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Dame Eleanor
has a feudal relationship with her Apprentices, a contract with
obligations binding on both parties. Eleanor's Apprentices are not servants.
They are considered to be born of noble blood and are treated as such.
Eleanor's Apprentices
pledge to strive to enhance their skills and to always uphold the ideals
of chivalry, courtesy, hospitality and service that are the foundations
of our Society. They swear to honour her lord, Sir Menken, and also
pledge their personal service to Eleanor as her Apprentice, and
freely swear personal fealty to her, and through her, to the Crown of
Ealdormere. In return, upon taking the Apprentice into her personal
service, Eleanor pledges to protect and to nurture the Apprentice;
to teach and otherwise encourage their development in the arts, courtesy
and service; to provide what guidance and counsel she can; and to advance
their cause when appropriate. Further, the Apprentices are promised
always to have a seat at Eleanor's table and a dry place to sleep under
her roof, and they will fall under her protection so long as she remains
their Dame.
Eleanor presents
each of her Apprentices with a silver ring in the shape of a belt. Each
ring is made anew for each Apprentice and no two rings are alike. They
are given also a banner of the household badge so that all may know
they represent House Fettered Fleur.
They display
the household badge on a blue field to symbolize their membership in
the household as one of Dame Eleanor's dependents.
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