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Sir Menken has
a feudal relationship with his Squires, a contract with
obligations binding on both parties. Menken's Squires are not servants.
They
are at once his students, his apprentices, his protégés
and his man-at-arms.
They are considered to be born of noble blood and are treated as such.
Menken's Squires
pledge to strive to enhance their skills and to always uphold the ideals
of chivalry, courtesy, valour and service that are the foundations of
our Society. They swear to honour his lady, Dame Eleanor, also pledge
their personal service to Menken as his Squire, and freely swear personal
fealty to him, and through him, to the Crown of Ealdormere. In return,
upon taking the Squire into his personal service, Menken pledges to
protect and to nurture the Squire; to teach and otherwise encourage
his development in the chivalric arts, courtesy and service; to provide
what guidance and counsel he can; and to advance their cause when appropriate.
Further, the Squires are promised always to have a seat at Menken's
table and a dry place to sleep under his roof, and they will fall under
his protection so long as he remains their Lord.
Menken presents
each of his Squires with the traditional red belt as a sign of the feudal
relationship they have entered into. Each of these belts has the gold
edging that is unique to descendants of the great Duke Merowald, Earl
of Sylveaston, to whom Menken himself was squired. Also as with Merowald
before him, Menken's Squires do not wear unadorned silver chains. Menken's
gold chain is symbolic of his fealty to the Crown of the Ealdormere;
likewise, the Squire's belt is symbolic of their fealty to Menken, and
through him to the Crown.
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 red field to symbolize their membership in
the household as one of Sir Menken's dependents.
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