership of this Estate is nominal- members choose to be part of it by joining in combat displays. Right Skills for the Right Estate Members are not obliged to join one particular estate- for instance members may choose to not have an Oratores impression- but if a member is primarily helping with admin in their group/setting it would be recognised with an Oratores rank, whereas it would not necessarily lead to a Laboratores rank being offered. Equally member s military impression and their civilian impression are now entirely divorced- members with great administration and leadership skills but relatively poor combat skills may hold a high Oratores or Laboratores rank but remain a Militia within the Bellatores. This system is to aid recognition within its own area, and to prevent members feeling their particular skillset is being overlooked. Members can progress towards senior leadership with any estate as their primary focus- but members with skills in all three estate sets will always be given preference.

4 Single Estate Members Bellatores members between the ranks of Servien-Serjeant may continue to be Bellatores on the encampment- they wear a deliberate quasi-military impression (see the Clothing Regulations) and involve themselves in the military aspects of the encampment. Squires and Knights who are solely military can equally display the military aspect of their role on the Encampment, and therefore considered solely Bellatores members- once a member rises to the rank of Lord or above their duties necessitate an acknowledgement and involvement in the Laboratores aspect of their role at the least. Oratores members may choose to portray a churchman or monastic as a single dedicated impression- as there is no need for them to have a second secular civilian portrayal nor a fighting one. Some Oratores roles are permitted to muster in the same role (fighting Bishops), but this is considered crossing estates into the Bellatores. Laboratores members with no church or combat roles are considered dedicated Laboratores members. As such members rise in the society they do take on some Oratores responsibilities in admin, and may therefore be offered Oratores rank as well- but this is purely an option rather than a necessity. The Crossing of Estates Joint Interests There is no limiting factor in how many estates a member can be involved in- in fact, members who progress through all three estates are usually offered more options in setting up groups or taking on further responsibilities. In some cases, Oratores ranks can cross estates- some members of the upper clergy fought. This is predominantly a title consideration- but Bishops can remain Bishops even when dressed in armour on the field. Monastic, lower clergy and female members need a second, specific Bellatores impression for the field. Heads of Group and Estates At the point where members are running groups, the Bellatores estate effectively merges into the Laboratores and the Oratores, and all three can be thought of as Landlords. Landlords have responsibilities across all three estates, regardless of what their primary focus is- even non-combatant Ladies running groups should have an appointed Master-at-Arms who they discuss and organise combat training with.

5 Therefore at this level members who fight are expected to have a joint impression across two estates- even if it is simply the civilian equivalent of their fighting rank. Solely Oratores or Laboratores members can run groups- but solely Bellatores members cannot. They can, however, achieve the equivalent rank as a household knight, or rise to take a place in the Constabulary.

6 Society Structure The society is broken down into four strata- each stratum having a wider level of responsibility than the stratum below. There are three senior titled Tier 9 members. The Lord Chancellor, in charge of logistics, internal management and finance such as procurement and departments. This is traditionally (though not necessarily) an Oratores role. When held by an Oratores member the Chancellor is additionally responsible for coordinating all church based displays and members. The High Constable, in charge of setting combat regulations, equipment regulations and directing combat training, this member is in overall charge of all Bellatores matters. The High Steward, who manages primarily the Laboratores aspects of displays and craft and craft infrastructure, and issues that are not part of the Constable or Chancellor remit across the society. One of these senior Earls is then in overall charge of the Society as a whole. This member is referred to as the Justiciar as a second title. They are responsible for their primary remit (Oratores, Bellatores, or Laboratores) as well as the Officers and Group Leaders of the society. All members of the Shrievalty (High Sheriffs, Sheriffs) answer directly to them, as their task is to oversee each level of the society and see that the Code of Law is adhered to, and to be sure that all members are answerable to an exterior authority.

7 The Earl Justiciar has an admin deputy, called the Chamberlain. This member occupies the office as a role rather than a rank, but in society terms acts on behalf of the Justiciar. If the Lord Chancellor is not a member of the Oratores then an additional role, that of Confessor to the Justiciar is active. This post is given to an appointed Oratores member, who acts as a head of Estate to the Oratores- coordinating and overseeing Oratores displays. This member may be at any Stratum of the Society- and may not necessarily be the most senior Oratores by rank, but rather the most experienced in church matters. At National level there is a senior Earl and two deputy Tier 9 members. The Chancellor in charge of national logistics and admin such as procurement and infrastructure. Primarily an Oratores role but it may be filled by a member of any estate. When filled by a member of the Oratores they function as the head of church matters for their country. The Marshal, in charge of directing combat training and overseeing the country s military display and impression, The Earl, who manages the overall country, develops national expansion and training strategies and coordinates and builds infrastructure. This member also manages the heads of Region. There is, additionally a High Sheriff appointed by the Justiciar to observe as a neutral watchman and to apply the Code of Law and regulations. This member takes a Tier 9 rank and marks their heraldry/banner with a red crescent. These members are the go-to figure for members with complaints. These members also oversee the work of all subsequent Sheriffs in that country s Regions. At Regional level there are three Tier 8 membersthe Warden in charge of logistics and internal management such as procurement and logistics and infrastructure. the Constable, in charge of directing combat training and overseeing the region s military display and impression, the Baron, who manages the overall region, develops regional expansion and training strategies and coordinates and builds infrastructure. This member also manages the heads of Groups. There is, additionally a Sheriff appointed by the Justiciar and High Sheriff to observe as a neutral watchman and to apply the Code of Law and regulations. This member takes a Tier 8 rank and marks their heraldry/banner with a red crescent. These

8 members are the go-to figure for members with complaints. Tier Laboratores Bellatores Oratores 1 Tenant Farmer (M/F) Levy Levy Archer Lay Tenant (M/F) Lay Brother (M) 2 Cottar (M/F) Militia Garrison Archer Novice (M/F) Acolyte (M) 3 Tradesman (M/F) Servien Mercenary Archer Parochial Vicar (M) Monk (M) Nun (F) 4 Merchant (M/F) Serjeant Deacon (M) Brother Dean (M) Sister (F) 5 Burgess (M/F) Squire Captain of Archers Priest (M) Prioress (F) Prior (M) 6 Steward (M) Majordomo (F) Knight Dean (M) Abbot (M) Abbess (F) 7 Lord (M) Lady (F) Lord Archdeacon (M) Magistra (F) 8 Baron (M) Noblewoman (F) Baron Bishop (M) Senior Abbess (F) Patron Noblewoman (F) 9 Earl (M) Countess (F) Earl Archbishop (M) Patron Countess (F) Tiers and the Regulations Due to the variation between the ranks of each Estate, as well as ranks carrying different names in other Countries (Scotland and plans for overseas groups to follow different ranks) the titles of each rank became increasingly meaningless when writing documents- and writing all the possible variations of each rank equivalency impractical- for instance, when listing a set of people who use a particular colour on

9 the colour-chart it would read; Levy Archers, Levy, Tenant Farmers, Lay Tenants, Clansman etc. Therefore it became significantly easier to assign all equivalent ranks a number- it s Tier. So rather than the above explanation, all that would be required for the same information would be- Tier I members. Therefore all members simply need to be aware of what tier their rank is associated with, and then documents like the clothing regulations make significantly more sense. It also allows for greater understanding across-society as each country begins to develop their own names for ranks. The tier designation is only used in place of rank when the document crosses estates and therefore applies to all members. In documents entirely dealing with combatants, Bellatores ranks will be used, for instance. So when perusing the clothing regulations or other documents that use Tiers, simply remember your relevant tier for your relevant estate- so-

10 The Cadre/Coterie/Seminary System The three estates each maintain their own system for progression- these have different names and different criteria, but ultimately serve the same function- they oversee the promotion of members from one rank to the next to a set of relatively standardised criteria so that all promotion is fair and impartial. Whilst this involves more formality than the previous ad-hoc system, it is intended to increase fairness in promotion and parity in members of a given rank across the society. The Cadre is the Bellatores system- members progressing beyond the rank of Militia are not promoted solely by their head of group- rather their head of group or other senior officer recommends them for promotion to the Constabulary. The member is then directed to cadre sessions run by the Constabulary for different ranks at training events and shows- members considered to have met the criteria for their new rank then progress to it. The Seminary is the Oratores system- members progressing beyond the rank of Novice/Acolyte are not promoted by their head of group- rather their head of group or other senior officer recommends them for promotion to the Chancellry (if the post is held by an Oratores) or Confessor to the Justiciar. The senior Oratores then arranges Seminary sessions for different ranks at training events and showsmembers considered to have met the criteria for their new rank then progress to it. The Coterie is the Laboratores system- members progressing beyond the rank of Cottar are not promoted solely by their head of group- rather their head of group or other senior officer recommends them for promotion to the High Steward, who in consultation with the local Guilds and nobility arranges Coterie sessions for different ranks at training events and shows- members considered to have met the criteria for their new rank then progress to it. Each estate lays down the assessment system for member s ranks in their regulations or associated handbook (the Constabulary Handbook for the Bellatores, for instance).

11 Departments and Guilds There are a series of groups within the society with a common stated goal. These fall into one of two categories- Departments, which handle some of the admin of the society or some other society function that is not considered a period craft. Guilds, which promote, regulate and improve the quality of period crafts and activities- such as the Guild of Leatherworkers. These two groups are generally associated with the Oratores (administrators) and Laboratores (crafters). Guilds Guild of Armourers Guild of Leatherworkers Guild of Drapers Guild of Mummers Guild of Cooks Guild of Scribes Guild of Musicians Guild of Turners and Joiners Departments College of Heralds Finance (Exchequer) Membership Media Recruitment Internal Merchandise Web and Digital Internal Media (RB) The Guilds have representation on Facebook and the group s forum. If you have a department or guild you wish to be involved in, contact the Chamberlain. Members who progress notably in Guilds take an active role in Departments or have this taken into consideration when reviewing promotions.

12 Historia Normannis Code Of Law Within Historia Normannis there is a universal Code of Law, which governs the behaviour of all members, including the officers. This in outline is thus; No member may use Normannis combat to attempt to deliberately injure or bring harm to another member. Any member found to have done so will be reported to the police. No member may be abusive to members of the public at society events- before and after the main display. Members should show mutual respect to each other at all times; no member should deliberately cause offence to another member*, nor use excessive profanity or abusive language. Members must not undertake any society activity when under the effect of alcohol or drugs. Members must undertake to follow instructions from relevant officers as so far as they are reasonable. No member may destroy or damage property owned by another member, Common Normannis ownership, nor that of event hosts or training grounds. No member may breach Combat Regulations without extreme mitigating cause. ** * - To be taken in context; Normannis maintains a close fraternal culture which might include amiable banter that could be deemed offensive to some, but not to others. **- IE: Another member attempting to assault them, A member of the public attacking them. Those found to have broken the Code of Law may be subject to a range of punitive measuresin some cases banned from training, from events, or from the society as a whole- this decision will rest with the head of the country that the member s group is in. In cases where the member has joint membership crossing national borders, it will be the head of the country in which the incident occurred. Members asked to answer for their conduct will be given formal notice and at least five days before a hearing or procedure will be held. They may ask for another member to help represent themselves (assuming the member is not somehow involved). In cases where the member s behaviour has broken criminal law Normannis will aid the police in prosecuting a case, and charges may be brought by group officers themselves. Any member who feels a superior officer has breached the above code may contact (in ascending order) Their group deputy Their group leader Their regional Sheriff Their regional Barons Their country s High Sheriff Their head of Country Any of the Society-level senior Earls The Earl Justiciar

13 If the case is deemed unclear by the most senior authority dealing with it, a court of Normannis members may be called to consider the matter; in the case of a serving Group Officer, Regional Officer or National Officer, they will be tried by a court of their peers, headed by the next senior officer to decide on a suitable response. If members are unhappy or have any grievance that they are unsure of, they should contact their local Sheriff. Sheriffs act as a sounding board and are familiar with the Normannis Code of Law, and act as intermediaries to resolve issues.